EX1R / XDCAM transcoding or not

[Don Greening]

When this type of question is asked here typically the standard answer is that the Calibrated Q web site is the place to go. I’ve always understood that there is a Mac OS plugin that lets you edit the EX MP4 files natively within FCP without the need to transcode to MOV first.

https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/products.asp

– Don

Don Greening
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com

[Ian Cook]

You do not have to transcode. The files need to be re-wrapped as QuickTimes (this moves the file contents from one file container to another; video and audio are not converted) which can be done using XDCAM Transfer, XDCAM Browser or the Log and Transfer extension from Sony. These work as FCP plugins and will do the re-wrapping on import. They are all available as free downloads.

All of these applications do more or less the same thing but each has a slightly different feature set. XDCAM Transfer is probably the best choice as it imports in the background and has the best sub-clipping and logging features.

There are also plugin QuickTime decoders that allow you to drag MP4s directly into FCP without needing to re-wrap. Sony’s plugin is called ‘Cinemon.mp4.’ There is also a plugin from Calibrated Software called MP4-EX Import. Both offer free trials..

XDCAM Transfer FCP plugin v 2.12 (rewraps to .mov as a background task; no SD-AVI support): https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-software-model-PDZKP1.aspx

XDCAM Browser (similar to XDCAM Transfer, supports SD and MXF on SxS, imports are a foreground process): https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-software-model-XDB1.aspx

Log and Transfer Extension v 1.2 (works within FCP, supports all SD/HD formats): https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-software-model-PDZKLT1.aspx

Cinemon.mp4 (for native mp4 editing; free 60 day full featured trial)
https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-datastorage/resource.latest.bbsccms-assets-cat-datastorage-solutions-cinemonmp4.shtml

EX MP4-Import (for native mp4 import):
https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/MP4EXImport_Mac.asp

Ian Cook
Sony Broadcast and Professional Company

[Jonathan Alberts]

great…thanks for this…very helpful…will look into the links.

j

[Bob Tompkins]

I almost never read directions (being a guy and all) and I found the directions for XDCam Transfer to be very helpful.

[Don Greening]

……or ask for directions 😉

– Don

Don Greening
Reeltime Videoworks
http://www.reeltimevideoworks.com

[Brent Dunn]

Ian covered it all. Sony came out with the Log and Transfer plugin last year. It is much faster and easier than using another software to transcode.

It also allows you to transfer Canon 5D and 7D files.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite