Importing and Editing MXF files to Final Cut Studio

Assuming you have FCP 6.x or later, and this is a p2 card based mxf structure, copy the entire card to your Mac desktop, and use and log and transfer.

In the future, it is important to detail what camcorder produced the mxf files, what version of FCP and what computer and OS.
 
jeeze, didnt realize what i got myself into....This is what happened....I went travelling with an HVX200p and a Netbook with an external harddrive. All the footage was off loaded Via USB to the harddrive, which put everything into MXF files. It is no longer in P2 format. What i have to deal with now is the files that were automatically converted to MXF, and an edit program that seems to be far beyond my comprehension. Any help is much appreciated :)
 
Offloaded as in copied everything off the drive or just the mxfs. If so you'll need to buy an mxf importer plugin. Fcp requires the entire card contents.

Noah
 
My bad, Ive already downloaded and converted the mxf files to .mov files. I forgot to mention that part :P So where do i go from here? Log and transfer or import media? Im on the right track, just need some finishing touches that will get me on my way to editing
 
The fact that the files are .mov files has nothing to do with whether they can be edited in final cut pro.

They have to be in an editing format, such as pro res, AIC, or DVCProHD. .mov files only start the inquiry.

What codec are your .mov files?
 
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FCP will in fact edit with any .mov file codec. Some work better than others. Even H.264 MOV files can be edited natively. They're bulky, but any .mov file can be imported into FCP and edited, yes. FCP runs on top of the QuickTime engine, and there are a few codecs inside that engine that have not been optimized to make editing with them easier, but you can in fact still edit with them.

Since they were MXF files, it's safe to assume they're either DVCPRO-HD, a flavor of ProRes, or some H.264 based codec. All of which can in fact be edited in FCP.
 
As I said, BenB's comments are not a good way to go IMO and others, and according to best practices.

The sequence presets establish what codec to use. Apple white papers and HD workflows require a conversion, and best practices require a transcode to an editing codec.

Because mxf files were original provided, there is no assurance they were converted to an editing codec.
 
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"...Ive already downloaded and converted the mxf files to .mov files."

So yes, we are dealing with MOV files, I am not "inaccurate". I never quoted "best practices", of which there is not official standardized documentation. I have many consulting clients and students (which span from coast to coast, Puerto Rico, and Canada) editing native H.264 MOV files with no problems. I think you need to re-read the whole thread, David.
 
Hey lighten up guys. This is a dispute about a subject the OP can't even be bothered to say more than a sentence about. Hard to be inaccurate about anything with so little info to go on. Let's just wait if/until they ever respond and stick to that topic. :thumbsup:

Noah
 
Ok, so what I've understood is that my .mov files are compatible with FCS with how they are right now? So where would i start with importing these files and starting my editing? Ive tried to find some tutorial videos on this, but it seems the only thing i can find starts with the log and transfer for a regular p2 file?
 
Im not too sure how much more info i need to give out. I shot with an HVX200p...The footage was transferred to a hard drive via USB which automatically made the files into MXF format. I then took those MXF files and converted them to Apple ProRes 422(HQ) (.mov) which is apparently compatible with FCS...The question now is, How do I import these files and start editing with them? Clearly Ive gotten myself into something way over my head, but time cant change the money i spent and the efforts i took (not to mention safety i risked in these poor countries) to get this footage. I will be one happy camper when the time comes to start editing. Thanks again everyone :)
 
Ok thank you for getting back in touch. Please help us diagnose the problem so we can get you back to work. Open one of the QuickTime files in the QuickTime Player- double click it. Then go- Window>Show Movie Inspector or Apple-I. Then tell us what the format is in the Format field. Then we can give you the next steps.

Also again- not sure what you are saying with the convert to MXF- that has nothing to do with copying files to a USB drive. The camera shoots MXF- so that's just how they come on the cards. Question is- how did you convert them from MXF to MOV- what program did you use to do that?

if the MOVs you now have are actually ProRes. Just drag them into a bin in FCP and start editing. There's no reason to use Log/Transfer- they are ready to go.

Noah
 
ProRes HQ was a huge mistake. Should have trancoded to DVCPRO-HD,no other options, end of story.

Yes, strong words, but HVX200 should use L&T to DVCPRO-HD, and just edited. No reason to use the overkill flavors of ProRes, period.

I don't understand what any other questioning should be?
HVX200, L&T, DVCPRO-HD, done!
 
The format read Calibrated HVCPRO-HD....Now does this matter if i shot 720pn, or 1080? I would switch it up for various shooting, for instance time lapse and slow motion...Is this going to be a problem in editing?

When i first put the files onto my mac, they wouldnt play....I read into it and was hearing a lot of things about having to convert the files because they were transferred via USB...I ended up downloading the Calibrated MXF for mac, but apparently that only gave me a demo version that would cut the clip or only let me see 30seconds max...I turned to AUNSOFT Video Converter which let me playback the full clips that i took. So it seems i DO need to convert these files to play on mac...
 
As for the output setting...If DVCPRO-HD is preferred, would i have to do each one individually depending on which mode i shot it? I did switch it up quite a bit between 1080 and 720. This seems like it could be quite the pain :P
 
P2 should go through Log & Transfer in FCP and be converted to DVCPRO-HD. Simple as that. Outside of that, I'm not sure what you doing exactly.
 
Um yeah your whole workflow is a disaster. You needed to take the entire file structure of the original camera cards and run that into Log and Transfer in FCP- which would result in QuickTime MOV DVCPROHD clips. Instead you don't have ProRes -you have some very weird flavor of QuickTime MOV with a codec most likely not supported on Mac at all. Now- if you can open and play those files in FCP- start editing.

If not- you need to go back to the original card files- hopefully you still have them and log and transfer to DVCPROHD properly. And yes it's a pain but then again if you want to actually edit your footage you need to properly ingest. If you don't have access to those original files anymore- what can I say. You need to find a way to convert the weird codec MOVs you now have into either DVCPROHD or ProRes.

And before confusing the issue with even more details- can you please tell us if you can open and play these files in FCP. Because if that's working already there's no point in discussing anything else. If they do not play- do what we've said above.

Noah
 
ok, so when i originally offloaded the p2 cards, i copied the whole "Contents" folder. I have all 6 folders, so i should have all the files necessary.

I just tried the Log and Transfer, opening a full "contents" folder into FCP. THIS WORKED!!! haha :) I am extremely happy to see such progress :) From here, i dragged some media into Untitled Project 1 and hit automatic transfer. I then dragged a few files into the timeline and hit play in the canvas window. It will play for about 2 seconds and then a window pops up saying "Warning-Dropped Frames"

I am so close to success, but just need to iron out a few corks. What could i be doing wrong from here? I greatly appreciate all the patience and effort you guys have spent with me :)
 
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