O.k. - so MC 3.0 doesn't do the job.

Question:

- Has anyone an idea, when Avid will show up with support of XDCAM HD 422 50 Mb/s ?
- Is there a workaround to use the high resolution media in the meantime?
  (as importing the media, just using the "Import" function doesn't work...)
- Is this a reason to use FCP?

Support for 50Mb?  Given the long wait for 35Mb support I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for 50Mb support anytime soon.  I heard 'later this year', that could mean the end of December or a year from now.  Who knows?  Like I said, don't hold your breath unless you can hold your breath for a really long time.

You could use the XDCAM deck and digitize the footage via HD SDI, but I also heard that the decks (PDW 1500) are currently in short supply.

Regarding FCP, are you sure FCP supports 50Mb XDCAM import?  I haven't checked lately , but the last time I checked the only NLE app that supported 50 Mb was Vegas (also a Sony product).

we already have a pdw-u1 drive. and now after spending money for a useless update for our media composer, I should buy another drive? no thanks.

I'ld be glad, if I had the possibility to convert the sony MXF files to anything avid could import. 'til now I have found nothing.

sony ships a software called "PDZK-P1" for transfering the files to a FCP system:

XDCAM Transfer is a software solution that enables you to use media captured using Sony’s XDCAM system in Apple’s Final Cut Pro video editing software.

right now, I'm quite disappointed. another avid "new thinking" thing.

after trying to get the system working in any way for hours, I'll go to bed now.

Moses.M:

XDCAM Transfer is a software solution that enables you to use media captured using Sony’s XDCAM system in Apple’s Final Cut Pro video editing software.

Yeah but, I think, that's not the 50 MBS files. Pretty sure that FCP still can't do those either.

Have you tried Raylight as a conversion tool? 

Moses.M:

right now, I'm quite disappointed. another avid "new thinking" thing

How is this an issue for Avid?  Sony have a codec which only Sony-supplied edit equipment can handle.  Where do Avid figure in this?

At the moment the HD codec market is very volatile.  It will probably remain that way until equipment standardises.  In the meantime third party suppliers like Avid will be forever running as hard as they can to stay in one place.

Until we get some form of international standardisation it's going to be hard for all of us.

@Haze: here's the link to the software, that enables FCP to work with HD422:

LINK

 Sure enough FCP 6.0.3 works with 50 Mb XDCAM HD 422.

I'm willing to cut Avid some slack because the 700 camera's still have that new car smell.  Meaning it will take some time for Avid to implement the new codec.  If they don't release an update to accomodate 50 Mb by the end of December I'll be disappointed.   While there are a lot of new formats out there (Red, AVCHD, etc.) the XDCAM format has a strong foothold in the marketplace.  It's obvious that Avid has embraced the XDCAM format.  That should mean that 422 50Mb import will become available in the near term. 

Your options now are to buy a FCP setup or buy the Sony PDW-1500 and digitize via HD SDI using the DNxHD codec.  The price would be about the same.  Of course you could rent the deck for a lot less if it's available for rental. 

my option is to use the HD-SDI output of our camera to capture my videos. then I'll "escape" to Bejing for a month and hope 'till late August we have a working update for MC 3.0!

Moses.M:

right now, I'm quite disappointed. another avid "new thinking" thing.

This is perfectly part in a good new thinking. "Do not release a buggy process", and ofcourse, "Do not release a codec before You have a chance to test them with delivered equipments".

The reality is that Avid hade struggle with lots of buggs in the 5.x/2.x serie of AXP/MC software. Not more than other NLEs, but to much for a NLE which You will trust time critial projects. Therefore, I think it is better to be the second NLE with support for new codecs than the first with a buggy software.

In most professional situations, You do not invest in the first round of equipments. You will wait until you understand and know the pros and cons of these new things. At the end, this strategy will save You time, money and quality.

I do not have the ad here, but Avids promise is that there software will take care of the technical part and we can take care of our business and creativity. To deliver that, Avid must be shure that there software is working without problems and difficul external hardware recodings. Therefore, Avid will not and shall not, be first with support the latest and most hyped cameras/codeds. The support will come, but it will take time until they can deliver the rigth thing.

There will alway be a second way. Use a software which can capture the files and convert them to quicktime. Recode them to DNxHD and it will work, but maybe without meta data, but You can edit.

I'm willed to be a beta-tester to get this thing working. As we are in production for a big event next week right now, it was very important for us to optimize the workflow. So on our own risk we tested a little piece of sony-software and:

It's working!

We are now able to handle the xdcam hd 422 media in our MC 3.0 as like the other resolutions (35,...)!

Regards M.

Moses.M:

So on our own risk we tested a little piece of sony-software and:

@Andrew: You've got a mail.

Dearly love to know what work-around you found to this problem - any chance you could share it with the rest of us?

As I got the information, that the software is still Beta, I didn't want to spread it. Maybe, there is a update together with the new PDW-U1 software, which seems to be available:

http://community.avid.com/forums/t/61726.aspx

If not, please write me a email.

Regards - Moses

(P.S.: Sorry, I don't have access to the forum every day right now, as I'm working in Beijing. So maybe answers might have a little delay ;) )

So, if I understand you correctly, it's simply the updated PDW-U1 version 2 software that did it for you then?  Only, we have a series of lengthy and rather involved projects about to kick in and I just wanted to ease the work-flow.

Cheers Smax