Download from Sony HDR-XR150 to MacBook Pro to edit in FCE 4

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Level 1

8 points

Download from Sony HDR-XR150 to MacBook Pro to edit in FCE 4

I have recently purchased a Sony HDR_XR150 Camcorder. I recorded many takes (clips) on my recent holiday. Now I would like to download my clips (or transfer the whole hard drive) on to my MacBook Pro so that I can edit them in Final Cut Express 4. I have tried to use my USB cable without any success. Can anyone please help how I can download my clips? Can I use the USB cable provided or do I have to get another cable (USB- Wi Fi) so that they download automatically? That is what I had to do previously with my SONY DCR-HC40E.

Thanks for any help

Belatamas

MacBook pro, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Oct 4, 2010 4:49 PM

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Answer 1

skalicki

Level 5

4,456 points

Oct 4, 2010 6:30 PM in response to Belatamas

What are the full specifications of your footage? What do you have the Easy Setup preset set to in FCE? What exactly happens when you connect via USB and open the Log and Transfer window?

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Answer 2

Belatamas Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 4, 2010 9:26 PM in response to skalicki

Hi Scalicki

I did not know before your response that there was a Log and Transfer (LT). I do now. I am relatively new to FCE4 and MacBook. Previously I used Windows and Premier Elements 7. I am still struggling with the transition but I will get there, with some help.

When I connected my Camcorder (CC) and opened the LT the screen showed all my 1009clips. I still do not know how to import/transfer them to my hard drive into a specific location but I can see my clips. I was thinking of importing all my clips and divide them into projects when I am editing. If you have other suggestions I am happy to hear them.

I have 640 GB of which 540 is available to me.

In the LT window, under Name I have Clip#1 (to Clip#1009). Under Volume I have ‘No Name’ . Under Media Start I have 00:00:00:0

I do not know where or how can I check on the full specification of my ‘footage’. If you could let me know I would very much appreciate it.

My Easy Setup settings are:

Use this Easy setup when working with DV Pal source material using FireWire for input /output and video with device Control set to FireWire.

Sequence Preset: DV Pal 48kHz
Capture Preset: DV Pal 48 kHz
Device Control Preset: FireWire Pal
Playback Output Video: Apple FireWire
Playback Output audio: FireWire DV
PTV Output Video: Same as Playback
PTV Output: Same as Playback

Many thanks for all your help

Belatamas

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Answer 3

Belatamas Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:14 AM in response to skalicki

Hi Skalicki

Further to my previous response, I am still having some problems with importing/downloading my clips. Could you please list the steps that I should follow? And once they are downloaded, how can I access them in FCE4?

Thanks for your help

Belatamas

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Answer 4

skalicki

Level 5

4,456 points

Oct 5, 2010 9:47 AM in response to Belatamas

You will only be able to ingest the footage if you shot in the camera's AVCHD recording mode. Set your Easy Setup to either the +AVCHD Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i60+ or the +AVCHD Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60+ one - pick the preset that matches the frame size of your footage.

Make sure you have your audio settings in the Log and Transfer window (from the gear icon in the upper right) set to Plain Stereo. Search the FCE User Manual for more information on the Log and Transfer process.

Sasha

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Answer 5

Belatamas Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 10, 2010 7:26 PM in response to skalicki

Hi Sasha

Thanks for your help. I did manage to get all my clips (1009) onto the hard drive. I have edited some in a new project and it seems to be working. One of the disadvantages that I have is that it takes some time for FCE 4 to start. It seems to bring in all my clips.

Sasha, I have already two books on FCE 4, one by Diana Weynand (final cut express 4 Movie Making for everyone) and by Lisa Brenneis (Visual Quickstart Guide) but what I dearly like to have is a printed version of the manual that comes with the software, or its equivalent. Do you know if there is one?

Thanks for all your help. You solved my original problem.

Belatamas

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Answer 6

skalicki

Level 5

4,456 points

Oct 12, 2010 3:11 PM in response to Belatamas

You can always print the one located under the help menu within FCE. However, since it's over 1000 pages for both your and the environment's sake it might be easier to just search the PDF on your computer when you need to!

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Answer 7

Dec 8, 2010 2:09 AM in response to skalicki

Guys...I am so happy I found this topic...
I do have exactly the same problem, Same camera, Same Final Cut Express 4, Same basic experience but I did not manage...
I tried all the options in the Easy set-up menu,
I tried to change the audio options from the gear into "Plain Stereo"

NOTHING! NOTHING TO DO!

Every time I click on "Add clip to queue" in the LT menu I get a "!" in the "Status" saying "Error: no data"...

Could you help me?

Thank you in advance

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,889 points

Dec 8, 2010 3:48 AM in response to Potanogiollo

Do you have Perian installed? Is there mixed media on your recording? What are the specs of your media? What computer? What drives? How are they formatted? How's everything connected?

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Answer 9

Dec 8, 2010 7:51 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

ok.....
i have perian installed
mixed media? do you mean if I recorded with different types of modalities? (yes sometimes in HDFX, sometimes in HD FH, HDHQ and HDLP) but don't know what they are...when i chose HDFX it says on the camera screen: cannot dub HD movies that have been filmed on HDFX to an AVCHD disk...if this is of any help)
how can I see the specs of my media? however if I right click on them with a windows pc it says: Video AVCHD (.MTS), if I transfer them on MACBOOK pro (mac os X - 10.6.3) they are saved as .CPI (but there is no way to open them)
I connect my camera with a USB...
I have no idea about how they are formatted but with a little help I can make it as well...

Thank you very much tom for helping me out.....
I bought camcorder and macbookpro because "this" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BushXj83LOU is what i like to do in my leisure time....pleeease save me.....(I already spent almost 3000 dollars on it......;) HEEELP!!!!! ;D

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Answer 10

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,889 points

Dec 8, 2010 2:55 PM in response to Potanogiollo

Perian can cause problems. Temporarily uninstall it in System Preferences.

Mixing media the way you're doing and cause serious problems in media not being recognized. This appears in most camera manuals somewhere.

Trying shooting a short section on a new card in one format. Every manufacturer uses a different code for their different formats like HDFX, HDFH, HDHQ, HDLP. You have to tell us which one you're using and what format that selection uses. It will be in the camera manual.

You need to use FCE4.0.1 and set the correct format for the media you're using, one of the AVCHD formats that matches what you shot. You should be aware that FCE does not support 1080p24, 1080p60, or 1080p50. So do not shoot in one of those formats.

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