XDCam Transfer- logging
by Mitch Jordan
on
Jul 31, 2008 at 2:32:54 pm
We just bought 2 F-355 XDCam's, and now I'm learning how to use the XDCam transfer software with FCP. I want to be able to name the clips once on the disk, and have the clips maintain that name when transfered to the mac and inside the FCP project.
There are 2 buttons in the Sony Transfer window: "Information" and "Logging". If I rename the clip in the Information button, it changes on the name on the disk but not when in the Mac after it's transferred. If I rename the clip in the logging window, the name changes on transfer but not on the disk. I don't want to have to name every clip twice in the transfer software before importing.
Can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong? There should be a simple way to only name the clips once, and have all versions of the clip maintain the name. Thanks.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Wayne Carey on Jul 31, 2008 at 6:32:52 pm
Well, let me explain it this way...
Aren't you "logging" the discs?
The "Information" area is for the disc itself. The "Logging" area is for the clips located on the disc.
You log clips and change the information of the disc. Simple as that. After make ANY changes to Information or Logging, you'll notice that the disc icon on the upper left corner has a dot next to the name of the disc. This means that your information and logging info has not been saved to the disc yet. You can do either an Apple-S for Save or go to the menu File - Save. After you do this, all of your logging info will be saved forever to that disc AND a copy in your Sony Transfer Software program on the computer you logged the disc.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Mitch Jordan on Jul 31, 2008 at 8:56:40 pm
I didn't know what the dot meant. Now, I know that I need to save. Thank you for your help. However, changing the clip name in either the Information window or the logging window doesn't appear to change the name in the other window. So, I need to rename it in the Information column to change it on the disk, and rename it in the Logging column to change it for FCP and the Mac. Is that correct? Renaming clips in one place doesn't change the name everywhere?
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Wayne Carey on Jul 31, 2008 at 9:36:21 pm
[Mitch Jordan]"However, changing the clip name in either the Information window or the logging window doesn't appear to change the name in the other window. So, I need to rename it in the Information column to change it on the disk, and rename it in the Logging column to change it for FCP and the Mac. Is that correct? Renaming clips in one place doesn't change the name everywhere?"
I apologize... I left that answer out.
This is done in your preferences of the Sony Transfer Software program. Select the Import tab and look down to the section called Filename. There you'll see your options for how you want your filename to be saved as.
This area also is where you would be able to import only the selected audio clips. This is very useful.
I hope this helps
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Mitch Jordan on Aug 1, 2008 at 1:35:16 am
I think that's the answer. I think under "Filename" the "use clip name" is checked. That's why it's asking us to name each clip twice. I'm not in front of my edit bay computer at the moment, so I can't check it out. I'll uncheck that preference, and let you know. Thanks.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Wayne Carey on Aug 4, 2008 at 2:17:56 pm
If you are downloading the proxy files when you first insert a disc, you can't save for rename anything. These operations can only happen after the proxies are downloaded.
What version of the Sony Transfer Software do you have installed? 2.7 seems to be pretty stable.
You have to wait until the proxies are loaded. After that you can change the name of the clips and name your disc - BUT - you have to save it to the disc to be any good to you later.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Steve Cohen on Aug 4, 2008 at 8:58:55 pm
[Wayne Carey]"If you are downloading the proxy files when you first insert a disc, you can't save for rename anything. These operations can only happen after the proxies are downloaded.
All of the proxy files are downloaded and I still can't save my changes.
[Wayne Carey]What version of the Sony Transfer Software do you have installed? 2.7 seems to be pretty stable. "
We were using 2.5, but I installed 2.7 after reading your post and it didn't make a difference.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Ed Cilley on Aug 29, 2008 at 9:16:21 pm
The one thing not mentioned here is what deck you are using.
I'm still using XDCAM Transfer v2.5--the manual states on pages 28 & 29:
Sources cannot be renamed in the following cases:
- When the REC INHIBIT mechanism of the XDCAM device is enabled. [if you see red, it IS enabled.]
- When the source is a Professional Disc loaded in a PDW-U1 XDCAM drive unit.
We have both the PDW-U1 and a PDW-F75. The PDW-U1 cannot save changes made in the Transfer program, the PDW-F75 can. You need to install the FAM software and change the settings on the deck--read instructions when you install.
Synopsis: make sure disc is not REC Inhibited (you don't see red), use the PDW-F75, CMD-S to save.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Nick Greiner on Feb 13, 2009 at 5:58:46 pm
I am having the same problem. I am using my camera (PDW-530) as the deck. When I try to save changes, "save" is greyed out - is that because I'm using the pdw-530 as the deck?
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Ed Cilley on Feb 13, 2009 at 9:09:29 pm
Nick,
I checked the user manual for the camera (available online from Sony's website) and in section "6-1-2 File Operation Restrictions" it talks about what operations are allowed. There are a lot of footnotes so it can be a little confusing.
One suggestion; in order to save, you need to click on the disc icon to highlight it, then try going to File>save.
Not sure that's much help to you.
Ed
_________________________________________________
Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Nick Greiner on Feb 13, 2009 at 9:44:52 pm
Thanks Ed,
That does let me save changes in the "logging" section of xdcam transfer but it doesn't change the "Name" of the Clip in the "Information" section. When I import into FCP the clip shows up with the name from the logging section, so I guess that means it will have one name in FCP and another name on the actual disc. This may lead to confusion down the road.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Ed Cilley on Feb 13, 2009 at 10:51:36 pm
Nick,
That's been our problem. It's great that you can "log" the shots and give the clip a title, but the Clip Name under Information does not get modified. And when importing we don't get any of the Logging information. -- And yes, I am saving after making changes. --
In Preferences, we have checked "Add clip title". Still it does not transfer.
Wish we could find a resolution.
_________________________________________________
Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Robert Dexter on Feb 17, 2009 at 10:41:20 am
Filename on disc
XDCAM Transfer shows a clip's filename in the "Information" tab, under the "Clip" section; it's called "Name".
XDCAM Transfer only shows that filename as editable if the disc's write-protect tab isn't on and your camcorder hasn't gone into "Rec INHIBIT" mode for some other reason (there are lots!) and the camcorder is set up to allow arbitrary/free file naming (not just the Cnnnn.MXF style).
If you can edit the "Name" field then when you do, XDCAM Transfer literally renames the MXF file on the disc immediately.
Logging to disc
This is in contrast to the metadata shown in the "Logging" tab under the "Clip" section. These fields come from an XML file that lives next to the MXF file on the disc.
These values are cached by XDCAM Transfer so you can also edit them while the disc isn't even mounted - offline logging.
When you reinsert the disc, if there are changes that need saving XDCAM Transfer shows the black dot next to the clip (and its disc). Assuming the stars align and nothing's caused your camcorder to go into "Rec INHIBIT" mode, you can write the new metadata back to the disc using File > Save Changes.
Import filename
When you import a clip, you can customize how XDCAM Transfer names the .mov file using Preferences > Import > Filename. By default "Add clip title" is checked. In this case, the .mov filename includes the Logging > Clip > Title. That was a good idea when XDCAM only support Cnnnn.MXF style file names, but if you're using 'free' filenames, you're probably better off unchecking "Add clip title" in which case the .mov filename is based on the original MXF filename shown in Information > Clip > Name instead.
Import logging fields
As well as changing what filename XDCAM Transfer uses to import, you can also get it to send some of the metadata to Final Cut Pro so it appears in the project bin. If you've launched XDCAM Transfer directly from within FCP (by File > Import > Sony XDCAM), you'll see "Send clip to Final Cut Pro project" next to the Import button in XDCAM Transfer, and the metadata gets passed to FCP automatically. However, if you usually just get XDCAM Transfer to write the .mov files somewhere and then open these later with FCP, you won't see the metadata. If that's what you want to do, you need to go to XDCAM Transfer's Preferences > Import and turn on "Write Final Cut Pro XML file". Then instead of opening the .mov file in FCP, import the XML file instead!
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by George Felton on Feb 20, 2009 at 9:09:20 pm
Our dilemma is using final cut server. Our nascent work flow is opening up a project, using xdcam file transfer to look at clips while in the FCP studio project. We click on the information tab and put our logging information in there including naming the clip. We also put logging information as well as "good, not-good etc" shot info too. We have found that metadata transfers into FCP too.
Our question... Is it possible in the xdcam hd logging mode, to give each subclip that is created its own independent name and description? For instance, the master clip is of dogs. We want to make subclips of each of the dogs that are of different colors for instance, naming each subclip after the color of the dog. Can we do that, name those subclips independent of one another, with their own respective descriptions, and then transfer that information into FCP?
Also, is it possible to give the disk a "name" that will transfer into FCP? In the tape days, using the log and capture function, we would give each "reel" a tape number that was on the physical tape itself. What is the corresponding function in xdcam transfer that allows us to id the disk (we tried using "source) so that we can refer back to that particularly disk if we need to pull more shots from it?
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by George Felton on Feb 27, 2009 at 8:27:44 pm
Andy, we actually were successful in giving the sub clips their own individual names. The key is to make sure that subclip is highlighted in blue before you click import. In other words, we put in an out points on the master clip, and then went into the clip name field and named the sub. We then made sure that sub clip itself was highlighted in blue at the bottom of the window and hit import. We then went into that same master clip, deleted the earlier subclip, created a new sub, gave it a unique name, and again made sure only that sub clip was high lighted in blue at the bottom and hit import. And it worked in final cut and in FC Server. We also were able to go back and give that master its own name. The key is to have whatever you want to import, high lighted with the information you want associated with it BEFORE YOU CLICK IMPORT. We still haven't found a way to batch import the sub clips with individual names, but at least this gives us some control over sub clip naming! Hope that helps some folks!
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Special K on Aug 6, 2009 at 2:37:46 pm
First EX-1 project... being tapeless, must I back-up original "reels" as well as the .mov files in FCP capture scratch to assure that I can reconnect media should there be a disaster? Or will I be able to reconnect clips in a batch recapture (like the good 'ol tape days)?
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Ed Cilley on Aug 6, 2009 at 2:51:50 pm
I don't think you can ever "too safe" and like to have multiple backups. That being said, if you are backing up your Capture Scratch folder (and are happy with the codec you used while importing the clips into FCP), then there you don't really need the originals.
However, like I said, I like to keep originals (EX-1 files) as long as possible.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Special K on Aug 6, 2009 at 3:12:56 pm
Thanks for the quick reply (and the plug is OK and interesting!) However, am I correct in assuming there is no way to reconnect the .mov file in the FCP timeline with the XD CAM "reel" that it was shot on?
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Ed Cilley on Aug 7, 2009 at 9:24:03 pm
I haven't worked with this scenario [Special K]"reconnect the .mov file in the FCP timeline with the XD CAM "reel""
...so I'm sorry I can't provide a good answer. You may want to start a new thread if you can't find the answer elsewhere.
I have a feeling that the .mov file has no link to the original material. The only way to connect the clips is to make sure you are providing a unique name to the "tape". However, since these are usually erased and re-recorded I'm not sure there is much of a reason. (Unless you are shooting XDCam discs. I know you said you were using the EX-1.)
Ed
_________________________________________________
Anything worth doing at all, is worth doing well.
- Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Robert Dexter on Aug 10, 2009 at 8:37:21 am
Actually, clips imported by XDCAM Transfer (or in the Log-and-Transfer window in Final Cut Pro) do contain a lot of information to help reconnect the movie with the original MP4 files (or MXF files) such as the unique identifier for the clip. But most of this information is usually invisible to us, as FCP doesn't display it in the Browser. FCP does take advantage of the info itself e.g. to enable "Batch Capture" to use the L&T window to reimport clips, but you have to make sure to have the "reel" (SxS card or folder copy of it) already added I think.
Anyway, you can see what info is present for yourself by using FCP File > Export > XML. The exported file has tags with names like "com.apple.proapps.reel" and "com.apple.proapps.clipID" etc.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Andy Mees on Aug 8, 2009 at 3:28:05 am
Ahh well, if were reactivating old threads ...
Its worth noting that as of the latest version of Sony's XDCAM Transfer app (now at v2.10.0) one can now (properly) name subclips whilst logging and transferring to FCP with that app. Goodness knows why it took them so long to implement this seemingly simple function, but whatever the reason it is done now.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Andy Mees on Nov 5, 2009 at 4:55:32 am
Indeed. Bizarrely they let you log in the transfer app but then don't carry that logging info into FCP ... one sometimes wonders what planet the Sony Mac app devs live on.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Robert Dexter on Nov 5, 2009 at 9:21:52 am
So, just to be clear, you can rename subclips in XDCAM Transfer 2.10.0. Just double-click on the Name ("Subclip 1") and change it, then use the "For subclips add subclip name" checkbox on the Import tab in Preferences, to get it into FCP.
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Wayne Carey on Nov 5, 2009 at 2:18:10 pm
Thank you, Robert!
I've been waiting for that feature for years. Sometimes we get so wrapped up into working that we overlook new features that aren't listed or posted anywhere. This has been one of those wishes that I had since the first inception of the program.
_______________________________
Wayne Carey
Schazam Productions
http://web.mac.com/schazamproductions
schazamproductions@mac.com
Re: XDCam Transfer- logging by Jason Brown on Nov 5, 2009 at 6:42:52 pm
Hey Guys,
Great dialogue...as a future owner of a PDW-700, I wanted to get involved in the conversation of workflow and make sure I'm using the XDCAM technology correctly.
