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Move project from Xpress Pro to FCP… Automatic Duck or what?
Where I work, we’re thinking about replacing our Avid with a new FCP system. However, there’s a few important, complex projects (edited SD DV) that we’d somehow need to transfer to the new system.
It looked like Automatic Duck would be a good option to do what we need, but as far as I can tell it only supports Media Composer and not Xpress; is this true? The Avid is an Xpress Pro w/ Mojo system running on an HP xw8000 workstation, and supposedly it can’t be upgraded to MC.
Is there another option to get edited timelines and media from the Avid to a Final Cut system? Thanks for any advise.
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4 Replies
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I’m looking into whether or not the Duck supports Avid Express Pro, but in the meantime, I’ll mention a few things.
Automatic Duck only converts SEQUENCES from one NLE to the other…not the entire project. So all the bins, and media in those bins, are not transferrable. The Duck can’t do it.
Why not stick with Avid for those projects, until they are done? Then if you want to finish, ie online and color correct, then you can Duck the sequences to FCP for that.
Express Pro can’t be upgraded to full MC? Sure about that? Contact Avid. If not, the new Avid is only $2295…wait a couple weeks until 5.0 comes out. It’s pretty dang powerful. And will still work with the MOJO in SD.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
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Please take a look at the new, much improved Avid MC version 5, to be released in two weeks. I think it will keep you away from moving to FCP. Its offerings are very, very good.
Also, you absolutely definitely CAN upgrade Xpress Pro to MC, and it’s 495 USD in the online store. https://www.avid.com/store
Also, you can do this 495 USD upgrade from Xpress Pro to MC version 4 today, and you will get a FREE upgrade to MC version 5 in two weeks.
Yes, Automatic Duck would get your edited sequences, and some media, across to FCP. There is no technical difference between Xpress Pro seqeunces and MC sequences, so that should work just fine.
Automatic Duck in itself, however, is more expensive than the upgrade to MC for you! And as said, Automatic Duck does not take your bins and full source media, just your finished pieces.
Your XW8000 is a bit old, and it is no longer on Avid’s qualified systems list. So you can opt to get any qualified (or non-qualified, if you dare) workstation, whether it’s PC or Mac. As long as you stay Avid, you can go either way and you can always access any and all sequences, bins, media, and projects that you ever created on your Xpress Pro system and immediately open them and use them on your new MC.
You’ll save yourself a lot of heartache AND money, IMHO, if you stay with Avid.
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I recently transferred my sequence from an XPress Pro w/Mojo system to FCP7. If you follow the directions (OMF 2.0 export) the conversion is a snap. However, I do agree that upgrading to MC4 is a much cheaper option and also will save you the absolute headache of learning a new system, new workflow, new everything with FCP.
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Thanks for all the replies everyone.
The projects on the Avid were completed several years ago but are things we need to keep archived and editable for future use, hence the reason for wanting to move them to a new system.
I suppose upgrading the Avid is one option, but our system has always been trouble and has resisted upgrades… we’d definitely need a new workstation. For example, we tried to add 2GB of certified compatible RAM, Avid wouldn’t even open, and adding hard drive space has been problematic and expensive. Plus, the editor who uses the Avid most often (not me) strongly dislikes it and has been doing most of her projects on our spare Adobe Premiere system, which is also on its last legs.
At least I know Automatic Duck should work (albeit pricey) , so we’ve got some options to pursue. Thanks again.
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