There’s no doubt nonlinear editors will eventually support the H.265 codec, but if you’re like us, you may have to convert your video to a useable codec like H.264 before you can import and edit your footage.
In this article we will explain how to convert Samsung NX500 H.265 files using free software and show you how you can set up a 4K timeline in Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 and export it. Our apologies to Final Cut users, we’ve been Premiere-based for quite a while, but you can still use this article to convert H.265 video. This workflow can also apply to other Samsung cameras that use the H.265 HEVC codec like the NX1. Below this step by step guide is a video to help guide you.
1. Converting your H.265 files
Step 1: (Probably the most fun) Shoot your video
Step 2: Transfer the files from the camera to your computer
Step 3: Download Samsung’s Free Movie Converter
Samsung Movie Converter Program – Windows (Released 1.15.15 direct download from Samsung)
Samsung Movie Converter Program – MAC
(Released 1.15.15 direct download from Samsung)
Step 4: Install Movie Converter
Step 5: Add the transferred files to convert
You can add files by using a drag and drop method or clicking the Add File button. Once loaded, choose a resolution and quality, with Pro being the highest quality image. In the Output Folder, select a destination for the converted files and click convert. Once the images are done converting a window will popup letting you know it was successful.
2. Editing your Converted Files
Step 1: Open Premiere Pro
Step 2: Click New Project
Name your project and select your scratch disks for saving.
Step 3: In Available Presets you can select any to start with, but we’ll select Digital SLR>1080p, >1080 24p. Click the Settings tab so we can customize it for a 4K workflow. Now keep in mind, we are setting up for 4096×2160, but these steps will also work for UHD 3840×2160.
Step 4: In the Settings Tab change DSLR to Custom.
Step 5: Change Timebase to 24.00 frames/second. Not 23.976. The NX500 records at 24p. If you capture footage in 4K, UHD, or HD at 60p, 30p, or 24p those frame rates are also at 60p not 59.94, 23.97, etc.
Video Settings
Step 6: Change Frame Size to 4096×2160
Step 7: Pixel Aspect Ratio should be kept at Square Pixels
Step 8: Fields should be No Fields (Progressive Scan)
Step 9: Display Format 24fps Timecode
Audio Settings
Step 10: Sample Rate 48000 Hz
Step 11: Display Format: Audio Samples
Video Previews
Step 12: Preview File Format Select Microsoft AVI
Step 13: Codec Select Microsoft Video 1
Step 14: Change your width and height to 4096×2160
Step 15: Save your Preset for future use
Step 16: Select the Preset and name the Sequence
Step 17: Edit your footage
Step 18: After, prepare for Export
3. Exporting your footage
Step 19: Select File>Export or shortcut key Ctrl+M
Export Settings:
Step 20: Format Quicktime
Video Tab Settings:
Step 21: Change Video Codec to MPEG-4 (YouTube/Vimeo friendly)
Step 22: Change width and height to 4096×2160
Step 23: Change Frame Rate to 24
Step 24: Change Aspect to Square Pixels
Audio Tab Settings
Step 25: Select AAC for YouTube/Vimeo, Uncompressed for other applications
Step 26: Save Preset for future use
Step 27: Click Export or Queue for Adobe Media Encoder
Step 28: After the video has been exported, double check the video resolution and quality after it’s complete.
Keep in mind as of April 2015 YouTube only supports 4K UHD at 3840×2160. So if you export 4096×2160 YouTube will add a small letterbox to the video. You can check if YouTube has updated their settings here.
Video Tutorial
Our converted and exported Samsung NX500 4K 4096×2160 test footage
4 Comments
Thank you! I can now play with my footage in Premiere and After Effects!
Regards,
G
it appears ffprobs and doesnt let me to drag or add wtf ????
Does this work in Windows 10? I’ve installed it but can’t seem to get the application to open.
The software doesn’t work. I press “Add File”, select the files, nothing happens.