H.264 vs. Apple ProRes: Encode H.264 to Apple ProRes for FCP

December 9 2015

Summary: This article will tell you the difference between H.264 and Apple ProRes. So that you can edit H.264 files in FCP smoothly.

H.264, also called MPEG-4 Part 10, Advanced Video Coding, is currently one of the most commonly used formats for the recording, compression, and distribution of video content. In theory, FCP supports for editing H.264 files in most cases. However, sometimes we fail to edit H.264 files in FCP, because FCP does not accept the H.264 files. We always want to find out why.

Here I am glad to give the most common reason to the issue. H.264 is only a kind of video coding, even though FCP can read this video coding, it doesn’t mean FCP can recognize the audio coding of the footage you want to edit. Every video editing Apps all have the limits on the audio coding of files, including FCP. So your footage is very likely to have contained the different audio coding which is not adopted by FCP.

In order to edit H.264 files in FCP smoothly, we’d better decode and encode your H.264 footage to the most suitable codec for FCP – Apple ProRes. For making you clearer about H.264 and Apple ProRes Codec, I give some differences between them at present.
H.264 is widely applied in 1080p or lower resolution recordings. And Apple ProRes is developed with supporting up to 5K resolution. Certainly there are many more differences between H.264 and Apple ProRes, what I’ve told is very basic.

Tips:
If you want to know more about Apple ProRes, please check Types of Apple ProRes Codecs, Apple ProRes Info & Tips,Apple ProRes Specifications.

Now I’m honored to recommend a professional H.264 to Apple ProRes converter for you - Pavtube Video Converter for Mac. This excellent can not only encode H.264 to Apple ProRes for FCP, but also have a lot of more features.

Convert MP4, MKV, AVI, MTS/M2TS and more video formats for FCP
Display the left conversion time.
Personalize and edit H.264 videos before conversion
Support to decrypt TiVo TV Show files
Support both Mac El Capitan/Windows 10
24-hour customer support

If you want to know more about Mac H.264 to Apple ProRes converter, please review Top 5 Best Video Converter for Mac.

Notes:
1. When converting H.264 footage using 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.
2. 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.

Other Download:
- Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.com/video-converter-mac/
- Amazon Store Download: http://www.amazon.com/Pavtube-Video-Converter-Mac-Download/dp/B00QIBK0TQ
- Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-Video-Converter/3000-2194_4-76179460.html

How to Encode H.264 to Apple ProRes for FCP

Step 1. Load H.264 files.

The quick way to load H.264 files is to drag and drop them to this App. Or you can refer the drawing below.

Step 2. Choose the preset output format.

This H.264 to Apple ProRes App has preset the output profile for FCP. You just click on the format bar and follow "Final Cut Pro" > "Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)".

Step 3. Edit H.264 files (Optional)

The video editor can help you do many pre-editing work like cutting unwanted segments, adding watermarks for remarks or fun, etc.

Step 4. Start converting H.264 files.

When everything is prepared, hit the big "Convert" button in the UI to start converting H.264 files to Apple ProRes. After the conversion, you can find your converted videos by hitting "Open" button.

Now you can import and edit H.264 footage in FCP with no problem. Enjoy!

Tips:
The Hot Key to import media files to FCP is “Command” + “O”

Related Software:
Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac: If you want to convert H.264 files to other digital devices, you can try our another software – Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac. This program can help you finish the coversion for iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, etc.

Further Reading: