Archiving XD Cam EX Footage

Peter Kraft · January 12th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Schmerin

FCP6 can not read the .mxf files.

David, I'm not sure about what you say.
www.flip4mac.com sell a plug in that allows exactly that.
Go to their site and download the trial software.
Unfortunately I don't have FCP6 yet so I can only import into FCP5
but not edit the .mxf files. But the import is no problem at all.

Are there any statements from Apple about .mxf file use
with FCP 6?

I could try and get related info elsewhere if so desired.
Just let me know.

Peter Kraft · January 12th, 2008, 12:32 PM

Here is what FCP users might want to know:

Expect brand new MXF workflow with FCP round about January,
offering stunning speed.

Q.: Does the new workflow make use of mxf files within FCP,
no QT conversion necessary?

A.: YES

Q.: Will it be possible to write MXF files right out of FCP?

A.: YES

Q.: Will support of meta data and proxies be extended?

A.: Meta data YES
Proxies: to be looked into, but probably YES.

David Schmerin · January 12th, 2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Kraft

David, I'm not sure about what you say.
www.flip4mac.com sell a plug in that allows exactly that.
Go to their site and download the trial software.
Unfortunately I don't have FCP6 yet so I can only import into FCP5
but not edit the .mxf files. But the import is no problem at all.

Are there any statements from Apple about .mxf file use
with FCP 6?

I could try and get related info elsewhere if so desired.
Just let me know.

Peter,

I think you missed something here in that I am specifically referring to footage shot in the 35mb/HQ mode on the EX1.

XDCAM-HD and XDCAM-EX "HQ" codecs are not the same. All existing XDCAM-HD formats are already supported. Even Flip4Mac can not deal with the new 35mb 1920*1080 or 1280*720 formats as it would seem every format they support is HDV based or 1440*1080.

If you would like to test my theory, please feel free to download some of my test footage and try for yourself.

ftp://vegas:demo@download.gotfootage.com

Download the files 24pFlag_01.mxf or 24pFlag_02.mxf and please let me know of a way to import these file in to FCP as they are both 1280*720p/24 .mxf files exported via Sony's Clip Browser software.

David Schmerin
www.gotfootageHD.com

David Schmerin · January 12th, 2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Kraft

Here is what FCP users might want to know:

Expect brand new MXF workflow with FCP round about January,
offering stunning speed.

Q.: Does the new workflow make use of mxf files within FCP,
no QT conversion necessary?

A.: YES

Q.: Will it be possible to write MXF files right out of FCP?

A.: YES

Q.: Will support of meta data and proxies be extended?

A.: Meta data YES
Proxies: to be looked into, but probably YES.

May one ask the source of the information?

David Schmerin
www.GotFootageHD.com

Peter Kraft · January 12th, 2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Schmerin

May one ask the source of the information?

You may always ask (asking is never forbidden) :-)
Let me put it that way: I don't remember his name +g*
But the guy is at the source.

Peter Kraft · January 13th, 2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Schmerin

Download the files 24pFlag_01.mxf or 24pFlag_02.mxf and please let me know of a way to import these file in to FCP as they are both 1280*720p/24 .mxf files exported via Sony's Clip Browser software.

Imported into FCP 5.1.4 as .mxf via flip4mac plug-in. During import
process converted into a .mov file (QT), Codec unknown. Other details:

1280x720, 23,97 fps, 35.90 MBit/s, Timecode at clip start: 02:44:17.20.

Does that help until FCP(next) will be available? Should be even far
better with FCP 6.0.2.

David Schmerin · January 15th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Kraft

Imported into FCP 5.1.4 as .mxf via flip4mac plug-in. During import
process converted into a .mov file (QT), Codec unknown. Other details:

1280x720, 23,97 fps, 35.90 MBit/s, Timecode at clip start: 02:44:17.20.

Does that help until FCP(next) will be available? Should be even far
better with FCP 6.0.2.

Peter,

Sadly this does not help for two reasons...

1) I don't think it works. I did as you suggested and all looked good. The file appeared to import correctly with the proper data displayed. I could read the format and frame rate and everything else. Once the video imported, trying to place the video on a timeline or in the preview window caused a General Error to occur in FCP-6x.

2) If you are in the business of delivering material to customers on varying platforms, is it fair to them to say, Thank you for choosing me but if you want to use my stuff you have to buy a $500.00 3rd party plug-in, if it worked.

David Schmerin
www.GotFootageHD.com

My EX1 samples can be seen at ftp://vegas:demo@download.gotfootage.com

Peter Kraft · January 15th, 2008, 01:49 PM

David,

thanks for helping me out as I do not yet
have FCP 6. So let's keep waiting for the
new anticipated version. Hope this one will
fill those needs.

Andrew Wilson · January 18th, 2008, 05:51 PM

So I just finished my first gig with the ex1. (:30 spot for a local credit union)

I really like this camera and it worked really well in the field. Here's my archive workflow.

After I shot, I plugged the camera into the computer (macpro) and when the card mounted I renamed it to my client's name. (CLIENT, for example).

Then I started up XDCAM transfer (separate from FCP) and added all the clips to the cue and started importing.

The one very cool thing that I didn't expect is that I was still able to play and check clips while the importing was happening. This way, I was able to make a quick rough edit and find the good VO takes.

Once the import was done, I started FCP, navigated to my XDCAM IMPORTS folder and in that folder was a folder named CLIENT (the name of the card)

I imported all the clips.

Now, I selected the card in the finder and made a copy of it using toast to a DL DVD. All the clips together were about 5 gigs.

Then I started editing the spot while the backup was running. It took about 25 minutes to backup and verify the DVD.

Then I boldly deleted all the clips off my hard drive and inserted the DVD. I Started XDCAM Transfer and pointed it to the DVD. Did a select all and IMPORT. All the media reconnected flawlessly.

One warning: Importing from the DVD archive took FOREVER - a 1 minute clip via USB from the cam was :38... off the DVD - 3:15

Brad Vaughan · January 19th, 2008, 10:53 AM

Nice to hear it went well Andrew!

Also...thanks for the valuable info on transfering and archiving.

copy/pasted for future reference. :)

thanks!

Carroll Lam · January 19th, 2008, 12:34 PM

Here's my setup:

MacBook Pro running latest OS
FCP 6.0.2
XDCAM EX Clip Browser V1.0
XDCAM Transfer V2.1.0

Here's my problem:

When I insert my SxS card into MPB both the Clip Browser and Transfer programs see and open the clips on the card BUT if I copy the BPAV folder to any other location - HD, DVD, etc - on Clip Browser will see the files. XDCAM Transfer sees the BPAV folder as grayed out unless it is on the SxS card itself.

I'm puzzled.

Carroll Lam

Andrew Wilson · January 19th, 2008, 12:37 PM

You need to add the location of the new BPAV folder to XDCAM transfer window on the left.

So if you copied your BPAV folder to a drive called MEDIA, you need to click the add button in lower left and add that location as a place to look for BPAV folders.

What you're seeing is a cache of old cards and BPAV folders that were once in that location.

Carroll Lam · January 19th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Wilson

You need to add the location of the new BPAV folder to XDCAM transfer window on the left.

Yes, I've done that but when I select the location of the BPAV folder the folder shows up as grayed out in the Add Location window.

Puzzling.

Carroll Lam

Andrew Wilson · January 19th, 2008, 06:57 PM

are you pointing to the BPAV folder or the parent directory? I think you need to add the parent directory to the list - not point to the folder directly.

Felix Sorger · January 29th, 2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Wilson

are you pointing to the BPAV folder or the parent directory? I think you need to add the parent directory to the list - not point to the folder directly.

that's correct.
You need to go one level higher in your folder structure in order to see the files.

January 12th, 2008, 12:32 PM	#77
Peter Kraft Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 245	MXF and FCP Here is what FCP users might want to know: Expect brand new MXF workflow with FCP round about January, offering stunning speed. Q.: Does the new workflow make use of mxf files within FCP, no QT conversion necessary? A.: YES Q.: Will it be possible to write MXF files right out of FCP? A.: YES Q.: Will support of meta data and proxies be extended? A.: Meta data YES Proxies: to be looked into, but probably YES.

January 18th, 2008, 05:51 PM	#84
Andrew Wilson Tourist Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 123	My first workflow So I just finished my first gig with the ex1. (:30 spot for a local credit union) I really like this camera and it worked really well in the field. Here's my archive workflow. After I shot, I plugged the camera into the computer (macpro) and when the card mounted I renamed it to my client's name. (CLIENT, for example). Then I started up XDCAM transfer (separate from FCP) and added all the clips to the cue and started importing. The one very cool thing that I didn't expect is that I was still able to play and check clips while the importing was happening. This way, I was able to make a quick rough edit and find the good VO takes. Once the import was done, I started FCP, navigated to my XDCAM IMPORTS folder and in that folder was a folder named CLIENT (the name of the card) I imported all the clips. Now, I selected the card in the finder and made a copy of it using toast to a DL DVD. All the clips together were about 5 gigs. Then I started editing the spot while the backup was running. It took about 25 minutes to backup and verify the DVD. Then I boldly deleted all the clips off my hard drive and inserted the DVD. I Started XDCAM Transfer and pointed it to the DVD. Did a select all and IMPORT. All the media reconnected flawlessly. One warning: Importing from the DVD archive took FOREVER - a 1 minute clip via USB from the cam was :38... off the DVD - 3:15

January 19th, 2008, 12:34 PM	#86
Carroll Lam Contributor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 128	Problem with XDCAM Transfer software Here's my setup: MacBook Pro running latest OS FCP 6.0.2 XDCAM EX Clip Browser V1.0 XDCAM Transfer V2.1.0 Here's my problem: When I insert my SxS card into MPB both the Clip Browser and Transfer programs see and open the clips on the card BUT if I copy the BPAV folder to any other location - HD, DVD, etc - on Clip Browser will see the files. XDCAM Transfer sees the BPAV folder as grayed out unless it is on the SxS card itself. I'm puzzled. Carroll Lam

January 15th, 2008, 01:49 PM	#83
Peter Kraft Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Europe Posts: 245	David, thanks for helping me out as I do not yet have FCP 6. So let's keep waiting for the new anticipated version. Hope this one will fill those needs.

January 19th, 2008, 10:53 AM	#85
Brad Vaughan Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va Beach, Va Posts: 241	Nice to hear it went well Andrew! Also...thanks for the valuable info on transfering and archiving. copy/pasted for future reference. :) thanks!

January 19th, 2008, 12:37 PM	#87
Andrew Wilson Tourist Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 123	You need to add the location of the new BPAV folder to XDCAM transfer window on the left. So if you copied your BPAV folder to a drive called MEDIA, you need to click the add button in lower left and add that location as a place to look for BPAV folders. What you're seeing is a cache of old cards and BPAV folders that were once in that location.

January 19th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#89
Andrew Wilson Tourist Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vermont, USA Posts: 123	are you pointing to the BPAV folder or the parent directory? I think you need to add the parent directory to the list - not point to the folder directly.