XDCAM Import Error – invalid SMPTE key

[Craig Seeman]

This lists all versions.
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-software-model-PDZKP1.aspx

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[Arielle Amsalem]

Ok, so I just downloaded and tried both versions of the XDCAM import (2.7.1 and 2.8). Still had the problem with both! Any other softwares I can try maybe?

[Robert Dexter]

Sorry for your troubles… Your error message sounded vaguely familiar so I did a search of the archives and found this message/thread: https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/142/855472#855480. Have you tried running Software Update?

[Craig Seeman]

So apparently it is a problem with the file itself in none of Sony’s XDCAM Transfer tools can handle it. It would seem to be a metadata issue that apparently Flip4Mac MXF import ignores but Sony’s Transfer tool needs.

Do you have a non FCP system you can try the calibratedsoftware with?
https://www.calibratedsoftware.com/MXFImport_Mac.asp
It’s a lot less expensive than Flip4Mac MXF import. If it works you may be able to convert or rewrap on a non FCP system to a usable file with FCP.

[Arielle Amsalem]

I have tried the importing on both of my computers, one running 10.5.6 and the other on 10.4.11, So I don’t think it’s an operating system issue. But still they are both up to date with all the software updates.

[Arielle Amsalem]

Ok, so I’m not exactly sure what you mean when you ask if I have another system… do you mean another edit software? In any case, I downloaded the calibrated software that you provided a link to and successfully opened the first 30 seconds of the video in quicktime player. From there, I exported a quicktime with the same settings as the original file (Apple XDCAM HD 1080p25 (35 Mb/s VBR), 1440 x 1080.) And the quicktime I exported I could bring into FCP. I am probably getting at least a little quality loss doing it this way, right? But at least I can now edit the footage, and it is a small percentage of the footage that I will have to do this with. Also, Calibratedsoftware is much more within our budget.

Thanks for all your help Craig.

[Craig Seeman]

[Arielle Amsalem] “Ok, so I’m not exactly sure what you mean when you ask if I have another system”

Calibrated software says their plugins should only be used on non FCP systems otherwise it will conflict with FCP installed codecs so you might want to pull the plugin from your Quicktime folder after use.

It’s interesting that both Calibrated and Flip4Mac are able to handle an MXF that Sony’s XDCAM Transfer did not.

I think you should contact Sony with a bug report and send them one file as an example of the issue.

[Arielle Amsalem] “I am probably getting at least a little quality loss doing it this way, right?”
Probably some loss since it’s a re-encode rather than rewrap. Sony should have a re-wrap solution though. In the case of XDCAM EX for example, if the BPAV metadata has issues one can take the raw .mp4 and create a new BPAV folder which can then be re-wrapped as .mov for FCP use. Even if the issue is metadata embedded in the .mxf there should be a way to pull out the raw media to re-wrap. Obviously Calibrated and Flip4Mac can do it so you’d think Sony’s own software should be able to do the same.

Great that Calibrated presented an affordable solution because I’m sure somebody somewhere else is bumping into the same issue as you.

[Rich Wandover]

In your XD Cam Import software mark a in point and a out point then import to your project. That worked for me tonight.