Snow Leopard and XDCAM Transfer
 

Using XDCAM Transfer 2.10 in OS 10.6
It doesn't generate thumbnails
Error message
"The clip thumbnail could not be saved to the cache as it was an unrecognised format."
Options are Cancel All Tasks and OK
The error will happen with each clip you select.
It will still re-wrap them to MOV.

If you try to reinstall XDCAM Transfer you will get an error regarding the .kext not being compatible.

Obviously Sony is aware of the lack of compatibility but I think we should document them. Given the number of people getting new Macs and Sony's comments about not fixing this possibly as late as next spring Sony may lose a good portion of the Mac market.

See here also for more info:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/sony-xdca...w-leopard.html

This is an extremely valuable point. It is all very well for people to say "you shouldn't install Snow Leopard on existing production machines yet" but that doesn't solve the problem of people purchasing new Macs for use with XDCAM EX and HD etc.

It is disappointing that new drivers and software are not forthcoming. SL has been on the horizon for quite some time now and really should have been accounted for.

this worked for me
 

This post solved the problem for me, at least until Sony updates the software:

"I was able to resolve the thumbnail error in Snow Leopard by installing Sony XDCAM Transfer 2.5.1. I was not able to find the 2.8 installer like some others were able to try on this thread.

After I installed 2.5.1 and saw that it worked, I then tried to upgrade to version 2.10 but got the thumbnail error. I had to trash the following items to reinstall 2.5.1 and make it work again:

1. /Applications/XDCAM Transfer
2. ~/Library/Application Support/Sony XDCAM Transfer

After trashing the above two items and reinstalling XDCAM Transfer 2.5.1, the thumbnail error went away and everything seemed to work on Snow Leopard.

I am also using the latest SxS card driver version 1.0.4 from Sony.

Here are the download locations for the software I installed:

1. Sony XDCAM Transfer 2.5.1 - SONY XDCAM EX
2. Sony SxS Drivers 1.0.4 - SXS Drivers

Hopefully others will have the same luck that I did after trashing the files/folders above and installing these versions of the software."

Considering that the people who make Parallels Desktop were able to get an update out in a couple of weeks for something that emulates an entire operating system, the fact that this is going to take so long is rather disappointing to say the least.

I'll add that Sony USA site still doesn't have the 1.0.4 SxS driver on it and still has no mention of Snow Leopard compatibility.

My only conclusion is that there must be very serious problems internally at Sony USA if they can't manage such simples tasks as posting the SxS driver or a simple mention of the lack of compatibility with Snow Leopard.

Assuming there's at least ONE person in the entire world wide company that has visited any professional forum, they'd have some "call to action" at least from their marketing department even if the tech department is incapable of the fixes necessary.

Any news on Sony's update?
Markus

Only anecdotal reports that people have received from Sony which seems to indicate sometime between Fall and next Spring(!!!).

There are now people who are buying new Macs trying to scramble to get copies of Leopard to downgrade from Snow Leopard.

Last I checked Sony USA site doesn't even acknowledge the existence of Snow Leopard let alone provide a warning or advisory or any mention of updates ever happening. They don't even mention the new Express card driver that's out for the Laptop issue.

I wouldn't cal that a "fix" so much as a workaround. Sony is taking far too long to fix this IMHO.

I need the XDcam HD 422 codecs that came with the later versions of XDcam transfer - anyone know if they will work with 2.5.1? I'll try it tomorrow if no one has already.

I cant access Sony Pro USA Website since a few days from my location in Canada , i use MAC OS X 10.5.8 and Safari 4.0.3 .

Can a Canadian member can confirm this , maybe Sony USA dont like my informative posts and decide to block all canadians visitors.

Can USA members can visit Sont Canada Website .... i know i can visit Sony UK Website so i think there a little Paranoia from Sony USA.

I'm from USA and can access both USA and Canadian sites. Canada tends to post updates before the USA site so I'm actually there first. USA site still doesn't have Express slot driver 1.0.4 for Snow Leopard laptops but Canada does for example. Basically you're not missing much if you can't get to the USA site because you're going to see updates on the Canadian site first.

Daniel, I am using 10.6.1 and Safari 4.0.3 on a MacPro and have accessed Sony Canada's site to download their latest drivers:
XDCAM Transfer 2.5.1
SXS Device Driver 1045050

However, I did discover that Sony Canada now has two different web pages, a new one for support with new links that point to a blank download page: SONY XDCAM EX
Then the old one with the current drivers: SONY XDCAM EX

Give that last address a go and you should be in business, Cheers!

I ordered a 17" MacBook Pro yesterday and it is scheduled to arrive within the week. Snow Leopard is pre-installed and it will be interesting to see how it works with Sony's latest drivers.

As most folks have observed, Sony Broadcast division's software management is indeed frustrating and dreadful, be it XDCAM drivers or EX camera firmware updates. One can only hope they are doing diligence to get up to speed in a timely fashion that will serve our EX cameras--as working customers.

I'm pulling $8400 cash out of my pocket ready to put on the table for EX3 but after reading some of the so call customer support i thinking should i pull my money and put it back in my pocket. I'm a Canon guy but ready to do the SS work flow. One question about new MACBOOK Pro how you do guys get the footage in the the system fast when it don't have an express card??? is there a Firewire 800 Express card reader for the SxS?? i'm looking for my Mac Pro Thankx

Fast on the money. Slow on the service!
 

I have always liked Sony products. I have owned or used much of their products over the years. When it was time to buy the EX-1, I knew it would be expensive but also that it was quality and had the Sony name behind it. Like many of you who are having the transfer issue due to Sony's lack of support, I am surprised that a fix would not be ready by now. With a strong number of Apple FCP users in the professional market, one would think Sony would have been on top of its game when they knew Snow Leopard and FCP studio were in development. I can't find a reason in the world why a company of this stature would shun the number of users their product affects. It's funny that I was there with the money on time when I bought the EX-1, but Sony does not seem to feel that way on their end. My next purchase may not have Sony in the name due to this experience.

Phil

It may depend on how you cook the numbers but I hear from a few sources that Final Cut has just over 50% of the NLE market (I assume there's some "Pro" threshold not obviously defined though). One might argue it's less but it's certainly pervasive.

I can't believe Sony is simply dumb or so impossibly bureaucratic that they can't even have a notice on their web pages and get a bug fix out the door especially given how long developers were seeded Snow Leopard betas and release candidates.

One might guess that Sony is undergoing some economic hardship which has seriously hampered its software R&D but that's speculative.

At this point they have to be aware of the negative publicity all over forums where owners and potential buyers are. The lack of response given the above is disturbing.

Given the number of dealers reporting "out of stock" one might guess there's a serious capacity issue in the supply chain. In my head this, coupled with above, seems to point to internal economic issues. I don't think Sony's going to "go away" but I'm guessing they're between a rock and hard place somewhere internally.

Sorry to be so speculative but in any case Snow Leopard has been out for a bit now, it's what people get with ALL Mac computer purchases and Sony's lack of public response is becoming a bigger issue as time goes on.

There are workarounds so no one is "dead" though. Their SxS to USB reader works and and Sony's FCP Log & Transfer plug-in works as well.

Well, I use the EX3 -- still have an HVR Z1U, an A1U and a DSR 400 -- but I'm completely spoiled rotten by tapeless and the magnificent images the EX3 produces.

I, too, was stunned to find I could not see any thumbnails while ingesting clips after installing Snow Leopard. Still can't. But the thumbnails are there once the clips are ingested. So what I do is ingest them all, then dump the ones I don't want... until Sony comes out with a fix, which I know they will.

It's not just Sony, either. Apple jumped the gun on Snow Leopard and it has caused other issues that are getting worked out now, too.

Currently, on my Macbook Pro and on my iMac, I either ingest via the USB from the camera when I'm using SXS cards, or via the little USB adaptor Hoodman gives you when you buy their cards. Works for me.

I can't speak about anything other than the scores of programs I use as a professional but every major, minor, free, shareware utility I have, in short order on their website: a notice warning of incompatibility sometimes including an approximate target release date or public beta or release candidate if they weren't already to go, except Sony. Sony still makes NO MENTION about incompatibility on any of their service sites I visit. I won't post a long list exemplifying the above it is ONLY SONY that, to this date, doesn't even warn of the incompatibility let alone mention any effort of fixes.

mention the problem!
 

Though I think that Sony folks read this forum it would be better that every user writes a mail to his national Sony office. I did so in Germany and - surprise: no answer! But I hope they pass the protest to central offices and maybe one day things change.

Markus

Certainly writing can't hurt but my guess is not only are the watching forum responses all over the world, they're probably getting calls from major production houses and especially those facilities with Sony service contracts.

I think the lack of response is deliberate but probably not malicious. They may have decided that they can't commit to even an estimated time line. That's why I'm beginning to think there's some serious internal issues (economic) going on internally as far as software R&D (and maybe manufacturing in the supply chain too).

One might wonder why not even the simplest one line of text warning about incompatibility on their service sites now 7 weeks after Snow Leopard's release. Purely speculative on my part but, they may be concerned that posting such would cause people to look at JVC (uses SDHC and records to MOV) or Panasonic alternatives. In addition it might cause delay in new Mac sales for production facilities and Apple would not be too happy about that.


It's really Sony's turn to speak at this point and silence leaves a lot open to inference and that's generally not a good thing so I can only speculate they feel the alternative might be worse.

Funny, I upgraded my MacBook Pro to SL and now the Clip Browser software won't even load. I've re-installed and re-booted a few times to no avail. Is there a trick to getting it running in SL (had no problems whatsoever in Leopard) I don't care that much about the thumbnail display, just taking advantage of the Clip Browser error checking feature as drag and drop can be not-so-error-free.

Haven't checked it working through FCP Transfer and Log & Transfer yet.

Version of ClipBrowser?
It should be 2.5.1.
You'll need to get Express slot SxS driver 1.0.4 from Canadian site. It's not on USA site. People are reporting bugs with that too.

Yes to both of those requirements and a reboot. Also even though I have FCP Transfer and Log & Transfer installed, I am talking about the Sony Clip Browser application. The SxS cars are read fine by the MBP, so the drivers are working.

I haven't heard of any issues with ClipBrowser and Snow Leopard. It's working fine for me.

You might have something conflicting with it specifically.
Create New User with Admin status
Repair disk permissions
Delete (not just uncheck) all login items for that user in System PrefPane Accounts.
Reboot and go to that new user.
Try to open ClipBrowser.

Craig,
Funny, I tried those suggestions and it allowed ClipBrowser to load under the new user account, but when I rebooted and logged back in as normal (Admin) user what happens is strange; ClipBrowser partially loads, it is displayed as active on the top bar next to the apple logo but no windows are open so it is not usable. Under the new user account it is functioning normally, but not so as normal Admin user. I've never seen this before with any program on the Mac so I'm pretty stumped as to what is happening and how to fix it. Many thanks for your suggestions so far, but logging on/off to another account just to use this program seems not only brain-dead but very un-Mac-like. I'm not a OS X power user so I don't know all the tricks, but I'd be open to any suggestions from yourself or anyone else who's experienced something like this before.

What this does establish is that the issue is that something is up with your normal user account and not the system nor ClipBrowser by itself, which runs fine in a "clean" user account.

You might have to trash ClipBrowser preferences in that user account.
You might have to look for some background task or conflicting utility.

While I haven't seen this specifically with ClipBrowser, this kind of issue is VERY COMMON which is why I suggested it as a trouble shooting technique.

Thanks Craig,

I ended up using a small program called AppDelete to completely remove the ClipBrowser program, trashed all prefs I could find, downloaded a fresh download copy, re-installed it and it now is working.

Thanks for you suggestions and now I don't seem to have any unusual conflicts with SL as far as Sony software is concerned, but I haven't yet edited anything with FCP and hopefully there won't be any new problems there.

Although it couldn't have been a bad install as it was working in the other user. Probably the preferences or another user specific file, my guess.

So is this implying that there is nothing wrong with the current version of the Sony software and that all we have to do is wipe any and all references to any prior installations?

Mac OS X is not something I have totally grasped yet - being a PC builder since the early eighties, but it appears that one must indeed wipe the old vestiges of Clip Browser from the computer (I did this with a downloaded program called AppDelete), manually trash any prefs files you can find, then re-install the newest Clip Browser version (listed just above on an earlier thread). It's a lot like manually editing the Windows Registry for entries on a PC.

I don't know why, but it worked for me.

Just to be sure. Your solution is for Clip Browser, not Transfer?! Because my problem is "only" Transfer. No thumbnails, no copy back from FCP to SXS.

Markus

Yes, Clip Browser 2.5.1