[Dave Fleming]

David,

The workflow I’m adopting for archive, etc., is to make sure I use XDCAM Browser to move all media at all times. I know that’s a reiteration of what I had posted earlier, but it’s what is working for me right now.

If I use XDCAM Browser to move my clips to a DVD, formatting the DVD with “live file system” i.e. like a flash drive, then all of my audio information is retained for future use.

The one very disappointing thing about all of this is that I have been unable to get Adobe to admit that this workflow is absolutely necessary with XDCAM EX when capturing 4 mono channels of audio in the camera. They continue to hold to the “just browse and import” philosophy for bringing in media, almost as if they’re just oblivious to the problem.

I know this doesn’t really help you with the stuff you’ve already archived and now trying to restore, but it may help you moving forward.

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

Not exactly…I did get to speak with some senior Adobe engineers about the problem and got the offer to FTP them some footage for them to have a look at. So, there’s hope on the horizon, I’m just not there yet.

When you describe the issue with Sony, I just want to make sure we’re on the same page. You’re using XDCAM Browser (v.2.1), right? I ask because Sony’s clip browser app has been outmoded for a while now and they advised everyone to only use XDCAM Browser. When I use that, I lasso all the clips I need and drag them to the new explorer window. I’m just a little unclear on the one clip at a time comment…

df

[Dave Fleming]

Trent,

Sorry, no answers, but see my thread here:

https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/3/923696#926141

There is something VERY strange about how PPro imports audio (in my case, 4 mono channels coming from my XDCAM EX camera. Basically, in any environment except using Sony XDCAM Browser for import, you’re screwed. If you attempt any copy/paste functions of the BPAV folder (in may case), you can kiss all of your audio goodbye except for one channel. Nobody is saying if this is a PPro or a Sony issue.

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

No, I haven’t sent Adobe any messages about it…BUT, I’m getting ready to do one better: I’m attending the CS6 training in NYC tomorrow and there should be no shortage of Adobe folks there to ask!

We’ll get to the bottom of it one way or another!

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

I’m on Win 7 same as you. Do you think that has something to do with it?

I sent your post about the SxS cards not retaining info when using windows explorer to my IT guy and he’s in a total conundrum over it. I mean, this same problem (losing audio information) would apply to archiving the media as well, wouldn’t it?

df

[Dave Fleming]

Thanks for your post, David. I’ll tell you one more major problem with this scenario: On some days, I’m out shooting several clients back-to-back, so I end up with multiple projects on the same SxS card. Well, one of the client’s footage was being edited out of state, so I had to send the post house a copy of the footage. Obviously, it makes no sense for me to send the entire BPAV folder to the post house, as there were two other projects on it.

So, I use XDCAM Browser to just pull the clips I need for this client to my RAID drive and then burn a DVD of that for the client. SAME PROBLEM–post house calls in a panic, wondering why the clips in the BPAV folder I sent him only have one channel of audio! My workaround was to import all the clips from the shoot into my PPro, export audio only, and email the guy an .AAC file that he could then link up to the footage I sent! What a nightmare!

I firmly believe this is a SONY problem and either I’m missing something very basic or they need to address it.

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

Hi Richard,

Yes, sort of. Basically, my solution is just to use Sony’s XDCAM Browser for any and all file transfers. When using it, all four mono channels come across using Adobe’s Media Browser. It’s an extra step, admittedly, but it works.

So, the workflow is: Move footage from card to hard drive using Sony XDCAM Browser. Import footage from hard drive location using Media Browser. That should give you all four channels.

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

Thanks Chris, I actually wasn’t going to DVD, but Jeff’s crop solution was what I needed!

df

[Dave Fleming]

Thanks Jeff, your blog post sounds like exactly what I need!

Dave

[Dave Fleming]

Thanks for the reply, Richard. I’m not in front of PPro right now…I’ll check the preferences, but I’m not sure why that would affect the number of channels being imported.

Also, I’m shooting with a PMW320. The older XDCAMs as well as these cameras have always recorded 4 mono channels of audio. You may be referring to the EX-1 or 3 which I have no knowledge of…?

My basic problem still stands: I can get all 4 channels by browsing to the SxS cards (it says “16-bit, 4 mono channels”), but when I browse to the same drag-and-drop copy on my RAID, only one channel imports (it says “compressed, mono”). What gives?

Dave