Importing MXF files (originated from Panasonic HVX200/P2) into Avid

Interesting: Here's another curious bit: if I import directly from the camera now, the A1 audio appears and I get my sample plot. This is opposed to copying the media from the HVX to the HD and then importing as MXF files via media tool. I still don't get why this is different because obviously the rest of my shoot had my offloading media to my laptop and burning MXF files to DVD which I then copy over to the MXF folder...

Will try to keep intrepid minds updated.
 
It's as though the Avid is 'reminded' that the A1 is there and thus relinks once you try to re-import the master clips. Sure enough, when I exit the progrma, turn off the camera and go back into the Avid, the A1 is there as it should have been all along.

Not very cool in my view as it creates uncertainty.
 
In dealing with Avid this is partly what I've been told:

If you have a volume that has a /Contents folder on it, then it should be seen by the P2 functions within the Avid without having to Import it. Though you can, you should no longer have to use the Media tool to get to your media.

Also, the driver for that camera might be need to be updated. The supported version for all P2 devices: v1.06.0047 for software version 5.7.

That said I still don't have a clear answer on why my A1 files are offline even though they exist...

Another update from Avid: The issue is with the camera. Early in the beta release, we had a prototype HVX-200 camera that exhibited the same behavior. We sent it
back to Panasonic when we got a "release version" HVX-200 camera, and that camera did not have the problem. So, if the customer has a early version of the HVX-200 camera, he should contact Panasonic.

Also, the camera firmware version on his camera is old - the new one is 2.03-00-0.00, released in October 2006. I know that this firmware update solved some audio issues, so it may work for the customer. Unfortunately, the footage that he has already shot is probably not going to be fixed.

The customer can download the Panasonic P2 driver, firmware updates,
manuals, etc. here:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/cs/csregistp2m/p2indexe.
html

The customer is going to need a SD card and card reader to upload the new firmware to the HVX-200 camera. I have already done this with the
HVX-200 cameras that we have in Engineering. The manual shows how to do this.
 
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I appear to have found a software which enables me to open the MXF files and rename. If I put the newly named file onto my Avid drive and use the Media Tool the file appears renamed and it works fine.

I am using MOG software on the PC, and it has just saved me a few thousand dollars as I thought the A1 audio was lost.
 
It's actually MOG Solutions and it allows you to view and playback MXF software. I think it's called The Scribe 3.0. It's a free 30 day trial download, and I can't say how relieved I am that it works and that I was able to recover my A1 files as opposed to having to reshoot.

As a beta tester for Avid I was lucky to get these answers promptly, albeit it was not a satisfactory solution...therefore anyone NOT using the current firmware, please do, or you will end up freaking out when your main audio is lost.

The weird follow up to all of this is that I was able to discover when I made a copied file, it saved all 4 audio channels and the V1 as a new file...However when I tried to pull them into Avid via Media Tool, the strangest thing would happen: as soon as I tried to drag these files into a new bin, all of a sudden the original MXF files no longer showed A1 as offline. I don't know why this happens.
 
What strange thing!

One of my biggest concerns, as an HVX200-Brevis35 user, is working with the resulting flipped images. In Avid, you need to apply the "flip-flop" effect to see it properly. I wish there was a way to apply that effect to all the MXF files BEFORE they hit the timeline.

I think a batch conversion would be awesome. For instance, you tell the software to re-write (or overwrite) particular MXF files "flip-flopped" into new MXF files. Naturally, it would be great if Avid could do this internally. Or maybe MOG Solutions Scribe? Or really ANY software! Maybe someone like Tony (coder of the PC version of 'P2 Genie') might be up for the task? :)
 
firstly, thanx all! i have been a lurker for a little while and have learned a great deal.

here is my issue:

on versions 5.6.4, 5.6.7, 5.7 of the avid x pro, it seems that if i unlink a p2 .mxf file, i cannot relink it.

anyone else having this issue. reason to unlink, turn off audio 2-4 since they are not needed cuz the good audio is on track 1.

normally, if this was captured via tape, i would just unlink, modify then relink and things are peachy, but.... with the p2, it loses reference and cannot find the media files for it.

oh, by the way, the 5.7 version just released, has a very nifty import directly from the p2 card media structure. copy files to hard drive, import. contents and all. was hoping that 5.7 would allow me to relink the media/master but to no avail.

thanx again everyone!

um_duh!
 
this is a known issue because the p2 footage doesnt have a tape name and becuase it doesnt have a tape name you cant give it a tape name (chicken and egg thing) -

One solution is to transcode all footage to the avid codec - then it might be unlinkable and relinkable but i am not sure if that would work
 
Well the easiest thing to do is keep your A2-4 audio -the files are tiny by comparison to video file size. As I was outlining earlier I only needed my A1 which was offline, but got it sorted out. There really is no reason to discard/delete that media -just don't put it on the timeline while editing -just mute those tracks when dropping onto the timeline and you can work with your single audio track (I find doubling the audio of A1 to A2 sounds nice and full -provided it was recorded well).

Of course it would be a great option to be able to select in camera whether or not you want to record those other tracks as opposed to having all those extra files that you won't be using.
 
If you're doubling A1 to A2, that's the same as setting the pan on A1 to mid. Might save a step or two.
 
Already do that. I double up like our buddy Phil Spector to improve the overall sound. Try listening to your audio doubled up with center pan versus A1 center panned. Invariably you will likely also have to boost the level on A1 to get a balanced sound mix for output and you'll hear a little more noise than if you simply double the track.
 
I feel like a complete moron and i have edited in avid for years and was professionally trained by a certified trainer. I nearly passed the exam to become a trainer.


I can not get the process as you describe to work for me, the media tool does not see any media on the drive i selected and i have mxf files in the mxf/1 or 2 files, nothing i press media tool select drive and all the check marks ( have tried it without all of them and just master) and it loads a window with nothing in it. i could really use some help. thank you.
 
brettcassell said:
I can not get the process as you describe to work for me, the media tool does not see any media on the drive i selected and i have mxf files in the mxf/1 or 2 files, nothing i press media tool select drive and all the check marks ( have tried it without all of them and just master) and it loads a window with nothing in it. i could really use some help. thank you.
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Which version of Avid are you using?

This should be a fairly simple process so I'm not sure where you're going wrong. My guess is to check the path name. Make sure your video drive's directory tree appears EXACTLY like this from the root:

Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1

You should be putting your video and audio MXF files in that last folder.

On a side note, I'll be appearing on Barry Green's upcoming HVX Bootcamp Vol II DVD where I give a video tutorial of this process. I would imagine this will be released soon.
 
DC, any response to your suggestion for an MXF batch flip-flop to handle video shot with a Brevis/Redrock/SGPro style adapter? (image inverted and reversed)
 
Joe, did you already mention the old 'move the missing file to the desktop and then back into the media file' trick? That worked for me several times w/the missing audio foolishness...
 
bherr said:
DC, any response to your suggestion for an MXF batch flip-flop to handle video shot with a Brevis/Redrock/SGPro style adapter? (image inverted and reversed)
Click to expand...

Not yet. That would be a fantastic feature though . . .
 
Wow, thanks! I'm was still working on getting a grasp on the ins & outs of P2 cards with Avid. This thread helped me alot!:)
 
How do you delete anything in this folder?
Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1

It says access denied when I try. I copied stuff in there the wrong way and now cant get rid of them.
 
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