Tutorial: How to Convert GoPro footage for Editing in Final Cut Pro

Tutorial: How to convert GoPro HD footage for editing in FCP (Final Cut Pro)

GoPro Final Cut

Step-by-step tutorial to edit your GoPro files in Final Cut Pro

The GoPro HD is an affordable high performance wearable camera to record sporting and other activities.

The GoPro HD records in MPEG-4 and outputs its files as .MP4 files (the container). Files are compressed using the h.264 codec (as opposed to AAC or Xvid and DivX usually found in .AVI containers). So the files you are getting out of GoPro HD are suited to be delivered as is, which is usually not what you want. The GoPro HD being an “always-on” type of camera worn on your helmet, attached to your bike, surfboard or other, you usually end up with long sequences of footage you then need to edit down.

Since the MP4 codec is a final delivery codec it is not one you want to use for editing. Therefore you first need to convert it to a more editing-friendly format, such a Final Cut Pro’s ProRes.

First you need to download MPEG Streamclip, a powerful high-quality video converter, player and editor. If you are editing with Final Cut Pro (FCP), chances are you already installed this great free utility. If not, download it it from here.

So, what does the workflow look like?

1) Create a folder with the original GoPro .MP4 files on your hard drive.

2) Launch MPEG Streamclip

3) Select LIST / BATCH LIST in the menu toolbar. This opens a BATCH LIST window. Select all your .MP4 files in your folder, drag & drop them into this BATCH LIST window.

4) Another window automatically opens with a task to choose. Leave the default selection EXPORT TO QUICKTIME. Do not tick any of the other fields. Press OK.

5) The SELECT THE DESTINATION FOLDER window opens. Create a folder for your converted files and SELECT it.

6) The MOVIE EXPORTER windows opens. Select the options as follows:

COMPRESSION: APPLE PRORES 422 (LT). Please note that you will only see the Apple ProRes Codecs if you have Final Cut Pro installed as they are being shipped as part of this editing suite.
QUALITY: Increase to 100%
FRAME SIZE: This will depend on what settings you used to film your original footage so you need to select the one that says UNSCALED. In my case this is 1280×720 (UNSCALED).

Set the FRAME RATE options as follows:

FRAME BLENDING: OFF
BETTER DOWNSCALING: OFF
INTERLACED SCALING: ON
DEINTERLACE VIDEO: OFF
Finally, FIELD DOMINANCE is set to UPPER FIELD FIRST.

Leave the rest unchanged, then click TO BATCH. This will put all your files in the conversion queue.

Then click GO and your files will be converted into .MOV files ready to be imported into FCP.

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Ron Grosinger

I hired an editor and he is using Avid. All prpblems solved.

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Jan Oeding

@ZachAs far as I know, the Pro Res 422 codecs will only show up in MPEG Streamclip if you have FCP installed (since they come with FCP). The file size will be superior yes, even with the ProRes 422 LT. But that will be for the editing process only. Once you export the file in its delivery format your file size will decrease again.

Zach grzelak

What if my mpeg stream clip doesn't have apple pro res 422. I tried using apple intermediate codec but myOne 3 minute clips was converted into 7 gigs. How come each clip was converted tO that large Of a file??? Please help

@RonAssuming you converted your files properly you might be dealing with a timeline (sequence) setting issue.Since your Canon HD files and your GoPro files don't use the same settings, one of them probably doesn't match the settings of your sequence.Try to open your converted GoPro files in a new project and add them to the timeline. Say yes to the popup asking if you want to match your sequence to your footage and see if they are still red.That should tell us if you converted them properly and if the issue is sequence settings related.Let me knowCheersJan

This is great info, but my FCP still requires me to render the GoPro files. I sent the file through MPEG Streamclip and changed it to apple 422.. and it didn't work. What am I doing wrong?

Khobbes

That's really cool

MaxiMaxi you are right, that seemed strange to me too (I initially didn't select it myself) but this is as per GoPro's own website recommendation.

maximaxi

can you explain why you have "interlaced scaling" on? thanks!

oisnd

I'm also wondering about why the 'Interlaced scaling' is set to on, because several other tutorials out there have specifically put it to OFF.

I will need to double-check with GoPro on that. I would set it to OFF too (my initial setting) but the GoPro website actually says it should be on. Probably a typo on their site. I will see what I can find out.