How to Import Video into Avid Media Composer?

This article outlines the recommended workflow for importing all kinds of videos and codecs into your Avid Media Composer.  

Follow the detailed instructions to get started importing all your media files into Avid Media Composer. (Whether you're new to Avid's popular non-linear editor, or are a seasoned digital video professional, you're sure to enjoy this free tutorial)

How to Import video into Avid Media Composer 

First, make sure the right bin or folder is selected, otherwise the ‘Import…’ option might be greyed out. Then, go to File > Import…. You will be prompted to select the video or stills you want to import. You must choose a transcode format if you are using this method. I recommend DNxHD while you’re in Avid:





These files are found in the ‘Avid MediaFiles’ folder. There is also a *.pmr file which lists all the online media files.

However, many would prefer to use AMA to avoid transcoding to any intermediary codec. In this case, you must first open AMA by going to File > AMA Link…:




Only the codecs you have installed individually will show up. Avid puts this down to the ease with which they can update plug-ins when necessary, but that’s just them being lazy. I think they should consider your convenience above their own.

Once you select the video file, it will show up in the selected bin, in its native format and wrapper. You can also create a new Import setting by going to your Project panel and choosing Settings. Right click on Import and select Duplicate. You can customize this import setting and use that to drag and drop files into bins directly. Import processes can be automated to make life faster.

While importing, it is a good idea to keep the Console panel open. It will show you if there are any errors while importing, and is great for troubleshooting problems:




Avid Supported Codecs

There are many codecs and container options out there. Just when you think you have a handle on things, a new codec is announced. It’s a way of life, which is unlikely to be ‘corrected’ soon.

H.264

H.264 is the ubiquitous codec, and it looks like it will stay for quite some time. AvidMedia Composer supports H.264 natively, via AMA as mentioned above. TheQuicktime plug-ins are installed by default. For MXF plugins, use this link.

AVCHD

AVCHD is a ‘version’ of the MPEG-4 AVC specification, or H.264, and Avid Media Composer supports AVCHD natively with the default plug-in (only in the MOV wrapper), via AMA as mentioned above. Avid says you’ll need to perform a one-time-only free activation of the Dolby AC-3 codec to use the plug-in, which happens in the background if you have an active Internet connection.

For AVCHD not in MOV wrappers, you’ll need to download the specific plug-in here.

XDCAM

Avid Media Composer treats XDCAM with kid gloves, so to speak. XDCAM and XDCAM HD follow the MXF OP1a standard, and need to be converted to MXF OP Atom. Similarly, XDCAM EX is MP4, and needs to be converted to the same. Use this link to download the XDCAM plug-ins.

The utility that can do this is Sony Content Browser (The manual incorrectly still recommends the XDCAM viewer, which has been phased out).

XDCAM codecs are supported at native resolutions only. For videos on the XDCAM and Avid Media Composerworkflow, click here. For a detailed workflow guide, click here (PDF).

XAVC

At the time of this writing, there isn’t a plug-in for 4K XAVC, though XAVC Intra 100 is supported within Media Composer.

CANON XF (MXF)

This applies to files from both the XF series cameras as well as the Cinema EOS line (Cxxx). You’ll need to install the Canon XF and MXF plug-in from this link.

Once that is installed, restart Avid Media Composer. You can then import it natively via AMA as mentioned above.

HDV and DV

HDV is still supported natively, in both transport stream form as well as wrapped as MOV, etc. The video file is rewrapped as MXF, but is used natively.

Of course, you can also Capture HDV from a camera or tape deck directly. For DV and HDV, this method is preferable over Import… since you will also get important metadata and timecode this way (if the camera supplies it).

MPEG-4

Like H.264, Avid Media Composer supports MPEG-4 natively, via AMA as mentioned above. The Quicktime plug-ins are installed by default. For MXF plugins, use this link.

X.264

X.264 is not supported by Avid Media Composer unless you rewrap it into a MOV container.

The Quicktime plug-ins are installed by default.

PRORES

Prores works natively via the Quicktime plug-ins. If you use the AMA method, you can edit natively in MOV wrappers. If you want to use the other Import method, Avid rewraps the video into an MXF wrapper (codec is still Prores).

Here’s a good video that explains how to get your Prores workflow going:

DNxHD

This is Avid’s baby. All kinds of DNxHD are supported natively via either of the import methods mentioned above.

Now have a clear idea of how to import video into Avid Media Composer, right?

Still have issues? How to edit video from a camera that Avid Media Composer doesn’t recognize ?

As most of the video codecs, formats are not natively supported by Avid, plug-in is always needed. However, it would be a complex process to download, install a pile of video codecs and plug-ins. So here offers some easy and fast way to turn your unsupported videos to formats that Avid MC likes.

a.  Convert AVCHD video files into Avid Media Composer native DNxHD .mov.

b. Encode P2 MXF files and Avid MXF to Avid Media Composer for editing.

c. If your MXF files have 2 audio tracks or more, here is a program named iMixMXF with multi-track preserving and mixing features. You can download the trial version for evaluation!

d. Futhermore, you can transcode your MOV, XAVC and XDCAM video to DNxHD .mov before importing to Avid Media Composer.

Workaround to import Sony XDCAM MXF to After Effects CC by format transcoding

Read this awesome guide to learn how to convert and transcode Sony XDCAM MXF file for further editing with After Effects CC without hassle.

After Effects allows users to animate, alter and composite media in 2D and 3D space with various built-in tools and third party plug-ins. But for beginners, using .mxf footage from Sony XDCAM camcorder in After Effects CC is not as easy as we think.

Why? From Adobe official website, Adobe After effects CC can render to the part of MXF format, but it can’t handle all raw MXF files, that depends on what's inside the MXF, which is capable of holding a great variety of audio and video types. And Sony XDCAM can record a lot of different formats into an MXF container that can't be added into AE CC for working with.

Solution: To import other type Sony XDCAM MXF files to After Effects CC for editing smoothly, a better way is to transcode MXF files from Sony XDCAM to MPEG-2/WMV/MOV at first, which is a standard format for AE CC.

See also: Adobe After Effects CS6: Sony XDCAM EX Readability Glitch

Right app tool: And to perform this format shifting, a professional Mac MXF to After Effects Converter tool- Pavtube iMixMXF is the best choice for you.

Overall, it can not only transcode Sony XDCAM MXF files to After Effects editable format, but also generates best editing format/codec for filmmakers and video enthusiasts to use in different NLE apps, such as Adobe Premiere Pro CS4/CS5/CS6, iMovie, Final Cut Express, Final Cut Pro 6/7/X, and more, which means it can solve all the MXF incompatibility issues on Mac OS X. For Windows user, please turn to MXF MultiMixer.

Step 1. Install and run this MXF to AE Converter. Just copy the MXF files from Sony XDCAM right to your hard drive, import the XDCAM MXF files to the software.

Step 2. Click “Format” bar to choose the output format. You can choose “Format > Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas > MPEG-2 Video (*.mpg)” as output format for editing Sony XDCAM MXF files in Adobe After Effects CC.



Step 3. You can click “Settings” button to adjust the parameters, such as resolution, bitrate, etc.

For example, To get a perfect video for editing in After Effects CC, you’d better press the Settings icon to set the video size as 1920*1080, frame rate as 30fps in the Profiles Settings panel.

Step 4. Click “Convert” button to start converting Sony XDCAM MXF to MPG for importing to After Effects CC on Mac. The Mac MXF Converter for AE will convert Sony XDCAM MXF videos to MPG with the original video resolution.

After the conversion is finished, just run Adobe After Effects CC and import the .mpg for editing. You will find the output video work perfectly on Adobe After Effects CC.

Click Edit button and you can trim, crop or adjust the video with the built-in video editor to get the very part and effect of the DVD movie you want.

Additional editing features of the MXF to After Effects Converter: 

• Combine files together- check the files to be merged in file list and check ‘Merge into one’ box beside ‘Settings’ button. 
• Deinterlace- click ‘Editor’, switch to ‘Effect’ tab, find ‘Deinterlacing’ box, and check it to eliminate interlacing lines. 
• Thumbnail- click ‘Snapshoot’ button when previewing the video. Click ‘Option’ to set the image format of screenshots. 
• Trim a section of the movie- click ‘Editor’, switch to ‘Trim’ tab, and input time point in start and end box. 

What's more, to get more fun, just add your MXF files to VLC Player for viewing, to Premiere Pro CS6 or FCP for further editing.

Read More:

• MXF & FCP X Workflow: Help Importing MXF into FCP X
• Video Solution: Edit XDCAM MXF in Adobe Premiere Pro CC
• Import Panasonic HVX2000A MXF Files to Avid MC for Editing
• Import Canon C300 Mark II 4K MXF to iMovie on Mac
• Convert Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 P2 MXF to Avid/Premiere/Sony Vegas Pro
• How to Convert Camcorders MXF to any formats on Mac (macOS 10.12 Sierra included)
• How to Convert and Compress 4K MXF for Windows Movie Maker Editing?
• Can LG Ultra HD 4K TV say yes to 4K .MXF shootings?

How to Convert Video on Mac Yosemite and Mavericks Easy as Can Be

Here is a Yosemite and Mavericks tutorial which offers you a best video converter for converting all kinds of video to any formats and gadgets on Mac Yosemite and Mavericks in a Breeze.

As promised, Mac OS has a new look on June 2, 2014 and this fall is the time for Mac users to upgrade to the latest Mac OS Yosemite, which is unveiled at Apple's 2014 WWDC.  However, compatibility problems with video playback on Mac OS X 10.10 will be confused like the previous Mavericks,for example:

• 1. Your videos are still out of reach of mobile devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android tablets,Xbox 360, PSP, etc, and even cannot be played by PC directly if there’s no proper player or codec installed;
• 2. Your video file is somewhat "heavy" for storing/saving, transferring and sharing;
• 3. Some old HD videos are not compatible with our new Mac OS anymore, such as Mavericks and Yosemite.

Of course a suggested video converter for Mac OS X 10.10 and Mavericks to solve issues with converting on your new system is needed.To be honest, I tried several softwares online and I can tell you that NO ONE comes even close to the simpleness and great quality that Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac delivers. (Read Top 5 Best HD Video Converter for Mac Review) It is such a extremely powerful app which are sure to meet just about every one of your video conversion needs. When it comes to Apple's new operating system Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite and Mavericks, this converter software makes quick response to it and ensures full compatibility with the latest platform. Below is how to convert hd video on Mac Yosemite and Mavericks with simple clicks.

How to convert HD Videos on Mac Yosemite and Mavericks

Step 1. Run the Pavtube Video Converter for Yosemite/Mavericks, drag and drop source video to the program.



Step 2. Click on “Format” bar, and Choose Mac Yosemite and Mavericks compatible format for playing.

From "Format" dropdown list, you can go to "Common Video" option to find what you like. I think H.264 Video(*.mp4) format is better for Mac Yosemite and Mavericks.



Tips:

1. For some advances users, you can go to adjust video and audio parameters like bitrate, resolution, channels, etc. Click "Settings" button you can go to check and change them as you like.

2. The "Edit" button on the main interface of this program is also available for you to trim your recordings, crop them to suit your device's screen, add watermark and even plug in SRT subtitle to MP4 video to make your video understandable.



Step 3. Press on “Convert” to start encoding HD videos (like MKV, VOB, AVI, MPG, Tivo, WMV, Flash, etc.) to Yosemite/Mavericks compatible video.

Step 4. When conversion completes, press on “Open” to locate converted videos and just enjoy your videos on Mac Yosemite and Mavericks and transfer to your mobile devices for watching wherever you are. 

See also:

• Best MKV Video Converter for Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
• How Can I Install QuickTime 7 Pro For OS X Yosemite 
• Can I import RMVB into iMovie on Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks 

Transcode Canon MXF footage for importing to Davinci Resolve on Mac

This article shares the way to import Canon MXF files into Davinci Resolve for film-making by converting MXF to Davinci native DNxHD mov video. 

DaVinci Resolve is the world's most advanced color grading system. With an incredible range of digital film cameras available, Resolve includes more native camera file support. According to Blackmagicdesign official website, it can support Cineform, Cineform 3D, Phantom, GoPro, Canon C300, C500 and 1D, 5D, 7D and Sony F65/F55/F5 RAW. (Learn DaVinci Resolve Workflows- Tutorial on how to use Resolve 9)

As you can see, the MXF files is not listed as a supported media. And you may always encounter problems when ingesting MXF footage to DaVinci Resolve. Then how to get DaVinci Resolve to recognize Canon recorded MXF files?

Rejoice, mates, Rejoice. For there’s finally being a solution that does what it says it’s supposed to do. Come and meet Pavtube iMixMXF which would be a vital part of your workflow. It can transcode Canon MXF shootings to easily adapted to DaVinci Resolve. What's more, it can do some little editing some simple editing features, such as merging several videos into one file, deinterlacing the original footages, cropping video size, trimming video clips, adding special effects and text/image/video watermarks to output videos.

And if you are also interested in how to convert Canon .mxf files into DaVinci Resolve preferred video on Windows PC, Pavtube MXF MultiMixer if you best choice. Guys, follow this link to order a license directly, or free download a trial version.

How to import Canon MXF video to DaVinci Resolve for editing without rendering?

Step 1: Connect your Canon MXF camcorder to your Apple with USB2.0.

Free Download the best Mac MXF to DaVinci Resolve Converter. Install and run it on you Mac. Click “Add videos” to load individual videos, or click “Add from folder” to load the whole folder.

Tips:

1. If your MXF files have already been transferred to your Apple hard drive, you can easily drag them to the best MXF to DaVinci Resolve Converter.

2. If you have multiple mxf files, you can select the “Merge into one file” box to merge the mxf files into one single file for DaVinci Resolve so that you can play these files without interruption.

Step 2. Click on the “Format” and get the dropdown menu, then move you pointer to “Avid Media Composer”. Here we recommend the Avid DNxHD (*.mov)” for as best video format for editing Canon MXF footage in DaVinci Resolve. Then you can set the output folder by clicking “Browse” icon.



What's more, the most important feature of Pavtube iMixMXF is that it allows you to preserve multiple audio tracks by outputting multi-track formats. Just follow the “Multi-track Video” and choose what you want.



Step 3. Click the “Settings” icon and you will go into a new interface named “Profile Settings”. You’d better set the video frame rate as 30fps, video size as 1920*1080 to keep the best quality for editing in DaVinci Resolve . If you want to have a smaller file size but keep the good quality, you can change the video size to 1440*1080.

Step 4: Click the “Convert” button; it will convert Canon MXF to DNxHD for DaVinci Resolve editing on Mac immediately.

3..2..1..Bingo! After the workflow, you can go to the output folder to find the converted video files. Now you are free to import the DNxHD MOV to DaVinci Resolve under Mac without rendering.

Also also learn how to rip feature documentary footage, convert Avid MXF and other video files like MKV/MTS/AVI/MP4/FLV in DaVinci Resolve.

Read More:

• MXF & FCP X Workflow: Help Importing MXF into FCP X
• Video Solution: Edit XDCAM MXF in Adobe Premiere Pro CC
• Import Panasonic HVX2000A MXF Files to Avid MC for Editing
• Import Canon C300 Mark II 4K MXF to iMovie on Mac
• Convert Panasonic AJ-HPX2700 P2 MXF to Avid/Premiere/Sony Vegas Pro
• How to Convert Camcorders MXF to any formats on Mac (macOS 10.12 Sierra included)
• How to Convert and Compress 4K MXF for Windows Movie Maker Editing?
• Can LG Ultra HD 4K TV say yes to 4K .MXF shootings?

Convert G2M WMV Video to iMovie for editing Using GoToMeeting Video Converter

Just read this article and get the best G2M WMV Converter to help you solve GoToMeeting video to iMovie importing and editing issues quickly and easily. 

We're recording and creating wmv files about webinar from gotomeeting software. Before uploading to Vimeo so our customers and potential customers will have access, I needed a software to convert a G2M WMV for editing in my iMovie. Having tried one bit, it displays "failed to convert" underneath the wmv file. But I tried an avi file that was produced through camtasia and it worked. Any ideas?

GoToMeeting is a nice recording software in capturing webinar, however, this greatly attributes to the proprietary WMV with incompatible G2M codec that only renders on GoToMeeting's own platform, but not a standard codec installed in any kind of video editing package like iMovie.

So if we would like to edit GoToMeeting G2M WMV video in iMovie for sharing, we can rely on some video converter, such as Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac to convert G2M WMV to iMovie native AIC.mov for smoothly editing. It’s an easy-to-use and decent GotoMeeting video converter that can always deliver what you need, with an easy intuitive interface.

Step-by-step tutorial on how to convert G2M WMV videos to iMovie for editing

Step 1: After the installation of the professional G2M WMV to iMovie Converter, run the program to load your G2M WMV video files.



Step 2: Click on the dropdown menu of “Format” and choose iMovie and Final Cut Express -> Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov) as the target format.



Go the Profile Settings panel to adjust the video size, bitrate, frame rate, audio channel, etc as you want.



Step 3: Tap the Convert button to start the G2M WMV to iMovie conversion. When the conversion ends, you can launch iMovie and add the converted camera clips to your Even library through "File -> Import -> Movies..." like this:

File Importing Steps: How to import video files or projects to iMovie 8/9/11 on Mac?

What's more, you can convert G2M WMV to Youtube for sharing and Moviemaker, Camtasia, FCP for editing. And converting MTS video to iMovie is not a big deal.

How to save/convert WLMP to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 video format

See how to convert Windows Live Movie Maker Project file - WLMP to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 compatible format for watching step by step.

WLMP is a Windows Live Movie Maker project file which records the path to all the source files and records the transitions effects etc; but it does not include copies of the source files like photos, video clips, and audio clips. Therefore, we can only view WLMP in Windows Live Movie Maker and cannot play it directly on the hot devices like iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4.

Then how to turn the wlmp file extention into iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 supported mp4 format? This is what the article says.

Part I: Save WLMP project as a video

This method is applicable for Windows 7/Vista users only. Follow these steps:

Step 1 – First, you’ll import your WLMP file into Windows Live Movie Maker.

Step 2 – Select File > Save Movie. You can then choose to save it as WMV.



Tips: You can save WLMP project file as MP4 directly if you are using Windows Live Movie Maker 2012.

Part II: Get a WLMP converter to convert WLMP to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 MP4 format

If you save your WLMP file as WMV format with Windows Live Movie Maker, you need to get a video converter to convert your saved WLMP file to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 supported MP4 format. (See Top 6 best Free iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus Video/Audio Converters)

Here I humbly recommend Pavtube HD Video Converter, which can convert WLMP to almost any format you desire like MOV, AVI, MKV, VOB, RMVB, MPEG, MPG, and MPEG-2, etc. And most importantly, it can realize WLMP to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 MP4 conversion with best video quality and simplest workflow as Pavtube now upgrade for iPhone 6 (Plus) & Galaxy Note 4 support.

FYI: You can reach the Mac version here: WLMP to iPhone/Galaxy Converter for Mac.

Tutorial: How to transfer WLMP Video files to iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 for watching

Step 1. Run this WLMP Video Converter; add videos.

You can click "Add Video" to choose import WLMP videos. Drag-and-drop is also supported.

Step 2. Choose iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 video format.

Hit the menu bar of “Format”, find the optimal video format for  iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4.

To enjoy WLMP files on iPhone 6 Plus, choose "iPhone 6 Plus H.264 Full Screen/Full HD 1080P(*.mp4)" from "iPhone".

For transferring WLMP to Galaxy Note 4,  “Samsung > Samsung Galaxy Note(*.mp4)” is recommended here.

Step 3. Customize video specs (Optional).

Your can click "Settings" to free change video size, bitrate, frame rate and others. If you do not want to keep videos in large size, you can lower the bitrate settings to get video in proper size.
For iPhone 6 Plus:

For Galaxy Note 4:

Step 4. Start Conversion.

Now hit the big red "Convert" to start converting WLMP video to MP4 format. After conversion, you can click "Open output folder" to quick locate the converted video. Just connect iPhone 6 Plus and Galaxy Note 4 to PC and then sync to iPhone 6 Plus via iTunes and transfer to Galaxy Note 4 via Kies.

What's more, you can also read how to convert MTS, M2TS, TS, MXF, MP4, XAVC videos onto iPhone 6(Plus) and get DVD collections to Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for more fun!

Pavtube HD Video Converter 4.6.1 Adds iPhone 6 Output

Good News! We are so proud to announce that Pavtube has an amazing updated version of its all multimedia tools. Acted on customers requests and Pavtube adds some amazing new features at the latest release.

What's New?

1. Add profiles for iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4

2. fix some bugs

The new version of Pavtube HD Video Converter 4.6.1 is specially designed for converting your downloaded movies, camcorder recorded videos, tv shows, tv series,etc. for viewing with iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 4!

Version: 4.6.1

Supported OS: Windows 2003/XP/Vista/Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 8.1

Download the lateast version of Pavtube HD Video Converter here.

Three new profiles:

Best Profile Settings: