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How to record, download then delete files on SxS in a Mac
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Just to throw out more workflow thoughts.
I use Clip Browser to copy to hard drive and make a DL-DVD copy for archive and then delete files.
I use Log and Transfer to copy any files off the hard drive I want into FCP.
I never use XDCam Transfer and it seems a lot of people do. I just didn’t seem to find it useful or easier to use for anything I’m doing, maybe I’m missing something.
What I really wish is that all the apps shared some file names and metadata – again maybe I’m missing something and I realize some is specific to each NLE. But it’s a time consuming process to rename all the time. -
To throw in even another workflow; I use the Shotput program (available as a download for OSX or Win) to download the entire contents of an SxS or MxM expresscard simultaneously to up to 3 different storage locations.
One is to the laptop drive, Second to a USB or Firewire external drive and third is optionally to either a 16 gig SDHC card or a Sandisk 16 gig Cruzer stick (both of these final storage options are in the event that I’ve only shot less than a full 16 gig SxS card that day). Shotput has the added value of error-checking the file transfers for accuracy.
Shotput can then automatically erase the SxS card in the ExpressCard slot – which is then ready to go back into the EX camera.
When I’ve backed up to 2 or even 3 different media sources external to the SxS camera original, I’m not too worried at that point about erasing the camera original because if there were any problems with the footage at this point, they were on the original footage anyway. BTW, I’ve not lost 1 frame of footage from the EX-1 in over a year of near-daily use.
All of the transferred footage can then be viewed by Clip Browser or an NLE.
Bruce Schultz
F900R/EX-1
LA-based IATSE 600 -
In the field, I just load the sxs card onto the mbp and manually copy the bpav from the sxs card to named folders I create on a portable drive. (I always place it into 2 separate drives before erasing). Then it’s a mirror of what was shot and opens later through either xd transfer or clip browser. So, why use any program? And what is this CRS (?) option thing anyway?
Caleb Crosby
EX1. Letus Xtreme. -
You are playing with fire my friend. : )
Sony explicitly states in their documentation that you should only copy footage from an SxS card using their Clip Browser software. The software defaults to “Preform CRC check after copy” in the software preferences. CRC stands for Cyclic Redundancy Check. It confirms that the data was successfully copied from one location to another. Here’s what Wikipedia has to say about CRC:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclic_redundancy_check
It all depends on how important that footage is to you. If this is just a hobby then no worries. But if you’re getting paid to shoot, then loosing footage is a big no, no.
There have been lots of complaints on DVInfo.net about people loosing their footage due to incorrect file transfer. But maybe you’ll get lucky. I’m crossing my fingers for you. 🙂
Sony EX3, Letus Ultimate, Nikon lenses, Sachtler tripod
20 years as a videographer/editor – HD and 35mm adaptor newbie
Experienced with Apple products, Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite, MOTU Digital Performer, Flip4Mac, etc… -
caleb, you can spend your entire life driving without wearing a seat belt and yet it only takes once accident to be maimed or killed.
One bad master clip and you can eat the cost of a reshoot or lose the client altogether. I again saw a presentation by Sony on the EX cameras. He wasn’t even asked the question, he stated VEHEMENTLY that you use Clip Browser and NEVER use Mac Finder or Window Explorer (desktop drag and drop) to copy the BPAV. I’m sure he gets scores of stories of masters lost forever.
Don’t be a statistic. You can claim you’ve never had a problem and that will be absolutely true until the day you lose a master clips, hundreds of dollars or more on a reshoot and a client worth a few thousand dollars walks out the door forever.
Wear your seat belt, Use ClipBrowser and turn CRC on.
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Can ClipBrowser users point out a difference between using Sony ClipBrowser vs Shotput Express/Pro for EX footage – both of which utilize error checking routines?
I can point out one main difference which is that Shotput can copy to up to 3 different locations (internal and external media) simultaneously. This makes my end-of-day file transfers go up to 3X faster. If there were a compelling reason to not do this I would then be forced to spend that extra time doing one-at-a-time transfers with ClipBrowser.
Wrapping my day and heading home earlier is incentive enough to pay out a few bucks for the program.
Bruce Schultz
F900R/EX-1
LA-based IATSE 600 -
I would say that ShotPut is better only because you can copy to multiple locations. But, the one advantage to Clip Broswer is that it’s free! 🙂
Sony EX3, Letus Ultimate, Nikon lenses, Sachtler tripod
20 years as a videographer/editor – HD and 35mm adaptor newbie
Experienced with Apple products, Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite, MOTU Digital Performer, Flip4Mac, etc… -
Im a new uesr and see the problems of lost data. Ive been sucessfully transfering from my cards to my Macbook pro using Clipbrowser with one exception. I think in that case I just tried to copy the whole file using the browser and lost the Mp4.
Yesterday I tried to transfer using the Log and Transfer XDCAm application in FCP. Nothing transfered and now the clips are no longer visible on the card either- although the card is still nearly full. Ive tried to reopen in clipbrowser but there is nothing showing on the card. I hit copy all in Clip browser and it prompts me to copy to the folder but when I hit OK nothing transfers. I looked at teh card on teh camera and it doesnt show me any video clips. This is an interview I would really like to avoid the embarrassement of a re shoot.
Most important is the audio.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
David McGuire
Seastewards.org
Media for a Healthy Ocean -
Don, reverting to one of your mails in this thread I don’t use Clip Browser at all but still save my camera original files. I merely download the complete BPAV folder from the card into a suitably labelled folder (keeping BPAV in the title) on to an external drive. The drive has a Lindy Sata 2 card reader and this goes into a MacBook laptop straight on to the external drive. Seems OK, I have the files and they go into the Transfer for importing into my edit system in a G5. You seem to indicate that this would be wrong?
Michael Slowe
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Have you tried putting the card back in the camera? I’ve “heard” that it will come up with an error message asking you to RESTORE (or another word I can’t remember for sure). You might try that. Otherwise, I have no idea. Maybe I’m being to AR but that’s why I always:
1) Use Clip Broswer to transfer clips
2) Use the camera to format the SxS cards after each use.Sony EX3, Letus Ultimate, Nikon lenses, Sachtler tripod
20 years as a videographer/editor – HD and 35mm adaptor newbie
Experienced with Apple products, Final Cut Studio, Adobe Creative Suite, MOTU Digital Performer, Flip4Mac, etc…
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