Advice on HVX200 P2 MXF files, conversion to AVI?

[kentme]

Hi- I have been handed a hard drive containing MXF files transferred from a P2 card that were filmed using a HVX200. I am completely new to editing HD video and ultimately this project will be used for a SD medium, not even HD, but was filmed in 720 for the quality. I have done SD editing in the past and currently use Pinnacle Studio Plus 11 on Windows. I know this software won't import MXF files and Pinnacle/Avid Liquid 7.2 or higher will accept these files, so I am wondering if there is a way (or a recommended program) to convert MXF fles to AVI before I go out and purchase new software (or buy a Mac with Final Cut 5!). AND, if this is possible, will the clips lose quality? Any advice on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Barry_Green]

www.dvfilm.com/raylight (http://www.dvfilm.com/raylight)

[kentme]

Wow- that was fast! Thank you for the links. When the specifications says that Raylight will work with any application that supports VfW, I would assume that means Pinnacle Studio Plus 11 as well? (VfW/Video for Windows is just the generic term for all the Window video files, and/or the way they are captured? Sorry if this is the dumbest question ever- my eyes are crossing with all of the research I have been doing!)

[Barry_Green]

I haven't heard of anyone using Pinnacle with it, but there's a free trial download available so you should give it a run and let us know how it works out for you.

[kentme]

HI- So, I downloaded the free trial, and the MXF files beautifully converted to AVI files...but they aren't recognized by Pinnacle, at least not Studio Plus v11. They open in Windows Media Player and other players, but not in Pinnacle. I believe it's the AVI v2 that they are converted to that Pinnacle Studio does not recognize. I get the audio, but just a blue screen! So, I guess I just need to quickly learn Vegas or some other editing program ASAP!

[kentme]

Then again, I checked and all the AVI file info seems to be the same between the Raylight AVIs and all of my old AVI's that are recognized by Pinnacle Studio. I thought it could just be a codec problem, so I downloaded GSpot and did a file search, and it says that I have the RAYLIGHT codec installed, which apparently should make these files work (and, as I noted before, I am able to watch them in Windows Media Player, etc.). Still could be a codec issue but I'm just not sure.

[PhantomVideo]

Avid Liquid will not accept 720p MXF files, it accepts DV DVCPRO50 and 1080i MXF, NO 720p support for MXF. HDV yes MXF no ill also add that its MXF HD support SUCKS it works great with DV and DV50.

[PhantomVideo]

Then again, I checked and all the AVI file info seems to be the same between the Raylight AVIs and all of my old AVI's that are recognized by Pinnacle Studio. I thought it could just be a codec problem, so I downloaded GSpot and did a file search, and it says that I have the RAYLIGHT codec installed, which apparently should make these files work (and, as I noted before, I am able to watch them in Windows Media Player, etc.). Still could be a codec issue but I'm just not sure.

Pinnicle Studio and Liquid do not read WFW codec, the have to be approved Liquid and Studio do work like Prem and Vitural dub they have to be Pinnicle certified codec for it to read them not open by any means

[kentme]

Thanks for the info. I am working with 720, 24pn. I heard back from the Raylight/DVFilm support team, and they too said that is seems like Pinnacle does not accept VFW but that there was no demo for them to try it out. Thanks for all the help!