importing from XDCam

[Gary Hazen]

Did you install the PDW U-1 driver ?
Is AMA off or on ?

[Lori Porter]

Hi Gary. Thanks for your help. I’m a freelancer and one of the guys I work for just dropped off the drive… so no, I did not install the driver. I can probably get it from him – or do you know if I can get it online for free from SONY.

Also – don’t mean to sound like a dope – but what is AMA.. I don’t know if it’s on or off. I’ll go see right now if I can get the PDW-U1 driver…

Thanks again.
Lori

[Gary Hazen]

Here’s the driver.
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-software-model-PDWU1.aspx
But if you’re at a facility using their hardware then please ask for permission before installing software on their machines.

AMA (Avid Media Acess) is a new way of getting at the media, I think it works similar to FCP in that you don’t need to import the media. I’m still running on 3.0 so I haven’t had a chance to mess around with it. From what I understand though, using AMA disables the XDCAM import functions of the import tool. Perhaps Job or someone else more familiar with AMA can explain more clearly.

[Lori Porter]

Thanks Gary – Yes, I went to the SONY site last night and got the driver (thank you for posting it though) I work from home and have my own Avid – so no issues on putting it on anyone else’s machines. Once installed everything was fine.

The AMA is on… not sure how to turn it off (didn’t mess with it last night) – but yes, it just instantly brings the media into the project… however – as soon as the device isn’t hooked up, the media is gone… I imported the media as well – the “old fashioned” way and all seems to be going great.

One more question if you don’t mind. The footage was shot as 16:9. Should I just apply the 16:9 letterbox in the efx drop down under reformat or do I need to be using my editing windows in a 16:9 format? Not sure if I’m being clear… I know this all may seam like the dinasaur age for times now… but my “bosses” are just getting into it. Before I left my commercial job – we didn’t do much with 16:9…

Thanks again for all your help. Take care and have a great holiday.
Lori

[Jandle Johnson]

Just turn on the 16 x 9 monitors in your settings. The reformat effect is for adding a letter box to anamorphic(squeezed)footage for 4×3 output.

The AMA function is good for gaining immediate access to the XDCAM footage. I usually use it to choose my selects and then consolidate what I want onto my hard drive.

[Ed Cilley]

Lori,

As far as the 16×9 question, Jandle was correct, just turn on 16×9. If you are monitoring on external monitors and can select 16×9, do this also.

As an aside, by changing your edit window to 16×9 any text created in the Text Tool will be formatted properly. Otherwise your text will be formatted for 4×3 and when viewed on a monitor (in 16×9) your text will be stretched.

Hope this adds a little more insight – and don’t worry about asking questions, that’s what we’re here for.

Ed

Avid and FCP Preditor
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Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
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