How to Import & Capture Video in Final Cut Pro

How to Import & Capture Video in Final Cut Pro
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Capture

If you are using digital videotapes for recording you are going to have to use either a video deck or your camera to capture the footage into Final Cut Pro. To do this you first go to File in the task bar and select Log and Capture. A window will come up with a video screen on the left displaying color bars with video controls under it. On the right you will have setting options that will determine where and how it will be saved in Final Cut. Though many people who are working on incredibly large projects often prefer to use Clip or Batch Capture, the easiest and most efficient way to do this is by using Capture Now. At the far right corner of the Log and Capture menu you will have Capture selections, where you will be choosing the “Now” setting. Go up to the top right part of the screen to where it says “Description” and type in the title you want this clip to have in your Browser. Now you simply click on the Now button and then press play on the device you are using to play the tape. As the tape plays Final Cut will be “capturing” it into a digital format and saving it into your project. Once it is done capturing the entire tape a menu will pop up letting you know that your properly labeled clip will now be in the Browser.

Import

If you already have a movie file on your computer that you would like to use it is even easier. You go to File in the taskbar and go to the Import option. Once this is highlighted then you can select Import File if you are only importing one video clip, and Import Folder if you are importing an entire folder of clips. They will then be imported straight into the Browser just as the captured footage was.

Many Methods

These are the standard ways that Final Cut Pro gets video clips into its editing system, but there are a few more specific ways out there depending on your needs. These methods will serve you for most purposes, and are easy to get started with.

This post is part of the series: Final Cut Pro

Learn different tools in Final Cut Pro with this tutorial series.

  1. The History of Final Cut Pro
  2. Final Cut Pro Certification
  3. How to Use “Photo Motion” in Final Cut Pro - Part 1
  4. How to Use “Photo Motion” in Final Cut Pro - Part 2
  5. How to Do Color Correction in Final Cut Pro
  6. How To Change Video Clip Speeds in Final Cut Pro
  7. How to Make Video Clips Black and White in Final Cut Pro
  8. How to Do Video Transitions in Final Cut Pro
  9. How to “Nest” Items in Final Cut Pro
  10. How to Import and Capture Video in Final Cut Pro
  11. Keeping Your Final Cut Pro Project Organized
  12. Video Editing - How to Crop Images in Final Cut Pro
  13. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro
  14. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro - Part 2 of 3
  15. Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Final Cut Pro - Part 3 of 3
  16. Using Markers in Final Cut Pro
  17. Labeling Clips in Final Cut Pro
  18. Adding Zoom to Video in Final Cut Pro
  19. Creating Map Motion in Final Cut Pro
  20. Printing to Video in Final Cut Pro
  21. How to Make Scrolling Credits in Final Cut Pro
  22. Keyboard Remapping in Final Cut Pro
  23. Quick Organizational Tips for Final Cut Pro
  24. Learning How to Use Final Cut Pro