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Editing XDCam in Symphony
Used to have a MC3D Avid system, but Avid got to be so expensive it seemed like I was working for them. Went with FCP. Now…. considering for $1000 going back to AVID – In many ways like the Avid better, but then there are things about FCP. Do not like FCPX at this time.
I shoot almost exclusively in XDCam 1920*1080i 35mps and import right off the card – JVC HM700 (really like this camera for what I do).
The question…finally…. How does Symphony (software only version) handle XDCam? Retired and help non-profits so even $1000 comes directly from my pocket.
Thanks guys.
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9 Replies
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XDCAM works native. Just mount the card via AMA and consolidate to your drive.
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Ah, heres the rub. Does that camera shoot XDCAM native files? Or to XDCAM QuickTime files that are native to FCP? If the QT files, then you are in trouble. Only FCP reads those files. Avid won’t be able to see them unless some FCP app is installed, like FCP or Compressor. That was the danger of making a camera that shoots to native FCP formats (except ProRes. There are public decodes for that).
Calibrated makes an XDCAM decoder that will work, but then you have to transcode to an Avid codec.
Unless you are shooting XDCAM in the XDCAM file format. That Avid works with natively. Just consolidate from the card or card backup.
Shane
Little Frog Post
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If its QuickTime, you can probably install Compresor 4 for 49 bucks. That gives you all the FCP codecs.
Then you can still AMA. -
Thanks guys. It is shooting in the Quicktime XDCam format. I do have FCP7, FCPX and Adobe Suite so if I decide to go the Avid route have those things covered.
Now the decision… do I want to? How does everyone feel about running software only Symphony on a Mac laptop, and or an Intel tower? Really don’t want to buy the Avid hardware to get needed speed.
Thanks so much!
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Specs say that this cam can record QT or mp4. Pretty sure the latter would work with Avid.
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download the Media Composer trial. Try it for 30 days and see how it works on your system. You can also see how it handles your workflow. Essentially the same software as Symphony- minus some color correction.
Glenn
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Thanks Glenn.
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Or download the Symphony trial. Same difference.
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I will. Thanks!
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