Hi,

Here's a 1st sample file, an MXF file of ours which is adjusted to accomodate XDCAM Optical equipment.
If anyone would like to try and confirm that this file works in your NLE, please do so and we appreciate any feedback.

Tommy Schell

(70 Mbytes, 1080i60, 50 Mbit XDCAM 422)
http://69.15.88.17/downloads/mxf_web/adjusted_xdcam_sample.MXF.zip

Dear Friends,

This is a very significant step for us.

We are attempting to create XDCam files so that they can be written to the XDCam Optical disk. As part of our testing process, we are offering these files for your use.

This opens up a world of features for our users.

1. Our files can be written to the XDCam Optical Disk so that they can be delivered in this format.

2. This makes a nice archive format.

3. Our files can be processed by Sony's software, such as their PDZKP1 XDCAM Transfer Plug-In for Final Cut Pro (MAC), XDCAM XFER V2.10.0 XDCAMHD422.

This is free software, a Final Cut Pro Plug In for the Mac, which takes our MXF files so that they can be edited by Final Cut Pro.

The provides an instant way for one to deliver MXF files for use on Avid, Sony Vegas, and Edius and a way to work with these same files in Final Cut Pro.

We want to acknowledge Sony's significant support in our efforts to provide this as a free upgrade for our users.

Hi,

Here's a 1st sample file, an MXF file of ours which is adjusted to accomodate XDCAM Optical equipment.
If anyone would like to try and confirm that this file works in your NLE, please do so and we appreciate any feedback.

Tommy Schell

(70 Mbytes, 1080i60, 50 Mbit XDCAM 422)
http://69.15.88.17/downloads/mxf_web/adjusted_xdcam_sample.MXF.zip

Hi Tommy -

Tried the file in Edius 5.12 on my old workstation (Dual Xeon 3.4 GHZ) and it seems to work ok - it is more taxing on the resources of the computer than the MXF files I have been recording in - Long GOP, 100mbps, 1080 29.97p. My "clip properties" window identifies it as MXF MPEG2 Video Elementary Stream, Top Field First, 1920x1080, 29.97 frame rate and a bit rate of 50mbps. Edius does identify my other material correctly at 100 mbps.

Tried a filter and a transition - it does overload my workstation and needs to be rendered whereas the Long GOP 100 mbps does not. I will try it on my office workstation (i7 3.2 GHZ) and my main workstation (Woodcrest - dual core-dual xeon 3.0 GHZ ) but I am sure it will work on both.

Any idea why these files seem to be more taxing on computer resources?

Dear Friends,

3. Our files can be processed by Sony's software, such as their PDZKP1 XDCAM Transfer Plug-In for Final Cut Pro (MAC), XDCAM XFER V2.10.0 XDCAMHD422.

This is free software, a Final Cut Pro Plug In for the Mac, which takes our MXF files so that they can be edited by Final Cut Pro.
.
Hi Dan,
What means that, that installing the "XDCAM XFER V2.10.0" is possible to read MFX files with a Mac?
rafael

Dear Rafael,

Yes, exactly.

Please note that our support for Sony's Optical Disk media and the coresponding support by their utililites will occur after our next release.

Hey,
The CD team is doing an incredible job.
Congratulations and thanks.
Rafael

That clip works perfectly. I was able to drop it directly into the "clip" folder of an XDCAM disc in my PDW-700. I then re-imported it via the XDCAM Transfer tool from the camera into FCP, again no problems and the proxy looks fine too.

Excellent work.

Dear Alister,

Thank you very much for testing it.

We are expecting this to be in our next release, which is currently scheduled for around October 31.

As always, this is a target date. It all depends on our testing.

This is big news. From the release of the firmware anyone will be able to shoot with a NanoFlash and then backup to XDCAM HD at 50Mb/s. Can't wait for the firmware release.

OS XP64

Vegas 9.0b Works
Vegas 9.0b64 Works
Vegas 8.1 Works
Vegas 8.0 File not recognized


-P

Dear Perrone,

Thank you very much.

Vegas 8.0(c) or higher is required to work with our files.

So, depending on which version of 8.0 you have, everything appears normal.

I also thought that Sony Vegas 8.0 did not work in any 64 bit enviornment.

I have 8.0b installed on the laptop. Just never had a reason to upgrade it. And 8.0 runs just fine on XP64. Not sure about Vista64.

Sony Transfer 2.10 does not get along with Snow Leopard and FCP 7. IF you have not upgraded I suggest holding off for the time being.

Alister - after dropping a nano created file into the clip forder, does the camera or a deck recognize it as video, with a thumbnail structure? In other words, when the producer takes it back to the office and puts it in a screening deck will they see video, or does the clip have to be "transferred" through 2.10 into an edit program to be viewable?

It goes onto the disk as a video clip, the camera/deck generating the proxy and thumbnail etc. So yes you can play back the clip from the disc in a deck just like any other XDCAM HD MXF. Note that it would have to be an XDCAM HD422 deck, not the older 4:2:0 decks so PDW-700, PDW-F800 cameras or PDW-1500 or PDW-1600 decks for playback. You can of course write (as a video clip) to a PDW-U1 but the U1 is a drive only and has no playback function.

Thats exactly what I was thinking of using - the PDW U-1 drive, then send the producer with disk in hand.
Now if only SOny would make a firewire version of the drive I'd feel at least a touch better about spending so much on it.
Thanks for the info

A firewire version would bring no advantage as the read/write speeds are limited by the laser deck which is about 80Mb/s, so certainly no speed/performance advantage for firewire over USB.

Ah, I hadn't thought of that, and was looking to save a bit of time in the field writing to the PDW u1.
So usb it is

Just got back from a long set of gigs. The file works like a charm. Dropped it directly from my download folder into XD transfer. Imported into FCP. No rendering!! Thank you CD. Now we have the Holy Grail for XD/EX archiving. Ill be in Philly and NY next month to discuss XDHD and Nano workflows. see Philly info below. NY location to follow.
SONY is hosting a hands on demonstration and seminar featuring our
XDCAM and XDCAM - EX cameras.

This event will focus on SONY's tapeless HD solutions
for ENG specific to the
Freelance Videographers and the Production Community

When - Wednesday November 4th

Time - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm - 1st session - Shoot & Deliver
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - Lunch
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm - 2nd Session - Shoot & Post

Where - QVC – Studio Park
1200 Wilson Drive
West Chester, PA 19380
(484) 701-1000
Special Events Room

Please park in “Studio Tour Guest” lot and enter at the Studio Tour Entrance. You will be escorted to the event room. Please RSVP to be put on the guest list for this event.

RSVP by 10/31: E-Mail Jaclynne Gentry at jaclynne.gentry@am.sony.com
(For More information, you can contact Matt Mussari at 610-359-1886)

Directions: Directions to QVC Studio Park (http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.html/params.file.%7Ccp%7Cst_directions,html/left.html.file.%7Cnav%7Cnavhqdirections,html/walk.html.%7Cnav%7Cnavhqvisit,html)

This demonstration will include our PDWF800, PDW700, PMWEX1 and PMWEX3 currently in use by Major Networks and TV Stations. In addition, the new SONY HDCA702 ASI adaptor and our digital wireless audio will be featured.

We will break the day into two sessions: Shoot and Deliver and Shoot and Post:

Shoot & Deliver
This session will be focused on freelancers who shoot and deliver camera originals to their clients. Peter Crithary will provide an in-depth overview of each camera .

Shoot & Post
This session will be focused on freelancers that shoot and post produce content for their clients. Dennis Dillon will provide an overview of the workflow he has used on many completed projects .

Speakers
Peter Crithary is a Sony Sales Support Engineer. Peter is an expert on XDCAM and was a freelancer before joining Sony. He has also been one of the lead technical resources on several key customers migration to HD including CNN. Peter will provide XDCAM & EX product overviews and workflows for Avid and Apple FCP.

Dennis Dillon Background & Job Experience:
25 Years as a DP/Editor for the Network News Magazines. CBS (60 Minutes, 48 Hours, Reports), HDNet, NBC (Dateline, Today, Nightly), ABC (20/20, World, GMA), Discovery, National Geographic, Smithsonian, et al.

Dennis’ Comments:
This business can be all absorbing. My approach has been to find the best way of getting it done, while maintaining a sense of balance between my work and my family. Having the opportunities to go out and document the lives of others and pass that information to those that benefit from their stories brings me great satisfaction. With regards to workflow, I'm constantly seeking ways to enhance my approach to create a great product, save money (time), and make it to my daughter's soccer game.

The file works in Avid MC 3.0. I have not tested export yet.

This is really amazing, so now you can shoot on the Nanoflash in Sony Optical disc format at 4:2:2 50mbps and then archive to Sony discs WITH PROXIES created.

So, I can now send a producer either the Nanoflash/Sony files on a hard drive, which he can edit in any major NLE or I can write to disc and he can take the disc with proxies to edit at his/her facility.

Will the PDW-U1 generate proxies or just a camera/deck?

I'm not very familiar with this kind of workflow. Where do the proxies come from?

When you shoot with a Sony XDCAM HD camcorder the camera records two files. The low resolution mpeg 4 Proxy file as well as the full resolution SD or HD MXF file. With the latest 4:2:2 cameras the proxy can be recorded to both the optical discs and to a memory card connected in the cameras USB port.

When you write a compatible MXF file to a camera or studio deck a proxy file gets generated internally by the camera/deck and written to the disc. When you write to a PDW-U1 drive the computer software creates the proxy which is then written to the disc along with the MXF file.

The proxy workflow has many uses. Proxies can be sent via ftp (or even email) to a news studio for an offline edit while the studio waits for the full res files to arrive. Proxies can be used by a PA or producer to log and view footage without needing any special hardware or taking up large amounts of disc space. It only takes a few minutes to copy over an hours worth of proxies from an XDCAM disc. I have even seen proxies being broadcast during breaking news stories while the studio waits for the full resolution files to be delivered/downloaded or where there is no way to get large files out of a war or disaster zone.

By making the CD 50Mb/s MXF's 100% XDCAM HD compatible, Convergent Design have completed the last piece in the Jigsaw. Being able to write the files directly to Sony's professional discs will make archive and backup easy. With the discs designed to last 50 years and the ability to play them like a tape in a studio deck or camera gives users amazing flexibility and security and the ability to tap into all of Sony's free metadata, logging and database tools.

Unfortunately I upgraded to Snow Leopard and FCP7, then heard Sony isn't there yet. So Dennis and ALister, are you still on the earlier Mac software versions or have you figured a way to make this work with what we have at hand?
When I use the Nanoflash to create MXF files (which worked flawlessly on a CBS project this past week) I end up with the file I create, for example CBScard1, and inside that a folder named {CLP} which contains all the .mxf files.
Were I to copy to an XDdisc would I have the same file structure? Ideally I'd like to create a hard drive with content and structure identical to an XDcam disk.
Initially I did use XDcam transfer ( I believe it was 2.10) successfully with FCP7, but each time I've tried since the clip count remains zero.
Patience may be the only answer (till Sony releases a new version), I just don't like that answer.

Dear Denis,

As part of our support for Sony's Optical Disk format, our free File Converter software, for the Mac, will take our earlier files and create files in the new Sony Optical Disk Format.

We can let you know as soon as this software is ready.

Denis, please feel free to call me and I will assist.

Hi,

Here's a 1st sample file, an MXF file of ours which is adjusted to accomodate XDCAM Optical equipment.
If anyone would like to try and confirm that this file works in your NLE, please do so and we appreciate any feedback.

Tommy Schell

(70 Mbytes, 1080i60, 50 Mbit XDCAM 422)
http://69.15.88.17/downloads/mxf_web/adjusted_xdcam_sample.MXF.zip...Hi Tommy:
I've tested your XDCAM HD file in Avid Media Composer Version 3.1.3.2 and the results are as follows.......

1. Import: Pass

2. Play in Source Window: Pass

3. Play in timeline: Pass

4. Editable: Pass.

5. Color Correctable: Pass

6. Effects Appliable: Pass.

7. Exportable: Pass.

8. Net Result: Pass.

Dennis O,
FCP 6.0.6 and D, the updated file structure is not out yet from CD. Not gone FCP 7 yet. If the file structure is updated via CD Nano, you can treat (move) it as any MXF file from/ to and where ever. Delivery on a HD disk or better yet, a 50 year true archive on Sony Optical Disk.

Allister
for Aaron, Well put and clear. Imagine, Proxies from SxS upped to 50/100 Mbs LGOP(EX 1/3 PMW-350!!!!). It has been my bane of my XD existence(2005 Birth of XD) to get the people to understand the benefits of Proxies and Metadata, never mind what Michael and Dan have done to raise the bar on data rates and an outright killer recorder. 10 Bit can wait. This group is so ahead of the "mass" curve.
Dan,
A file converter for new and old files to a Sony Optical compatible? Thank you very much.

Bob W.,
Exactly.
"Will the PDW-U1 generate proxies or just a camera/deck?"
All three. That is the "amazing" f__cking thing. Take any camera with HD SDI out and provide Sony Optical 422 50/100/140/160 LGOP files to a perfect archive. Not to mention that XDCAM is blowing the doors off all other acquisition/workflow systems. This helps those who own a tape based system to migrate to XD. Buy a U1 Drive, A CD Nano Flash Drive and Wah lah. 6K(US) keeps your gear going till you finally move to XD. Or better yet add a bunch of EX1/3's and start tomorrow. Note, If you can pull the quid for a 700/800, it gets even better with the above combo. Sizes and shapes for all.

Merry Christmas to all.

"Take any camera with HD SDI out and provide Sony Optical 422 50/100/140/160 LGOP files to a perfect archive." add HDMI. Pretty much covers every decent Pro/Prosumer camera out there.

"Take any camera with HD SDI out and provide Sony Optical 422 50/100/140/160 LGOP files to a perfect archive." add HDMI. Pretty much covers every decent Pro/Prosumer camera out there.

Hi Dennis-
Thanks for the feedback! We got the new firmware with the XDCAM Optical MXF format working on Friday. Our engineers also added the faster CF write routine, so almost all CF cards move up a notch in performance.

We wiil post test footage from the nanoFlash in the next day or so for evaluation.

We are also very excited about the XDCAM Optical compatibility, since any HD-SDI or HDMI camera (from any manufacturer) can now generate this file format via the nanoFlash.

Best-

Mike,
Any time. I have got to go to bed. Talk later.
My wife needs her optical archive now.

I'm running FCP 7 and OS-X 10.5.6 Leopard. I normally wait a few months before upgrading an OS while all the bugs get sorted out.

Of course with Windows Vista I never did upgrade as they didn't get all the bugs out of that one!