XDCAM Import Error – invalid SMPTE key

[Michael Palmer]

download version 2.7

Good Luck
Michael Palmer

[Michael Leach]

i downloaded 2.7… still have the same issues. 🙁

mike

[Andy Mees]

Michael

Try creating a new OS X user account on your Mac, then log in to that new account and test the transfer app again. Do you still get the same errors?

Cheers
Andy

[Arielle Amsalem]

I am getting the same error message, but only with a few clips, the rest import fine. I am using the Sony XDCAM transfer software version 2.9.0. The error reads “Import Error” “Error reading file ‘C0026.MXF’ (Invalid SMPTE key – then a string of numbers and letters)”. I really need to get these clips in. How can I get around it?

[Craig Seeman]

You might tell us a little about the source as .MXF is only the wrapper.
There are many flavors of XDCAM these days.

[Arielle Amsalem]

I am only the editor, so I don’t know exactly what camera it was shot with, although in the XDCAM transfer tool, it seems to be telling me it was maybe a Sony PDW-F350. In any case, the footage is PAL, 1080p25. What other information would you like?

[Craig Seeman]

[Arielle Amsalem] ” Sony PDW-F350. In any case, the footage is PAL, 1080p25″
That’s the key bit. Thanks. In past versions of XDCAM Transfer there was an issue with certain frame rates so I’m wondering if Sony reintroduced a bug.
Are you finding this with all files from this camera/shoot or just a specific file?

Do you have a non Final Cut system to test on? Download this demo and test
https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/MXFImport_Mac.asp

or this demo on the FCP system itself
https://www.telestream.net/mxf-final-cut-pro/mxf-component-xdcam.htm

If either of these can read the file, you’ll know the file is good and the likely culprit is Sony’s XDCAM Transfer.

If XDCAM Transfer is the problem, you’ll have to try reverting back to 2.8 or even 2.7.1
If the file is bad, you’ll probably want to get the XDCAM disc it came from and do the the copy yourself.

[Arielle Amsalem]

It’s only a handful of files, all of them from different shoots. The rest of the files from those shoots are working fine though. I don’t have another system to test it on, but used the flip4mac link you sent and it seems to be working. I reverted back to version 2.5.1 of xdcam transfer and it is still giving me the error message. However much I need those clips, I can’t afford to pay $500 for the full version of flip4mac’s plug-in… anything else I can use to get them into FCP?

Also, the XDCAM disks don’t seem to be available to me, I think they were re-used. All I have is what they had transfered onto the drives.

[Craig Seeman]

[Arielle Amsalem] “. I reverted back to version 2.5.1 of xdcam transfer and it is still giving me the error message.”

2.5.1 was one of the versions that had time code problem. Go to 2.7 or 2.8.

[Arielle Amsalem] “but used the flip4mac link you sent and it seems to be working.”
At least that tells us the files are good. That must mean the issue is with XDCAM Transfer. Try going back the XDCAM transfer versions above.

[Arielle Amsalem] “It’s only a handful of files, all of them from different shoots. The rest of the files from those shoots are working fine though.”

This is important. What’s different about the failing files? Corrupted metadata? Different settings such as Timelapse or under/overcrank. Could these be split clips? Clock time code? All may involve a metadata issue. The fact that you’re getting invalid SMPTE key might indicate that.

Again try XDCAM Transfer 2.7.1 or 2.8 ASAP.

[Arielle Amsalem]

So far as I can tell, there’s nothing different about these clips, but again, I wasn’t at the shoot.

I can’t find a download of 2.7.1 or 2.8. I managed to download 2.7.0 but still got the error message. On the Sony UK site when I found the download pages for 2.7.1 and 2.8 there was no download button, it just directed me to the latest version (2.9).