Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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Now I remember that I’d downloaded the Sony Transfer Tool before my EX1 had showed up. I guess I never actually looked on the Sony CD to see if it was there but just assumed it was. My mistake. I’ll give myself ten lashes for that. Now I’m wondering why Sony wouldn’t include such an integral piece of software with their camera.
The Sony Clip Browser software works fine on my Macbook Pro (Intel Core 2 Duo) and the EX files can be viewed natively within the program as along as your have the driver software installed so the computer can see the card in the Express slot.
I only have FCP 5.1.4 on this machine so the EX clips are not viewable using the Transfer Tool.
– Don
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[Sarah Weinstein] “So it looks like from what you’re saying that I need to upgrade to FCP 6 and the latest Quicktime version.”
After you’ve purchased FCS2 and installed it make sure you run Software Update from the System Preferences icon in the Dock to make sure you end up with FCP 6.0.2. You also need to have at least OS 10.4.11 installed on your computer as well.
NOTE: Even though the latest QT version is 7.4 I would highly recommend you DON’T install this latest version, as there are major issues with this version and the pro apps at this time. Upgrade your QT program to 7.3 only.
Then from the CD that came with your XDCAM EX install the Sony Transfer Software and SxS Pro Card driver software. Don’t worry about the Clip Browser Software because you won’t be able to use it on your PowerPC Mac anyway.
Then you’ll be good to go.
– Don
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[Peter Hitchcock] “Wonding if I should get the UV filter?”
If not that then at least a clear filter to protect your lens. It’s like an AMEX card. Don’t leave home without it.
[Peter Hitchcock] “Can I transfer data without downloading Sonys software.”
Yes, but you can’t view the files. In order for the card to show up on your desktop at all you need to at least have Sony’s SxS Pro memory card software driver installed on the host computer. Once that’s done just hook the EX to the computer using the USB cable and choose to “Connect Using USB” when the prompt comes up in the camera’s VF. The SxS card will mount on the desktop like any other external device. Double click the card icon and drag the BPAV folder to the hard drive icon of your computer. Everything will get transferred to your computer, then you can reformat the card.
Sony’s Clip browser and Transfer Tool (and the software driver) are all free at the Sony web site. I would strongly recommend you at least have the Clip Browser on the host computer so you can view the clips. Minimum requirements for the Clip Browser is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
– Don
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[Sarah Weinstein] “n my camera’s “Other” menu, the option to enable or disable I.Link is grayed out, so if you think that’s the problem, please let me know how to access that menu.”
Sony Transfer Tool doesn’t use the iLINK port to transfer the clips. It uses USB only. So hook your camera up to your computer using the supplied USB cable and transfer your clips that way.
The iLINK port will be grayed out because you have to have something like an HDV deck or a Firestore drive to transfer to. The iLINK port is only to transfer HDV files, since the EX1 will record in that mode as well as the higher quality XDCAM.
[Sarah Weinstein] “but when I try to open Clip Browser, it says it’s “not supported on this system”.”
You didn’t provide any info about your system(s) but in order for everything to work you need FCP v.6.0.2 and Quicktime v.7.3 otherwise the XDCAM EX codec won’t be available for you to view or edit your clips within FCP. In addition, Sony’s clip browser only works on Intel Macs with a minimum of an Intel core 2 duo chipset. On the other hand, Sony’s Transfer Tool will work on both Intel and Power PC Macs.
Post back after you’ve tried transferring your clips using the above recommendations and are still having issues.
– Don
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VariZoom is the one to watch for here in North America and on their web site they’re saying that one will be available “soon.”
Then there’s Bebob in Europe and they have one up on their web site now.
https://www.bebob.de/international/zoe-EX_e.html
I’m waiting to see what VariZoom comes up with before I order anything, however I believe the Zoe controller from Bebob may be available now.
– Don
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Apparently Sony’s clips browser is for Intel Macs only but the Sony Transfer Tool works on both Intel and Power PC.
– Don
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Looks like with the Cavision piece the flip out screen is in the closed position.
https://www.cavision.com/pictures/EX1/MB4510SPWM-EX1-2.htm
– Don
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[ahuelse] “Will someone please explain to me the quality difference (if any) between solid state cameras and tape?”
There is no quality difference if you’re just going by a side by side picture comparison. However, tapes and tape transport/recording systems are considered “wearable items” like the brakes on your car and eventually will require adjustment or repair when your video tapes start recording picture glitches, dropouts, etc.
You may want to consider the Sony Z7 due out in February or early March that records to both tape and compact flash media. It’s a 1/3″ CMOS 3 chip HDV camera with interchangeable lenses and shoots 1080p, along with other various frame sizes. This new Sony would also be described as a prosumer camera, which is what you’re looking for.
– Don
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Normally a water mark is something like a company logo superimposed over the picture in one of the corners of the frame. Most often in the lower right corner. Unless a digital watermark is different than a regular picture watermark. Perhaps you’d best check with your client to confirm what they want. There are tutorials available that make picture watermarks an easy job.
If your client just wants copyright text, creation dates etc. you can easily add that within QT Pro.
– Don
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Since we’re on the subject, I was just curious how or what is done to ensure smooth motion when showing a film on television that was originally destined for theaters.
– Don