Transferring MXF's to Final Cut Pro 6?

First off...the ".mov" files. What CODEC are they? FCP doesn't just work with any old .MOV file you throw in there. It works with specific editing codecs...the ones you find in the EASY SETUP menu. What is the codec of those files?

The MXF files. Are they camera masters? From a P2 camera? Or are both the MXF and MOV files in the same folders? Is this XDCAM? Canon XF? Or captured media...from Avid?

You need to know what you are dealing with before you can start.

FCP doesn't deal with MXF natively. That's why you need to find out where these came from.

HVX-200a. The DVX-100a is a DV camera. The HVX-200 is a P2 camera, and that records DVCPRO HD on P2 as MXF files.

Forget all those converters. FCP deals with these fine. Here's the workflow for that camera. I REALLY hope that the full card was backed up, and that the full card structure is intact. If not...you have expensive problems.

http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_shane/p2fcp6.php

They did NOT back up the full card structure? No CONTENTS folder with VOICE, VIDEO, AUDIO, PROXY, ICON inside? No LASTCLIP.TXT file?

Slap them. Then show them my tutorial. Just the first part is all they need to see. Well, show them THIS one.

http://library.creativecow.net/ross_shane/tapeless-workflow_fcp-7/1

Again, just the first part where it talks about backing up the ENTIRE CARD. That is A MUST!!! I cannot stress how important that is. Many NLEs won't work with tapeless media unless the full structure is there.

If you only have the MXF files...the only options are ones that cost money. I hope you have AUDIO files with those, as audio and video files are separate MXF files. The options are the Calibrated plugin:

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

MXF4Mac:

http://hamburgpromedia.com/products/mxf4mac/mxf-for-mac.php

Raylight:

http://dvfilm.com/raylight/raylightHelp.htm

I recommend Calibrated as it is the cheapest, and easiest to use.

Or...get Avid Media Composer 6, as it deals with MXF directly. Although getting the files into it without the full structure will be tricky. Or Adobe Premiere Pro. Both edit MXF natively.

Hey Shane, I watched your video tutorial...I have a full card structure. But when I attempt to transfer my footage....everything seems to go right until I add any clip(s) to the queue. They start to transfer, but they always go "Idle" and then a red circle with an exclamation mark appears. Any ideas why this might happen? I attempted it with several different folders of "full card structure"...and the same issue appears again and again. Please help!

- steve

is your scratch disk formatted macosextended? Have you tried deleting your fcp preferences?

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2491

Go into the Log and Transfer preferences...the little SPROCKET icon on the top of the Log and Trasnfer interface. Make sure that REMOVE PULLDOWN is unchecked. Then try again.

Shane,

I have the same error message as goldy. I have watched your tutorial and unchecked remove pulldown and it is still showing idle. There is a red stop sign in the status field that says there is no content. Do you have any other advice?

Thank you for any thing you can add:)

Find UFUSoft MXF Converter for Mac in Forum, test and get it, simple to use, output prores 422 for fcp. you can have a try.

Hi, I also purchased the Brorsoft MXF converter. I can use it to convert my XF105 MXF to ProRes with original quality. It is a great third part software.

Thanks.