This looks like an interesting development for all you iPad owners...

VLC Media Player for iPad now available, your video codec worries decidedly lessen -- Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/vlc-media-player-for-ipad-now-available-your-video-codec-worrie/)

Sync still has to happen through iTunes. And it does not support MKV. However, some MXFs might be able to play (with mono sound)

Can someone test this? are MXFs playable on VLC for iPad?

I am not able to get any MXF files to transfer to the iPad. I tried 1920x1080 30P 50Mps files from a Canon XF305 and a Sony F800. Those are the only kind of MXF files I have laying around.

On the other hand, MP4 raw footage files from an XDCAM EX camcorder and MOV files that have have been converted with XDCAM Transfer will transfer but won't play correctly. The iPad gives the following message:

"Your iPad is probably too slow to play this movie correctly. Try anyway?"

If I answer "yes", I can see the first frame and hear the audio, but otherwise the video does not play.

Obvioulsy, XDCAM EX files are way too big to store on an iPad even if they could play, but I thought I'd give it try anyway. I hope that info helps someone.