[Robert Dexter]

Hi Volo,

Just to confirm, did you try installing XDCAM Transfer 2.12.0 and using File > Export > Sony XDCAM from Final Cut Pro?

Which version of Final Cut Pro are you using? Previous version of FCP did have some problems with the bit-rate target of MPEG IMX, but I believe this was all fixed a while ago, so using File > Export > Sony XDCAM to export IMX 30 from FCP 7 should be absolutely fine.

One last thing to try would be to select the Recompress all frames checkbox, although this shouldn’t be necessary in my experience.

[Robert Dexter]

As far as I remember, this was fixed in XDCAM Transfer 2.8.0. What version are you using?

[Robert Dexter]

[Daniel Wright] “I thought this had always been the case as far as folder copies of professional discs were concerned.”

Yes, I think so.

[Daniel Wright] “Oddly enough, and contrary to what the manual seems to be saying in your quote, the Save Changes command works for folder copies of SxS cards. I don’t know why we can do it for one and not the other.”

I think the reason might be that Professional Discs keep the logging metadata embedded in the MXF files in sync with the logging metadata XML file automatically; XDCAM Transfer can’t do this itself with folder copies. On SxS cards or folder copies of them, only the XML file needs to be updated.

[Daniel Wright] “If there is no way that you could add your comments before copying the disc to the hard drive then the only solution I can see would be to write (or find someone who can write) an Applescript to save and retrieve your logging for you.”

That depends on what you want to do with the logging info – if Maria just needs to be able to reload it back into XDCAM Transfer, that’s a good suggestion. The attached scripts might help as a start.

• Save Logging Info.applescript
• Read Logging Info.applescript

Cheers,
Rob

[Robert Dexter]

Step 1:

Install XDCAM Transfer 2.11.0 (go to Sony Canada!)

Step 2:

tell application "XDCAM Transfer"
import clip 1 of source 1 to import location filename (display name of source 1) & "_" & (filename of clip 1 of source 1) as proxy
end tell

😉

[Robert Dexter]

So, just to be clear, you can rename subclips in XDCAM Transfer 2.10.0. Just double-click on the Name (“Subclip 1”) and change it, then use the “For subclips add subclip name” checkbox on the Import tab in Preferences, to get it into FCP.

[Robert Dexter]

Have you got the “For subclips add subclip name” box checked in the Preferences?

[Robert Dexter]

Actually, clips imported by XDCAM Transfer (or in the Log-and-Transfer window in Final Cut Pro) do contain a lot of information to help reconnect the movie with the original MP4 files (or MXF files) such as the unique identifier for the clip. But most of this information is usually invisible to us, as FCP doesn’t display it in the Browser. FCP does take advantage of the info itself e.g. to enable “Batch Capture” to use the L&T window to reimport clips, but you have to make sure to have the “reel” (SxS card or folder copy of it) already added I think.

Anyway, you can see what info is present for yourself by using FCP File > Export > XML. The exported file has tags with names like “com.apple.proapps.reel” and “com.apple.proapps.clipID” etc.

[Robert Dexter]

Yeah, the “Final Cut Pro” option for ‘Open imported files with’ is a bit of an odd one.

The right way to get your clips from XDCAM Transfer to FCP, is to go to FCP and choose File > Import > Sony XDCAM. That way, the imported clips drop silently into the FCP Browser, and don’t open a new Viewer window for each one. Doing it this way, you also get the Comment/Log Note, which you won’t if you just open the movie in FCP later.

If you choose to use XDCAM Transfer standalone and FCP later, like Craig described, you should go to XDCAM Transfer’s Preferences > Import and check ‘Write Final Cut Pro XML file’ and import the XML file into FCP instead of the movie.

[Robert Dexter]

Sure, XDCAM Transfer 2.9.0 included updates to support write-back to the PDW-U1, but the necessary firmware update is a separate download and install. XDCAM Transfer 2.9.0 also includes bug fixes and other improvements which are relevant no matter what XDCAM or XDCAM EX you have.

XDCAM Transfer 2.9.0 –
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-software-model-PDZKP1.aspx

PDW-U1 Firmware 2.1 incl. Mac –
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-software-model-PDWU1.aspx

Sorry, none of this seems likely to solve the crash though… 🙁

[Robert Dexter]

The current version of XDCAM Transfer works directly with orphaned MP4 files too – try just dragging on a folder full of MP4 files and they all show up and you can import them just fine.