John Bass1

Q: Log & Transfer software

I have a new camera and I need to import clips from it via the USB into FCP. I know there is software for that to use Log & Capture, but I forgot which ones they are and where can I find them. Can someone please help?

PowerMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Nov 6, 2013 6:31 AM

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Q: Log & Transfer software

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  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 6, 2013 8:16 AM in response to John Bass1
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 6, 2013 8:16 AM in response to John Bass1

    What camera?  Many cameras will work just fine with the log and transfer fuction built into fcp.

     

    File:  Log and Transfer.

     

    Best practice is to copy the contents of the card or hard drive maintaining the exact folder structure into a folder on a local hard drive.  The name of the containing folder will become the "reel number" in fcp.

     

    If the camera is not compatible with fcp, we'll need to know the format to be able to point you in the right direction for the appropriate 3rd party solution.

  • by John Bass1,

    John Bass1 John Bass1 Nov 6, 2013 8:26 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 8:26 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    The camera is a Sony PMW300K1. I think I found a thread where it was answered. We also have a PMW EX3 where we had the same problem, initially.

    My problem is Sony buries theses plugins without a hint where to find them, especially if you're upgrading to new equipment. I've had MAJOR problems with Sony over the past two days just trying to order parts and find this software. I've been ballistic because of it. Good thing I have a Sony rep who's really good at her job and has been able to bump the problem up the chain. Their web service is abyssmal.

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 6, 2013 8:36 AM in response to John Bass1
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 6, 2013 8:36 AM in response to John Bass1

    Here's a link to the user tip with links to the sony xdcam utilities.

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2721

     

    And I agree, Sony doesn't make it easy.

  • by John Bass1,

    John Bass1 John Bass1 Nov 6, 2013 1:57 PM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 6, 2013 1:57 PM in response to Michael Grenadier

    Still not getting any response from Log & Transfer. "Unsupported files" is still showing up when we try to see the clips for import into FCP.

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 7, 2013 5:43 AM in response to John Bass1
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2013 5:43 AM in response to John Bass1

    are you pointing the log and transfer window to the containing folder?  And have you done anything to the folder structure if you've copied the files to a hard drive?  If so, you won't be able to use log and transfer. 

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 7, 2013 7:51 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2013 7:51 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    Here's a tutorial by Shane Ross for tapeless workflow

     

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

  • by John Bass1,

    John Bass1 John Bass1 Nov 7, 2013 7:57 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 7:57 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    I'm about to go up and beat my head against it. How do you "point" L&T to the containing folder. The file for the clips in the camera shows up on the desktop, but when opening L&T...nothing. Last time I went through this it was a software upgrade that was impossible to find.

    I'll check out the tutorial, also.

    Thanks, I'll let you you how things come out.

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 7, 2013 7:59 AM in response to John Bass1
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2013 7:59 AM in response to John Bass1

    There's a little icon on the top left of the log and transfer window for "mount volume"Screen shot 2013-11-07 at 10.59.13 AM.png

  • by John Bass1,

    John Bass1 John Bass1 Nov 7, 2013 8:40 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 7, 2013 8:40 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    Tried going to that, they were registered under the icon for the respective drives. I'm noticing that the files on his camera are MXF. Is there a specific plugin or adjustment for that?

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Nov 7, 2013 10:40 AM in response to John Bass1
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 7, 2013 10:40 AM in response to John Bass1

    You need to just point to the highest level containing folder.  I'm with client now, but post back if you can't figure it out and I'll walk you thru it.

  • by John Bass1,

    John Bass1 John Bass1 Nov 8, 2013 9:33 AM in response to Michael Grenadier
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 8, 2013 9:33 AM in response to Michael Grenadier

    Greetings,

         My producer came back and asked "should I be shooting in UDF (MXF files) or FAT (MPEG-4 files) format.  The camera came formatted UDF — but FCP can't seem to use MXF files.  Should I try reformatting the camera and one of the SxS cards for MPEG-4?"

         I told him to go ahead and reformat to the FAT files. He did and his FCP 7 was able to see the clips, which he downloaded. He is able to edit on his system, now with the FAT..

         I took a card with MXF files he shot and tried downloading them on my FCP X system. My system saw them just fine and I've downloaded them successfully. My camera (EX-3) shoots the mpg format, which I think is all it will do. His is the newer PMW300K1, which seems to have a lot more flexibility in file formats.

         Do you see any conflicts at all?