Calibrated{Q} XD codec to view XCAM and HDV files on Mac and PC

Bill Ravens · February 4th, 2009, 01:46 PM

Hi Greg..

I was trying to read an XDCAM EX file, re-wrapped with the Sony Clipbrowser to .mxf on the PC. Apparently this isn't an acceptable format? As a PC user, how would I get an XDCAM HD or XDCAM EX file in .mov format? And, unless an editor on a Mac based system was trying to export an mov to a PC, why would I want to? In that case, why couldn't I just use a cross platform codec like DNxHD, Sheer, or Cineform?

So, the basis of the Calibrated codec is to allow a PC to recognize an XDCAM HD or EX that was captured on a Mac?

Greg Booth · February 4th, 2009, 02:22 PM

Hi Bill,

For MXF files to be opened by QuickTime Player on Windows, you need to install both the Calibrated{Q} MXF Import for Windows and the Calibrated{Q} XD Decode codec for Windows. This then will let QuickTime Player playback XDCAM HD MXF files - although XDCAM EX MXF files have not been specifically tried out yet - if they dont work please let me know.

As for the Calibrated{Q} XD Decode codec -it is a cross-platform codec as well - for Windows or Mac computers without FCP installed. And yes the current workflow is with XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, and HDV wrapped .MOV files generated by FCP but there are other products on the horizon that capture/work with XDCAM HD .MOV wrapped files (the Flash XDR from Convergent Design being one).

As for a workflow preference - people that do use the codec use FCP to edit but have a Windows computer with AE (or Mac Computer with only Shake or AE without FCP installed) for composting somewhere in their workflow and instead of re-rendering or re-wrapping - they just put the files on a shared storage drive and use the Calibrated{Q} Decode codec to open the files in AE (or other apps). Others have clients that want to see the files in their original quality (thus no H264 QuickTime Movies) and so they get the codec for their clients computers to view material easily in QuickTime player.

But as with any workflow - it's just one option of many...

Cheers,
Greg

Calibrated Software

Craig Seeman · February 4th, 2009, 03:51 PM

You can export from FCP back to MP4 and the client can then handle in Sony Clip Browser on their system for Avid use. Alternately it can be converted to MXF file as would be generated by XDCAM HD.

Paul Cronin · February 4th, 2009, 04:47 PM

Craig that is good to know. But my client does not want .mxf for some reason. They requested DNxHD so that is what they will get and I hope it works.

Thanks for your link that will work for other clients on Avid.

Greg Booth · February 4th, 2009, 06:40 PM

Hi Bill,

If you want - you can always email info@calibratedsoftware.com so I can give you our ftp account information if you want to upload any specific MXF for me to look at for support in Calibrated{Q} MXF Import and I'll also add XDCAM EX MXF file support to the feature list for the next release - since currently only XDCAM HD MXF files had been verified and tested.

Cheers,
Greg

Calibrated Software

Greg Booth · February 11th, 2009, 11:14 AM

Hi Bill,

I just posted a new v1.6.4 build of Calibrated{Q} MXF Import for Mac and Windows that should allow you to open XDCAM EX MXF files created in Sony's Clip Browser. If that version still does not work for you just email your MP4 file specs and what MXF conversion settings in Clip Browser you are using to info@calibratedsoftware.com .

Cheers,
Greg

Bill Busby · November 14th, 2011, 01:56 AM

I know this is an old post but geesh! I find it ludicrous this now sells for $150. I noticed on another forum post from a year or two ago and there they mentioned it was $80-ish. Has it seriously gone up nearly 50% since then?

February 4th, 2009, 04:47 PM	#19
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Craig that is good to know. But my client does not want .mxf for some reason. They requested DNxHD so that is what they will get and I hope it works. Thanks for your link that will work for other clients on Avid. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com Last edited by Paul Cronin; February 4th, 2009 at 06:32 PM.

November 14th, 2011, 01:56 AM	#22
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	Re: Calibrated{Q} XD codec to view XCAM and HDV files on Mac and PC I know this is an old post but geesh! I find it ludicrous this now sells for $150. I noticed on another forum post from a year or two ago and there they mentioned it was $80-ish. Has it seriously gone up nearly 50% since then?

February 4th, 2009, 01:46 PM	#16
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	Hi Greg.. I was trying to read an XDCAM EX file, re-wrapped with the Sony Clipbrowser to .mxf on the PC. Apparently this isn't an acceptable format? As a PC user, how would I get an XDCAM HD or XDCAM EX file in .mov format? And, unless an editor on a Mac based system was trying to export an mov to a PC, why would I want to? In that case, why couldn't I just use a cross platform codec like DNxHD, Sheer, or Cineform? So, the basis of the Calibrated codec is to allow a PC to recognize an XDCAM HD or EX that was captured on a Mac?

February 4th, 2009, 02:22 PM	#17
Greg Booth Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 36	Hi Bill, For MXF files to be opened by QuickTime Player on Windows, you need to install both the Calibrated{Q} MXF Import for Windows and the Calibrated{Q} XD Decode codec for Windows. This then will let QuickTime Player playback XDCAM HD MXF files - although XDCAM EX MXF files have not been specifically tried out yet - if they dont work please let me know. As for the Calibrated{Q} XD Decode codec -it is a cross-platform codec as well - for Windows or Mac computers without FCP installed. And yes the current workflow is with XDCAM HD, XDCAM EX, and HDV wrapped .MOV files generated by FCP but there are other products on the horizon that capture/work with XDCAM HD .MOV wrapped files (the Flash XDR from Convergent Design being one). As for a workflow preference - people that do use the codec use FCP to edit but have a Windows computer with AE (or Mac Computer with only Shake or AE without FCP installed) for composting somewhere in their workflow and instead of re-rendering or re-wrapping - they just put the files on a shared storage drive and use the Calibrated{Q} Decode codec to open the files in AE (or other apps). Others have clients that want to see the files in their original quality (thus no H264 QuickTime Movies) and so they get the codec for their clients computers to view material easily in QuickTime player. But as with any workflow - it's just one option of many... Cheers, Greg Calibrated Software

February 4th, 2009, 03:51 PM	#18
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	You can export from FCP back to MP4 and the client can then handle in Sony Clip Browser on their system for Avid use. Alternately it can be converted to MXF file as would be generated by XDCAM HD.

February 4th, 2009, 06:40 PM	#20
Greg Booth Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 36	Hi Bill, If you want - you can always email info@calibratedsoftware.com so I can give you our ftp account information if you want to upload any specific MXF for me to look at for support in Calibrated{Q} MXF Import and I'll also add XDCAM EX MXF file support to the feature list for the next release - since currently only XDCAM HD MXF files had been verified and tested. Cheers, Greg Calibrated Software

February 11th, 2009, 11:14 AM	#21
Greg Booth Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 36	Hi Bill, I just posted a new v1.6.4 build of Calibrated{Q} MXF Import for Mac and Windows that should allow you to open XDCAM EX MXF files created in Sony's Clip Browser. If that version still does not work for you just email your MP4 file specs and what MXF conversion settings in Clip Browser you are using to info@calibratedsoftware.com . Cheers, Greg