Apple Final Cut Pro X (10.0.9) - Manual (Page 398)

Chapter 15 Manage media files 398
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Create proxy media: This option creates video and still-image proxy files. Video is transcoded to
the Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) codec format, which provides high-quality files useful for offline
editing at the original frame size, frame rate, and aspect ratio. Final Cut Pro creates medium-
quality (one-half resolution) proxy versions that increase editing performance. Video proxy
files take up considerably less disk space, which often means you can work on a portable
computer instead of a desktop computer that has significantly more memory and processing
power. Still images are transcoded to either JPEG (if the original file doesn’t have alpha
channel information) or PNG files (if the file has alpha channel information). Still-image proxy
files facilitate faster processing and rendering when the original image is very large.
Note: For better import and playback performance, Final Cut Pro automatically transcodes all
MP3 audio files to WAV audio files. When transcoding files, Final Cut Pro always retains the original
media for future use. For more information about where to find original media, proxy media, and
transcoded media files, see
Where your media and project files are located on page 390.
You can create optimized and proxy media during the import process, or after the media has
been imported, using the Event Browser. You can also create a proxy file for a clip using the Info
Inspector. After the transcode is complete, the files are saved in the appropriate Event folder. See
Where your media and project files are located on page 390 for more information.
Whether Final Cut Pro uses proxy media or your original or optimized media during playback
is determined by the playback setting you select in the Final Cut Pro Editing preferences. See
Modify a project’s name and properties on page 83 for more information.
Transcode media files during import
During import, Final Cut Pro either creates an alias file that points to the media file in its original
location, or creates a copy of the original media file. After the files are imported, transcoding,
optimization, and analysis are performed in the background.
1 Do one of the following:
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To import a file from a compatible file-based recording or storage device, or from your hard disk:
Connect your device to your computer, turn it on, choose File > Import > Media (or press
Command-I), navigate to and select the media you want to import, and click Import.
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To import a file from a tape-based camcorder: Connect your device to your computer, turn it on,
and set it to VTR or VCR mode. Then choose File > Import > Media, and click Import.
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To import from an archive: Choose File > Import > Media. Select a camera archive from the list
on the left, click Open Archive and navigate to the files you want to import, and click Import.
2 In the window that appears, choose how you want to organize the imported media in your
Event Library:
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To add the imported media to an existing event: Select “Add to existing event,” and choose it
from the pop-up menu.
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To create a new event: Select “Create new event” and type a name (for example, “Chris and Kim
Wedding”) in the text field. Choose the disk where you want to store the event from the “Save
to” pop-up menu.
To learn more about events, see Events and clips overview on page 51.
3 Select one or both of the transcode options.
Final Cut Pro will transcode the files in the background, after the import process is complete.
4 Click Import.
The import may take a while, depending on the options you chose in step 3. You can see the
status of all the background processes currently running in the Background Tasks window.