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Sony EX-1 import
I am trying to import footage shot on Sony’s EX1 camera into FCP Studio2. the footage was transferred to a USB drive, and every clip has a little folder with it, which contains an XML file and an MPEG-4 mov, among other things. I don’t have access to the camera or the SxS cards. I’ve downloaded Sony’s transfer software, v. 2.5.1 and SxS media drivers. However, now i’m being told that the transfer software only works with Intel-based Macs. I am on a PCI-x based Dual 2.0Ghz G5, not the intel-based machine. I do have FCP 6.0.3 and OSX.4.11, and there is an easy setup for XDcamEX.
Is it true that this will only work on the duo core or quad core newer macs?eric filios
aardvark productions
charlotte, nc -
16 Replies
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[eric filios] “Is it true that this will only work on the duo core or quad core newer macs?”
That is my experience. I couldn’t do it on my Dual 2.0 Ghz G5…only on my MacPRo.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.LFHD.net
Read my blog! -
interesting… i installed the sony transfer software anyway, and it seemed to install fine on my dual 2.0 powerpc. i launch FCP and there is the xdcam transfer window! but when i go to Add a clip, it reads the usb drive alright, and imports a folder that says “0 clips”.
the folder structure on the usb drive for each clip contains: an MP4 mov, an SMI file, a Unix executable file PPN and BIM; and a final cut XML file.
what am i missing? -
Are you kidding me?
You MUST have an intel mac to import XDCAM EX?
Not cool!
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No, i don’t think that’s necessarily the case. there might be other issues going on in my situation; like, say, the guys who dumped the EX-1 footage from the SxS cards to the hard drive may not have done it properly. the jury is still out (they might be hung). i was able to install the sony transfer plug-in just fine in my older mac, and it seems to be working. it just doesn’t see any clips in the proper format. so i don’t know what’s going on.
BTW, the MPEG4 file that’s in each clips folder? it won’t open in any application that i have, so that might be a clue.
If i find out anything, i’ll repost the results. -
the .mp4 would be the proxy right? (it is on an xdcam disc)
I heard you have to copy the entire contents of the flash drive and that if anything is missing it won’t import properly.
so if just the large video files themselves are what you have, it won’t work.
Sony should change it so if worse came to worse and you only had the files it could at least import them for editing, even if you lose timecode and all the other metadata.
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I’m not so sure the Mp4 is a proxy. on most clips they are between 20 and 50MB or larger. seems kinda large for a proxy file. they won’t open in QTPro, though.
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XDCAM EX uses a different file wrapper (.MP4) than XDCAM on Professional Disc (MXF). The .MP4 files recorded by XDCAM EX are the hi-res clips; there’s no proxy on XDCAM EX.
The XDCAM Transfer app supports both PPC and Intel, and Tiger and Leopard; it’s only the Clip Browser software that is Intel-only.
XDCAM Transfer supports import to FCP from all flavours of XDCAM, but as you guess, in the case of XDCAM EX you need to offload the files off the SxS cards carefully so that XDCAM Transfer recognizes them.
For each original SxS card you want to offload, you need to create a new folder on your hard disk and copy the entire BPAV folder off the card into that.
Don’t rename the BPAV folder.
Don’t try to combine more than one card.
Don’t try just grabbing the .MP4 files.
If you do this, the clips should show up in XDCAM Transfer just fine.
Best to use latest XDCAM Transfer (2.7.0) and latest FCP (6.0.3). There are bug fixes in both for XDCAM EX support.
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There are two software apps from sony. XDcam Browser (intel only) and the XDcam tranfer (power pc). You need to download this from Sony’s website, as well as the SXS drivers. After that there is an updae to FCP 6.0. Then you should see the clips that were on the card.
As far as the MP4 files you are seeing, the EX1 records Mp2 files in a Mp4 wrapper. The XDcam transfer tool unwraps the MP4 and rewraps it with a MXF wrapper. Now it is ready to put into FCP foe editing.
This works I have been doing it for months. Oh, wait i just did it again while typing this email. It’s very fast.
Email is linked if you have questions.
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Yep, I have both the newest XDCam transfer software (2.7) and a PC runs the newest XDCam Browser software (v.1.1). and i have FCP 6.0.3. I don’t really need the SxS drivers, since i’m not trying to import media directly from SxS cards. I was able to successfully transfer in FCP 8 clips from the external hard drive that the media was copied to, so i know it works – BUT ONLY IF THE MEDIA WAS COPIED PROPERLY TO THE HARD DRIVE TO BEGIN WITH! the stuff i really need is in a different folder on the hard drive, which doesn’t have the BPAV folder or the required other files. all it has is the CLPR folders for each shot. What i’m going to try to do next is copy the MediaPro XML file from the folder that DOES work into the folder that doesn’t work, and then modify the code information in the XML file via TextEdit to match the file names and UMID #’s. Tedious, i know, and since i have about 75 shots to transfer, i’m only going to do a couple and see if it works. I will re-post if i find out anything.
Another idea is to take these drives to somebody with Sony’s Vegas Pro, and see if they can import the MP4 files directly. I’ve heard that VegasPro works natively with these files.
Or, just take these hard drives and throw them off the bridge, and try to do the show without the ENG footage!
Chris had the right idea – Sony should change this so that even if you couldn’t import the metadata or time code, you could still import the footage.eric filios
aardvark productions
charlotte, nc -
[eric filios] “Chris had the right idea – Sony should change this so that even if you couldn’t import the metadata or time code, you could still import the footage.”
Sorry but that is just not correct you are blaming Sony for an obvious transfer error or your part is just as wrong.
there is no difference with SxS than it is with P2 or RED footage- you have to maintain the original formated content as masters, just as you would a tape. That the operator in your instance screwed up – thats what happens with going out without testing any new workflow.
New cameras and techniques require a change in the process, you now are a Data wrangler, in addition to being a shooter, get used to it, or hire someone who specializes in handling data onset.
gary adcock
Studio37
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