[Kenton Vannatten]

“On my old PC Avid before it died I was able to bring it in through the mojo, with the Mac I’m not so sure”

Why won’t the Mojo work on the Mac? It just connects via FW.

But aside from that, I use MPEG StreamClip and create a .mov with the Avid DV Codec, then import that into Avid. Works very well.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

It is the full version of the Media Composer software, it does not come with any of the 3rd Party apps included in the Production Premium bundle (except Avid DVD).

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

I’ve got an XDCam disc that we have been using to Master finished programs to for posterity. I normally just do the File>Export to Device>XDCam and then it goes onto the PDW-U1.

One disc in particular sounds like there is something loose inside the case when you shake it, maybe one of the springs or something? So, I’ve decided that I want to copy the contents of this disc to another disc, effectively making a clone of it.

I copied the contents of the failing/at risk disc to my local Mac hard drive, then Formatted the new disc with the PDW-U1 Utility, which generates the standard XDcam folder structure. It seems that once the folder structure is created though, you can’t just copy the old disc contents onto the new disc.

So, the question is… does anyone know of a way to do a Clone of an XDCam disc? I’m on a Mac, and have the U1 Utility and XDCam Transfer apps at my disposal. I’m also sort of familiar with using Terminal commands to copy items.

Thanks in advance.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

I’ve just encountered the same “Exception: ‘AbstractMDB::ScanMXFFileToMobManager – Invalid data stream offset’
An error occurred scanning the file ‘(file path here)

An editor in WI uses FCP and AutoDucked a sequence to me (in Boston) via a server. I pulled everything down and put it all in the correct places, but upon launching Avid I get the above error message regarding the .mxf files.

Anyone found a fix for this? Or are my .mxf files just corrupt?

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

The quality of the output depends very little on the wrapper of the file, but does rely on the codec chosen. If you choose a “lossy” codec and a smaller than DV frame size then the file would look bad.

But, truthfully whenever I have to deliver a file to a client I always ask them what kind of file they would like and I do my best to deliver that.

I have one client that is fine with me creating the DVD compliant MPEG-2 file and just delivering that. I have another that like for me to build the DVD’s VideoTS folder and then he burns it. So, I’d ask the person you’re delivering to what they would require before playing the codec/wrapper guessing game.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

[quote]”I can export it as Windows Image NTSC”[/quote]

Windows Image NTSC is a still image by the way.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

I generally like to use a 750Hz tone as it’s more of a “booop” than an annoying “beep”. If you’re censoring the Osbournes, then the high-pitched variant can get annoying.

But, I agree with the other poster above that sometimes it’s better to just lift it out and leave silence.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

Regarding contracts: I am a freelance editor, not a full-service facility. So, there is generally no contract initiated before the job begins. Usually, I get an email/phone call stating that a client has more work for me and I either go to their facility or use my own equipment. I only use contracts for clients if it’s the first time working with them. Once a trusting relationship has been built, I don’t need a contract for future work. Plus, I bill all of my work weekly, so if there are any questions or issues we can address it right then and there instead of upon delivery or two months down the road or whatever.

This particular late client is one that I’ve worked for a number of times over the last few years and I do not believe that they are trying to stiff me. I know it’s just a cash flow issue.

On all of my invoices I do state that a 10% late fee may be assessed… etc. So, when they receive the first week’s invoice, they have an opportunity to raise the issue then.

The MA state Usury Law is set to 20% on Personal Loans (I wouldn’t call this a “personal loan” necessarily), additionally there is a “leg-breaker letter” exception under M.G.L. Chapter 271, Section 49(d), you can charge usurious interest as long as you send a letter to the Attorney General with the lender’s and borrower’s name and accurate address. This notification is good for two years.

Another way around Usury Laws is to offer a discount if the balance is paid by a particular date. Traditionally, I haven’t done this as I don’t believe in jacking up my invoices for that purpose, but if I’m to be faced with only gaining $15 on every $1000 for each month of lateness, I may have to start.

Thanks to everyone who has offered their opinion so far, it certainly good food for thought.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

Thanks Walter, that’s how I had previously been doing them for the last 3 years. Then I got an email from this one client who is late and he tells me that “the proper way to do this, btw, is not to supersede an earlier invoice, but simply send out an invoice for the finance charge.”

I was a little put off by his telling me how to bill him 🙂 and it got me wondering how others do this.

As I said above, providing a new total invoice showing everything seems most logical (and easiest to track in my own books)

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)

[Kenton Vannatten]

Well, yes… of course. My question is whether or not you send an invoice reflecting only the late fees or send a new invoice with the late fees added to the previous balance and now showing the new outstanding balance.

Kenton VanNatten
Avid Editor (for hire)