NX5u dropping 4 frames of audio after 30 minutes

[Michael Johnston]

The problem isn’t the camera, it’s that the card/flash unit are FAT32 instead of NTSF format. With FAT32, you can’t capture anything over 2GB. As mentioned above, using the included content management software to load clips eliminates these issues. For the record, I’ve had the same type of problems using P2 & AVID. Issue was never fixed. Long clips get split in the camera and would not load correctly. Bigger problem when i let a clip span two cards. Panasonic had no answers and AVID had no answers. Eventually we had to attach a deck via SDI for long continuous records or stop and start the camera every 15 minutes. This was with a HPX2000 editing on AVID Newscutter. Most cameras can’t record long continuous clips over 30 minutes without some type of issue.

[Eric Olson]

Splitting the video into 2GB chunks and using FAT32 avoids software patents on more modern file systems. This work around solution is present in every AVCHD camcorder. To join the chunks back together type

copy /b 000001.mts+000002.mts joined.mts

at the DOS/Windows command prompt.

[Roger Calcutt]

Hi Eric
The reason you are dropping frames after 30 mins or 2 gig file is due to
the way you import the files. Do not just grab mts files from folder as you are missing vital information! Copy the whole folder. On Mac I go
to File and select duplicate. Then take whole folder into editing.
By doing this you will find the file is seamless you don’t need to join it!! No Glitches 🙂
Hope this helps
Rog

[Laurent Gross]

copy /b 000001.mts+000002.mts joined.mts

Eric, THIS is probably the best answer, although it may need an explanation.

It anyway proves the cameras works, as concatenating the individual files makes the issue disappear. This is the proof all the information is actually recorded and available : the audio, video frames, every single bit is there.

The error is in the process, and I just understood with this post the real use of the Sony Content Management Utility : it brings the interface for concatenating the single MTS files.

So, why do we need to concatenate and why does this fail when dragging every block continuously on the editor timeline ?
I guess the reason is linked to the AVCHD codec itself where, as far as I understand, each video frame is dependant from the previous ones (4 ?). Not sure, I am not a video codec specialist, but I know this is the case for mp3 as well. That said, it is not possible to determine the first audio/video frames until a minimum frame account has been decoded.
As a consequence, if all blocks are concatenated, there is not issue as all frames have their previous frames embedded in the global file (except for the beginning of file which is never an issue).
And when dragging MTS files independantly in any editor, they are considered as independant blocks. Hence unable of determining the previous frames of each block, although WE (film editors) know these are the previous ones. But software does not assumes this.

The VERY good news is that this also works while rebuilding full footage from dual SD slots (e.g. a full 3 hours show recorded with 2 x 16Gb SD with NX5). Concatenating SD1 last file with SD2 first file does work ! No drop at all !

At the end,
copy /b 000001.mts+000002.mts+….+….MTS complete.mts
does work.

All this will save time (and money) when editing multicam shows 🙂

Just created a cow account for being able to add my 2 cents. But I think this is worth the case.

[Neil Benjers]

Using the “Sony Content Management Utility” included on the CD with the camera solves this problem and combines the files into one clip that coincides with when the user hit record. I have used the Sony NX5U’s for years and filmed very long events with zero problems.

Using the utility is not necessary with Final Cut Pro as it can tell what files are linked together.

It is always best to save two copies of the footage. One copy in a “Raw” folder with a drag-and-drop copy. the other copy should be the “Edit-Ready” files. The reason you save the raw files is, if you ever have a problem with the footage, you can drag the raw files back to the camera and use the “repair” function.

[Dan Lohaus]

Hi Neil Benjers!

Any chance you’d be willing to walk me (us) through the process of importing clips shot on a Sony NX5U in the right way to avoid these gaps in audio?

I too am having the same problem as others here – I am recording video depositions so I am often recording (in SD) for an hour or more without stopping. When go to edit in Premiere (basically just joining all of the clips together to make one long clip), there little gaps in the audio at the end of each clip.

I am using an imac and Sony has recommended I use Sony Catalyst Browse (which I was able to instal no problem) – this replaced the Sony Content Management Utility – but in your post, you say that if I am using Premiere, I don’t even need to use the utility?

I would be forever grateful if you might be able to walk me through how to import clips from the SD HC card in such a way that I can just edit the clips together without these gaps in audio.

Thanks in advance!

Dan

[Neil Benjers]

Hi Dan,

Please email me at neil@benjers.com.

Neil

[Neil Benjers]

I created an SOP Word document that details the process. It is insanely easy to do!

[John Lenihan]

Neil,

Could you copy and paste that document on the forum?

I would like to know how to do it also. I use an Nx5U, and I use the sony software, but my clients often have premiere and ask me how to import it into premiere.

Thanks
John Lenihan

John Lenihan

LeniCam Video Productions
https://www.lenicamvideoproductions.com

[Gary Milligan]

Perhaps this software may be of some help – https://www.divergentmedia.com/editready

Yes, it might add an extra step into your workflow and requires more storage but it may solve your problem.

HTH,
Gary