Workflow for XDCAM?

Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

Workflow for XDCAM?

Posted by Matthew Abourezk on April 7, 2011 at 12:14 am

Hi all,
A client just dropped a bomb on me that I will be receiving a HDD with XDCAM files on it. The client wants answers tomorrow as to whether this will work or not. They have a rush edit that they need from me. (This was supposed to be a P2 DVCPRO HD Project).

I have NEVER worked with XDCAM files. In researching these and other forums to get a quick snapshot of what XDCAM in FCP is all about, I have learned that there are a few variations of XDCAM. I have no idea what variation of XDCAM I will be receiving.

Any advice for me about XDCAM and FCP?

Thanks,
Matt

Talkingbox Digital Media Group, Inc.
http://www.talkingboxdmg.com
(203) 249-7718

Mike Weiner replied 15 years, 1 month ago 7 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Shane Ross
April 7, 2011 at 12:57 am

Download and use the Sony XDCAM Clip Browser to convert the footage to XDCAM Quicktime files, and edit using PRORES sequence settings.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def
Michael Hancock
April 7, 2011 at 2:14 am

Why a ProRes sequence? To render to an intraframe codec? I just loaded 4 hours of XDCam but haven’t begun cutting yet (formerly worked on all Avids).

Thanks,

Michael

—————-
Michael Hancock
http://www.oswaldcommunications.com
Shane Ross
April 7, 2011 at 3:42 am

Because XDCAM is GOP and processor intensive. Putting in an intra frame timeline helps deal with that.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def
Michael Hancock
April 7, 2011 at 4:12 am

Makes sense. Thanks.

M

—————-
Michael Hancock
Editor
Bouke Vahl
April 7, 2011 at 9:50 am

Note that this is only true for XDcam HD.
SD is MpegII I frame only.

Bouke

https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros
Rafael Amador
April 7, 2011 at 11:58 am

Personally I would skip the Prores conversion, although I would edit on a Prores sequence.

BUT what you should make sure is to say your client, IN CASE HE DOESN’T SEND YOU THE ORIGINAL MEDIA, the copy must respect the original Folder/File structure..
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com
Chris Borjis
April 7, 2011 at 4:29 pm

I’ve done quite a bit of XDCAM and this is what I do.

do the xdcam xfer, while in xfer you can find out what flavor
of xdcam it is, ie 1080P 30 VBR etc…. to load the appropriate easy setup.

then edit in an xdcam timeline in final cut pro..BUT change
the render settings of the xdcam sequence to ProRes, that way you
don’t have to render the whole timeline.

This has worked well for me for quite some time.

Save often. if you happen to have multiple timelines open you will likely get the spinning beach ball and a crash. This is a characteristic of fcp7 with xdcam and having multiple sequences open.
Mike Weiner
April 11, 2011 at 6:21 pm

[Chris Borjis] “then edit in an xdcam timeline in final cut pro..BUT change
the render settings of the xdcam sequence to ProRes, that way you
don’t have to render the whole timeline.”

Chris — You mention this, but I just imported XDCam footage into FCP (for the first time), threw together several clips (just back to back) and didn’t have to render. My sequence codec is XDCAM HD422 1080p30 (50 Mb/s CBR) (as those are what we recorded the files as). Any idea why that is or if I’m doing something I shouldn’t? I had set up the Easy Setup to be the 422 HD 50 Mb/s CBR before I started…My render settings are set to be the same as my sequence settings…

Also, I’m used to working in Avid, is there no direct import method that can be used? I have to go through a 3rd party every time?

Thanks,
Mike

Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up

Creative Communities of the World Forums