Michael Phillips
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COW Coin
Forum Replies Created
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never heard of Newsflash. Avid has NewsCutter…
Michael
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I just did a session dealing with camera metadata and the importance of consistency and persistence of that metadata throughout post. Not only for picture, but sound, and then double system workflows where a single clip represents two different sources, etc.
There are formats that have long filenames, but also include a REEL ID in the header of the file which is usually a truncation of the filename to 8 characters; such as ARRI Alexa and Red to some extent. This is due to EDL’s being the sequence translation in many cases (unfortunately) and it’s legacy limitation of only having 8 characters as source. Media Composer offers 16 and 32 versions of the EDL while also removing other CMX limitations such as number of events and number of sources (999 and 254 respectively).
So some cameras use a shorter REEL ID, some don’t. Some cameras allow you to create very long Camera ID such as the BMCC. I have seen some as long as 51 characters. VFX can create long filenames, and such. So in the end, systems need to be prepared to support any length of filename string supported by the OS as well as any and all metadata in the header to allow full flexibility in post workflows chosen.
Michael
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You can also use the Avid timecode calculator for such conversions.
(command 2).Michael
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For others following along – here is what was done in the end to bring in all the metadata from the Alexa:
1. Fast Import directly original files
2. After import, add the column “Source File” to the bin (choose columns). It should contain the full name of the file including .mov
3. Highlight all clips and do an import with the following changes to
Import options – Merge based on known sources – (last check box)
4. Select ALE file that matches those clips. All the info should be added.
5. Highlight the column Reel_Name and do a command-D and select either
Labroll or Camroll and click OK.Michael
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You should be able to…
Michael
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OK – importing will present you with either preserving as ProRes or transcoding to DNxHD. If on a Mac, and have enough storage, then keeping the Prores file as a Prores file and having the ability to render as ProRes will be your best bet.
Make sure your import settings are set to Rec 709 and at correct size to be as a fast import. If you don’t see the words “fast import” beneath the progress bar when importing, then you need to verify your settings.
In this scenario – import the ALE for each folder into a bin, select all clips, do a batch import and select QT from the file that matches. I don’t believe you will need to edit the ALE file beforehand, but I have not seen an Alexa camera generated ALE file in a while. If you don’t mind sending the ALE, I can check. Send to michael[at]24p[dot]com
Michael
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Sounds like more if a RedCine X Pro issue than Media Composer. Do the R3D clips in RedCine X Pro still have the reframing metadata applied?
Michael
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Are you looking to do this via AMA (user managed) or Avid managed (fast import) and keep ProRes? Prores can be re-wrapped as MXF/Prores via a fast import and live within the Avid MediaFiles/MXF folder structure.
I ask because it will change the way you work with the ALE file. As an FYI – Media Composer does not support XML import for log files. But depending on link/import method – it will be a batch import into the ALE or an ALE merge to AMA linked files.
Michael
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I agree – and I can’t speak for Adobe, but for Media Composer a “complete rewrite to 64bit” was also been bantered about when v6 came to market. I always like to ask back – “if a complete rewrite of the code, then why would you keep existing limitations such as resolution, bit depth, etc. in the new version?”
Making sure it runs on 64bit, taking advantage of additional memory where needed, and potentially having a architecture for future development etc. is more like it.
Michael
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Import does not allow you to choose video, audio, or both, it’s always everything. Couple things to consider:
AMA to the clips, subclip out audio only, then transcode those to Avid media.
Use a program like MPEG Streamclip to extract and transcode audio only as a pre-process to an Avid compatible import format such as WAV, AIF, .mov, etc.
Michael