Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

It has potential for great footage. but easily suffers from noticeable noise in shadows and/or low light. Some of the zooming exacerbates this.

I feel that the higher quality XAVC format is slightly wasted on the camera.

You can also hear the zoom servo when zooming quickly.

Probably good value for the price point, though.

Andrew

PS. My experience with the camera is limited to reviewing the test footage that was linked to in an above post.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I have limited experience due to time constraints namely my son's Taekwondo class (shot in XAVC-L at 1080 60p) but imo it is every bit as good as my PMW 200 shooting the same material under same lighting conditions. I notice no mushiness - I can read the small lettering on the uniform patches and also the colors are excellent. You do have to pay a little more attention to proper focus with the 1" sensor and DOF consideration but I am pleased with the camera so far.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Would you say those noise issues are worse/better than/equal to that on an EX1? That's a cam I get to use fairly often and have seen the footage in post a lot. In the dark with some gain applied (even 6 db) you can see some minor noise.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Now listed as "In Stock" at B&H - for now

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1072752-REG/sony_pxw_x70_professional_xdcam_compact.html

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I cannot get them to play in Vegas 12 either but they work fine in Edius Pro 7.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Sony Creative Software - Forums - Vegas Pro - Video Messages

Ron looks quite a lot of us got this issue. Hopefully Sony can resolve this quickly.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Well I think it is useful for people using a Mac as they can at least convert to Prores and get to use in FCPX etc. But for PC users Sony has much better options. Sad.

Catalyst should recognize all Sony cameras as advertized. It should transfer clips ( all files between start and stop on the camera) as clips not files just like PMB, Should rename just like PMB to date and time of clip taken and place in directory of the date transferred ( just like PMB or better yet allow naming before transfer in metadata ). not sure what they were thinking. Not having Vegas recognize files is just silly when Edius does just fine.


Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

If you're talking about Catalyst - no, the ProRes export is grayed out on a Mac according to another user here on dvinfo.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

?????? I can see and use Pro Res and import into Premiere Pro CS6 but just one clip at a time, tedious

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Slight change, Talking about CONTENT BROWSER

I have just bought Content Browser so that I can see X70 MXF files. I can see them and I can see AVCHD from the camera, but I cannot export them. All export options are greyed out:
iMac Mavericks 10.9, content browser 2.3 ( downloaded today)
When I tried the trial yesterday I could’ import into FPX. I don’t use FP I use Premiere Pro, but at least I was able to import them, and PP would accept them now I can do nothing
Help please

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Like others it's been a nightmare trying to get X70 clips into Vegas 13. It's just not happening. Converting the XAVC-L 50-mbit 422 files to XAVC Intra has worked by using Catalyst but man is it slow and tedious when it can only handle one clip at a time. Sony SCS need to fix this quickly with a Vegas build update. Especially as opposition NLEs like Edius 7 can handle the native X70 files with no issues.

I downloaded Gabor Heeres' X70 footage to have play with in Vegas, thanks Gabor for making these clips available.

http://we.tl/XlxyCMBi6U

Must say I am pleasantly surprised at the images coming out of this camera from what little I have seen. The zoom also seems to be quite useable. Look forward to trying one of these out soon.

Anyone interested in having a look at the Ops manual I've uploaded it here:

www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/j94ogl

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I do edit most of my work using Vegas Pro 13. Though on my macbook I work with Premiere Pro using a CC membership. For now, I make a rawcut XDCAM HD 422 MXF file of it using premiere. That one I am able to edit in Vegas again. Quite comprehensive though..... I really hope updates of all software for this XAVC Long-gop codec are coming soon. :Looks like FCP, Avid, Vegas Pro and even VLC player are still aren't able to work with these files.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I can select multiple files with normal windows actions. Highlight the first , hold down shift and click the last then all are selected. Likewise using ctrl I can select a group of files. This is for AVCHD files since I only have one x70 file from the internet. As I said before this action is useless as it does not join files into a clip just transfer as mts files.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Ron, The AVCHD files aren't the problem. Those you are able to import and edit. The issue exists with the XAVC-L MXF files. There are a couple of files available for download here to play with:

http://we.tl/XlxyCMBi6U

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Thanks I have those files. Like the Mac the windows version will only deal even with AVCHD one file at a time for transcode but will transfer to the PC a group of files selected as I mentioned. It is not as good as PlayMemories at the moment in my mind. PlayMemories does recognise clips on the cards ( not files), camera info etc so this is a backward step in my mind. It may be an attempt by the Sony Pro division to catch up with the consumer division !!!

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Did any software come with the X70 camera ? Normally Sony includes software with the camera.

Ron Evans

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

The CD that came with the camera only contains the user manual in multiple languages.
As others have reported, the XAVC files will play in PPro CC 2014, but file import is not properly worked out yet.
Sony PMH will not recognize the MXF files.
Catalyst Browse will copy the files to the HDD, but file naming is lame (001, 002, etc.), and then when I import to PPro and drag to a timeline, it duplicates the audio to 4 separate tracks which are linked such that I can't delete the redundant 3 tracks.
On the other hand, shooting AVCHD at the highest quality produces some very beautiful footage.
I'm using the preset PP2 in bright sunlight today.
I really like the 1" Exmor R backlit sensor. This camera reminds me of the things I liked about the Sony VG 20, but obviously the X70 is way better in so many ways.
The AVCHD files import easily with Sony PMH and have the nice filenames that include the date.
Bottom line for me right now is I'm happy to stick with AVCHD until Sony sorts out the workflow problems with XAVC

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes me too, I'll work in AVCHD for now as you say, really nice. i've sent a test file to Red Giant who were surprised to find they too could not open the XAVC video file. They seem to be working on it. Let's hope

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Through old connections I have with Sony SCS, don't ask it's a long story. The short of it is that I used to demonstrate Vegas at major broadcast shows so still have some old connections through to SCS.

I received an email today from from Michael Bryant, he's the Director of Marketing at Sony Creative Software. Here is what he had to say:

"Hi Chris;

We are aware of this problem with Vegas Pro and it is on our roadmap to rectify. We do not have a specific release time for the update but will net-notify everyone once it is in place. We’re also aware of the batch export feature request for Catalyst Browse and have sent the request to the dev team.

Thanks for checking out Catalyst Browse and for all the support you have provided for Vegas Pro over the years."

So I guess the upshot is that they are working on it and we just have to be patient I guess. Hope it's soon!

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Here's a real short video I put together using the Slow Motion feature on the PXW-X70. I shot it by myself of myself so it's not the best angles possible. I really like this feature as well as the Quick Motion. Let me know what you think.

Disclaimer, I'm just a hobbyist, and by no means am I any where even remotely professional, so treat it as such.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Stephen, I think this is quite excellent. I like the angles and the color out of the camera looks very nice. What color profile where you using? Also, what frame rate?

Thanks.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I like it too. After the sort of mixed reviews so far of this camera, it's nice to see that it is sharper than my current camera - a big factor for me.

How did you edit the piece - at first I thought 1080p60 in a 24p timeline, but it looks slowed down more than that.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I am using the PP4, which is the default color profile out of the box. It seems to be the truest to color for my color blind eyes :)

It is shot at 60fps, played back at 24. I did slow down a a couple of the shots a little more in post. As well as speeding up the first shot back to normal speed. It was all shot using the S&Q motion feature.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

All the shots were taken on that time line, but you are correct. I did slow down a couple to see how the video would hold up. Seems pretty good to me.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Stephen,
Which codec did you shoot this in: XAVC or AVCHD??
Also, I'm curious what editing software you are using.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

XAVC-L 50mbps

I am using Adobe Premier Pro Creative Cloud to edit. I import the files directly into premier pro without any issues.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

This X70 post could be useful to some of you.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xav...ml#post1864117

Paul

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Are you dragging and dropping the files from the camera card to your HDD, or using transfer software like Sony Catalyst Browse- or something else?
Also, within PPro CC, exactly what sequence preset are you using for the XAVC timeline?
I'm finding that I can work with the XAVC footage in PPro CC 2014, but everything seems a bit haphazard & off the cuff.
It's like Sony doesn't really have the infrastructure in place yet for this codec.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Robert,

When using Adobe Premiere Pro CC you can just copy the MXF files from the SDXC card directly to your HDD using a cardreader and import these in Adobe without any problems.

Gabor

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I have copied the MXF files to my hard drive and accessed them from there. I have also pulled them right off the card using a card reader without any issues.

I'm just getting started with PP CC, I downloaded the trail version since I couldn't work with the XAVC in my other software. I am apparently just using the default settings.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I have tried importing and dragging all flavours of XAVC files into various NLEs. With the 230mbit XAVC-I MXF files from the F5 / F55 I have no issues. Also no issues with the 8-bit XAVC-S files that are wrapped as MP4s such as those from the Sony A7S. Where the problem appears to lie for some of us is with the newer 50-mbit XAVC-L MXF files from the PXW-X70. It is these Long GOP files that are proving very hard to read. I have tried reading them with the latest update of Premiere CC and Avid on Mac and Vegas and Avid on PC and all to no avail.

Upon analysis of earlier XAVC MXF files I find that all previous iterations have been written with Sony's writing and library application called

'Sony util 1.0'

Whereas these newer XAVC-L 50-mbit MXFs from the X70 have been written by a new Sony writing and library application that I haven't seen before and it's called

'Sony mem 2.0'

Why Sony has made changes to the writing and library app is unknown. I guess they have a good reason for doing so. There are other significant changes in the file structure of the two MXF flavours such as CABAC and Format_setting_wrapping as can be seen from the attached JPEGs of the file info’s. Until such time as Sony releases the details for these proprietary libraries I don't see any hope of any resolution coming quickly. By all accounts Edius manages to read these files with no issues. Maybe they have a hot line to Sony's software team.

It does make we wonder if this issue is going to appear with the release of all the new XAVC-L MXF capable cameras such as the PXW-X160 / 180 / 200. This could get interesting if it's not sorted pretty quickly.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Apologies if these questions have been dealt with elsewhere in this gigantic thread; I'm coming in late:

*) Does the camera support 1080p60 in XAVC 50Mbit? The specifications here suggest not:
Sony X70 Page
...while the specifications here suggest so:
Sony X70 PDF Brochure

Similarly, B&H omits any mention of 1080p60 XAVC. Seems odd that the camera wouldn't inherit all the HD modes of its cheaper siblings, but... *shrug*

Which is it?

*) Is the 4:2:2 XAVC from this camera supported by Premiere CS5.5? I've had no trouble with the 4:2:0 8-bit stuff from the CX900 and AX100, but a line has to be crossed at some point, I suppose. :)

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Yes, the X70 has 1080p60 XAVC 50.

I cannot answer the second question.

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Thanks Stephen. I suppose a follow-up would be: Is this 1080p60 4:2:0 XAVC-S in an MP4 wrapper -- like on the AX100 -- or is it 4:2:2 in an MXF wrapper. Or is it something else? I suspect that informs the anwer to the CS5.5 compat question.

Thanks!
Aaron

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Sony lists this for the recording format:

XAVC HD : MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 4:2:2 Long profile

So my understanding is all the XAVC, regardless of the frame rate will be 4:2:2. The file extensions are .MXF

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Got it. Probably necessary to use something like Catalyst Browse to transcode to ProRes first, in that case. Maybe not the end of the world, but certainly less than ideal.

Thanks again!

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I hear TotalCode Studio will work with these files and batch convert to almost any flavour required. TotalCode is a MC product. MC are still writing a bunch of XAVC codec material for Sony. Bet that is what we are waiting for, MC to deliver a codec library to suit this newer XAVC format.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

I hear TotalCode Studio will work with these files and batch convert to almost any flavour required. TotalCode is a MC product. MC are still writing a bunch of XAVC codec material for Sony. Bet that is what we are waiting for, MC to deliver a codec library to suit this newer XAVC format.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

But only for windows 7 PCs, nothing for Macs

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Oooh, nothing for Macs? Doesn't sound too good! At this point anyway.

Just had it confirmed by a colleague that MainConcept's TotalCode Studio 3.1 [full version] will handle the XAVC-L 50-mbit 422 10-bit MXF files straight out of the X70 with no problems at all.

It also supports batch conversion from a chosen 'watch folder.' It can also transcode / export to virtually any flavour of codec/format/resolution you desire. It's also pretty quick and the quality is is as you would expect. It will also handle the XAVC-Intra 200+mbit MXF files from the F5/F55 family along with all of Sony's MPEG2 and H264 flavours from the rest of the camera family.

Not too surprising really when you look at it when you see that virtually every plugin made for Sony software including Vegas and the new Catalyst Browse is written by MainConcept.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Re: Sony PXW-X70 announced: Pro XDCAM version of AX100
 

Adobe Premiere Pro CC works fine with these XAVC-L files. No problems here.