What software for Canon MXF editing? at DVinfo.net

Michele Sauer · May 9th, 2011, 05:09 AM

Hi Chris
I am seeking some advice. Have just purchased XF300 and 2 x 64 CF cards. I need to update my computer and software to suit this camera but am at a bit of a loss. I have been using XM2 Canon and each year down load 7 x 90min films into Avid Liquid to create school year in review film.
The Adobe forum has been quite scathing of Premier Pro due to memory problems. Dont know if you have seen the comments. I am expecting each event I film to fill at least one maybe two cards then down load them ready for editing at a later point. Can you advise editing software that people are using successfully with the XF 300, without loads of hassles. Final Cut? Edius? Avid? PP? Any advice on editing software and computer requirements that would be most XF300 friendly? Would appreciate a heads up or at least a direction to start looking and talking to people who are having success with editing these files without all the 'tricks' to convert and make them work. Hope this makes sense and someone can help.
Thanks
Michele

Robin Davies-Rollinson · May 9th, 2011, 08:23 AM

Michele,
I import the mxf files from my XF300 via the Canon Utility software into Sony Vegas Pro 10 and edit straight away with no problems. My PC is not the fastest (quad core) but it handles everything I throw at it, although I'd dearly love to upgrade to an i7 machine.

Pete Bauer · May 9th, 2011, 08:24 AM

Michele,

Welcome to DVinfo.net. I thought your question was worthy of its own thread so moved it from the old "sticky thread."

There is a memory leak bug in CS5 that Adobe assessed and decided was too deep in the code to patch, but is fixed in the current version, PPro CS5.5.

I only just started working with MXF so my experience is limited, but I did not notice this problem anyway. As best I can tell, it only became an issue for projects with hours worth of MXF files, and there was a work-around.

In any case, the new Adobe CS5.5 suites are the current software and tremendously feature-rich so I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Michele Sauer · May 10th, 2011, 04:51 AM

Thanks for the replies. Do you think Prem Pro CS5.5 still has issues if it was working on hours film to edit?
I will also look into Sony Vegas. I really appreciate your comments. I love doing the filming and editing, but I put it together in a week and half at a really busy time of year, so I know I need to have the software and system right before I start.
Thanks
Michele

Antony Michael Wilson · May 10th, 2011, 06:05 AM

We're using Avid Media Composer v5 with XF material with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

Pete Bauer · May 10th, 2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Sauer

Do you think Prem Pro CS5.5 still has issues if it was working on hours film to edit?

No, the bug doesn't exist in CS5.5; it'll work very nicely.

Robert Turchick · May 10th, 2011, 08:53 AM

Well, here's a vote for FCP. Been very good at handling the MXF files through the L&T feature. I used to transcode to Pro Res but have started leaving the transfer setting at native which keeps the files significantly smaller. If you are interested in FCP, I'd wait til June for the new update as it's SO much cheaper and will finally take advantage of the 64 bit OS.

Nigel Barker · May 10th, 2011, 10:14 AM

+1 for FCP & since I started using Log & Transfer for ingesting the MXF files I have become a convert. I always used to use MPEG Streamclip to convert 5DII H.264 .MOV files to ProRes but using the Canon plugin for FCP that allows you to use L&T is much better. It gives you a chance to review the footage mark in & out points & only convert to ProRes those portions of the clips that you are really interested in for your project instead of blindly converting every last second on the Compact Flash card.

Robin Davies-Rollinson · May 10th, 2011, 11:22 AM

That Log & Transfer facility sounds to be a very good thing.
Excellent that you only need to transfer the section that you want.
I'm jealous!

Sam Young · May 11th, 2011, 08:02 AM

I too love the Log & Transfer plugin, it converts (or rewraps) the footage natively into .mov quickly, and throws it all into capture scratch with just the .mov files, none of the file structure stuff associated with the original mxf files straight from the camera.

I love the workflow!, it is almost as fast as my old JVC HM100.

Steve Maller · May 11th, 2011, 11:13 AM

Apropos the questions about file metadata being lost from L&T, the only thing I usually care about in the metadata is the date and time the clip was shot. FCP lets me rename the clips on ingest to a format like this: 2011-05-11_08-20-20.mov, which settles that issue once and for all. ;-)

Shufiyan Shukur · May 21st, 2011, 07:11 AM

I use both FCP and Edius 6.0 I think Edius 6.0 on a Quad Core i7 is really fast for encoding to .avi and then to mp4 for upload to our web video site. But I am having to go through folders to put in .mxf files into the Bin. How do I achieve a workflow where this is not needed? i.e. straight from the card and into the Bin of Edius 6.0?

Trond Saetre · May 25th, 2011, 02:14 PM

Michele, I recently did the same camera upgrade as you. From XM2 to XF300.
I'm using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 for editing. And since CS3 doesn't handle the native MXF files, I use Cineform Neo to convert the MXF files into AVI. Works very well for me.

Larry Hatteberg · May 25th, 2011, 02:23 PM

Similar to what Antony posted above:
We're using Avid 5.3 to edit and it is wonderful. It's easy, the pictures are fantastic. It's easy to upload the files and it simply works!
I work in a TV News environment and when stability is important, I've found the workflow with the Canon XF305 to be exceptional.
I do not use the Canon software, as the metadata that follows isn't as important in a news situation as it would be in a 'production' style edit.
The video comes in through AMA and is then transcoded and the result works every time.

Craig Beckta · May 26th, 2011, 05:16 AM

I am using the newest 27 inch iMac with
a 3.4 Ghz Quad Core i7 processor.

With Adobe Premiere CS 5.5.

Premiere CS 5.5 allows you to import the video
files in their native format.

Much better than the CS 5 version.

It allows me to work much quicker and the
video is very high quality with tons of export
options.

I am more comfortable working in Adobe
Premiere than Final Cut, it just seems easier
to do Chroma Key and audio.

Although I am curious about the upcoming
release of Final Cut Pro X.

May 9th, 2011, 05:09 AM	#1
Michele Sauer Tourist Join Date: May 2011 Location: QLD Australia Posts: 3	What software for Canon MXF editing? Hi Chris I am seeking some advice. Have just purchased XF300 and 2 x 64 CF cards. I need to update my computer and software to suit this camera but am at a bit of a loss. I have been using XM2 Canon and each year down load 7 x 90min films into Avid Liquid to create school year in review film. The Adobe forum has been quite scathing of Premier Pro due to memory problems. Dont know if you have seen the comments. I am expecting each event I film to fill at least one maybe two cards then down load them ready for editing at a later point. Can you advise editing software that people are using successfully with the XF 300, without loads of hassles. Final Cut? Edius? Avid? PP? Any advice on editing software and computer requirements that would be most XF300 friendly? Would appreciate a heads up or at least a direction to start looking and talking to people who are having success with editing these files without all the 'tricks' to convert and make them work. Hope this makes sense and someone can help. Thanks Michele

May 9th, 2011, 08:23 AM	#2
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Re: Canon Digital Learning Center's pages on the XF Series Michele, I import the mxf files from my XF300 via the Canon Utility software into Sony Vegas Pro 10 and edit straight away with no problems. My PC is not the fastest (quad core) but it handles everything I throw at it, although I'd dearly love to upgrade to an i7 machine. __________________ TV Director / Cameraman

May 9th, 2011, 08:24 AM	#3
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Michele, Welcome to DVinfo.net. I thought your question was worthy of its own thread so moved it from the old "sticky thread." There is a memory leak bug in CS5 that Adobe assessed and decided was too deep in the code to patch, but is fixed in the current version, PPro CS5.5. I only just started working with MXF so my experience is limited, but I did not notice this problem anyway. As best I can tell, it only became an issue for projects with hours worth of MXF files, and there was a work-around. In any case, the new Adobe CS5.5 suites are the current software and tremendously feature-rich so I have no hesitation in recommending them. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

May 10th, 2011, 04:51 AM	#4
Michele Sauer Tourist Join Date: May 2011 Location: QLD Australia Posts: 3	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Thanks for the replies. Do you think Prem Pro CS5.5 still has issues if it was working on hours film to edit? I will also look into Sony Vegas. I really appreciate your comments. I love doing the filming and editing, but I put it together in a week and half at a really busy time of year, so I know I need to have the software and system right before I start. Thanks Michele

May 10th, 2011, 06:05 AM	#5
Antony Michael Wilson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 343	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? We're using Avid Media Composer v5 with XF material with absolutely no problems whatsoever.

May 10th, 2011, 08:53 AM	#7
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Well, here's a vote for FCP. Been very good at handling the MXF files through the L&T feature. I used to transcode to Pro Res but have started leaving the transfer setting at native which keeps the files significantly smaller. If you are interested in FCP, I'd wait til June for the new update as it's SO much cheaper and will finally take advantage of the 64 bit OS. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

May 10th, 2011, 10:14 AM	#8
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? +1 for FCP & since I started using Log & Transfer for ingesting the MXF files I have become a convert. I always used to use MPEG Streamclip to convert 5DII H.264 .MOV files to ProRes but using the Canon plugin for FCP that allows you to use L&T is much better. It gives you a chance to review the footage mark in & out points & only convert to ProRes those portions of the clips that you are really interested in for your project instead of blindly converting every last second on the Compact Flash card.

May 10th, 2011, 11:22 AM	#9
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? That Log & Transfer facility sounds to be a very good thing. Excellent that you only need to transfer the section that you want. I'm jealous! __________________ TV Director / Cameraman

May 11th, 2011, 08:02 AM	#10
Sam Young Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas/Hong Kong Posts: 154	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? I too love the Log & Transfer plugin, it converts (or rewraps) the footage natively into .mov quickly, and throws it all into capture scratch with just the .mov files, none of the file structure stuff associated with the original mxf files straight from the camera. I love the workflow!, it is almost as fast as my old JVC HM100.

May 11th, 2011, 11:13 AM	#11
Steve Maller Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Burlingame, CA USA Posts: 285	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Apropos the questions about file metadata being lost from L&T, the only thing I usually care about in the metadata is the date and time the clip was shot. FCP lets me rename the clips on ingest to a format like this: 2011-05-11_08-20-20.mov, which settles that issue once and for all. ;-) __________________ me@facebook: http://facebook.com/stevemallerphotography

May 21st, 2011, 07:11 AM	#12
Shufiyan Shukur Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Malaysia Posts: 91	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? I use both FCP and Edius 6.0 I think Edius 6.0 on a Quad Core i7 is really fast for encoding to .avi and then to mp4 for upload to our web video site. But I am having to go through folders to put in .mxf files into the Bin. How do I achieve a workflow where this is not needed? i.e. straight from the card and into the Bin of Edius 6.0? __________________ Shuf www.malaysiakini.tv

May 25th, 2011, 02:14 PM	#13
Trond Saetre Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 3,375	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Michele, I recently did the same camera upgrade as you. From XM2 to XF300. I'm using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 for editing. And since CS3 doesn't handle the native MXF files, I use Cineform Neo to convert the MXF files into AVI. Works very well for me.

May 25th, 2011, 02:23 PM	#14
Larry Hatteberg New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 10	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? Similar to what Antony posted above: We're using Avid 5.3 to edit and it is wonderful. It's easy, the pictures are fantastic. It's easy to upload the files and it simply works! I work in a TV News environment and when stability is important, I've found the workflow with the Canon XF305 to be exceptional. I do not use the Canon software, as the metadata that follows isn't as important in a news situation as it would be in a 'production' style edit. The video comes in through AMA and is then transcoded and the result works every time.

May 26th, 2011, 05:16 AM	#15
Craig Beckta Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 30	Re: What software for Canon MXF editing? I am using the newest 27 inch iMac with a 3.4 Ghz Quad Core i7 processor. With Adobe Premiere CS 5.5. Premiere CS 5.5 allows you to import the video files in their native format. Much better than the CS 5 version. It allows me to work much quicker and the video is very high quality with tons of export options. I am more comfortable working in Adobe Premiere than Final Cut, it just seems easier to do Chroma Key and audio. Although I am curious about the upcoming release of Final Cut Pro X.