Experiences using Vegas and Raylight MXF?

[Robert Eldon]

I was wondering who is using Sony Vegas and Raylight to import and edit MXF files. I did a search and the search engine discarded 'MXF'.

What is the basic work flow? Any other considerations or things to look out for?

Is there a better, but cost effective, option outside of Raylight and Vegas?

I would like to continue to use Vegas as we upgrade to an HVX.

Thank you for your reply.

[David Jimerson]

Depends on how "cost effective" you want to be. Nothing handles P2 MXF files better than Edius, but that's a grand, whereas Raylight is an additional $195 -- and Edius isn't as good of an editor. (But, like I said, it handles the files better.)

Workflow is pretty simple; you drop the MXF files on the timeline, and you edit. A new, fast processor should handle 720p pretty smoothly, but you can adjust preview quality and Raylight quality for better smoothness.

[Robert Eldon]

Thank you David. By cost effective, I guess I meant not having to purchase new hardware (i.e. Mac), so your answer was right on.

As far as you know, when you say just drop the MXF files on to the timeline, is it really that simple? Are there any other 'set up' considerations when working with the clips on the timeline?

[David Jimerson]

Depends on how you want to work. I personally dump cards to an external hard drive first, but whether from the HDD or straight from the cards, yeah, it's really that simple -- drop the MXF files onto the timeline.

[TimurCivan]

itsgreat. treat it like DV. hit "green" mode and you have relativly sharp smooth 720 performance. when youre done, hit "blue" and render. Done.

[Robert Eldon]

Depends on how you want to work. I personally dump cards to an external hard drive first, but whether from the HDD or straight from the cards, yeah, it's really that simple -- drop the MXF files onto the timeline.

David, that's so cool. Thank you. Do you know if the files are 'translated' as they are added to the timeline or do they exist on the timeline as MXF.


itsgreat. treat it like DV. hit "green" mode and you have relativly sharp smooth 720 performance. when youre done, hit "blue" and render. Done.

Timur, sounds like a simple process, so thanks for the simple answer (treat it like DV). By "green" mode or "blue" mode, are you referring to the quality levels for preview? And I assume that you are currently using this method? How does Raylight handle the variable frame rates in Vegas?

[TimurCivan]

yea green and blue are "quality modes". Green is like 80% resolution, but it plays at full framerate.

The variable Speed stuff is simple as pie. Especailly if its 24pn material. though the embedded in 60p off speed stuff i think still needs a standard raylight intermidiary conversion. But if its standard 24pn, just drag n drop, no matter what the framerate. i use vegas and ive had no problems. also they exist on the timeline as MXF.* files.

[Robert Eldon]

Timur,

Thank you so much. That is what I was hoping to hear.

[David Jimerson]

Which I do have to bring up again . . . if Marcus could make MXFs/DVCPRO work on the Vegas timeline in his spare time and without paying for Panasonic's DVCPRO license, Sony could have done it at any time, if they wished to serve their loyal customers who were clamoring for it.