Log & Transfer

[David Patterson]

A few clarifications: I’m trying this on a Mac, OS X. I’m not sure exactly which version of OS X, but I know it’s very up-to-date.

Also, when I took the camera home to my laptop (Windows XP), I could drag the files right off the camera like I did on the Mac, but this time the audio worked fine.

After looking around, I realized that when I switched the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 4:3 to start recording, I inadvertently switched a setting on the Handycam, too. So the files got stored in a different folder and were stored as .MPGs instead of as .MST, which is what they would have been stored as otherwise.

Does this matter when it comes to Log & Transfer? Is there any way to get Final Cut Pro to recognize the MPGs in a Log & Transfer? Or, failing that, I still don’t understand why there is no audio after dragging the files straight from the camera to the Mac when it’s there on my PC at home.

Thanks again in advance for any help. It’ll save me several hours of re-recording time.

[Rainer Wirth]

Which version of FCP are you on?
Sounds to me, you miss the codec for the camerasystem.

Rainer

[Tom Wolsky]

What settings are you using in FCP? What version of the app, the OS and QuickTime? Have you tried using the Add Folder button in the upper left of the Log and Transfer window?

All the best,

Tom

Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop”

[Tom Wolsky]

Log and Transfer only works with AVCHD material from that camera. It does not work with standard definition material. You might be able to use MPEG Streamclip to convert the media to standard DV or DV50.

The audio doesn’t work because it’s a muxed file, audio embedded in video. The QuickTime player might play it back as you should have the MPEG playback component installed. MPEG is not a format used in production, except by arrogant camera manufacturers with little regard for the production process. Hence the need for converting files, which is basically what the Log and Transfer window is used for with AVCHD material.

All the best,

Tom

Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop”

[David Patterson]

It’s Final Cut 6.0.4. OS is Mac OS X, version 10.4.11. Quicktime is version 7.5.5.

I have not tried the Add Folder option, and I won’t be able to for a few hours, as I’m at work. I will try that as soon as possible, though. Thanks for the suggestion.

[David Patterson]

I tried using the “Add a Folder” option in Log & Transfer, but it just gave me a message saying something to the effect of “This folder contains unsupported media. Please choose another folder.”

However, I downloaded MPEG Streamclip, and did the following: File -> Demux -> Demux to AC3, and it spit out an audio file. I then imported the original (audioless) video into Final Cut, imported the new AC3 file, and lined them up. After rendering, it’s working perfectly.

Just a couple of remaining questions – It looked like the Demux function will only spit out an audio file. Is there any way to come out with a file containing both the audio and the video? Lining them up like I described earlier isn’t a huge problem, it just takes some time.

Also, which audio format would be best for me to use if I’m looking for quality above anything else?

Most importantly, thanks for the MPEG Streamclip idea. You saved me literally hours of re-shooting and general frustration. If I could hug you through the internet, I would.

[Mel Gargus]

Can’t seem to get the Log and Transfer window in FCP to see the files on my SONY HDR-SR11? I tried recording to the memory stick as well and they show up as MPEG4 files. FCP doesn’t recognize those either?

Mel