Avid to FCS, what to do...
 

So here's my dilemma. I've been handed a harddrive full of OMF files that are supposed to be footage captured with Avid. I need to bring them into Final Cut to do the editting. As far as I can see there are no built-in tools in the software to import them, so I need some standalone software.

I can't imagine I'm the only one trying to do this. You'd think converting between these packages would be a common thing given their popularity. But I can't find a thread around here for it, so any feedback would be much appreciated.

Regards

"Automatic Duck"

Yeah, just what it sounds like.

http://www.automaticduck.com/

I think this is the tool you want.

http://www.automaticduck.com/products/pifcp/

Automatic Duck will only convert the sequence, NOT the footage. That product will convert the Avid OMF so that FCP can import the sequence. You would then recapture the footage.

Avid media files are OMFI files and cannot be edited with Final Cut Pro. You need to capture the footage with Final Cut Pro if you want to edit it.

Or buy Avid Express Pro.

You can import the omfi files, there is a check box for doing so, but as they say 'there could be issues'. But you're right, it's designed to import the sequence for recapture primarily.

Automatic Duck is it, but expect $500 out of your wallet to use it.

I am working on a project with the same issue but there's no way I'm going to be charging a client (with a very limited grant) for a program I have never needed before or can see a use for in the future from other clients. It just doesn't happen that often (or ever before) for my business.

I took the existing edit and exported a high quality DV QuickTime on the original Avid system (not mine) and will build on top of that in my FCP system. That means recapturing some footage from scratch but that's the breaks. Hooray for propietary formats!

I would pay $100 for a file format converter although.

Kind of discouraging, but thanks for the suggestions. Goofy things like proprietary formats are why I switched to FCS in the first place. I suppose I will just have to ask for the tapes and recapture for them, because $500 is a lot to drop for an hour and half of footage.