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34Final Cut Pro User Guide
Import from connected cameras
Import into Final Cut Pro from file-based cameras
File-based camcorders and cameras can record video, audio, and still images. These kinds
of devices, which record to flash-based storage media, hard drives, and so on, usually
connect to your Mac through a Thunderbolt or USB cable. Some devices have removable
memory cards that you can insert into your computer instead.
If your file-based device provides a clip-spanning feature (which allows a single clip
to be recorded across multiple memory cards), you can import all of the media as one
spanned clip.
To check whether your camera is compatible with Final Cut Pro, see the Apple Support
article Cameras supported by Final Cut Pro.
Import from a file-based camcorder, camera, or device
1. Do one of the following:
• Connect your camcorder, camera, or device to your Mac using the cable that came
with the device, and turn on the device.
If you’re using a camcorder, set it to PC Connect mode. (The name of this transfer
mode may be different on your device.) Your camcorder may automatically go into
“connect” mode if you turn it on in playback mode while it’s connected to your Mac.
See the documentation that came with your camcorder.
Note: Connecting a DVD camcorder to your Mac can cause the DVD Player app to
open. If that happens, simply close DVD Player.
• Remove the memory card from your camcorder or device and insert it into the card
slot on your Mac (if it has one) or into an external card reader.
See
Memory cards and cables used with Final Cut Pro.
Note: Some cameras require that you download and install an additional software
plug-in. See the documentation that came with your camera.
2. In Final Cut Pro, do one of the following:
• Choose File > Import > Media (or press Command-I).
• Click the Import Media button on the left side of the toolbar.