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Corrupt XDCAM EX1 Clips — Will Not Import
Hi,
I recently imported 14 hrs of footage shot on the XDCAM EX1 into Final Cut Pro 6.0.6 using FCP Log and Transfer. It’s a 25fps PAL project shot at HQ 1080p25. Because we only have 5 SD cards, we copied the BPAV folders onto a hard drive in the field and then imported the clips into FCP from the hard drive. For the most part all clips imported properly without any hiccups.
We are having trouble with 2 clips– Each clip has a different problem and both came from the same 32GB ATP ProMax SDHC Class 6 card used with a Hoodman Raw SxSxSDHC adapter. This card has since been reused without any problems.
(FYI During shooting on this particular card, our DP was receiving error messages asking her if she wanted to Restore the card, but there was no option to do so, so she didn’t.)
Both clips appear and playdown properly while in XDCAM Clip Browser v 2.00.01, so it seems the media exists. But when in FCP Log and Transfer, there are problems:
Clip #1 claims it’s 35 mins long. But it will only import the first 27 mins. If I try to play the clip within Log & Transfer it just stops at the 27 min mark and I can’t continue even though the Preview window indicates there is more to the clip.
Clip #2’s thumbnail won’t appear when I click on it, and in the Preview window I get the message “Preview unavailable for this format.” But again, I can see the clip and play it in Clip Browser. When I attempt to import it in Log and Transfer, the spinning import icon stops spinning after several seconds and freezes with no error message or warning. When clicked, it turns into a red exclamation point icon.
When I try to Export the clips in Clip Browser I get the message: “Error Details, code: 88000008 Reason: An error occurred during conversion.” (Thanks for that, Sony)
In the Clip Browser manual it says this code means: “The selected clip is in an unsupported format or the material data is corrupt. Check the properties of the folder and clip.” How do I do this?
(On a side note, when I upgraded Clip Browser to a newer version, the problem clips didn’t appear or play properly at all– Clip #2’s thumbnail disappeared and wouldn’t playdown. So I downgraded back to v2.00.01)
I tried opening both clips in XDCAM Transfer v 2.12.0 and I get this error: “Failed to import movie from file at xxxxx (-50)”
In XDCAM Transfer Clip #1 appears as a .MP4 file and Clip #2 appears as a .SMI file. Neither have thumbnails (No Image Available).
When I try to import the clip into XDCAM Transfer I get this error: “Exception opening XDCAM EX file (Condition Failure-moov existence)”
When I try to Export the clip I get this error: “***[NSConcreteFileHandlereadDataOfLength:]: Cannot allocate memory”
I also copied the BPAV folder back onto a different SD card to see if that would help (it didn’t). When I place the card back into the camera, the clip thumbnails all appear and everything seems fine. I even did a media restore on the card in-camera, but nothing improved.
I was going to copy the bad card in-camera onto a new card to see if that fixes it (a corrupt BPAV folder?) Then worse case I was going to try and play the clips in camera and input it into FCP via firewire. TC won’t match I guess but at least I’ll have the media. All in all we’re missing about 20 mins of footage.
HELP!
Thanks in advance…
BTW I’m running Final Cut Pro 6.0.6 on MBP 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3 RAM on Mac OS 10.6.2
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13 Replies
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[Jordan Montminy] “(FYI During shooting on this particular card, our DP was receiving error messages asking her if she wanted to Restore the card, but there was no option to do so, so she didn’t.)
“I believe if you then remove the card (wait for light change) and the put back in, it’ll throw the error again and give you the option. I don’t get media restore errors but I was able to force it in an experiment.
Update to ClipBrowser 2.6.
Copy (duplicate rather than just move) the two MP4s in question to their own folder and then use ClipBrowser File/Import. You can then create new BPAV for them. This is assuming the only real damage is to the metadata. -
Thanks, Craig for the swift reply. I just have a few questions regarding your suggestions:
Update to ClipBrowser 2.6
I upgraded ClipBrowser to 2.6 previously and at that point was unable to view either of the problem clips, so I downgraded back down to the older version where I could view/select everything… What are the advantages to upgrading to 2.6?
Copy (duplicate rather than just move) the two MP4s in question to their own folder and then use ClipBrowser File/Import. You can then create new BPAV for them. This is assuming the only real damage is to the metadata.
To clarify, do you mean to copy the MP4s within ClipBrowser and to copy them to their own folder onto another drive? And how do I create a new BPAV folder? Should I create a single BPAV for both clips or a new BPAV for each? (I’m not very familiar with ClipBrowser)
Thanks.
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[Jordan Montminy] “To clarify, do you mean to copy the MP4s within ClipBrowser and to copy them to their own folder onto another drive? And how do I create a new BPAV folder? Should I create a single BPAV for both clips or a new BPAV for each? (I’m not very familiar with ClipBrowser) “
You’re going to HAVE to update ClipBrowser to do this. NO CHOICE.
Copy the MP4 you can use to a folder or desktop or whatever. Using ClipBrowser File Import. It’ll create a new BPAV for it. -
I’ve only had a ‘restore’ warning twice since I’ve owned the camera, but I’ve done exactly what Craig is saying…then restore it…then I take it out and transfer it. I don’t shoot with it until I’ve verified there isn’t a media problem.
TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions, -
Hi Jordan,
I might be able to help you, if you can provide the firmware version you currently have on your camera and as well when you approx. bought the adapter.
I had a similar problem but only with the first generation of adapters and it all came down to Sony’s firmware.
MxM Express
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The camera is at version 1.11_0531. The adapters were purchased in October 2009.
I copied the problem clips within ClipBrowser and created a new BPAV folder. No dice– unable to import into ClipBrowser and Log and Transfer. I also copied the problem clips within the camera to another freshly formatted SD card and still cannot import into ClipBrowser or Log and Transfer.
Also I upgraded to ClipBrowser v2.6 and Clip #1 doesn’t play down or contain a thumbnail, and Clip #2 doesn’t show up at all anymore.
Very frustrating.
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As a test, can you play the MP4s in question in VLC Player?
If all else fails this company has expertise in salvaging EX clips.
https://www.aeroquartet.com/ -
Problem Clip #1 was split up into 3 separate folders within the CLPR folder within BPAV. The third .MP4 does not open in VLC with the error message: “VLC can’t recognize the input’s format. Format of xxx.SMI can’t be detected.” (This is consistent with where the death section of this clip lies) Clip #2 is one .MP4 file and won’t open, same error message.
Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll give those guys a shout.
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[Jordan Montminy] ” Format of xxx.SMI can’t be detected.” “
For VLC you should just play the MP4 sections. It won’t understand the SMI which joins the clips.[Jordan Montminy] “Clip #2 is one .MP4 file and won’t open, same error message. “
Confusing as you said the previous error message is SMI.Just try to play the individual MP4 in the CLPR folder.
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I agree, it’s confusing but that’s the error message I get when trying to open the .MP4 files in VLC. I saved the crash log, is it possible to attach it as a document?
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