It includes support for additional professional video codecs

Dec 4, 2014 10:58 GMT  ·  By

Apple has released Pro Video Formats 2.0, a software update that enables importing, editing, and exporting of MXF (Material eXchange Format) files with Final Cut Pro X and its sidekicks, Motion and Compressor.

Material eXchange Format isn’t limited to video only. It also conveys audio, and in many ways, it’s similar to the QuickTime format. MXF files contain metadata about frame rate and frame size, as well as custom data stemming from the people who are working to make the video / movie.

Apple reveals in a support document on its web site that Pro Video Formats 2.0 allows Final Cut Pro to read MXF metadata and preserve it during the editing process.

“You can also include MXF metadata when exporting a video file in the OP1a format. In addition, Compressor can take an existing video or audio file and transform it into an MXF file for digital delivery,” Apple says.

What’s new in Pro Video Formats 2.0

The update includes support for professional video codecs like Apple Intermediate Codec, Apple ProRes, AVC-Intra, DVCPRO HD, HDV, XDCAM EX / HD / HD422, MPEG IMX, and Uncompressed 4:2:2.

The update further adds MXF support in the following range: “Native import, edit, and share of MXF files with Final Cut Pro X and Motion; MXF share presets for Compressor; MXF OP1a export.”

How to install

Video professionals will need to look in the Mac App Store’s updates tab if they already have Final Cur Pro, Motion, and / or Compressor installed. However, it’s also possible to just download the package from Softpedia or Apple Support Downloads.

Double click the DMG image, and then double click the resulted PKG file to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions, and the wizard will install MXF Reader for importing, AES3 Audio Codec, MXF Export including AVC-Intra, as well as compressor settings for exporting MXF files. Users can then create more custom Share settings for MXF export using Compressor.

Support document HT6423 explains a lot more other stuff, such as how to import MXF files, how to export MXF files, how to export MXF files with custom MXF metadata, and how to use the Pro Video Formats 2.0 update with a version of Compressor prior to Compressor 4.1.

Pro Video Formats 2.0 is a free download that only takes up roughly 5MB on your hard drive. Apple’s Support site says the only supported language is Spanish, but that’s actually not accurate. It also supports English, French, German, and even Chinese.

Pro Video Formats 2.0 (5 Images)

Pro Video Formats 2.0
Pro Video Formats 2.0 disk imagePro Video Formats 2.0 installer package
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