I have some XDCAM RAW clips shot at 1080 59.94 that I need to import into a DVCPro 1080 59.94 project.  What I’ve done so far is export the RAW files out to MXF files using the Sony clip Browser and put these clips into a folder, I then opened up MC 3.0 and using the import function imported the XDCAM MXF files at what I hope to be 35Mbps into a bin. When I view these files I’m able to view them at full green video quality mode so I assume they are at full resolution.

First off if something happens to my drives and I have to re-import the material will I be able to re-link the XDCAM clips?

Secondly seeing as XDCAM is standard raster size (1920 x 1080) should I transcode the XDCAM material to DVCPro raster size (1280 x 1080) after importing them into a bin?

Thanks

Steve

If you are going to transcode XDCAM you should use DNxHD or 1:1. Non full raster size just adds additional overhead when decoding the material. It also degrates the visual quality.

Thanks Dom, I'm a little confused and trying to understand this before I start editing the project.  Most of the material shot for his project is DVCPro HD; I still have a few items in XDCAM I have to import into the project.  I did a test with some XDCAM footage and when I setup the import the video resolution was set to DVCPro HD MXF, which is the project setting. After importing the footage in the bin it reads as XDCAM under the video heading.   Is my raster size now1280x1080 DVCPro or is it 1440x1080 XDCAM. If it is indeed XDCAM do I have to transcode the clips as you suggested?

Thanks Dom

Steve

When you import XDCAM there is no file conversion. Avid can handle XDCAM files natively. So in your project you will have both DVC Pro HD and XDCAM media files in their respective native format. Your import settings, in this case DVC Pro HD, only applies to media that is not native to Avid and must be converted. Such things include pictures, Quicktime Animation, AVIs, etc, etc.

Regarding transcoding, the likely answer is yes. However, that depends on your several factors including delivery format(s).

If you have the DX or Adrenaline HD and expect to go out HD-SDI to a HD VTR, then I suggest yes transcoding to DNxHD.

Thanks again for your help Dom, fortunately my deliveries for this project are DVCPro HD and Digi Beta, This is my first HD edit and I think I now have a better understanding of the workflow for this project.

Steve

How are you going to feed the deck HD-SDI or firewire? I assume HD-SDI. In that case there is really no reason to transcode to DVC Pro. You will achieve better quality and performance if you stay with DNxHD as much as possible.

HTH and GL

 I guess in order to feed the deck with HD-SDI I would need a DX Box (is that correct) and I don't have one yet.  I did some test outputting a sequence via fire wire to a Panasonic 1400 deck and it worked fine. Also all of the footage I captured was DVCPro, and I captured all of it in DVCPro format. Should I have instead captured it using DNxHD 145 instead?

Firewire is fine assuming you are not expecting true assembly or insert edit since FW does not support it.

If you captured with DVC Pro HD stuff natively via FW  and will output via FW then stay with that.