Sony Cinema Line & FX6

[NorBro]

My group normally uses ProRes 422 because we have a large post-production team with many editors and a well-established ProRes workflow. We use FCP a lot and it cannot import tree-oriented media with "leave files in place"; it requires a copy and re-wrap. ProRes can be imported "in place". Also, smooth as XAVC-I is, ProRes is a little smoother to edit. When the renamed media files are turned over to finishing or archiving, it is easier if they are ProRes.

There was a brief conversation about this in another thread about other cameras.

For the FX6, you could copy the 'Clip' folder with the MXF files off of the card onto another drive or desktop and FCP will allow you to see them as "leave files in place". (Or just arrange the folder in a list format by "kind" and copy only the MXF files and not the .XML ones.)

I don't do this because I like everything self-contained in my library, but just FYI if interested.

 

[Doug Jensen]

I only meant it takes a lot of data relative to the 10-bit 4:2:2 Long GOP codecs supported by the A7SIII, since that's what scorsesefan has. I agree XAVC-I on the FX6 is a nice balance of size, quality and editing smoothness. Unlike the FS5 which could not record 4k 10-bit 4:2:2 internally, the FX6 opens up more possibilities for high-quality internal recording in a compact rig.

My group normally uses ProRes 422 because we have a large post-production team with many editors and a well-established ProRes workflow. We use FCP a lot and it cannot import tree-oriented media with "leave files in place"; it requires a copy and re-wrap. ProRes can be imported "in place". Also, smooth as XAVC-I is, ProRes is a little smoother to edit. When the renamed media files are turned over to finishing or archiving, it is easier if they are ProRes.

We also use external recorders because of the improved shooting aids, better visibility, and larger available media size. It is easier for the ingest people if the shooting teams hand them a stack of similar SSD SATA cards which have "flat files" not a tree-oriented structure.

BTW your FX6 Master Class is great and I highly recommend anyone with an FX6 get that class, no matter how much prior experience they have: https://youtu.be/95G_LlomWWQ

Yup, those are all good reasons for using an external recorder. I just like to offer a counterpoint sometimes when I hear someone is using a recorder. You'd be surprised how many people never think it through and don't realize they probably aren't gaining anything ,and would actually be better served by recording internally. Thanks for the plug for my master class and I'm always glad to hear it has been helpful.

 

[joema]

....For the FX6, you could copy the 'Clip' folder with the MXF files off of the card onto another drive or desktop and FCP will allow you to see them as "leave files in place"....

Yes I have done that for years on tree-oriented media from various cameras. In some cases there are no problems. In other cases the NLE needs the metadata for clip spanning or color profile or stabilization, etc. You may not discover that until it's too late and the sidecar files are discarded. With AVCHD it formerly caused tremendous I/O performance issues in FCP. It is considered poor practice to copy the media files out of the tree, but you can often get away with it. For well-researched cases where it has been thoroughly tested with the specific NLE, it tends to be safer.

On Mac, my preference is externally re-wrap the material using EditReady2, then import with "leave files in place". But that has its own problems. If you do that with an FX6 or A7SIII clip intended for Catalyst stabilization, it doesn't recognize the re-wrapped clip. It will stabilize the "bare" MXF file, so at least that works.

 

[NorBro]

Yeah, I wrote the same thing about metadata in the other thread.

And for years I myself used to stress not to separate files from the root/tree, but I think that was just old timer thinking as modern NLEs kept greatly improving and rarely did you ever hear of anyone having issues.

Performance and handling of formats (even simple compatibility) also increased with general hardware improvements, adaptations, and new technologies (like M1).

 

[LDV20]

Yeah , it's probably wisest just to wait for the fx6, as that would be the best fit for my workflow. I just have a mild case of G.A.S.

Yes, if you can wait. The camera is a dream to work with, maybe not perfect but still a great camera. Check around small legitimate camera stores. I have seen on FB user groups people have gotten the camera quickly as opposed to waiting from the big stores. In fact while I was waiting I was notified that a store in TEXAS had one for me - but my came from BH, so did not need it.

 

[scorsesefan]

Thanks... I'm kind of stuck with BH unless I want to spend an extra $500 on sales tax (I'm paying with Payboo). If the out of state sales tax loopholes hadn't been eliminated I could go that route, too...

 

[LDV20]

Thanks... I'm kind of stuck with BH unless I want to spend an extra $500 on sales tax (I'm paying with Payboo). If the out of state sales tax loopholes hadn't been eliminated I could go that route, too...

Yes I understand - If you are interested I have a good contact at BH can't guarantee anything but PM and I will give the information.