Hi all,

I've searched around and found some general information, but no solution.  I'm experimenting with hooking up a PDW-1500 to my MC 3.5.1 system.  AMA works like it's advertised, but when I try to export a sequence by going to Output > Export to Device > XDCAM, XDCAM is greyed out (as all HDV and P2).

From reading on here and in the help and in the workflow guide, I know the project type has to be the same as what the deck is set to, and they're both 30i, the video resolution of the clips in the sequence matches that of the deck (IMX 30/MPEG 30) and the number of audio tracks in the sequence is the same as the deck (4).

I'm sure I'm just missing a setting someplace, but I don't know where.  Can anyone point me in the right direction?

thanks,
Carl

In addition, I've tried exporting with AMA enabled and with it disabled (I restarted MC in between) and there was no change.  Also, the clips I'm trying to export have been consolidated to my external HD.

adios,
Carl

A couple of things to check,

1) Is the deck hooked up via firewire? I'm unfamiliar with the 1500, but it's been my experience with the F75 that it must be connected via firewire for the export function.

2) If it is hooked up via firewire, was the deck connected BEFORE launching MC? It must be connected first, I don't believe you can hot-swap for the export. You might even have to re-start the entire computer with the deck hooked up in order for the firewire drivers to load.

3) Try connecting to another port. I have two on-board ports as well as a PCI card with four ports. The best way to connect is vis the PCI card, in other words NOT using the on-board. The MOBO Bus can get too busy and keep things from working well especially if you're using an external drive via on-board USB/firewire. The idea is to separate the deck from the drive.

HTH

--G

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the reply.  Yes to questions 1 and 2, and I'm on a laptop, so the choices are the onboard FW or the ExpressCard FW adapter.  I'm honestly not sure which one is a better choice.

I've updated the PDZ-1 software to v2.5 (which I believe is the latest), and I'll have another chance to play around later in the week to see if that helps, or if any of your suggestions help.  I'll report back one way or the other.  Thanks again.

adios,
Carl

Carl:

Had the same problem with a Sony/Avid demo of the new XDCAM 1600 here a couple of weeks ago. A "mount all" command solved it.

Hi Larry,

Thanks, I'll give that a shot, too.

adios,
Carl

I had this issue too, when I tested 3.5. I disabled AMA and then Export to XDCAM was no longer greyed out.

Hi all,

I'm getting closer to this working.  I upgraded the PDZ-1 software to v2.5 and now I can choose XDCAM as a choice in the Export to Device menu.  I get the XDCAM Export Settings dialog box, check the options there to make sure they're correct, and press OK.  I see a message saying "Exporting to F:/Clip/C0001.MXF on XDCAM" but no clip appears on the XDCAM disk.

The disk is not write protected and there are no error messages.  Any ideas?

thanks,
Carl

did you try to format the disc using the sony software?

Hi,

Moses.M:

did you try to format the disc using the sony software?

Please forgive my ignorance, but I can't seem to find a Format command anywhere in the PDZ-1 software.  The software sees the disk, and shows that there are no clips on it, so I think it's loaded correctly, but I can't see how to format it.

Carl

I'm sorry: just read, that you have the problems with a PDW-1500. we use a PDW-U1. the "format" command can be found at sony´s PDW U1 Utlity software. don't know whether the 1500 has a similar utility software :-/

sony offers some software for this machine:
PDW-D1 PC Utility (I know D1 is not the same as 1500 - but sony europe offers this software for the 1500)
PDBZ-E1500
PDW-1500 Package

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion about the machine software.  I'll download it and see if that helps when I have access to the deck again on Monday.

thanks again,

Carl

On that note, There should be a way to format the disc in the menu of the deck. Usually it'll be found from the top level menu under "Disc Menu" or something along thoses terms. There should then be options for clips erase, disc erase and disc format. NOTE:: the disc will be formatted to the current system setup. So if your deck is set for 23.98 fps, the disc will be formatted the same. So make sure the deck is set to the same project format as your edit before formatting the disc.

As a side note, formatting takes mere moments, it's not like formatting/striping a hard drive. So if you blow it, it's not a big deal.

--G