[Renee Litapop]

Okay. So I already have started an FCP project with XDCAM settings, but it’s early enough that I can make a new project with ProRes settings. Should I do that? How should I configure the ProRes project / sequence settings? I am shooting XDCAM 1280*720 30p, but combining with archival materials of many other formats (that I can convert to ProRes in compressor).

Also, I notice that the default prores settting in compressor wants to keep the framerate and size from the original clip. Is that what I should do? Or should I do things like upresing and framerate coversions (I do have a couple of PAL clips, project overallis NTSC / 30p) in Compressor before I bring these clips into Final Cut? I could probably use compressor to convert everything to 1280*720 30p ahead of time… or just keep the original size and framerate and let the FCP timeline deal with it. Which is better?

[Renee Litapop]

Thank you — that’s helpful. Why do you suggest using compressor or Motion rather than MPEG Streamclip or QT Pro? What’s the difference?

Kris, I am using Import > XDCAM and the XDCAM transfer application to bring in the XDCAM footage. I would use Log and transfer in FCP, but for some reason it’s been crashing my FCP. I know there is no standard format, hence my question. I don’t have delivery parameters — it’s my own project and up to me what format I finish in. So I’d like to choose whatever looks best and can combine on a single timeline without having to render everything. I’ll try ProRes — that will combine on one timeline with XDCAM without rendering?

Also, I am not sure what’s the importance of setting up a project with the right project settings? Since each sequence gets its own settings to match the clips on it, why is it important how the project is set up?

[Renee Litapop]

Including the EX-1 footage? Or just the archival stuff?

What application would you use for converting everything?

What settings exactly?

i am somehow bewildered by the number of menu choices for all of this…

[Renee Litapop]

okay, this plugin seems very promising but it crashes my aftereffects every single time i try to render. i’m very, very frustrated! i really want to see a sample of the rendering so i can decide if it’s worth buying a license! will poke around the AE forum and see if there’s anything about this.

[Renee Litapop]

thank you — i hadn’t heard of this, but am downloading the trial version now. does it do a good job?

[Renee Litapop]

ok. another round of questions (this is all sooo annoying!)

the hoodman adapters say that you should only use their proprietary sdhc cards. is this true? or can i buy a transcend card and use it with the hoodman? just curious.

is this the kind of card i need for inside the adpater — https://www.tapeonline.com/products/transcend-sd-secure-digital-sdhc-16gb-class-6?

and then i get the hoodman thing or the mxr adapter?

it kind of sounds like that sony reader isn’t so much better than just hooking up the camera with a USB cable. for almost $300 it doesn’t sound like a very big help.

[Renee Litapop]

yeah, using the camera is not a viable solution for working in the field / shooting documentary. don’t want to have my camera out of commission every time i need to offload footage.

so… i really don’t want a 17″ computer. it makes me mad to pay $200 more for a computer i don’t want (whose only “benefit” is being unwieldy, large, heavy, and too big for the 15″ laptop bag i just ordered).

here are a few more questions then. how much slower is to offload the sxs cards using a USB reader? and what’s the deal with that $270 sony sxs card USB reader? why does it cost so much? can i use one of those cheaper smaller USB express card readers instead? it seems like there’s lots of small express card readers on amazon that are bus-powered — would those not work? i don’t like that the sony one needs to plugged in (this also seems like a PITA in the field — i want portable and easy to dump card onto laptop. if it takes a slightly longer time that’s not a dealbreaker, but i want a smooth and streamlined workflow).

and… if i buy those mxr cards, then the deal is i can take out the sd card from the adapter and plug that directly into my laptop’s slot?

[Renee Litapop]

so… even a 17 inch laptop is no good because of the new OS? wtf?

so can you help me figure out my options?

how good is the sony usb thing? it seems pretty expensive for what it is. is it slower than putting the card in the slot? does it work well? the fact that you have to plug it in seems like a big minus for quick offloading in the field.

and what’s the story with mxr and mxm things? do they work well? i’m nervous about using a 3rd party system like that for shooting… and it seems complicated and jerry rigged that it’s a card within another card. i’m reading that some of them stick in the camera and are hard to eject, and they don’t overcrank. all of this seems like trouble as well.

thoughts? am i just in a complete bind? what to do? i am so so annoyed about all of this!

also — i see online lots of other express card to USB reader things. is there some reason the sony that needs to be plugged in is recommended above the others?

[Renee Litapop]

i’ll try that — thanks. did you shoot at 24p or 30p?

still wondering what accounts for the roll bar… flickering makes sense, but i thought a roll bar has to do with refresh rates and eletrical current discrepancies.