Log and Transfer FAQs

Thanks for testing! I think I'll stick with the current layout though.

Sasha

Log and Transfer FAQs

Log and Transfer was introduced to the product chain in Final Cut Express 4, and is the program's process for ingesting files in the AVCHD format utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video coding and either Dolby AC-3 or uncompressed linear PCM audio coding. The most frequently observed problems relating to the Log and Transfer process are generally quite easily addressed.

What should I know before attempting to ingest my footage?

The following facts regarding the Log and Transfer process were adapted from the [Apple Knowledge Base article|http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24840?viewlocale=en_US] on transferring AVCHD in Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 but still hold true for the current version of FCE:

1. AVCHD support is available only on Intel-based Macintosh computers.
   
2. AVCHD camcorders typically connect to computers via USB 2.0, not FireWire.
   
3. DVD-based AVCHD camcorders are not supported in Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier.
   
4. Standard definition video recorded with AVCHD camcorders cannot be accessed in the Log and Transfer window. SD and HD clips should not be mixed on the same HDD.
   
5. Preview of AVCHD video in the Log and Transfer window is limited to 1x forward playback. Scrubbing the playhead does not update the video in the Preview area until you stop scrubbing.
   
6. When you choose to transfer AVCHD audio in the Logging area, audio is automatically mixed down to stereo.
   
7. AVCHD footage is not ingested natively but is transcoded to the Apple Intermediate Codec.
   
8. Apple Intermediate Codec files are significantly larger than the original AVCHD files. FCE does not estimate the size of a transcoded AVCHD file before ingesting, so it is possible to exceed the available space on your capture disk during transfer. Before ingesting, keep in mind that the disk space required is about ten times greater than the size of the native AVCHD file.
   

Which specific formats can be ingested by Log and Transfer?

Only AVCHD footage can be ingested through the Log and Transfer process. Other formats and variants such as AVCHD Lite are not supported. All video should be recorded in a frame size of either 1440x1080 or 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 25 or 29.97 frames per second. Audio recorded on AVCHD camcorders is generally at a rate of 48kHz. If your camera shoots in a format that does not comply to one of these options then it is most likely not supported by the application and is not guaranteed to work correctly.

Which Easy Setup preset should I select before ingesting my footage?

It is extremely important to select the preset that matches your media before you attempt to ingest via Log and Transfer. There is only one Easy Setup preset that matches the frame size and rate of your footage. If you intend to ingest AVCHD clips through Log and Transfer you will first need to select one of the following presets:

• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i60
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60
  

If these four options do not appear under your Easy Setup list then you probably need to run Software Update and update to FCE 4.0.1. DO NOT cycle through the available presets until you find one that works - there is only one preset that matches your media and it should be evident which one to choose by the way it is named. Select the AVCHD preset that mentions your frame size and frame rate (i50 presets support both 50i and 25p frame rates; similarly, i60 presets support both 60i and 29.97p frame rates). If you do cycle through many options in the hope of selecting the correct one through guess-and-check you will probably have corrupted your preference file and need to [trash your preferences|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2611] before continuing.

Why don't my clips appear when I open the Log and Transfer window?

Make sure your camcorder records AVCHD in a format supported by FCE4. It should be connected to one of your computer's USB ports, powered on, and set to video playback mode.

If the camcorder +does not+ mount on your Desktop your USB port or cable may be malfunctioning. Try plugging it in to another port or using a different USB cable to see if it makes a difference.

If the camcorder does mount on your Desktop but the clips do not appear in the Log and Transfer window you will need to point the program to the directory that contains your media.

First, click the Add Folder button in the upper left of the Log and Transfer window. The button looks like this:

Then, you will need to navigate to the root directory in which your media is stored. Most camcorders call this folder "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD" and it should be located at the very top level of the camcorder when mounted. If your camcorder records to a valid AVCHD directory structure then your clips should load after the Add Folder process is completed.

My clips appear, but when I attempt to ingest a red exclamation point appears and the window displays the message "Error: No Data"

This is one of the most common problems that users experience when trying to ingest their media through the Log and Transfer process. Luckily, it also has one of the easiest solutions.

In the Log and Transfer window, click on the gear icon in the top right and select "Preferences" in the contextual menu that appears.


Make sure the video is set to transcode to the Apple Intermediate Codec and the audio is set to Plain Stereo.

After doing so, hit OK and try to ingest again.

I am experiencing a problem that is not covered in this tip or the solutions here do not work.

The best thing to do at this point would be to trash your preferences and start a new topic in the [FCE Forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=936&start=0] with a detailed description of your problem. Check out the user tip on [Basic Troubleshooting in Final Cut Express|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2662419] for more information.

This tip is ready for consideration.

Log and Transfer FAQs

Log and Transfer was introduced to the product chain in Final Cut Express 4, and is the program's process for ingesting files in the AVCHD format utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video coding and either Dolby AC-3 or uncompressed linear PCM audio coding. The most frequently observed problems relating to the Log and Transfer process are generally quite easily addressed.

What should I know before attempting to ingest my footage?

The following facts regarding the Log and Transfer process were adapted from the [Apple Knowledge Base article|http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24840?viewlocale=en_US] on transferring AVCHD in Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 but still hold true for the current version of FCE:

1. AVCHD support is available only on Intel-based Macintosh computers.
   
2. AVCHD camcorders typically connect to computers via USB 2.0, not FireWire.
   
3. DVD-based AVCHD camcorders are not supported in Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier.
   
4. Standard definition video recorded with AVCHD camcorders cannot be accessed in the Log and Transfer window. SD and HD clips should not be mixed on the same HDD.
   
5. Preview of AVCHD video in the Log and Transfer window is limited to 1x forward playback. Scrubbing the playhead does not update the video in the Preview area until you stop scrubbing.
   
6. When you choose to transfer AVCHD audio in the Logging area, audio is automatically mixed down to stereo.
   
7. AVCHD footage is not ingested natively but is transcoded to the Apple Intermediate Codec.
   
8. Apple Intermediate Codec files are significantly larger than the original AVCHD files. FCE does not estimate the size of a transcoded AVCHD file before ingesting, so it is possible to exceed the available space on your capture disk during transfer. Before ingesting, keep in mind that the disk space required is about ten times greater than the size of the native AVCHD file.
   

Which specific formats can be ingested by Log and Transfer?

Only AVCHD footage can be ingested through the Log and Transfer process. Other formats and variants such as AVCHD Lite are not supported. All video should be recorded in a frame size of either 1440x1080 or 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 25 or 29.97 frames per second. Audio recorded on AVCHD camcorders is generally at a rate of 48kHz. If your camera shoots in a format that does not comply to one of these options then it is most likely not supported by the application and is not guaranteed to work correctly.

Which Easy Setup preset should I select before ingesting my footage?

It is extremely important to select the preset that matches your media before you attempt to ingest via Log and Transfer. There is only one Easy Setup preset that matches the frame size and rate of your footage. If you intend to ingest AVCHD clips through Log and Transfer you will first need to select one of the following presets:

• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i60
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60
  

If these four options do not appear under your Easy Setup list then you probably need to run Software Update and update to FCE 4.0.1. DO NOT cycle through the available presets until you find one that works - there is only one preset that matches your media and it should be evident which one to choose by the way it is named. Select the AVCHD preset that mentions your frame size and frame rate (i50 presets support both 50i and 25p frame rates; similarly, i60 presets support both 60i and 29.97p frame rates). If you do cycle through many options in the hope of selecting the correct one through guess-and-check you will probably have corrupted your preference file and need to [trash your preferences|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2611] before continuing.

Why don't my clips appear when I open the Log and Transfer window?

Make sure your camcorder records AVCHD in a format supported by FCE4. It should be connected to one of your computer's USB ports, powered on, and set to video playback mode.

If the camcorder +does not+ mount on your Desktop your USB port or cable may be malfunctioning. Try plugging it in to another port or using a different USB cable to see if it makes a difference.

If the camcorder does mount on your Desktop but the clips do not appear in the Log and Transfer window you will need to point the program to the directory that contains your media.

First, click the Add Folder button in the upper left of the Log and Transfer window. The button looks like this:

Then, you will need to navigate to the root directory in which your media is stored. Most camcorders call this folder "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD" and it should be located at the very top level of the camcorder when mounted. If your camcorder records to a valid AVCHD directory structure then your clips should load after the Add Folder process is completed.

I would like to keep a working backup of my original clips so that I can delete them off the camcorder's internal memory. How should I do this?

There are two main ways to keep a backup of your clips. The first is to ingest every clip on your camcorder through the Log and Transfer process, and store the Apple Intermediate Codec files the application creates in an easily accessible place such as an external FireWire drive. The advantage of this method is that you have the ability to open back up old editing projects, reconnect the media as necessary, and keep going as if you'd never left. However, due to the large amount of space AIC takes up (usually somewhere in the vicinity of 41-50GB an hour when transcoded from AVCHD), this is not always feasible.

Another often preferable approach is to copy over the root directory in which your clips are stored (usually named "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD") from the camcorder to your computer or an external drive. As long as you maintain the original file structure, you will be able to ingest your clips again at a later date using the "Add Folder" process detailed above to navigate to their new location.

My clips appear, but when I attempt to ingest a red exclamation point appears and the window displays the message "Error: No Data"

This is one of the most common problems that users experience when trying to ingest their media through the Log and Transfer process. Luckily, it also has one of the easiest solutions.

In the Log and Transfer window, click on the gear icon in the top right and select "Preferences" in the contextual menu that appears.


Make sure the video is set to transcode to the Apple Intermediate Codec and the audio is set to Plain Stereo.

After doing so, hit OK and try to ingest again.

I am experiencing a problem that is not covered in this tip or the solutions here do not work.

The best thing to do at this point would be to trash your preferences and start a new topic in the [FCE Forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=936&start=0] with a detailed description of your problem. Check out the user tip on [Basic Troubleshooting in Final Cut Express|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2662419] for more information.

The newest version of the tip includes an added section on backing up the clips and is ready for consideration.

Log and Transfer FAQs

Log and Transfer was introduced to the product chain in Final Cut Express 4, and is the program's process for ingesting files in the AVCHD format utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video coding and either Dolby AC-3 or uncompressed linear PCM audio coding. The most frequently observed problems relating to the Log and Transfer process are generally quite easily addressed.

What should I know before attempting to ingest my footage?

The following facts regarding the Log and Transfer process were adapted from the [Apple Knowledge Base article|http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24840?viewlocale=en_US] on transferring AVCHD in Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 but still hold true for the current version of FCE:

1. AVCHD support is available only on Intel-based Macintosh computers.
   
2. AVCHD camcorders typically connect to computers via USB 2.0, not FireWire.
   
3. DVD-based AVCHD camcorders are not supported in Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier.
   
4. Standard definition video recorded with AVCHD camcorders cannot be accessed in the Log and Transfer window. SD and HD clips should not be mixed on the same HDD.
   
5. Preview of AVCHD video in the Log and Transfer window is limited to 1x forward playback. Scrubbing the playhead does not update the video in the Preview area until you stop scrubbing.
   
6. When you choose to transfer AVCHD audio in the Logging area, audio is automatically mixed down to stereo.
   
7. AVCHD footage is not ingested natively but is transcoded to the Apple Intermediate Codec.
   
8. Apple Intermediate Codec files are significantly larger than the original AVCHD files. FCE does not estimate the size of a transcoded AVCHD file before ingesting, so it is possible to exceed the available space on your capture disk during transfer. Before ingesting, keep in mind that the disk space required is about ten times greater than the size of the native AVCHD file.
   

Which specific formats can be ingested by Log and Transfer?

Only AVCHD footage can be ingested through the Log and Transfer process. Other formats and variants such as AVCHD Lite are not supported. All video should be recorded in a frame size of either 1440x1080 or 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 25 or 29.97 frames per second. Audio recorded on AVCHD camcorders is generally at a rate of 48kHz. If your camera shoots in a format that does not comply to one of these options then it is most likely not supported by the application and is not guaranteed to work correctly.

Which Easy Setup preset should I select before ingesting my footage?

It is extremely important to select the preset that matches your media before you attempt to ingest via Log and Transfer. There is only one Easy Setup preset that matches the frame size and rate of your footage. If you intend to ingest AVCHD clips through Log and Transfer you will first need to select one of the following presets:

• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i60
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60
  

If these four options do not appear under your Easy Setup list then you probably need to run Software Update and update to FCE 4.0.1. DO NOT cycle through the available presets until you find one that works - there is only one preset that matches your media and it should be evident which one to choose by the way it is named. Select the AVCHD preset that mentions your frame size and frame rate (i50 presets support both 50i and 25p frame rates; similarly, i60 presets support both 60i and 29.97p frame rates). If you do cycle through many options in the hope of selecting the correct one through guess-and-check you will probably have corrupted your preference file and need to [trash your preferences|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2611] before continuing.

Why don't my clips appear when I open the Log and Transfer window?

Make sure your camcorder records AVCHD in a format supported by FCE4. It should be connected to one of your computer's USB ports, powered on, and set to video playback mode.

If the camcorder +does not+ mount on your Desktop your USB port or cable may be malfunctioning. Try plugging it in to another port or using a different USB cable to see if it makes a difference.

If the camcorder does mount on your Desktop but the clips do not appear in the Log and Transfer window you will need to point the program to the directory that contains your media.

First, click the Add Folder button in the upper left of the Log and Transfer window. The button looks like this:

Then, you will need to navigate to the root directory in which your media is stored. Most camcorders call this folder "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD" and it should be located at the very top level of the camcorder when mounted. If your camcorder records to a valid AVCHD directory structure then your clips should load after the Add Folder process is completed.

I would like to keep a working backup of my original clips so that I can delete them off the camcorder's internal memory. How should I do this?

There are two main ways to keep a backup of your clips. The first is to ingest every clip on your camcorder through the Log and Transfer process, and store the Apple Intermediate Codec files the application creates in an easily accessible place such as an external FireWire drive. The advantage of this method is that you have the ability to open back up old editing projects, reconnect the media as necessary, and keep going as if you'd never left. However, due to the large amount of space AIC takes up (usually somewhere in the vicinity of 41-50GB an hour when transcoded from AVCHD), this is not always feasible.

Another often preferable approach is to copy over the root directory in which your clips are stored (usually named "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD") from the camcorder to your computer or an external drive. As long as you maintain the original file structure, you will be able to ingest your clips again at a later date using the "Add Folder" process detailed above to navigate to their new location.

My clips appear, but when I attempt to ingest a red exclamation point appears and the window displays the message "Error: No Data"

This is one of the most common problems that users experience when trying to ingest their media through the Log and Transfer process. Luckily, it also has one of the easiest solutions.

In the Log and Transfer window, click on the gear icon in the top right and select "Preferences" in the contextual menu that appears.


Make sure the video is set to transcode to the Apple Intermediate Codec and the audio is set to Plain Stereo.

After doing so, hit OK and try to ingest again.

I am experiencing a problem that is not covered in this tip or the solutions here do not work.

The best thing to do at this point would be to trash your preferences and start a new topic in the [FCE Forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=936&start=0] with a detailed description of your problem. Check out the user tip on [Basic Troubleshooting in Final Cut Express|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2662419] for more information.

Tip is edited with anchor points to enable easy linking and is ready for consideration.

Example: See the Error: No Data Section.

Log and Transfer FAQs

Log and Transfer was introduced to the product chain in Final Cut Express 4, and is the program's process for ingesting files in the AVCHD format utilizing MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video coding and either Dolby AC-3 or uncompressed linear PCM audio coding. The most frequently observed problems relating to the Log and Transfer process are generally quite easily addressed.

What should I know before attempting to ingest my footage?

The following facts regarding the Log and Transfer process were adapted from the [Apple Knowledge Base article|http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24840?viewlocale=en_US] on transferring AVCHD in Final Cut Pro 6.0.1 but still hold true for the current version of FCE:

1. AVCHD support is available only on Intel-based Macintosh computers.
   
2. AVCHD camcorders typically connect to computers via USB 2.0, not FireWire.
   
3. DVD-based AVCHD camcorders are not supported in Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier.
   
4. Standard definition video recorded with AVCHD camcorders cannot be accessed in the Log and Transfer window. SD and HD clips should not be mixed on the same HDD.
   
5. Preview of AVCHD video in the Log and Transfer window is limited to 1x forward playback. Scrubbing the playhead does not update the video in the Preview area until you stop scrubbing.
   
6. When you choose to transfer AVCHD audio in the Logging area, audio is automatically mixed down to stereo.
   
7. AVCHD footage is not ingested natively but is transcoded to the Apple Intermediate Codec.
   
8. Apple Intermediate Codec files are significantly larger than the original AVCHD files. FCE does not estimate the size of a transcoded AVCHD file before ingesting, so it is possible to exceed the available space on your capture disk during transfer. Before ingesting, keep in mind that the disk space required is about ten times greater than the size of the native AVCHD file.
   

Which specific formats can be ingested by Log and Transfer?

Only AVCHD footage can be ingested through the Log and Transfer process. Other formats and variants such as AVCHD Lite are not supported. All video should be recorded in a frame size of either 1440x1080 or 1920x1080 and a frame rate of 25 or 29.97 frames per second. Audio recorded on AVCHD camcorders is generally at a rate of 48kHz. If your camera shoots in a format that does not comply to one of these options then it is most likely not supported by the application and is not guaranteed to work correctly.

Which Easy Setup preset should I select before ingesting my footage?

It is extremely important to select the preset that matches your media before you attempt to ingest via Log and Transfer. There is only one Easy Setup preset that matches the frame size and rate of your footage. If you intend to ingest AVCHD clips through Log and Transfer you will first need to select one of the following presets:

• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1440x1080i60
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i50
  
• AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60
  

If these four options do not appear under your Easy Setup list then you probably need to run Software Update and update to FCE 4.0.1. DO NOT cycle through the available presets until you find one that works - there is only one preset that matches your media and it should be evident which one to choose by the way it is named. Select the AVCHD preset that mentions your frame size and frame rate (i50 presets support both 50i and 25p frame rates; similarly, i60 presets support both 60i and 29.97p frame rates). If you do cycle through many options in the hope of selecting the correct one through guess-and-check you will probably have corrupted your preference file and need to [trash your preferences|http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2611] before continuing.

Why don't my clips appear when I open the Log and Transfer window?

Make sure your camcorder records AVCHD in a format supported by FCE4. It should be connected to one of your computer's USB ports ( never connect it to an external hard drive or other external device such as your keyboard or a USB hub), powered on, and set to video playback mode.

If the camcorder +does not+ mount on your Desktop your USB port or cable may be malfunctioning. Try plugging it in to another port or using a different USB cable to see if it makes a difference.

If the camcorder does mount on your Desktop but the clips do not appear in the Log and Transfer window you will need to point the program to the directory that contains your media.

First, click the Add Folder button in the upper left of the Log and Transfer window. The button looks like this:

Then, you will need to navigate to the root directory in which your media is stored. Most camcorders call this folder "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD" and it should be located at the very top level of the camcorder when mounted. If your camcorder records to a valid AVCHD directory structure then your clips should load after the Add Folder process is completed.

I would like to keep a working backup of my original clips so that I can delete them off the camcorder's internal memory. How should I do this?

There are two main ways to keep a backup of your clips. The first is to ingest every clip on your camcorder through the Log and Transfer process, and store the Apple Intermediate Codec files the application creates in an easily accessible place such as an external FireWire drive. The advantage of this method is that you have the ability to open back up old editing projects, reconnect the media as necessary, and keep going as if you'd never left. However, due to the large amount of space AIC takes up (usually somewhere in the vicinity of 41-50GB an hour when transcoded from AVCHD), this is not always feasible.

Another often preferable approach is to copy over the root directory in which your clips are stored (usually named "PRIVATE" or "AVCHD") from the camcorder to your computer or an external drive. As long as you maintain the original file structure, you will be able to ingest your clips again at a later date using the "Add Folder" process detailed above to navigate to their new location.

My clips appear, but when I attempt to ingest a red exclamation point appears and the window displays the message "Error: No Data"

This is one of the most common problems that users experience when trying to ingest their media through the Log and Transfer process. Luckily, it also has one of the easiest solutions.

In the Log and Transfer window, click on the gear icon in the top right and select "Preferences" in the contextual menu that appears.


Make sure the video is set to transcode to the Apple Intermediate Codec and the audio is set to Plain Stereo.

After doing so, hit OK and try to ingest again.

I am experiencing a problem that is not covered in this tip or the solutions here do not work.

The best thing to do at this point would be to trash your preferences and start a new topic in the [FCE Forum|http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=936&start=0] with a detailed description of your problem. Check out the user tip on [Basic Troubleshooting in Final Cut Express|http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2662419] for more information.

Edited tip contains recommendation to connect the camcorder directly to your Mac and never to an external device such as a USB hub.

This is probably the final version and is ready for consideration.