Hi,

ON Friday, we will be starting to shoot a short film project with a borrowed Sony EX-3 and a Z1. I need some guidance. I also want to use our FirestorPro.

1. What is the best setting for a short film project?
2. what is the tried and tested workflow?
3. I tried using a Firestore, M2T mode. Looks nice and imported well. Is this a good route?
4. any SXS issues I need to be aware of?
5. Any EX3 shooting pointers?

thank you.

I believe the .M2T files are 25Mb thin raster HDV. This will fast import (rewrap) using the 1080i/59.94 frame rate.

Most people want to record using the Full Raster 35Mb codec. Today the MP4 files need to be rewrapped as MXF to be used in the Media Composer. Here are two tutorials:

http://snipurl.com/a3ty9
http://snipurl.com/bu49k

I'm just starting a project that was shot in XDCAM EX (PAL, 1080/50i, 35 MBPs) and I am a bit confused about the MXF format.

The files from the EX3 camera were rewrapped as MXF and I can import them without any problems into Media Composer. What troubles me is that my Mojo (SD/component) is actually capable of displaying the imported files on my SD monitor, whatever the project resolution I choose (DV25, 1:1, DNx) - how is that possible? Have the MXF files been downconverted to SD (although the info for the imported files says they are 1920x1080 XDCAM files)?

When any XDCAM is imported into the Avid, the codec is never changed, its only a rewrap. It can't be transcoded on import.

Any resolution with a like frame rate can be displayed in any project type. In draft mode, an analog Mojo will display a SD down anamorphic image of the XDCAM EX. This is happening on the fly and is not full quality.

Thanks for your answer. So basically, the transcoding only takes place during the export? Does it mean that if I want to finish my project as SD, I should export my final sequence as 1:1 Avid uncompressed and reimport it before outputting to tape? And should I do my color correction not on the original mxf but on the exported/reimported footage?

Take a look at this thread: http://community.avid.com/forums/t/66900.aspx

Thanks again, that's most useful.

Thank you.

NOw, which one should i choose as resolution for import? -- DNxHD OR DVCpro HD?

Whst is rthe benefit or effect of using any of them?

thanks.

XDCAM is NOT and can't be transcoded on import. This dialog is ignored and the native XDCAM codec is rewrapped on import.

I ran a test today - what you say is true, and the XDCAM couldn't be transcoded IF I was working in an HD timeline, but in a 720p 23.97 project, I was able to transcode my 1920x1080 24p footage to DNxHD 60. This is after rewrapping all my files in Sony ClipBrowser.

I edited, and then exported the AAF file. Then I opened a High Res HD project (1920x1080) and I relinked all my media. Voila - instant conform.

My question is that though this system seems to work, is this the best way to work? I'm dealing with a huge amount of media - my Unity can't handle the native HD files, but I don't want to edit using Proxy files either.