[Bob Matta]

Hi Shane,

Just returned from my first trip with an AVCHD camera (Sony PJ-790V). Using your tutorial, I was in the Log and Transfer window (FCP 7), and, when in Import Settings, I saw a message under Audio settings that said:

‘Audio is mixed down to stereo’. Boo.

Can you tell me why? I shot in surround with the Sony’s built in 5.1 mic.

Respectfully,
Bob

-Bob

[Bob Matta]

Gents,

Am about to junk my 7-yr old HDR-HC1 (ya…) for a NX-5U or PMW-200; a Yugo to Porsche move no doubt.

Once captured, I understand that transferring .mxf files from the PMW, one should NOT log and transfer (FCP 7), but copy the entire card to the HD, then Log and Transfer from that new folder?
If this is a cumbersome workflow for those smart fellas that do post for a job, vice mine as a hobby, I may just go with the NX5U.

Thoughts please.
My use: HD post on travel blogs, vacations around the globe.

Respectfully yours,
Bob

[Bob Matta]

Dear Shane,

Thanks for responding so quickly. I appreciate it.

Not sure the EX series is in my budget ($4,999), but I have 3 followup questions please:

– Having just looked up the EX series you suggested, is this HDV (MPEG2) but TAPELESS (Great to get rid of tape, but I thought MPEG-2 has a crap GOP structure)?

-Product help (though I don’t hold you responsible …lol): Can you pick out/suggest a Sony camera ‘product’ series (so many sony choices here) that fall under $5k?

-As you mention FCP7 is 4 years old.. does FCP X surpass FCP7 in editing choices/creative possibilities?

Thank you again,
Bob

[Bob Matta]

Dear Shane,

Have had the Sony HD HC1 one camcorder for six years and am about to switch and get a new camera. Really want to understand AVC HD before I make the decision to eliminate the tape-based camera format.

I use Final Cut Pro 7 to edit high-definition video using the HDV or AIC codecs on my iMac. Then I convert to Pro Res 422 or 422 LT for editing.

It’s my understanding that AVC HD is superior to tape-based recording in that it’s MPEG-4 vice MPEG-2.

About to plunk down a couple of Gs for a new Sony high-definition camcorder but there’s one big sticking point that Id like your help with please!

Looking for some real clarity given multiple forums that I found seem to state its very difficult to take AVCHD from a camcorder and put it into a MAC (and thus work with it on Final Cut Pro 7).

Correct me if I’m wrong, and I likely I am, but if I take a AVCHD disk and hook it up directly to my camcorder, your article seems to suggest it will work just fine- that there will be no finding file structure OS X issues. Noted you mention to back up a disk first (Let’s face facts – tape is easier to archive!).

I trust Sony as a product, and I want to continue to film high-definition when I travel, but I really want is a postproduction experience where I come home from traveling abroad, plug my Sony into my MAC, with Mountain Lion, and be able to pull the video off my AVCHD disk(s) into Final Cut Pro, then have it transcode to ProRes and start flipping working (editing).

FINALLY: For people that have MACs, and Final Cut Pro, how do they (moi) get these two to play nice with AVCHD recordings/ TRANSFERRING/LOGGING, ETC, so that the consumer can get the hell away from tape-based importing.

Appreciate your patience. Trying to get my workflow to run a hell of a lot more efficiently.

Respectfully yours,
Bob

-Bob