XDCAM Editing Sofware: need help at DVinfo.net

William Griffin · March 18th, 2009, 10:05 PM

Hello all...

I was wondering if any of you out there that do XDCAM EX editing....could recommend a good low cost ($300.00 to $700.00) program that would support the XDCAM files?

I just got a Sony Vaio laptop, that has Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHZ) Centrino 2 processor with 4GB of ram, 250 gig HD (5400rpm). I just want something in case I get a client that wants me to do some lite editing....and I have experience with the AVID News Cutter program...so I do know a little about computer editing.

thanks

Vaughan Wood · March 18th, 2009, 10:36 PM

Try Edius 5. Excellent realtime editor.

Will do anything you want it to, drag the EX files from the Sony Clip Browser straight into the bin, then drag them onto the timeline. Edit! Simple!

Excellent forum at grassvalley for assistance.

Download the trial and see how you go.

Cheers

Vaughan Wood

James Huenergardt · March 18th, 2009, 10:41 PM

Premiere Pro will do the same thing.

You can import the BPAV folders directly into Premiere and start editing immediately with no trans coding/re wrapping.

I've edited stuff on my MacBook Pro in Windows with a 2.6 Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of ram.

Serena Steuart · March 19th, 2009, 05:42 AM

As does Vegas Pro 8, naturally.

John Peterson · March 19th, 2009, 05:46 AM

Go take a look at the forums for each of the above mentioned software and look through the posts. Make your determination based upon which seems to have the most helpful and dedicated User Group. That alone will be worth it's weight in gold.

John

Matt San · March 19th, 2009, 07:48 AM

I have some of top the main PC windows based apps:
Edius 5
Prem CS4
Vegas 8.0 pro

i have used them all with my EX1 and although they all work there is one clear winner for me..

EDIUS 5.01 wins hands down - ease of use, speed, functionality
Prem cs4 is 2nd - slower work flow
Vegas is last - EX1 MP4 needs to be rewrapped to MXF and ease of use is IMHO the worst

this is of course my opinion :)

Ted OMalley · March 19th, 2009, 10:41 AM

Interesting...

I've played with Avid a bit (and didn't like it), used Premiere Pro exclusively for quite a while (and fought with it), and finally switched to Vegas in the later days of version 6. Now, I use Vegas 8 exclusively, and prefer it to Premiere Pro hands down.

Vegas 8 does require a re-wrap. However, to edit the files you have to copy them to your drive anyway. The re-wrap costs me only a few seconds on most clips (the error-checking is what adds the time to the data transfer) and I dont' really notice the delay. ClipBrowser Export is how I copy my files over, and if I'm in a big hurry, I use version 1.0 with no error checking and it is really quite fast.

Bill Ravens · March 19th, 2009, 11:52 AM

My own choices are:

First, Avid Media Composer-with v3.5, you can bring BPAV folders straight into the timeline without waiting.
Second, Edius 5
Not even 3rd: I have Vegas but I never use it anymore

Marc Myers · March 19th, 2009, 02:17 PM

Avid also sells Liquid which works really well with MXF footage and sits right in your price-point.

Gerson Becker · March 19th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Willian,
PP doesn´t export to MXF or MP4. So you can´t save in XDCAM discs or SxS cards.
You can edit but can´t save in original format.
Vegas can´t import MP4 from EX-1. And if you re-wrap you change the EX-1 file from 1920x1080 to 1440x1080. But you can export MXF files directly to XDCAM discs.
You need more than one software to do all that you need. At least with a PC.
I don´t use Edius.

Jason Bodnar · March 19th, 2009, 08:18 PM

"Vegas can´t import MP4 from EX-1. And if you re-wrap you change the EX-1 file from 1920x1080 to 1440x1080."

1st part is true for now you must rewrap files to MXF but second part is not.... The very first version of clipbrowser software only exported at 1440x1080 that was back when you could barely get a camera when they first came out over a year ago now... The latest version of clip browser exports full 1920x1080 MXF files for use in Vegas or any other app use it every day without any issues!

William Griffin · March 19th, 2009, 10:10 PM

OK guys...I downloaded the free trial version of Avid Media Composer v3.5...and after a long install, I was able to get it to read my KxK and SXS cards and did some light editing.

BUT as I pulled out the cards...the video disappeared and in its place was "No Media", and if I put the card back....all the video came back...

So what am I doing wrong?

Jason Bodnar · March 20th, 2009, 12:36 AM

You need to copy the footage to your harddrive, creating a scpecific folder to lable and keep your footage in is best. The defualt folder on your cards will always be BPAV so you must create a new folder named whatever you want to help identify your footage and then copy the BPAV folder to it. Once it is on your harddrive you will be fine to edit with... If you try and edit off the cards when you eject a card the footage will go offline... Hope this helps.

John Peterson · March 20th, 2009, 03:52 AM

Avid Media Composer is well over $2000. I thought your price range was $300 to $700?

John

Mark Williams · March 20th, 2009, 06:58 AM

Edius 5 with HDspark card for HDTV monitor viewing all for $899. Used this NLE last weekend on a friends computer. Worked great.

March 18th, 2009, 10:05 PM	#1
William Griffin Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 204	XDCAM Editing Sofware: need help Hello all... I was wondering if any of you out there that do XDCAM EX editing....could recommend a good low cost ($300.00 to $700.00) program that would support the XDCAM files? I just got a Sony Vaio laptop, that has Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHZ) Centrino 2 processor with 4GB of ram, 250 gig HD (5400rpm). I just want something in case I get a client that wants me to do some lite editing....and I have experience with the AVID News Cutter program...so I do know a little about computer editing. thanks __________________ Bill Griffin SONY PXW-X320,PMW-300K2, LiveU LU-500,Sound Devices 552 Mixer,www.Dallascamguy.com

March 18th, 2009, 10:41 PM	#3
James Huenergardt Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chehalis, WA Posts: 513	Premiere Pro will do the same thing. You can import the BPAV folders directly into Premiere and start editing immediately with no trans coding/re wrapping. I've edited stuff on my MacBook Pro in Windows with a 2.6 Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of ram. __________________ Reel Inspirations - www.reelinspirations.com Commercials, Dramas, Image Pieces, Documentaries, Motion Graphics

March 19th, 2009, 10:41 AM	#7
Ted OMalley Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 596	Interesting... I've played with Avid a bit (and didn't like it), used Premiere Pro exclusively for quite a while (and fought with it), and finally switched to Vegas in the later days of version 6. Now, I use Vegas 8 exclusively, and prefer it to Premiere Pro hands down. Vegas 8 does require a re-wrap. However, to edit the files you have to copy them to your drive anyway. The re-wrap costs me only a few seconds on most clips (the error-checking is what adds the time to the data transfer) and I dont' really notice the delay. ClipBrowser Export is how I copy my files over, and if I'm in a big hurry, I use version 1.0 with no error checking and it is really quite fast. __________________ Sony EX3, Vegas 9.0 64bit, Windows 7(64), Core i7, 12GB, RAID1 & 0, HotSwap SATA, 30" LCD(2560x1600)-GTX285 & 24" LCD(1360x768)-7800GT

March 19th, 2009, 06:55 PM	#10
Gerson Becker Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Porto Alegre - Brasil Posts: 63	Willian, PP doesn´t export to MXF or MP4. So you can´t save in XDCAM discs or SxS cards. You can edit but can´t save in original format. Vegas can´t import MP4 from EX-1. And if you re-wrap you change the EX-1 file from 1920x1080 to 1440x1080. But you can export MXF files directly to XDCAM discs. You need more than one software to do all that you need. At least with a PC. I don´t use Edius. __________________ Gérson Becker - Lumiere Produções - Brasil www.lumiere.com.br/cinemadigital

March 19th, 2009, 10:10 PM	#12
William Griffin Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 204	what Am I doing wrong?????? OK guys...I downloaded the free trial version of Avid Media Composer v3.5...and after a long install, I was able to get it to read my KxK and SXS cards and did some light editing. BUT as I pulled out the cards...the video disappeared and in its place was "No Media", and if I put the card back....all the video came back... So what am I doing wrong? __________________ Bill Griffin SONY PXW-X320,PMW-300K2, LiveU LU-500,Sound Devices 552 Mixer,www.Dallascamguy.com

March 18th, 2009, 10:36 PM	#2
Vaughan Wood Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 278	Try Edius 5. Excellent realtime editor. Will do anything you want it to, drag the EX files from the Sony Clip Browser straight into the bin, then drag them onto the timeline. Edit! Simple! Excellent forum at grassvalley for assistance. Download the trial and see how you go. Cheers Vaughan Wood

March 19th, 2009, 05:42 AM	#4
Serena Steuart Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Studio Alnitak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Posts: 640 Images: 3	As does Vegas Pro 8, naturally.

March 19th, 2009, 05:46 AM	#5
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	Go take a look at the forums for each of the above mentioned software and look through the posts. Make your determination based upon which seems to have the most helpful and dedicated User Group. That alone will be worth it's weight in gold. John

March 19th, 2009, 07:48 AM	#6
Matt San Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wales UK Posts: 121	I have some of top the main PC windows based apps: Edius 5 Prem CS4 Vegas 8.0 pro i have used them all with my EX1 and although they all work there is one clear winner for me.. EDIUS 5.01 wins hands down - ease of use, speed, functionality Prem cs4 is 2nd - slower work flow Vegas is last - EX1 MP4 needs to be rewrapped to MXF and ease of use is IMHO the worst this is of course my opinion :)

March 19th, 2009, 11:52 AM	#8
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	My own choices are: First, Avid Media Composer-with v3.5, you can bring BPAV folders straight into the timeline without waiting. Second, Edius 5 Not even 3rd: I have Vegas but I never use it anymore

March 19th, 2009, 02:17 PM	#9
Marc Myers Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Long Island, NY and Northeast PA Posts: 132	Avid also sells Liquid which works really well with MXF footage and sits right in your price-point.

March 19th, 2009, 08:18 PM	#11
Jason Bodnar Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 376	"Vegas can´t import MP4 from EX-1. And if you re-wrap you change the EX-1 file from 1920x1080 to 1440x1080." 1st part is true for now you must rewrap files to MXF but second part is not.... The very first version of clipbrowser software only exported at 1440x1080 that was back when you could barely get a camera when they first came out over a year ago now... The latest version of clip browser exports full 1920x1080 MXF files for use in Vegas or any other app use it every day without any issues!

March 20th, 2009, 12:36 AM	#13
Jason Bodnar Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 376	You need to copy the footage to your harddrive, creating a scpecific folder to lable and keep your footage in is best. The defualt folder on your cards will always be BPAV so you must create a new folder named whatever you want to help identify your footage and then copy the BPAV folder to it. Once it is on your harddrive you will be fine to edit with... If you try and edit off the cards when you eject a card the footage will go offline... Hope this helps.

March 20th, 2009, 03:52 AM	#14
John Peterson Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Monroe, NY Posts: 703	Avid Media Composer is well over $2000. I thought your price range was $300 to $700? John

March 20th, 2009, 06:58 AM	#15
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Edius 5 with HDspark card for HDTV monitor viewing all for $899. Used this NLE last weekend on a friends computer. Worked great. __________________ Mark videos: http://vimeo.com/channels/3523 Stock: http://www.pond5.com/artist/mark29