Ok, sorry to post this as I am sure it has been discussed, but after using the search feature on this forum and googling, I still can't figure out what I am doing wrong. I just got my XF 300... shot some footage. I need to transfer the footage (the files) to my mac for use in FCP. At this point, I do not want to import into FCP, I simply want to get the footage on my computer to import at a later date into FCP for a project down the road. I have installed the XF utility from the CD that came with the camera. So far I have tried many things, such as opening the files in the XF utility, selecting them and dragging them to my hard drive. I have also tried creating virtual media and importing them to my computer that way... no mater how I do it, FCP will not import (log and transfer) the files from my hard drive and into a project... I always get an error message about having unsupported media. The only way I have successfully imported into FCP is to "Log and Transfer" directly from my CF card via FCP and into a project. This is fine, however I don't want to start the project yet, I just want the video footage off of the CF card so I can erase the card for more shooting. Question 2: If I do simply log and transfer directly into FCP from the CF card, where does the video reside? I simply want to get the video on my computer to be able to import later into FCP... I am coming from the DV tape world of the XH A1, so I am lost! There is something I am not getting with all of this lol. Thanks.

You need to retain the CF card folder structure when you copy your footage.

I just drag the 'contents' folder (and thus all the sub-folders) into a folder on my hard drive. Final Cut sees it fine when I log&transfer.

One CF card per folder; don't rename anything from the CF card.

Haven't actually checked to see if I've lost any frames on spanned cards but it seems close enough.

I suppose making a disk image of your CF card would be even safer.

Thanks for your help...

Is there a way to look at the XMF files directly?

I'm using FCPX, so I can't see them with that. I can convert them using Foxreal Video Converter, but that would take all day, literally.

I have VLC, which will show the video, but I guess the files are too large or the bit rate too high, but on my Macbook Pro, I can't hear the audio. The video runs, but the audio doesn't.

I need to be able to view the files to see which ones are worthwhile to convert (using Foxreal). I'm sitting here with a couple of hundred files that I need to review.

Any help would be appreciated.

Is there a way to look at the XMF files directly?


Yes, use XF Utility that came with your camera. It is really useful for backing up, etc., but one of the things it will do is play clips, whether directly from the compact flash card or from the backup on your computer.

The utility sounds like your best bet.

Still Confused... XMF files to computer?

It is .MXF not .XMF!!!!

Rajiv

I'll try again. I've had the 105 for several months and have not yet been able to get "the utility" to do anything.

I have to open each contents folder, open each sub folder, find each XMF file, copy it to another folder, do this 100 times, then convert each of those files before I can view the video. That'll eat up an entire day.

Honestly, it's just not worth the hassle. Nice camera, but the workflow is impossible.

... but one of the things it will do is play clips, whether directly from the compact flash card or from the backup on your computer.

How?

I've had the Utility import the files/footage to a place on one of my 4tb Media discs. When I then refirer-up the Canon Utiliy how do I drill down to view that folder? In my Win7 explorer my clips and structure are still in place. But I've crawled over the Utility and can't find a way to do it. During the import and review stage I see the clips in the Utility, but afterwards, no. I'll except I'm doing something wrong but what that maybe I haven't a clue!

Regards

Graham

Graham, are you sure you are running the latest version of the Canon XF Utility? Your problem sounds a lot like what I complained about in my XF305/300 training DVD when the camera first came out. Canon didn't even have a clue about how messed up the workflow was until I brought it to their attention. I don't own my XF305 anymore, but I think the problem has been fixed.

Vortex Media: VIDEO & PHOTO Tools and Training (http://www.vortexmedia.com/CANONXF.html)

Make sure you are running the latest version and see what happens.

You need Ver.1.1 of the canon xf utility. It works fine for me. I dont even use the canon utility that much, I work with Avid MC & link to the clips & after looking at them I consolidate them to my Media drive. I believe FCP allows the same workflow? Doug's tutorials are well worth the time & money. They made the transition to my Canon XF100 much easier for me.

Just got a call from Rob Turchick with instructions on how to use FCP7 Log and Transfer function.

Works great.

Thanks, Rob!

Tom, just don't neglect to adequately archive your original MXF files. Those are your negatives. You may regret it someday if all you have is converted MOV files.

No problem Tom! Since I recommended the camera so strongly, i wanted to make sure you have an all around great experience with it. And thanks for the reminder Doug, not sure I stressed that point.

And btw Doug, just received your xf300/305 DVD and set of warm balance cards! After two years of using the 300, wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything! Been getting great results but theres always room for improvement!

Make sure you are running the latest version and see what happens.

I am now and this workflow for viewing is completey opaque to me.

What's virtual media? Why do I need to make folder for this? What's the difference between a Backup and Virtual? Where can I find a step by tutorial. I've read the PDF file, but that just states WHAT things are, not HOW do I use them and the steps.

I've got 3 places where I've successfully backed up my footage. Now, in all that is Hollywood how to do I view them through this wretched utility?

Starting to believe that this software wad designed by the same guy that designed the selection switch.

Like others, I'm viewing myrtle through my NLEs Media manager.

Oh here's a novel thought: How do I name my clips? Or this that another leap into the realms of Vulcan logic?

Loving the camera....

Cheers

Grazie

Graham,

I wish I could answer those questions in a couple of sentences, but the answers are too complicated for that. That's why I have a 3-hour DVD. Mastering the Canon XF305/300 Camcorders training DVD (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_XF305.html)

Sorry of it sounds like I'm just plugging my own product, but really, if you haven't even figured out how to name clips, then I can guarantee you that there are DOZENS of things about your camera that you don't fully understand. And most of them are too complicated to adequately discuss here.

Well, I'll take a stab. I have the XF Utility v. 1.1 installed. I then put the CF card from the camera in a card reader and open the software. In the Utility, Canon XF shows up in the left pane of the Utility. It's an iTunes-like interface - choose something in the far left pane to control what shows in the main pane.

With the card selected at the left, the main pane shows three things. The top shows clips on the card (in a choice of views), the middle previews the selected clip, and the bottom has playback controls and other options. Here's a screen shot with the Canon XF selected at left, and one of the clips in the main pane is selected:

http://tams.net/XFUtil.jpg

From this window, I can play back any clip, whether it's still on the card, or backed up to my computer. I just highlight the one I want and click the play button. And there are separate windows you can open that show all the metadata for the selected clip. I didn't include those in the screen shot.

Now, this is the part I'm not sure about, but I think if you choose to do a Backup, that copies the entire contents of the card to the location you specify on your computer. Alternatively, you can choose to create a Virtual Media item and drag just selected clips there. Again, to me it's like creating a playlist in iTunes - I just create a Virtual Media, name it, and drag the clips from the main pane to the name of the Virtual Media in the left pane, and they are copied there. And, the Utility requires that in its Preferences, you designate the location of the backup folder on your computer, so it can find what to display here.

Once I've done this, in Final Cut Pro 7, I just open Log and Transfer, point it to the backup folder, and it just sees all the files and I can import from there. It even sees the Virtual Media items the same as the card or a full backup. I use Doug's advice to NOT convert to Prores, I just set L&T to leave the files native. It doesn't convert them, but just re-wraps them as XDCAM HD422 .mov files - which is what they really are anyway, I think. These are native quality, FCP handles them easily, and the files take up half the space of files converted to Prores. I just drop one in a new Sequence, and when asked, allow FCP to set the Sequence settings to match the clip so there is no rendering needed.

Now, FCP X is a different matter. I don't have that yet, but will be getting it soon. My understanding is that the files on the card and in the Utility backup are not recognized by FCP X and they must be converted or rewrapped some way.

This thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xf-series-hd-camcorders/497569-canon-xf100-fcpx-recognition-issue.html

...discusses the problem, and offers solutions like conversion software and even a free utility to do the rewrapping. However, in testing this, the free utility doesn't seem to recognize XF Utility Virtual Media items. I think we decided that it only works on full backups (or, I assume, on the original card itself). For a time, I may just leave FCP 7 on my system, use it to L&T, then just drag those .mov files from the Capture Scratch folder into the FCP X "Event" which I believe will work. This is one extra step, but a simple one, and it allows me to retain the great feature of FCP's L&T which lets you set in/out points and only import the part of a clip you need.

PLEASE, others chime in with corrections/additions/improvements to this. If you don't use Final Cut Pro, the stuff about the XF Utility should be the same, but I have no idea what to tell you on the workflow/import stuff. It's really not as complicated as this makes it sound. It takes longer to explain than to just do it. And buy Doug's DVDs - even if you are good enough to figure out every detail of the camera like he did, who has the time?

. . but really, if you haven't even figured out how to name clips, then I can guarantee you that there are DOZENS of things about your camera that you don't fully understand.

Ouch!

Thanks for all the emails I've received today regarding not just my own disquiet on this subject.

David, it sounds like I need to HAVE the CF card still inserted to drag these to one of the "Named" Virtuals. Without the card inserted how do I drag the clips?

David I'll follow your instructions further. Today I was BETA testing some upcoming NLE and FXs, been doing this for five years. But this "Utility" ( utility . . ) is fascinating.

Oh! I've seen some great Canon "How To's" regarding setups, WB, sharing profiles, button determination and so on.

Regards

Grazie

Ouch!

David, it sounds like I need to HAVE the CF card still inserted to drag these to one of the "Named" Virtuals. Without the card inserted how do I drag the clips?

Oh! I've seen some great Canon "How To's" regarding setups, WB, sharing profiles, button determination and so on.

Regards

Grazie

Right - until you've moved the clips to your computer, either through a full backup or by dragging clips into a Virtual Media item you've created, they are not yet ON your computer, so to access them you'll have to have the card in the reader. And, again, you don't have to even use the Virtual Media option at all.

And on the setups, etc., do you mean things you found here or elsewhere on the web, or in private emails you were sent? Please share some of these here when you get the chance.

With most camcorders or DSLRs, the software that comes with the camera is usually so limited as to be useless, especially for Mac users who already have iPhoto and iMovie. I assumed this was the same way, and didn't even install the Utility. But after seeing Doug's video, it looked like it was pretty useful, perhaps even *necessary* for an easy workflow. So it's been very helpful for me - I assume that at some point Canon will update it for FCP X.

Tom, just don't neglect to adequately archive your original MXF files. Those are your negatives. You may regret it someday if all you have is converted MOV files.

Thanks, Doug. Good info.

Now, what's the best way to archive these files? I'm sure this has been discussed here. I'm sitting here, looking at 15 external hard drives holding video. Now I realize that hard drives are not a reliable way to store this data. (Haven't had the drive failure yet -- well not one I couldn't recover from -- but I'm told they are not reliable.)

Raid array is your best bet. I use a pair of 8tb Promise raids that I think are raid 5 configured. Each raid has four 2TB drives. The setup monitors the drives and let's you know if one is failing. All you have to do is pull that drive, replace it with a new one and it rebuilds the data. There are larger systems that do the same thing but very expensive. Essentially, data is not safe unless its in two separate places. Tape drives are another alternative but expensive and slow.

Log & Transfer in FCP did a great job for us of letting us skim through the clips mark in & out points & just import what is required. Now we are moving to Premiere Pro we are struggling to find some equivalent. It looks like the XF Utility may go some of the way. I had been using Terminal commands to drill down into the cards & copy the MXF files to a single folder but it looks like the XF Utility has a function to export MXF files to a folder.

Right, I think I've got this Utility nailed.

It's been a question of definitions:-

A] A Backup is simply that. A backup.

B] Virtual Media is a folder I can name.

My workflow:-

1 - Name a place for my backups and do it by export media

2 - Create a Virtual Media folder and copy FROM the CF card in the utility's upper window TO the empty Virtual Media folder window

So, I can make a backup and then go on to make a NAMED (editable name) folder, and those folders are defined as virtual media folders.

Well, I'll persevere with this just so I can have an alternative exo my NLE's Media Manager.

Grazie

Hi Everyone,
My XF300 came in on Friday & love it in all ways so far. Two possible exceptions are the sharpness of the teleconverter and usefulness of the remote. It has the EFV cap as standard, put a lanyard on it.

The Canon Utility disc reads Ver 2.0. I'd given up on trying to use this utility when I tested the XF100, so thought I'd give it another go. Page 13 & 24 of the instructions have a clear workflow on how to download & use the utility. Success. I was able to put a test shoot on an external drive and read them in the utility. Then my computer froze on just about every clip. May be not enough Ram.

Played all clips, about 17 minutes in total through PP 5.5. Perfect, with no computer freeze.

Ran the same clips through the Sony Viewer (thanks Chris H.) and it worked fine, but with one freeze. Look back on this forum for the link to the Sony Viewer.

Did a much longer shoot today and this worked fine:
1. Drag files to external HD directly from the card, just like the .mov files from my 7D.
2. Opened Sony Viewer
3. Watched each clip & noted the deletes. Not a single freeze until I messed with some of the settings.
4. Backed up the good clips on another external HD.

Simple is good.

There may be metadata lost or other downside issues that I'm not aware of, but so far so good & I hope this helps.

Regards,
Doug.

So to recap, Doug, you've installed ver2.0 of the Canon Utility and have used it to import clips onto an external hard drive. But you are now using the Sony Utility to read/play the files? Yes?

Grazie

OK .. .

I can create a Backup - useful.

I can create a Virtual Media option and name it and drag/paste clips into it - useful too.

But here's the thing: doing this doubles up the hard drive usage: Media in Backup and Media in the Virtual. I don't have an issue with this, but I was under the impression that Media once backed-up "formed" the basis of the Virtual - nuh-uh!

So, my Virtual is not so Virtual, it is REAL clips.

OK . . .

Naming a piece of footage for future reference. How about "Clip Name"? - Nuh-uh . . . It is "Clip Title" that you get to change. and here's the OTHER thing:-

I can EITHER

A] decide to at base type out a "Memo Profile" and save to the SD card, where I'm told that would be the info the Canon XF Utility would then use . . (on import?) . .

OR:-

B] Decide to do this once back at base, post shoot.

Having setup a "Memo Profile" AFTER the Event, how do I now flood the information into the Clip Columns? Without the need to Copy/Paste, presently I'm at a loss on how to do so.

I've tried the Load Memo, but this just stares back at me with my typing in place.

What a palaver . . .

TIA

Grazie

Oh yes, and here's the payoff: None of the field information I've painstakingly added appears in MS Explorer nor my VegasPro.

Happy Days!

Grazie

Doug-
Glad to here you got a camera..........

Jim Martin
Filmtools.com

Hi Jim & Graham,

Jim, thanks for your help on the phone. I will definitely work with you in the future. Found one and just had to jump on it.

Graham, the workaround discussed above does not use the Canon Utility at all. I found it too complicated. There may be a downside that I can't see, but the upside is speed and simplicity. All I'm using the Sony Viewer for is to look for junk clips prior to saving on a second external drive. PP5.5 can take it from there.

Regards,
Doug.

The Canon Utility disc reads Ver 2.0.I am guessing that this means version 2 of the disk as the latest version of the XF Utility itself that is available for download is 1.1

OK, with the release of the FCP X 10.0.1 update and free trial today, I've downloaded it and am experimenting. I had hoped that files imported into FCP7 as native XDCAM422 would also import into FCP X, but I can't get it to work. I guess I'm going to have to import as ProRes and use those - they work fine.

And, this was also announced:

Camera Import SDK: Camera manufacturers can use the Camera Import SDK to write plug-ins for importing media from a wide range of cameras. For example, Sony is updating their XDCAM EX plug-in to support native import directly into Final Cut Pro X.

Maybe this will get Canon on the ball. Or will that Sony thing work for us too?

I'd like to see Sony Vegas Pro import a single complete MXF file. Presently I get something like 11 MXFs per hour.

Grazie

I'd like to see Sony Vegas Pro import a single complete MXF file. Presently I get something like 11 MXFs per hour.

GrazieThat's just the way the camera records it. When recording at 50Mbps the 2GB file size limit is hit at just over 5 minutes of video & a new file is created. The camera therefore produces about 11x2GB MXF files per hour.

That's just the way the camera records it.

Yes, and again, I'd just like SONY VP to do what I want, OR that "utility" to do it for me. it shows me a complete clip, why not go on and show me the finished clip in SONY VP? Bizarre....

Is there another format that produces Multi files that come into Vegas as one?

Grazie

As mentioned by the OP, is anyone else using XF series cameras with FCP X? I've discovered that after downloading the latest FCP X update plus the new codecs, I still cannot import directly from the card. However, files imported as ProRes by FCP7 will import, as will files imported by FCP7 as native XDCAM 422 as recommended by Doug Jensen in the Vortex training DVD set.

I still need to try this again in the hopes of taking FCP 7 totally out of the picture:

XfcpX – From Canon XF100 to FCPX – a working flow! – PikaBlog'en - Fotograf Rune Espensen (http://pika.dk/?p=406)