Sony A7S and FCP 7 Workflow

[John Hoare]

Sharing some tests made Nov 2014, to create Prores from A7S’s XAVC-S:

Brorsoft Video Encoder ($30) convert to MOVs (but Brorsoft strips out timecode, retains audio)
Resolve Lite (free) strips audio and timecode
Sony’s new Catalyst Browse (free) retains audio and timecode, but v1.0 can only export one clip at a time.

And a note on A7S high frame rates:
The A7S records 25, 50 or 100fps (it calls this “100p” etc). At 100p only, the res drops to 1280×720. To check fps: click “DISP” on the back wheel: 25p means 25fps. 100p means 100fps.
To change frame rate, go to Menu, Camera, 2, Record Setting.
I can’t figure out how to get A7S to play back high fps clips at 25fps internally, ie to see what audience will see. (I’ve tried shooting 100p, changing to 25p, then playing back clip; no luck.)
Catalyst Browse will not export A7S 100fps clips as either Prores or XAVC. But will do 25p.
I had success with Brorsoft to get 50fps into fcp7 timeline:
Record A7S clip at 50fps
In Brorsoft, settings, framerate: set to 50 (60 is it’s maximum), and export clip as Prores
In FCP7, create 25fps sequence, and drag clip into it. BUT when FCP7 asks “change squence to clip’s settings”, click “No”.
Apply 50% speed to that clip.
Because Brorsoft only goes up to 60fps, this will not work for 100fps.

[Abotte Jeff]

The basic reason why we can’t work Sony A7S XVAC S with Final Cut Pro is that XAVC S codec is a new one, and is not widely supported. To make the XAVC S compatible with FCP, the easy workaround is to convert XAVC S to ProRes MOV, which ensures best results when using in Final Cut Pro 7 or FCP X. UFUWare XAVC Converter for Mac is the solid tool to help users make the Sony A7S XAVC S compatible with FCP on Mac OS X.

[Jane Kong]

I suggest you try this video converter from pav. this one can output apple prores codec.And I like it because it support XAVC codec flawless.

[Sara Hagwall]

I have worked with A7S material and converted the material to Prores422 HQ with Media encoder.
At first I used Resolve but the audio was discarded (!).

However with Media Encoder everything went fine : )

[Enrique Del rio]

Now that resolve is at 11.3, has anybody transcoded successfully A7s’ footage to prores?.
Thanks

[Samar ali Warsi]

Hi all,
I find it confusing why people are are using XAVC S in Sony A7S and not AVCHD. I I may be wrong hete but as far as I know XAVC S is not an intraframe codec.

I’m thinking of shooting an AD film on this camera and I would really appreciate it if someone can help me understand which is the best shooting format on A7S for HD

[Shane Ross]

XAVC-S is a far superior codec to AVCHD. AVCHD is very low end. 8-bit 4:2:0. XAVC-S can be 8 bit, or 10-bit, or 12 bit…depending on what setting you choose. And it can be 4:2:0, 4:2:2, or 4:4:4.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Devinda Fernando]

*** avoid using MPEG Streamclip. ***

How about using iSkysoft Media Converter? Is that better than Mpeg Streamclip?

[Shane Ross]

EditReady is perfect for this format.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Cris Cunningham]

I’m new with the Sony A7S ii and am a long time user of MPEG STREAMCLIP. Curious if anyone here knows why I’m getting a “File open error: unrecognized file type” on any of the mp4 files?

Thanks for any help.

Cris