Can't edit EX3/Nanoflash footage

3 replies [Last post]
asdv
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Joined: Jun 27 2003

Hi,

I have Final Cut Pro 4.5 from an old SD project.

I bought into Sony EX3/Nanoflash a few months ago, waited for Final Cut Pro X, now understand I can't use that yet to edit XDCAM, and now can't buy upgrade to FCP7 from Apple as it's discontinued. So I can't edit at all !

Anyone know where I can buy retail "upgrade from any previous version" to Final Cut Studio 3 (presuming that is the version with FCP7 ?) ?

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Ok, just discovered that .mov files from Nano are ok in FCPro X. I'd like to be able to edit XDCAM EX too so FCP7 is still my best option.

Mark M
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Joined: Nov 17 1999

Adobe are doing good deals on their Production and Master suites for those switching over from FCP :)

Adobe Certified Professional Premiere Pro CS6, Premiere Pro CC

Adobe Community Professional

dominicwitherow
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Joined: Apr 2 2006

It's easy to edit XDCAM originated footage in FCP X, just not natively. Use the standard Sony XDCAM Import app (from Sony website), to import all your footage into QT format. Then, if that doesn't work (not sure if it will or not), simply transcode it to ProRes in Compressor. That is my standard workflow in FCP7, as I don't like the associated renderings needed with MPEG2 footage (of which XDCAM is a flavour). Using a Compressor quickcluster of my multi-cores on a single machine, the conversion is very quick and still a lot quicker than ingesting a tape with batch capture markers. This will work in FCPX too.

All that said, there are plenty of reasons to avoid FCP X at the moment. If you are using an EX3 and a Nanoflash, you must require accurate colour and post grading. That is something that is currently IMPOSSIBLE with FCP X - there is NO WAY TO ENSURE ACCURATE COLOUR even with AJA cards and a £100,000 monitor etc. FCP X does not currently support ANY external monitoring at all, which makes it pointless in a Nanoflash workflow.

Save yourself the frustration and get Media Composer 5.5 or Premiere Pro CS5.5.

Dominic

asdv
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Joined: Jun 27 2003

Cripes, thanks for that Dominic. I didn't do enough research into Pro X. I know Pro X is notably low in Pro features but no monitoring support - yeeow ! I intend to monitor with existing Sony Grade 1 CRT and at the same time in HD on a 2nd LCD (maybe even an IPS type like Dell U2410 or HP LP2475w/ZR24w).

I can't make out from the Sony site if XDCAM Transfer utlity is a plugin or standalone app ?

I have some work to deliver as ProRes and don't know how to do that outside of Final Cut, plus was hoping to make use of well regarded Color.

Looking at the new offerings from Black Magic Design particularly the UltraStudio SDI there's a lot to said for going to a PC system and USB 3.0, if I could solve the ProRes delivery issue.