Tom Meegan
Forum Replies Created
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I don’t think the DA will help with your problem. I was brainstorming solutions with Shane when I tossed that one out – It solved a problem for me when I was using another AJA product to capture live video, but I don’t think that solution is relevant here.
I suggest you look into the Adrienne Electronics product I linked to above if time code is a necessity.
Alternatively, use the modify time code command after the fact to match the code to the source.
Another solution would be to talk to the EVS operator(s) on location about streaming files to a folder you can share. This is a much more elegant solution, but requires some know how.
If you don’t have success and need more help hit me with an email
tom at wovenpixels dot com
and I’ll try to connect you with an EVS/NLE guru who will be able to look at your whole set up and find the best solution for your needs.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
If you are doing a Capture Now to FCP7, embedded time code will not come along for the ride.
This device is a starting point for a work around:
Or you can modify the time code after capture to match the source.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
Hi Rob,
XFile is a hardware solution that is on most OB Vans/Mobile Units. Here is how to import a file to an EVS server using the XFile as a gateway.
1. Find out what CODEC the EVS servers are using. The files you output will need to match this CODEC. There is some complexity here if the EVS servers are using the MJPEG format – we will leave that for now.
2. Find out the frame dimensions and rate the EVS servers are using (720p50, 1080i59.97, etc)
2. Find out how many audio channels the EVS servers are using for input/output. The file you output will need to match this – typically it is 4 audio channels.
3. In FCP create a sequence with the same CODEC, the same frame size, and the same number of discrete audio channels channels as the EVS’s are set up for.
4. Edit your clip into the sequence. Render if necessary.
5. Export the sequence using the sequence settings onto your external drive – a thumb drive DOS formatted will be fine if your file is less than 2GB. If you are going to be using files greater than 2GB, you will need a drive that is formatted NTFS – depending on your MAC, you may not be able to see NTFS drives. My work around when I get stuck here is to connect my mac to the XFile via gigabit ethernet, and export directly to a drive attached to the XFile.
Assuming you can now see the file on the XFile computer…
6. Open the XFile application (I am assuming the XFile is part of the established eco-system of the truck you are working in – setting one up in an existing server network gets too complex for a post. Your Engineer in Charge or Lead EVS operator should be able to help here.)
7. Once in the application go to the Maintenance tab (upper right of screen.)
8. Then also on the top right, there is an Import button.
9. Point to the file, and hit Import. It will look like nothing happened, but XFile has created an evs.xml file that pairs with your quicktime.
10. Click on the Restore tab (to the left of the Maintenance tab, I believe) and find the filter for file folders (5th icon from the left I think and looks like this:
11. select an External Restore Folder in this filter and point to the folder your file is in (you might have to press the little refresh button, doesn’t auto update)
12. The clip will be visible and ready to send to an XT server attached to the XFile. An EVS operator will know what to do from there. Unfortunately your clip name will not survive the process the clip number will always default to 099A.
NOTE 1 There are much more elegant ways to handle this with the right hardware and software, but most trucks are not set up for it. Talk to the EVS operators, the EIC and EVS.
NOTE 2 If you have a way to play baseband video out of your FCP system, just get the EIC to give you audio and video inputs to the truck and play your stuff back from an FCP sequence using print to video. Very little loss this way, and it is very direct.
NOTE 3 If the file is already on a drive that the EVS operators have assigned in the XFile setup as being your backup path, you don’t have to do the filter on External restore Folder and it will appear as soon as you have imported it. Quicker.
NOTE 4 This whole process can also be automated by setting up a AutoRestore folder in the Session Config of XFile. I haven’t tried this, but in the right circumstances it would be very convenient.
NOTE 5 If there is not XFile – I suggest the baseband video route. But, if you do have a windows computer you can do a free download of XTAccess. This works, but is less user friendly and their is very little graphical user interface. Give me a shout if you go in this direction.
NOTE 6 If you find out that the EVS servers are using MJPEG, you will not be able to match the CODEC properly in FCP. So, I again suggest baseband video UNLESS you have XTAcess with a transcode license on the truck. Your EIC and Lead EVS operator will probably know if you do – if they look at you blankly, it is because, it is highly unlikely that they will as the transcode license is pricey.
NOTE 7 A really tricky work around would be to change the setting on one EVS XT server to a CODEC you can output, go through the process above using XFile to place you file on this changed XT server, then play the video out of this server baseband video to another server. This works, and we use a variant of this method often when sharing video between shows with different CODECs and frame sizes, when we do not have a transcode license.
I hope this helps.
Best,
Tom Meegan
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Although the job description of “video editor” continues to expand to an implied fluency in many areas rendering the age of specialists increasingly to the “high end,” I’ve found that it is helpful for individuals to have areas of content expertise.
For instance, Mike Cohen’s company specializes in surgical/medical videos. His knowledge of that field translates into effectiveness and efficiency. Most of my work is in sports – though any editor can edit sports video, cutting sports video for a living for 13 years has made me better and faster when I cut sports.
Have an idea of WHAT you want to edit. Although editing skills will translate (I’ve edited documentaries, news, and magazine show features effectively) having a solid knowledge of a particular content area can help get you in the door and keep you happy as you learn yet another new technology to do an L-Cut.
Best of luck,
Tom Meegan
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Sort of off topic but I came across this today and it made me laugh:
It came from this article which is actually more to the point:
https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/05/25/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-bad-client/
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
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I’d start with this:
https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/981096
and tweak from there.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
I did this firmware upgrade last week with the help of Kyle from Maxx Digital.
It is not a straightforward process. The order of events was very specific, and I was glad for the guidance.
If you have support from someone, I suggest you give them a call.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
https://ostatic.com/a-nice-mkv-wmv-mod-mts-video-converter-for-mac-has-been-launched
Did a google search for you. This might do the trick, but I have not tested it.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC -
Hi Bob,
Point taken regarding the proliferation of LCD monitors and the use of inferior scopes, or no scopes at all.
That said, I like that Craig is beating the drum for quality, even if it is quality my business doesn’t need to satisfy my clients.
In Craig’s world, he really does need that quality to do his best work, and more and more often he is not getting it, as the owners of the mobile units he works on choose to compromise in this area.
I suspect he is not alone in this.
Best,
Tom Meegan
Woven Pixels, LLC
