XDCAM EX QuickTime not viewable in Premiere

I believe it has something to do with the Codec that I am outputting: XDCAM EX which conforms to my clips native settings.

And you'd be right. The XDCAM EX Quicktime codec is only viewable on Macs that have FCP installed. Unless you buy a third party decoder...

http://www.calibratedsoftware.com/QXD.asp

My material is shot on a JVC GY-HM700 with QT selected which utilizes XDCAM EX compressor/codec. I don't want to transcode, because that would defeat the JVC workflow (insert SDHC card; drag and drop files to HDD; edit).

That is the JVC>FCP workflow. The workflow for shooting into a native format that works with FINAL CUT PRO...no mention of PREMIERE on their website for the camera:

http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL101851

The camera was designed to shoot into a native QT format that FCP reads. Machines without FCP, cannot view those files. So if you bought that camera to work with Premiere...bad choice. Unless you record to the compressed structure that is native to the camera...then Premire might be able to work with it.

1. Would ProRes be a better output setting for Adobe Premiere users?

Yes...as long as the editors there are running QT 7.6 and Premiere CS3 or later. Although CS5 I hear handles prores better.

2. Any advice on working with XDCAM EX footage in FCP?

Well, if shot with that camera in the FCP QT native format, then drag and drop the files from the camera to an archive drive, and then copy them again to the media drive. If recorded into the card structure, NON-QT format, then use Log and Transfer...just make sure to install the SOny Log and Transfer plugin.

Shane