How to Convert MPG to Prores MOV for FCP X?

An MPG file is a common video file that uses a digital video format standardized by the Moving Picture Expert Group. MPG files are often used for creating movies that are distributed on the Internet and typically incorporates MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 audio and video compression. Have a ton of .mpg video on your local hard drive and wish to import them into FCP X. At the moment, you may find that you aren’t able to import MPG into FCP X projectors or events. You may wonder do you need to convert them to be able to use them and what the file do they need to be converted to and what you can use to convert them. The following article will illustrate those issues one by one for you with great detailed information.

Can Final Cut Pro X handle MPG files?

From Final Cut Pro X supported file formats, we can see that MPG is unfortunately excluded from its supported file formats list. There, you won’t be able to directly import MPEG into FCP X. A format or codec transcoding process is inevitable.

What is best file format to convert MPG for FCP X editing?

Have no ideal which is the best editing format that you should convert MPG to for FCP X editing. Although FCP X has native import support for many different file container format or codec, however, if you wish to get a high performance and high quality FCP X post editing workflow, we highly recommend you to transcode MPG to Prores MOV format, a lossy video compression format specially developed by Apple for post-production. Compared with other editing codec, the Apple Prores codec has many great merits. Firstly, it supports all frame size such as SD, HD, 2K, 4K and even 5K. Secondly, it is encoding with variable bit rate to be economical with video storage, without damaging the visuals. Thirdly, as a 10 bit codec, Apple Prores can process a lot of more color data and make the color correction process more easier.

Best tool to use for converting MPG to Prores MOV for FCP X

Although there are many applications on the market can assist you to generate Apple Prores mov from MPG files, however, if you are looking for a powerful yet simple to use application, here, we highly recommend our Best Prores Converter for Mac - Pavtube Video Converter for Mac to you. The program has full support for MPG files encoded with various compression codec including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, etc. Thanks to its batch conversion mode, you can load multiple MPG files at one time for conversion to save your precious time. The biggest merits of this program lies in that it allows you to produce various different Apple Prores formats including Apple Prores 422, Apple Prores 422 (HQ), Apple Prores 422 (LT), Apple Prores 422 (Proxy) and Apple Prores 4444. You can flexibly make your own selection according to your own needs.

Have no ideal how to choose the right Prores format on your own, just have a reference at this article: pick the right versions of Prores.

Edit MPG files with built-in editing tools

Don’t want to get the full video length imported to FCP X, never mind, you can use the “Trim” function offered by the program to leave only your unwanted specific parts converted. There are black edges around the video frame, just use the “Crop” function to remove the black bars around the video frame. What’s more, you can also use the “Subtitle” function to add external subtitles to the MPG video.

Tips:

1. When converting video to Final Cut Pro oriented format templates(e.g. Apple Prores), please ensure that your computer has Final Cut Pro installed, otherwise the converted files will have audio only without image.

If you are using FCP X, please make sure you have installed ProApps QuickTime Codecs, or you may get files with sound only without video.

Step by Step to Convert MPG to Apple Prores MOV for FCP X Editing

Step 1: Load MPG files.

Download the free trial version of the program. Launch it on your computer. Click “File” menu and select “Add Video/Audio” or click the “Add Video” button on the top tool bar to import MPG files into the program.

Load MPG files

Tips: If you want to batch load multiple files, make sure to store all your files in the same folder, then click “File” > “Add from folder” or press the “Add from Folder” button on the top tool bar to batch importing them into the program.

Step 2: Select output file format.

Click “Format” bar, from its drop-down list, select your desired Prores format such as “Final Cut Pro” > “Apple Prores 422(*.mov)”, you can also choose other prores formats on your own needs.

Output MPG to Apple Prores format

Step 3: Trim/Crop/Add subtitle to MPG video.

Trim

In the video editor window, choose the “Trim” tab and this tab is selected by default when the editing window appears. You can use the trim function to cut off unwanted parts from start and end. You can either drag pointers on the process bar or set exact time point in Start and End boxes to set.

Trim video

Crop

The “Crop” facility enables users to get rid of the black edges and unwanted area of the image. In the video editor window, navigate to the “Crop” tab. Follow the below methods to crop selected video:
A: Crop video by dragging and dropping the crop frame. Simply move your mouse cursor to drag and adjust the green frame to desired position.
B: Crop video by setting values. There are “Simple Mode” and “Advanced Mode” under Crop feature.

In “Simple Mode”, you can customize values in the box of “Left”, “Top” and “Crop Size” to make your crop decision. Under “Advanced Mode”, there are four value fields: Left, Top, Width and Height. You can either type in specific values to the fields or adjust sliders to crop the source file.

Crop video black bars