How to import Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD to FCP X?

If for any reason you need to convert Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD mts files for instant editing in Final Cut Pro X, you may have interest in this guide. It explains how to transcode Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD media to FCP X preferred Apple ProRes codec for a fast and smooth workflow.

"Hey folks, I've had trouble with Sony Alpha a6000 mts files in FCP X. FCP X hung several times trying to import all that media at once (leaving in location, not copying to the stupid library secret archive). I've broken it down into chunks to import, and some folders are fine, but the MTS clips don't look promising (loooong progress bars of Processing Files for Import that don't seem to progress). It seems to me that FCP X just can't handle any volume of MTS files. Can anyone think of any alternative workflows, or anything I'm missing before I toss it in trash? Actually, this is my first FCP X project. I would really appreciate any help."

You are probably trying to edit .MTS files extracted from the AVCHD wrapper. The performance issues you describe are a known issue. MTS files should never be removed from the AVCHD wrapper, and if you do, FCP X does not handle it well. The easiest and best solution is re-encode the Sony Alpha a6000 MTS files to ProRes codec before import using Video Converter for Mac.

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How to transcode Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD mts files to ProRes for FCP X?

To transcode Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD footage to ProRes for FCP X, do as below:

Video Converter (It is available for Mac, simply download the proper version depending on your computer.)

Step 1: Import Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD mts files. Start up Video Converter for Mac and click "Add File" to load Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD video files that you need to convert into this program. This converter supports batch conversion, so you can import a bundle of Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD video files into it to do conversion at a time.

Step 2: Choose output format for FCP X from "Profile" list Working well as an Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD converter app, Video Converter for Mac comes with a flavor of Apple ProRes codecs , including Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) and Apple ProRes 4444. For a good balance between quality and file size, we would recommend choosing "Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov)" as output format under "Final Cut Pro" column. The ProRes 422 codec will ensure a good performance working in FCP X even on an old Mac machine.

Tips: If necessary, you can click "Settings" button to modify video and audio parameters like encoder, resolution, frame rate, bitrate, aspect ratio, sample rate, and audio channels. You can also "Enable 3D Settings" to add 3D effect to your source media.

Step 3: Start Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD MTS to FCP X conversion. Click "Convert" to start Sony Alpha a6000 AVCHD mts video to ProRes 422 conversion for FCP X. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click "Open Folder" to get the generated Apple ProRes 422 files for editing in FCP X with optimum performance. Hope it helps.