When is the Nanoflash XDCAM 422 100 Mbit format supported?

Most likely when Sony builds the AMA Plugin.

"New" camera formats are going to be supported by the AMA archetecture.  The responsibilty of the plugin development is put on the camera manufacturer for the Avid AMA feature.

Ivo:

When is the Nanoflash XDCAM 422 100 Mbit format supported?

This has nothing to do with AMA if you want to use a traditional file import based approach.

Have you tried a sample file from the Convergent Design website to see if it works?

I will be upgrading to 4.0.2 next week and will give it a try then. When I tried to edit with the sample files under AMC 3.0 it was giving me a buffer error. I don't know if this has been fixed in 4.0 or not.

Let us know if you give it a try.

There are sample files on this page. You should be able to download a file and import into the proper project type in Avid.

http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_Products_nanoFlash.htm

But you will not be able to play back a 100mb file as the format is not yet supported. As FD says, new format adoption will be through AMA and the plug ins developed by the camera manufacturer.

I was able to play back and edit the file. Apparently Convergent Designs disquises the file as a 50mbps file. The problem seems to be the size of the buffer in Avid. That is why I was getting buffer errors.

FYI, the 100mbps files work fine in FCP. Since I will be using CD's 4:2:2 50mbps files most of the time I should be able to use Avid for most of the work.

bobcat, were you able to try out 100 mbps files with 4.0.2?

very curious?

just got the nano.

No, I just recieved 4.0.2 and I still have to finish some work this week before upgrading next week. I don't see how it would have changed any handling of 100Mbps files on this new version though. Avid tends to be very methodical in allowing handling of any new format. I could play and edit the files but I was having problems exporting the files.

Which version of Avid are you running Avidon?

I will update everyone once I get the new version installed.

I am currently running 3.5.4, but just got the 4.0 (havent installed it yet, trying to find out if i can go directly to 4.0.2 from 3.5.x, instead of going one additional in between step of 4.0).

"...but I was having problems exporting the files."

What do you mean by the above?  You mean you are having trouble when you export out the nano/xdcam HD files from avid timeline?

I am curious because I intend to follow a workflow where once done with the cut, I would export out individual clips or the full sequence from the source window or the timeline, either as TIFFs sequence or DNxHD quicktimes for grading and effects work in another pkg.

I have the buffer error still with 4.02. In the source window I have no picture when the picture stops only by play.

Ivo,

That is what I suspected with the 100Mbps files. If you click in the source window the picture will come back. At least it did when I tried the test. So, we will have to wait on the 100Mbps files until Avid supports the format for error free workflow.

Avidon,

No, I was having trouble exporting the 100Mbps files out of Avid after having work with them. So, it looks like you will only be able to work (error free) with the 50Mbps Nanoflash files for the time being. They will be coming out in a few weeks with support for writing/reading to Sony Optical disc (50Mbps files). This will be a great worflow for those who shoot with the EX cameras (with Nanoflash) and need to archive on Sony disc. Also a great way to hand off files to a client.

Unfortunately, it may be a while for Avid to support the 100Mbps files as Convergent Design has said that it is in Avid's hands at this point. Since no other camera writes to that format yet, they have little incentive to move forward.

I do know that FCP and Sony Vegas will handle the 100Mbps files if that is any help.

thanks bobcat.

so what can we really do then at the moment?  I bought the nano specifically for being able to work with 100 mbps in the hopes that avid will increase the buffer size from 50 to 100 mbps in 4.0.  Havent they done so already for GFCAM, support for their 100 mpbs that is, in the new release?  Or I guess adding 100 mbps support for GFCAM is very different than adding 100 mbps for xdcam...

As far as I can tell, CD's nano and XDR are selling fairly well, so there is definitely a demand for it.  Someone I know who has just setup a sony EX3 and CD' XDR combo (and he generally uses another NLE for his work) and is interested in moving to mc 4.0 but is currently using vegas as a player to be able to play and export his 100mbps media as image sequences for fx work.

So the following is what I am thinking as a work around for now:

Shoot at 100 mbps,

edit in avid at 50 mbps (or at an offline format like DNxHD 36, etc), by consolidating the 100 mbps clips to the desired offline format,

after finishing the cut, re-link the media back to 100 mbps footage, and then export out the clips from the timeline/or source window (as TIFFs) for grade/composting,

conform the corrected and vfx'd sequence either in the fx package for final export, or,

render out the graded and finished individual clips/shots as DNxHD 220x, etc to be imported back into avid, and export out the final finished sequence for delivery.  I dont have to go to tape for final delivery.

what do you think?

If it were me and a paying client I would shoot 50Mbps. It is still 4:2:2 and I don't have to worry about the workflow not working.

If it is for yourself, then have a go at it and let us know how it goes. I don't do a lot of FX work, so I really don't have a lot to offer as far as workflow goes in that area.

I do know that CD said that they are trying to work with Avid to solve the 100Mbps support, but who knows how long that will take.

BTW, I believe the I frame only 160 Mbps format works in MC.

That said, it is taking up 60% more space than the 100 Mbps Long GOP and (probably) not as high quality as the 160 Mbps Long GOP.

bobcat:

No, I was having trouble exporting the 100Mbps files out of Avid after having work with them. So, it looks like you will only be able to work (error free) with the 50Mbps Nanoflash files for the time being.

So you are having trouble exporting 100mbps material FROM avid?

Could you please confirm this.  Once done with the cut with offline rez, I have to be able to relink the sequence to the 100 mbps footage and then export out that relinked timeline (or the 100mpbs source clips from that relinked timeline, as TIFFs, from the source window after match-sourcing, and at this point I would not need to play the cut, just export).

Just trying to see if my workflow will work, if not, then I have to figure something else out.

This is for my personal projects and stuff needs to go thru grading/vfx, etc., otherwise I'd have stayed with the 50 mpbs.

And I am not sure if 160 mbps I-Frame Only is better then 100 mbps Long GOP.

Thanks.