Ian Cook
Forum Replies Created
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No, there shouldn’t be any loss in quality or functionality. You can leave them in AVI format if you are concerned; FCP will warn you that they’re “not optimized” but it will take them. It’s best to convert to MOV for both performance reasons and also because FCP’s Media Manager has limitations when managing non-MOV files.
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You can use XDCAM Browser or the Sony Log and Transfer add-in to convert DV .AVIs to DV .MOVs.
XDCAM Browser needs to be run in plugin mode to do MOV conversions. Launch it from within FCP by selecting File–>Import–>Sony XDCAM Browser. Select the clips you want to import and and then click the ‘Register for Final Cut Pro’ button under the monitor or File–>Register… This will rewrap the files; they’ll be stored in the location you select in Browser’s preferences and automatically mapped to the currently open FCP project.
The Log and Transfer add-in enables Log and Transfer to handle EX files (rewrap only– they will not be transcoded).
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When you import/rewrap using Browser or Transfer the files always are always imported in their native format, resolution and frame rate (e.g. XDCAM EX, HQ 1920, 23.98psf). There is no way to change this. You can make certain changes (adding pulldown etc) when you export to a new format from XDCAM Browser but not when sending to FCP. Check your footage in the source monitor or in QT with the scaling set to 100%. Make sure you’re adding it to a sequence set for the same codec (at least for the purpose of checking the quality). With the default settings FCP will prompt you if you try to add a clip to a new sequence set to a different codec. If this is disabled you can always check the format of the sequence in the Compressor column in the FCP browser.
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Are you exporting directly to /Clip? Can you export locally and then copy to /Clip?
If it’s still failing can you try updating Browser? A link to 1.3 is below. If that fails I’d like to send you a clip of mine to test with, or ask that you send me a clip..
https://www.sendspace.com/file/k0kpc5
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The Ki Pro records standalone MOV files. You can copy those using Mac Finder/Windows Explorer or using a secure file copy utility such as ShotPut Pro.
If you are also recording to the SxS cards and need to copy those, you should use Clip Browser 2.6, XDCAM Browser 1.2/1.3 or ShotPut Pro. These will do verified copies of the EX file and folder structure. If you use the Sony software, make sure ‘Perform CRC check after copy’ is enabled in the Preferences (in the EDIT tab).
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What firmware version is reported in the U1ility? If it is not 2.4.5, can you select Update Firmware from the sidebar in the utility and run the firmware updater? I just tested this with driver 2.3.0/firmware 2.4.5 and a 1080/24p EX clip and it’s working fine for me.
Make sure you select DVCAM and not RAW DV (although it sounds like it’s failing either way?). What’s the Output File Name?
Let me know re the above.
Best,
Ian
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Hi Herb,
Assuming you have the PDW-U1 driver installed (required to write to disc), open the bundled U-1 controller application, go to User Settings and set ‘Naming ‘Form’ to ‘Free.’ If this is not set the disc can only accept files with generic XDCAM file names (C0001.mxf etc). An easy way to verify this– can you write the file to your desktop?
If you don’t have the driver/utility installed the drive may still show up but as a read-only device without the correct file/folder structure. If, when browsing the drive, you see only PRO AV and GENERAL folders, you do not have the driver installed. You can download/update from https://www.sony.com/xdcam-downloads
Let me know…
Cheers,
Ian
Ian Cook
Sony Broadcast and Professional Company -
CS5/5.5 imports EX through it’s built-in Media Browser. This workflow has been in place for some time and is very stable and reliable. You point the Media Browser to your card or card image (for example, your ‘M’ drive or a stored folder on the desktop) and it displays thumbnails for all the clips in this location. Clips are then dragged into the current project and handled natively, without any transcoding or conversion.
There are a number of differences between the two cameras (or rather the two families of cameras)– EX1/3 camcorders have half inch imagers, support 720 24/30/60p and over/undercranking. These features are not on the HDV devices, although they do support 1080/24 and 30p. EX camcorders are 100% file-based and record to high speed SxS cards (modified Express Cards). HDV camcorders are tape based with optional/add-on file recorders that record M2T/AVI files to CF cards.
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Hi Marc-
Yes, unfortunately you do have to send it in to be upgraded from a version that low. This is not covered under warranty and never has been so whoever told you that was in error. Sorry for any confusion it may have caused.
Ian