Clip Browser or XDCAM Transfer?

[Michael Slowe]

I think (and I’ll be interested to see what other say) that Clip Browser should be used to review clips and to download to drives using the safety measure or CRC which confirms and checks correct transfer. The XDCAM Transfer is the tool for ingesting selected sections or complete clips into your edit suite. I use this all the time and it’s great, better than the old way of running a tape and selecting from that.

Michael Slowe

[Craig Seeman]

Michael has it right.
ClipBrowser to copy with CRC on (makes sure your copy is good).
XDCAM Transfer to wrap to MOV for Final Cut Pro.

ClipBrowser also allows you to split the BPAV so they can be archived on to optical disc (DVD, DVD DL, BD) and keep folder structure viable.

[Jason Brown]

So, as I understand it, if I want to archive (bit-for-bit) the BPAV folder for archive, then use clip browser.

If I want to just pull off and work with QT wrapped EX3 codec, then XDCAM transfer is completely fine to use as a standalone solution?

The idea is that most things we shoot with the EX3 would be internal and be more podcast and topical stuff. I just need to ingest and edit that stuff…and backup the imported footage. I’d never want the BPAV folder again in most cases.

-Jason

[Jason Brown]

So, as I understand it, if I want to archive (bit-for-bit) the BPAV folder for archive, then use clip browser.

If I want to just pull off and work with QT wrapped EX3 codec, then XDCAM transfer is completely fine to use as a standalone solution?

The idea is that most things we shoot with the EX3 would be internal and be more podcast and topical stuff. I just need to ingest and edit that stuff…and backup the imported footage. I’d never want the BPAV folder again in most cases.

-Jason

[Craig Seeman]

[Jason Brown] “I’d never want the BPAV folder again”

Never say never. There are many “surprise” situations you could run into but maybe none will ever be relevant to you.

Examples:
Hard drive crashes during a project.
Switch to another NLE due to an emergency and it doesn’t handle the EX .mov files easily.
Switch to another NLE down the road (maybe only a few months from now) making your EX .mov hard to use.
Files become corrupted during the project or during revisions.
Need to hand something to someone using another system for finishing.

Speak to anyone who’s had a hard drive crash mid project or had files become corrupted and they’ll warn you BACKUP. Don’t assume everything will always go as planed. It only takes one accident for a crisis to happen . . . oops I emptied the trash . . . Of course maybe just killing the project and moving on is OK for you because it’s internal. It ain’t going to be fun if you’re on deadline though and can’t make delivery even if it’s your own podcast.

[Jason Brown]

good points craig! I’ve been lucky with hard drives…guess it’s about time for that luck to run out!

-Jason

[Derek Reich]

Jason
one other thing which you may not know since you’re new to the EX workflow:

NEVER EVER alter the BPAV folder or it’s contents if you don’t know what you’re doing. The directories there must remain intact or you will lose the ability to access your files. Don’t even rename the folder. You can put the BPAV folders into other folders for organization, just don’t change the BPAV folder itself in any way. You can actually set a destination folder within Clipbrowser which will help you organize.

[Jason Brown]

I have read that from a lot of the reading I’ve done on the EX workflow. I’m still struggling with how to integrate an XDCAM HD disc and EX – SxS card workflow. The disc is simple…shoot, edit…delete, reference the disc to bring it back onine. But the EX has to come off the card, and where does it go to keep it separate from footage that you can delete.

I’m struggling with the change from AVID to FCP…the AVID was great at organizing my media…but FCP let’s me put it anywhere!

-Jason

[Dennis Dillon]

Jason,
Since you have a 700, you might want to consider a U1 Sony XD drive for archiving your EX material to the “User Data” folder on an optical disk. The U1 can then be used for both 700/EX ingest/Archive.

[Jason Brown]

I apologize, because I don’t have any experience with the discs yet. We’re still waiting for all the components of the 700 (LENS!) …

We do have a U1 drive. Could you explain the process a little more in detail of how that transfer would work? Clip Browser direct to the disc? Then import from disc via XDCAM transfer, and then it’s backed up on disc?

Thanks for the help!

-Jason