XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

I have been trying for the last few hours to make the XDCAM Clip Browser work with my SxS-1GA 64GB card from the PMW-500 on my Macbook Pro. The card if formatted for UDF (.mxf). Up until now I have only used XDCAM transfer 2.12.0 on my Mac Pro and all has been fine going to my RAID through FC. But now I am trying to set up a copy workflow while on the road. My laptop has older software and Sony will not let me down load the new Clip Browser or XDCAM Transfer. I have a password and user name but they say it is wrong. Hum not sure what the problem is here I thought this software was free. Any other PMW-500 owners ever make Clip Browser work for copy to external hard drive?

Don't want to buy Shotput do to all the problems I have heard about the software. Also I am not sure if it will work with UDF file format?

This is PMW-500 UDF only problem with my EX1 that is fine. And the disk that came with the camera does not have the right software.

I love this camera but it should not be this hard to copy files with Clip Browser. I know they are done updating this software and are putting both Clip Browser and XDCAM Transfer in to one package, but that is not working. Please make something that works in the meantime.

One other thing since I am on a rant is Sony would not give me a realistic price on the Extended Warranty. They gave a price higher then the F800 and that was not what I would pay. So Abel has gone to bat for me but they won't even get back to Abel. Now the month time frame has run out. Come on Sony I have purchased three HD 2/3" cameras from you in one year. I need better service!

Hi Paul,

Yes the XDCAM Browser will work with the PMW-500, unfortuantly Clip Browser won't!

Here's a link to the XDCAM Browser v1.1:
http://support.pro.sony.eu/software/...&model=PMW-500

Might like to check you have the UDF drivers too, I know the standard Mac ones aren't that efficient:
http://support.pro.sony.eu/software/...&model=PMW-500

Cheers,

David

Thanks David but not interested in their new software it is full of bugs and I will not put it on my computer.

Uploaded the current UDF drivers thank.

I will sleep on this and if I can't solve it in the morning I will look at other options. Wrote an email to the Shotput Pro guys asking it will work with UDF and not loose any of the meda-data, sub-clips, clips, and data.

Paul, As you know, I'm not impressed with Sony's new XDCAM Browser softerware and prefer to stick with the tried and true Clip Browser & XDCAM Transfer workflow. However, I don't think the new software will do any harm. I have it on my Mac Pro and two MacBook Pros with no ill effects. As far as I can tell it is safe and stable, the problem is that it screws up the workflow in many ways. However, in your case, where you just want to backup whole BPAV folders, it might be just fine. Whatever shortcomings there might be with the new software might be insignificant compared to trying to avoid using it.

As far as I know, ShotPut Pro should be able to copy all contents of card. I used it when testing the PMW500 to copy card contents to external HD.

Ned Soltz

Some times the day looks brighter (snowing out) after a good night sleep.

Doug if it was only BPAV I would be set. But I will still give the new software a try on my laptop.

Thanks for the Links David.

Ned that is good to know. I have an email into them and will wait on their response. I only have two SxS-1GA 64GB cards for the 500. With multi day shoots coming up I need to back up nightly to two hard drives and DL-DVD. Time to buy more cards.

OK when I am wrong I will admit it. The new Sony browser works fine. I had the UDF driver not loading properly from the CD sent by Sony, but it worked fine from the site David sent me to. Thanks David.

Now I can copy EX clips SxS Pro and PMW-500 UDF (.MXF) clips SxS-1GA to my back up drives while on the road.

Thanks guys for the help. Next time I should sleep on it then try it in the morning prior to blaming Sony. Now the warranty is a different story.

Moving Forward.

Nah... you can always blame Sony. They're a big company with a thick skin ;)

Glad you found the cause of the problem.

BTW, I really like the NextoDI for field work. Just dump your cards into it and transfer when you get back in front of a computer. And pretty rock solid as well.

Ned

I bet Sony has thick skin they need to as do we all.

The NextoHD 2525 is coming out soon and that will handle the UDF files. Could be a very nice options and with the new iphone 4 will let me leave the laptop home.

Ned did you use SxS Pro cards for UDF?

I was under the impression and I could be totally off on this that you had to use the new SxS-1GA cards to shoot UDF?

Will try my SxS Pro tomorrow.

Paul,

It should have occurred to me earlier that you were wondering about UDF with older SxS cards. They should work fine. I'm pretty sure that when we were at Sony in New York for the PMW-500 launch I formatted one of my original 8GB cards (maybe it was an old 16GB) for UDF and recorded several shots. Unless my memory is faulty, any SxS card should work for UDF. Am I wrong? Four months ago seems like ancient history and my brain is fuzzy.

Doug,

I am in the same position not remembering if they worked but Ned says they are fine. I will do some test today. When I purchased the camera I also purchased two 64GB SxS-1GA that I know are fine and much better value.

Sony sent me 1 64gb SxS-1GA with the camera and I also tested my own 16gb SxS cards. The original SxS worked fine with UDF.

Ned

Thanks Ned,

Sorry I have not posted packing up for a week long shoot. Also just tested two of my SxS Pro cards and once formatted they work fine.

One point if you want to use this again on the EX-1 I have found that I need format it on the 500 for EX then reformat again on the EX and all if fine. I tried putting the UDF format card in the EX and could not format.

Did you have to do the same Ned?

That's correct. Once formatted for UDF, the EX can't read the card. Must reformat as EX on a 500

That one's caught me out a few times. Make sure before you go on a shoot with your EX that the cards have been re-formatted either in the 500 or in a PC to Fat32. My EX3 also won't recognise a card with SD clips shot on an EX1R or 350.

New Browser worked fine this past week backing up EX1 and PMW-500 clips on the same drives.

There is some confusion about the formats, but its simple

a) SxS formatted the UDF way pretends to be a professional disk - therefore *at the moment* you go the "disk"-way working with the UDF card. Great: Its MUCH faster than a professional disk, but offers HD422 50mbit/s and proxy etc.

b) SxS formatted the FAT way is compatible with "EX Format" 4:2:0 35 mbit/s (EX1,EX3, PMW-320, PMW-350, *PMW500)

Things grow together, Sony knows about limitations in Xdcam Clip Browser and is working on that.

Best regards

Uli

Also note that the older XDCAM transfer works just fine with both.

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

I'm having issues with importing using both XDCAM Browser and XDACM Transfer with the PMW 500.
I have found a way around this but.....

Problem

XDCAM Transfer 2.12 won't import any S&Q footage. Imports all other footage and can rename clips. Although one has to up date the XDCAM Transfer software.

XDCAM 1.1 Browser wont import S&Q, all other footage is fine. You cannot rename clips.

Now the above information above is using FCP v 6.06 which is installed on my MBP which I use for touring.

Solution
For S&Q import upgrade to FCP 7 to address the S&Q for XDCAM 1.1 Browser only. Renaming of clips still won't function.

Upgrade to XDCAM Transfer 2.12 and you can import and rename normal clips but won't import any S&Q footage.

Sony needs to get onto this ASAP and fix this problem.

I may be incorrect here and these are my findings only. Please direct me to the correct solution if I'm incorrect.

Cheers

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Has anyone heard is there going to be a new release of the XDcam browser software at NAB ?

Cheers,
Tim.

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Thanks Simon for the info. I am just back from a shoot and needed to upload the S&Q from the 500. Guess it is time to put Browser 1.1 on my editing machine. I have it on my laptop for backup on the road and have been holding off on the editing machine.

Hope your 500 is also impressing you? Mine has been fantastic and in many ways better then the F800 for my use.

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Hi, Paul

Glad to hear how well the 500 is working out for you.

My only regret is that Sony remembered they had loaned it to me....

Ned Soltz

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Hi Ned,

Yea the 500 is excellent. Fast motion, slow motion, clean crisp CCD, 2-64GB cards, light weight, and great ergonomics. I think they got it right with this one. I know the rage is 35mm but what I am doing 35mm would just not cut it. Finally i have the right camera. And my EX1 as a b-roll cam with WA and Fisheye is a nice match.

Too bad Sony did not say, "Ned hold on to that for a year and tell us what you think?"

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

As I said in my article, there is a tool for every situation. I'm shooting some booth interviews at NAB and am using a Canon T2i. Just sold my EX-3 (kept the EX-1) and will probably go with a large-sensor camera for second camera. I want the F-3 but just don't have the business plan at this point to monetize it so I'll end up with either NS-100 or Panny AF-100. I have one shoot coming up in May where I need the big video cam capabilities, so I'll rent a 500 for that one.

But, back to topic, I still find the Sony XDCAM Transfer for FCP adequate for both MXF and MP4. Avid handles the MXF without problems.

Ned

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Agree a camera for the job. I have a 5d MKII but don't use it for video just stills where it shines.

My work is too on the run and fast motion subject to use a 35mm. I owned a Red One and prefer the 500.

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Hi Paul,

The 500 is fantastic for all the varied styles that I'm shooting, I just love it.
I'm still trying to find a good balance with the Paint settings for general indoor outdoor styles as this camera is so sensitive with regards to getting correct exposure. I have been going back and forth from H2- H4 for outdoor and H3 for indoor with a few tweeks in the paint section. The blacks in the 500 are so deep which is throwing me off.

Anyway, I recommend the 500 to anyone considering this as their main cam.

Cheers

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Hi Simon,

Glad it is also working out for you. I am up to 1TB so far with the camera and my clients love the picture. The paint setting I sent you is what I use 95% of the time with great success.

We should exchange emails the week of the 18th when I am back with my camera to make sure I gave you the right paint setting.

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Hi Paul,

Yep I'm using those paint settings, thanks for that.
When you get back email me and I'll check those settings.

Good luck shooting.

Cheers

Re: XDCAM Clip Browser problem with PMW-500
 

Good to know you are using the same setting it has worked for me in a wide range of conditions.

Will double check when I get back to my van and gear the week of the 18th, home editing the last shoot.