Importing into FCX

[Jonny Macleseed]

Hello All!

I have been given some files to cut together and I thought I'd try my hand at learning FCX with this opportunity. I apologize if this is very basic, but things don't seem to be working for me, though I am sure I am missing something. There are two types of files that I am trying to import:

1) .mov files that had been captured from 8mm film. Strangely, though the extension is a '.mov', my QT player won't even open the file, saying that it is an 'unrecognizable' format.
2) Files that were taken from a Sony EX1 camera. The file folders contain .mp4, .smi, .ppn, .xml, and .bim formats. I tried downloading the XDCAM Transfer app but stupid me, I can't figure out how to use it properly, or if I am using it properly at all.

The .mov and .mp4 files mentioned above CAN be opened using a VLC player however so I know there is useable data in the files.

Any advice on how to get around these issues would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your time!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Use VideoSpec (I prefer that, though it hasn't been updated since 11/2009), MediaInfo Mac (10/2010) or MediaInfo (4/2011, there is a Mac OS X version to download, VideoSpec and MediaInfo Mac are using the same library as MediaInfo) to analyse a sample .mov and .mp4 file and attach the reports to your next post. It will be most likely a CODEC issue, the container is not really that indicative.

 

[hsilver]

XDCamEX import

IN XDCam Transfer:
Do an 'add source' to bring in folder that has the camera media. There should be a folder and within it a folder called BPAV. If BPAV folder isn't there make one and put it main folder and put everything else in BPAV folder.

Program may throw up a bunch of error messages but click through them, Video files eventually appear. Highlight ones you want and hit add to queue or 'import'

Also in preferences under Import, choose in last item 'import files for Final Cut Pro' if it's not selected.

Files will be created in XDCam Import folder where you have selected. Open those into FCP or FCPX.

 

[Jonny Macleseed]

Hello,

Thank you for your replies. I have run the reports using video spec and the following are the results:

For the 8mm transfer:

***** Analyzed File Results *****

*** General Parameters ***
- Name: : eom_mar31_001_01.mov :
- Container: : MOV - QuickTime :
- Size: : 2.631 GB :
- Duration: : 2mn 36s :
- Bitrate: : 134 Mbps :

*** Video Track Parameters ***
- Format: : Uncompressed 8-bit 4:2:2 :
- Bitrate: : Max.: --- / Average: 134 Mbps / Min.: --- :
- Frame rate (fps): : Max.: --- / Average: 24.000 / Min.: --- :
- Encoding profile: : Undefined :
- Image size: : 720*486 :
- Pixel Aspect Ratio: : Undefined :
- Display Aspect Ratio: : 4:3 :
- Interlacing: : Undefined :

*** First Audio Track Parameters ***
- Format: : No audio track :
- Bitrate: : :
- Resolution: : :
- Rate: : :
- Channel(s): : :
- Position: : :

*** Miscellaneous ***
- Subtitle(s): No Subtitle
- Album: Undefined




For the file from the EX1:


***** Analyzed File Results *****

*** General Parameters ***
- Name: 703_0110_01.MP4
- Container: MP4 - QuickTime
- Size: 157.29 MB
- Duration: 34s 535ms
- Bitrate: 36.5 Mbps

*** Video Track Parameters ***
- Format: XDCAM EX 35
- Bitrate: Max.: 35.0 Mbps / Average: 35.0 Mbps / Min.: Undefined
- Frame rate (fps): Max.: --- / Average: 23.976 / Min.: ---
- Encoding profile: Main@High
- Image size: 1920*1080
- Pixel Aspect Ratio: Undefined
- Display Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Interlacing: Progressive

*** First Audio Track Parameters ***
- Format: Uncompressed PCM
- Bitrate: 1 536 Kbps
- Resolution: 16 bits
- Rate: 48.0 KHz
- Channel(s): 2 (stereo)
- Position: Undefined

*** Miscellaneous ***
- Subtitle(s): No Subtitle
- Album: Undefined
- Performer: Undefined
- Genre: Undefined
- Encoded date: UTC 2008-08-25 15:42:21
- Album artist: Undefined


Thank you all again for your help!

 

[Jonny Macleseed]

Hi All!

K, I've been able to get the EX1 data into FCX using XDCAM Transfer as advised above (Thanks!) but am still having issues with the other .mov files. Any suggestions?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Hi All!

K, I've been able to get the EX1 data into FCX using XDCAM Transfer as advised above (Thanks!) but am still having issues with the other .mov files. Any suggestions?

Sorry for not answering sooner, I completely overlooked this thread in my subscriptions (too many to not count).

Anyway, as the first .mov file (the 8 mm transfer) is uncompressed, try MPEG Streamclip and transcode it to a QT (CMD+E) using the ProRes 422 codec and see, if that works.

 

[mBox]

PRORESit!!

Its probably the only safe way using FCPX.
Ive had numerous friends, ex-students and on-liners run into probs and first thing I tell them is to ProRes the footage first.
So far a 100% fix rate
Of course dealing with clips.