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MacBook Pro Edit workflow and Sony EX3 vs. Panasonic HPX170
Has anyone used the new Panasonic HPX170 or Sony EX3 to EASILY edit in FCP using a Mac Book Pro?
I’m going to be producing two projects and am trying to determine which camera to use based on workflow with the MBP. I’m fine with the image quality of either camera. The first project entails editing a series of short interview profiles from several 20-minute captured interviews (handheld and tripod) blended with graphics, music and text. I might be using a 35 mm adaptor. The second project is an Internet cooking show with two tripod and handheld mounted cameras on a single subject (chef), music, graphics and text.
My editing tools include a Mac Book Pro (2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo/4 GB SDRAM) and a 2 TB G-Tech FW800 external HD.
Can I use either tapeless cameras (P2 or SxS) as my deck without having to purchase additional hardware? Are there any issues with using FW800 to capture and store my footage and to use for editing? Other than more P2/SxS/Firestore media storage, is there any other hardware I’ll need to purchase for seamless editing? I don’t think Firestore offers a drive for the EX3. Does the Sony’s PHU-60K works well with FCP?
I’ve been warned by loyal Panasonic shooters that the EX3 uses HDV’s long-GPO MPEG2 format and takes more horsepower and longer encoding times. Seems like there’s a lot more positive press on the P2 vs. SxS (same for DVCPRO HD vs. HDV)?
Thanks for your input!
Tim
MacBook Pro
Mac OSX version 10.4.11
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB DDr SDRAM
FCP 6.0
G-Raid 2 Tb external hard drive -
18 Replies
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As far as EX is concerned:
Take SXS card out of camera and put in Express slot of MacBookPro and copy video to hard drive.
Camera keeps shooting with other cards so you NEVER stop shooting.
SXS offload can be 4x to 8x real time depending on how you offload. That would be 7 to 15 minutes to offload nearly 60 minutes of video.
Wrap video in BPAV folders to MOV for use in FCP. That’s around 6-8x real time in my experience
Set FCP timeline to XDCAM EX codec but render in AppleProRes so you avoid Long GOP conform. -
thanks Craig.
Sounds like a deck (or even the camera’s SxS reader) is not necessary if I can simply use my MBP’s Express slot. Is there a way to downconvert while editing or is that what the Apple Pro Res does?
Do you recommend additional SxS cards or the Sony Hard Drive for field interviews where I won’t be able to bring a MPB and an external hard drive?
MacBook Pro
Mac OSX version 10.4.11
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB DDr SDRAM
FCP 6.0
G-Raid 2 Tb external hard drive -
Here is what I know, between the two cameras there is a huge difference in the resolution size. I believe the P2 is still a native anamorphic 720p/1080i and the new EX series is a true 1920x1080p full raster HD camera. As to work flow they are essentially the same except the P2 cards won’t just insert into your laptop and you will need additional gear if you can’t use the camera for importing. The SxS cards work perfectly with the new Mac Book Pro units and so does editing in the field. I wouldn’t worry to much about rendering as this should really be done in an online suite if you’re really going to broadcast. IMO there is no comparison between the view finder, the profession jacks for TC in & out, Genlock and remote control for a paint box, and with the new firmware update true 24p out of the HD-SDI, the exchangeable lens and the frame rate controls makes the EX3 the better choice between the two. You say you are shooting with two cameras, so how much time will you say have the timecode in sync every day.
Good Luck
Michael Palmer -
[Tim Ryan] “Sounds like a deck (or even the camera’s SxS reader) is not necessary if I can simply use my MBP’s Express slot.”
Actually when people who have been using other formats and consider EX series and the cost of ownership, one should point out the savings because one doesn’t need a deck. The slot is all you need. You’d need the Sony SxS reader (generally) if you use a desktop.
[Tim Ryan] “s there a way to downconvert while editing or is that what the Apple ProRes does? “
It depends on what you mean by “downconvert.” You can downconvert after editing by using Compressor. You can edit EX source in an SD timeline (ideally 8 bit uncompressed or Apple ProRes).
If you edit HD, using the EX codec timeline with AppleProRes render is fastest. That’s nothing to do with downconvert though. It avoids the GOP confirm which makes rendering very fast with no loss of quality.[Tim Ryan] “Do you recommend additional SxS cards or the Sony Hard Drive for field interviews where I won’t be able to bring a MPB and an external hard drive? “
This is literally changing day by day. The hard drive is far less expensive than the equivalent SxS cost. Some folks are having issues with it. It can’t record slow mo (which uses a very high data rate). Many people are reporting success with fast SDHC cards which are much less expensive than either SxS or the Sony Hard Drive. 32GB Class 6 SDHC cards are on the way (by December I hear). You may well be able to get two 32GB cards and adaptors to work with EX for much less than half the price of either a 16GB SxS card or 60GB Sony Hard Drive. The downside (so far) is no reliable slow mo and slower transfer times than SxS (but with those cards you don’t have to worry about fast transfers in the field).
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The SxS card reader is something you will need and for $259 it is worth it. Your not always going to transfer files on a laptop, so build this small cost into the package.
Good Luck
Michael Palmer -
Craig – Long render times and pushing my Mac Book Pro to its limits with huge files is a concern. You addressed the question by translating what I was trying to explain when I said downconvert.
MacBook Pro
Mac OSX version 10.4.11
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB DDr SDRAM
FCP 6.0
G-Raid 2 Tb external hard drive -
I just booked a job for late October and realized, in addition to not having a new camera yet, that some clients like to get the RAW footage captured during a shoot unedited. What’s the going process now for tapeless shooters who need to hand off something to say an advertising agency immediately following a shoot? Would I just convert the footage to .mov files in FCP and export to a DVD?
MacBook Pro
Mac OSX version 10.4.11
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB DDr SDRAM
FCP 6.0
G-Raid 2 Tb external hard drive -
[Tim Ryan] “I just booked a job for late October and realized, in addition to not having a new camera yet, that some clients like to get the RAW footage captured during a shoot unedited.”
Well that’s a piece of cake IMHO.
Either copy the BPAV to optical discs or to external hard drive or even to USB thumb drives. Include Sony Clip Browser for Mac and Windows and they can play the source on both OS, no deck or compatibility issues. VLC 0.94 (also free) will also play the clips but don’t show the time code. Don’t forget you can hand them one copy and keep another for yourself.
Compare that to handing master tapes to a client with no backup. Or HDV tapes and the issue with Sony, Canon, JVC compatibility depending how it was shot (and the need for the client to have a deck).
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Can I use the SxS reader to feed footage from camera directly to thumb or hard drive when computer not on hand?
NO, you need a computer, the card reader is just a box that the SXS card fits into and connects to any computer via USB. You will need this however there could be generic alternatives turning up as it seems there are some folks working to find alternatives flash memory cards that work with adapters to curb the high cost of the SxS cards.
https://www.dvinfo.net/conf/948870-post400.htmlGood Luck
Michael Palmer -
craig. Can I do a footage dump without a computer? Does a SxS card reader feed directly from camera to external hard drive or thumb drive?
I’m thinking about situations in the field where client needs copy of footage in hand. Not always going to have computer with me.
MacBook Pro
Mac OSX version 10.4.11
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB DDr SDRAM
FCP 6.0
G-Raid 2 Tb external hard drive
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