XDCam EX problems with transfer

[Rafael Amador]

Big mess Jason.
I don’t think the files came from PP because PP works with MFX files no with QT.
You need to rebuild a BPAV with the orphan MP4 files.
You have to do that with the SONY Clip Browser.
If the application accept the MP4 you are done just running the Transer tool.
If the Clip Browser do not like the MP4s, the only solution I know is call “Treasured” and will cost some money.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Jason Porthouse]

Yeah, I gathered that it’s a mess Rafael 😉

I’ve tried to restructure the BPAV file manually, and this at least lets Clip Browser see it. I can play it in CB, all the footage is there, but when I convert it (which it happily does) the resultant clips won’t play nicely with Transfer tool. Transfer imports them, then I get an unspecified error on import. I can see the clips, the metadata is there, but no thumbnails or ability to play them. Double-clicking on a clip just gives an error.

D’ya think I’d get less for murdering a producer due to diminished responsibility??

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Andy Mees]

Hey Jason

If Clip Browser recognizes them then XDCAM Transfer should too. Drop each reconstructed BPAV folder into it’s own individual parent folder eg (Card_1, Card_2, Card_3 etc) and then point XDCAM Transfer at the parent folders (or you can use FCP’s built in Log and Transfer tool if you also install the Sony XDCAM EX Log and Transfer plugin, PDZK-LT1, currently at version 1.2) . If this still isn’t working then use Clip Browser to create all new BPAV folders for the contained MP4 media and use these new BPAV folders instead of your manually reconstructed ones.

Hope it helps
Andy

[Jason Porthouse]

Hi Andy,

Clip Browser will see them – but not XDCam Transfer. I’m stumped.

If I open a clip in Transfer, I just get multiple error messages as it tries to import the media. If I then select the subsequent ‘blank’ clip (which has TC, duration and other metadata – just no images!) and click on ‘import’ then I get an error saying ‘Condition Failure – Recognised meta Box’.

FCP is no-go using Log & Transfer too.

*sigh*. Think I’m going to get a nice easy job. Like a traffic warden, or bomb disposal expert.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Andy Mees]

I hear you Jason … but did you try this bit yet …

If this still isn’t working then use Clip Browser to create all new BPAV folders for the contained MP4 media and use these new BPAV folders instead of your manually reconstructed ones.

…as in, don’t create the BPAV folder yourself, you use Clip Browser … point it at the MP4 media and have the app copy the clip into a brand new BPAV folder structure that it creates for you.

Does that not work either?

Andy

[Jason Porthouse]

Hi Andy,

OK More info here.

The director didn’t copy the BPAV files across, just the files that are in BPAV/CLPR/…. so there are multiple folders of clips. I can;t get Clip Browser to recognise these clips, it just doesn’t see them. However, if I create a file structure which is Test/BPAV/CLPR, then place the files in that, Clip Browser sees them. I can then use CB to copy all the clips and that creates a new, correct file structure.

Transfer sees this as it should, but on import it does as I said and comes up with multiple error messages.

One thing I’ve just thought of – should I have Quicktime Pro installed? I’m working on the client’s iMac and it’s a new machine – must check if it’s on here.

All the best

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Andy Mees]

[Jason Porthouse] “I can;t get Clip Browser to recognise these clips, it just doesn’t see them. However, if I create a file structure which is Test/BPAV/CLPR, then place the files in that, Clip Browser sees them.”

What is your import procedure Jason … the manual offers the following:

1 In the Tree View pane of an Explorer window, select the media or folder that contains the MP4 or DV-AVI files to be imported.
2 Do one of the following.
• Select [Import…] from the [File] menu.
• Right click the media or folder and select [Import…]
from the context menu. The Import dialog opens.
3 Select a file format from the [Files of type] list, and specify the MP4 or DV-AVI files to import by selecting them from the file list.
4 Click the [Start] button to start the import, or the [Cancel] button to cancel it.

A dialog illustrating the progress of the import operation opens when the import starts.

[Jason Porthouse]

I’ve tried that Andy – it lets me see the .MP4 file, I can click on it to import, ands it gets to about 90% before bumming out. Just says ‘Unable to import file’. AAAAARRRRGGGHGHHH!!!

Seriously though, if I do the recreating BPAV folder thing, Clip Browser sees the self-same files and allows them to play, so the material is there and not corrupt – but then I can do nothing with them. Copying creates a whole new file structure but Transfer isn’t playing – like I said, errors all round!!

I’m stumped.

Thanks for your help so far Andy, it’s very appreciated.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Andy Mees]

Sorry to hear that Jason, does seem like something is working agains you with this.

Might be time to take a different tack … assuming this is important footage I’d suggest you grab and test a demo of Calibrated Software’s EX-MP4 Import which will allow you to work directly with the MP4 media in FCP without rewrap … if that works for you then it’s probably worth the nominal cost of entry.

An alternative to that may be to grab a demo of Adobe Premiere Pro CS5, which should also work directly with the native MP4 media … you could then export the clips to a more suitable intermediate for use in your FCP project (or just cut the whole thing in Premiere!)

The exceptional VLC media player application should also be able to open and playback the raw MP4 files … your export options from VLC are extremely limited, but needs must when the devil drives etc

[Jason Porthouse]

Thanks Andy, it certainly is a puzzling one.

I’ll try your suggestions, and the director has PPro so we can always import/export as per your suggestion. I’ve done a test with him now – copying the BPAV from the camera to his PC and thence to the Mac. Worked fine and flawlessly.

Going to fiddle with the XML files now (nothing to lose) so wish me luck!

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*