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Workflow for Using PX270 AVC-LongG Footage IN FCPX?
I recently got an AJ-PX270 and am loving so many features of this camera.
One of the big selling points for me was that it could shoot footage in the new-ish AVC-LongG codec (Which I understand was first introduced with the AJ-PX5000 late last year).
The good news is that, in addition to a multitude of other AVC and DVC formats, it can record in both AVC-LongG 25 and 50.
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a way to use my AVC-LongG footage in FCPX (10.1.1). When I try to import it, the clips show up in the Media Import Window as Unix Executable Files which won’t play or show thumbnails (they do show begin&end tc) and corresponding separate Windows Bitmap Image thumbnail files (which are viewable). When I select one of the clips and click Import, I get an alert saying “No Importable Files, None of the selected files or folders can be imported. Change the selection and try again.” And that’s as far as I’ve been able to get with AVC-LongG on FCPX.
I’ve verified the clips with P2Viewer where I can view them but unfortunately that’s about it.
I’ve also tried to convert the files using Davinci Resolve, and a couple of other format converters/re-wrappers. In each case, the moment I select the AVC-LongG files I’d like to to convert, the application crashes.
Have I missed something or is there no way possible to use (or make usable) AVC-LongG footage in FCPX?
I’ve searched online but seen no mention of this issue. All I’ve seen related to AVC-LongG is that the AJ-PX5000 and PX270 can shoot using the format. I’ve seen no mention anywhere of anyone having worked with the codec in post. This is surprising to me since the ability to shoot with AVC-LongG has existed since the PX5000 came out several months ago.
I’ve spoken with a tech support rep at Panasonic USA and he had no information about this and said he’d ask the engineering dept and get back to me.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has tried using this codec and if there’s a workflow to enable the footage to be used in FCPX.
Thanks!
Dave
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24 Replies
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I just bought a AJ-PX270. Were you ever able to figure out AVC-LongG footage in FCPX? I was hoping to use AVC-LongG for a upcoming shoot.
Best,
Tony -
First, to answer your question, no, I’ve not been able to bring any Long G footage into post with FCPX, Premiere or any conversion/re-wrapping app.
Your question triggered the following rant — please forgive my indulgence…
Someone said in one of these online forums that he was able to use LongG in Premiere, so I downloaded a demo but alas, it wasn’t compatible.
Someone else said Edius could handle the format, but that’s a Windows-only format and seems like an extreme solution to this problem that will sureley be resolved in future updates from FCP and the other NLEs.
I bought the px270 with the intention to use it as a replacement for my old hpx170 for shooting events of 1-2hrs in duration. So I’ve been shooting them using avci50 720p50 or 59.94 instead of LongG25 as I had intended to when I bought it. What a shame! Not only am I forced to use 50Mbps as opposed to 25Mbps, but the default frame rates are overcranks (ie: >= 50fps). I don’t know of anyone who uses 50 or 60fps except for slo-mo effects. That’s why it’s called overcranking! Yet Panasonic decided to make these the default frame rates for this camera.
So I end up shooting and editing with this footage then output edited files for streaming at 1/2 the shooting frame rate (ie shoot 50fps, output video @ 25fps). The resulting transcoded files look fine and could pass for native 25p, but what a rigamarole just to get an event video on the web with a manageable file size.
What’s really frustrating is that with an old HPX170, you could get 85min of 720p24pn DVCProHD footage onto a single 32MB sd card, but this is simply impossible using this new cam without any support from the prevailing NLE programs. The closest thing to that data rate would be 720p50P in AVCI50 which would record only around 70min of footage onto a 32GB card.
It really makes me wonder why in the world Panasonic would release a camera that only shoots 720p24 at 100Mbps (AVCI-100) after the huge popularity of the HPX170’s 720p24PN DVCProHD codec which offered the same 422 quality but at only 40Mbps. They’ve completely abandoned the idea of data-efficient 720p24 and 720p30 recording formats which are still the ideal ones to use for event videos.
Anyway, those are some of my thoughts. Would love to hear your impression of the px270 so far.
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So far I’m very happy with the image quality.
I’m disappointed Long G is not supported yet. I called Panasonic and thy said that FCP will support it in the future. When I bought the camera I thought it supported a lot of frame rates but I’m not seeing them. I wonder if it needs a firmware update.
Best,
Tony -
According to its brochure, the camera will be able to record 1080-24pn, -25pn and -30pn in avcg25 and will also do 720p -24pn, 25pn and 30pn in DvcPro and these formats/codecs will be “available in the near future.” From their lips to God’s ears! I’d assume that would be facilitated by a firmware update, but I’m not available of any such thing being available as yet.
Yes, hopefully fcpx has an update to acommodate long g soon!
best,
Dave -
I have not tried it yet but Panasonic just updated the firmware for the camera.
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Thanks for the heads up. After searching around for longer than something like this should take, I finally found the firmware update download link:
https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/content/download/EN/ep2main/soft/upgpx270_e.htm
Although I couldn’t find any release notes on this update, I’m hopeful it will add some more line & frequency options to the AVC I 50 codec.
The main reason I bought this camera was to shoot 720p24 in AVC G 25 which I’m not sure is even possible yet with the existing firmware. It’s still a moot point though as far as I know since there’s still no NLE that can read AVC G nor conversion software that can convert it to something usable in an NLE.
Anyway, fingers crossed for a breakthrough with firmware v10.00…
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I was told by someone at Panasonic that FCP X AVC-LongG support is coming around the 4th quarter. I don’t know I my source is reliable. I’m hoping that means we will have support by the end of Summer or at least in the Fall.
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Hello,
I also have used the AVC-G25/50 and have the same problem as you guys. In the P2 viewer everything is ok and i can play the files. But i can’t import the files into Adobe premiere CS6. Also like you in FCP. Also tried FCP (both legal versions) And they both don’t accept the file format. In my opinion this is a codec problem that Panasonic has to resolve (and quicker than Q4!!!)
DON’T LET PEOPLE USE A FORMAT THEY CAN’T USE IN EDITING SOFTWARE!!! (And yes i am pissed!)
So i called Panasonic, and told them not to send me to the hardware department, but that software has to solve this problem!I will also keep you posted!
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Panasonic AJ-PX270 (Firmware: 11.31)
Premiere Pro CC2014 (v8.1)
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit SP1Adobe confirmed that Panasonic AJ-PX270 LongG does not work in Premiere Pro CC2014 (v8.1).
“AVC-LongG Fails in Premiere Pro CC2014”
https://forums.adobe.com/message/6800629Currently, does Sony PXW-X180 LongG or Panasonic AJ-PX270 LongG work in Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro CC2014 (v8.1)?
It needs to work with continuous shots which go over the 4 GB boundary.
Thanks in advance.
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Panasonic Long-Gop does not currently work in Final Cut. I don’t believe it works in Premiere yet either. I was told by Panasonic that support is coming in the 4th quarter. We are in the 4th quarter so hopefully we will have support soon.
Sony XDCAM works well in FCP.
Tony
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