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UDF VS FAT (Sony SxS Cards – PMW200/PMW400)
Hi Everyone!
I have no problem working with either of these two formats with my camera. But I am trying to understand the specific details. What is the advantage of filming UDF over FAT?
For instance,
I am filming my stuff in Standard Definition format. I can use either FAT or UDF in this case, I can even film HD in FAT mode according to my understanding, however, if I wanted to record HD 50mb/s then I would have to switch to UDF.
I don’t understand it at all. And what does mb/s have to do with recording. for instance recording HD 50mb/s vs HD 35mb/s ?
What are the advantages of UDF over FAT and vice versa. When should I use one over the other?
Also,
I have noticed that FCP 7 does not import UDF Files but it does import FAT files in the “File & Transfer” window. I import my UDF Files through a program called XDCAM Browser (also capable of importing FAT Files) which takes my files and creates .mov files from them and from there I can easily import the .mov files into FCP 7.
I have the following drivers installed and running in my computer in case you are wondering
1. SxS Device Driver Mac
2. SxS UDF Driver
3. Log and Transfer Plug in Version 1-1.2 for Apple Final Cut Pro 7Anyway I am just trying to understand the full picture of my questions. I have no problem importing UDF or FAT files from my SxS card but just trying to understand
A.) UDF vs FAT
B.) Mb/s in Recording on card
C.) Why FCP cannot see my UDF Files but only FATAll the Best!
Thank You Very Much and Of course looking forward for your input!
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18 Replies
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UDF and FAT refer to the file systems used on the media. XDCAM originated on optical disc media which uses the UDF file system. XDCAM EX came a bit later as a solid state recording format and used the Fat32 file system. When you select UDF or FAT you are formatting the card in one of these file systems and using the respective video format associated with it.
In real world terms UDF = HD 4:2:2 50 Mbps recording, a codec that was originally only available on optical disc XDCAM models. This is a very high quality record format with a higher data rate and higher color sampling than the EX formats, which are limited to 35 Mbps and 4:2:0 color sub sampling. The Mbps value refers, generally speaking, to the data rate of the video. Higher data rates = more information = better resolution, detail and color.
The UDF driver is a file system driver for reading what is essentially an optical disc file system on solid state memory. Without it you can still transfer files but the speed will be very slow and the media will be read-only.
Ian Cook
Sony Broadcast and Professional Services -
Thank you Ian for the reply and explanation!
So is it safe to say that filming in UDF (SD/HD) is the better way to go?
I work for a broadcasting news agency that has not made the switch to HD yet. So for now filming will be done in Standard Definition. Does it make a difference is I record in UDF SD vs FAT SD? and is it possible to record 50mbps in Standard Definition?
Thank You Very Much and Of course looking forward for your input!
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For SD you will be using the same codec in either mode but it’s probably better to do UDF mode anyway. The file will be a standard XDCAM .mxf file and you will not have to deal with any issues recording long file. In FAT mode there is a 4 GB file size limit so long recordings get segmented into sequential video clips.
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So Ian,
If recording in SD is the same in FAT & UDF. And HD has a better mbps (50) in UDF, and UDF files do not limit themselves to 4GB. Then what is FAT good for ?
Thank You Very Much and Of course looking forward for your input!
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the 50 Mb codec is an HD format, not an SD format.
FAT mode allows you to match to XDCAM EX camcorders (EX1, EX3 etc)
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Correct 50mbps is a HD format but only in UDF. I don’t think 50mbps can be attained in FAT HD format?
Thank You Very Much and Of course looking forward for your input!
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no, it cannot, see my original post, 50 Mb is the main reason to use UDF
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Thank you Ian!
Thank You Very Much and Of course looking forward for your input!
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Sorry am using PMW-EX280 the same version like PMW-200 but it is in chinese version. Am getting stuck i want to use high quality recording format(50mbit/s) but my SxS Adapter card with 64GB sandisk card deny to be recorded by using UDF file system but only FAT i dont know where the conflict lay.
I appreciate your help.
Nicholaus Mtawa
Deepnic Media
Dar es salaam, Tanzania -
For 50 Mb recording you must use UDF mode and UDF mode requires SxS media or XQD media. Memory Stick/SDHC is not supported.
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