Re: "AVOID XDCAM like the PLAGUE for editing on timeline!"

Just to add my '2 pennorth' in this debate.

I too have experienced random crashes with XDCam, both in 35 & 50, CBR & VBR. The main culprits are:

Opening bins with Icon view - redraw gets so far through and 'poof!' no more FCP.

Scrolling aorund the timeline - again, no warning, no rhyme or reason - it'll be fine for a while then gone.

As others have stated, turning all icons/thumbnails off has helped, but not cured the problem. This has happened in my suite (fairly beefy and utterly stable in all other formats from DV to ProRes HD) and in 4 other suites located at a production company I edit for. Their editors have had the same too.

So yes, I'm inclined toward something broken in the way FCP handles the codec. This may be the fault of FCP, or it may be something more to do with XDCam. The cynic in me wonders whether Sony owning Vegas has something to do with it!

I'm trying to move away from the codec ASAP, but for the company I freelance for I think that would be a process too far. For the moment, coping strategies are the only way forward. Taking the steps we have done have reduced crashes from 10 or 20 a day to 1 or 2, but it's still a PITA. It's a real shame because I think some of the images gleaned from relatively humble cameras like the EX1 and 3 are excellent.

It's also odd that many have had no probles at all. Is there a correlation between PAL (or more accurately 50i/p) users and increased errors?

Jason

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Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you'll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*