F3: XDCAM Browser Requires Serial Number Now

A

Andrew Stone

Veteran
I do not recall XDCAM Browser requiring a serial number... until now. Am I correct here? Just downloaded the new version and it's asking me for a serial or some cash. I recall getting a copy of Vegas with a serial number when the F3 arrived but that is it.
 
I've installed many of the different versions since the good old days and never once had to enter in a serial number. Crazy times.
 
I think because they merged the NXCAM decoder into the Clip Browser they are charging, since the NXCAM plug in was a $19 upgrade. I questioned this and was told that this is a content management application rather than an NLE specific application. And not clear whether it requires the $19 optional NXCAM or $199 other-codecs license to unlock. Or buy an F5/55 and get the serial number for free. I still think it is pretty lousy and I'm not satisfied by the answer.

Ned
 
It's too bad if they really are charging for it, for some clients when I give them footage directly and they want to view it I use to give them a USB stick wit hthe XDCAM viewing software on it... what will I tell them now? Buy NLE software for $1000 to view it instead?

Pretty ridiculous whatever Sony was thinking.

The $199 one unlocks viewing metadata from the clips which I lost the ability to do after upgrading my F3 firmware to v1.4 which forced me into the newer XDCAM browser. The meta data included viewing your clips' shutter speed, gain, white balance, picture profile mode, and other information, etc...
 
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starcentral said:
The $199 one unlocks viewing metadata from the clips which I lost the ability to do after upgrading my F3 firmware to v1.4 which forced me into the newer XDCAM browser. The meta data included viewing your clips' shutter speed, gain, picture profile mode, and other information, etc...
Click to expand...

You have got to be kidding or mistaken. That is outrageous. They have taken away the ability to view metadata unless you spend $200?! I sense a PR disaster in the making.

Ned, you being our Prometheus might want to have a word with someone before they find out how cruel social media can be.
 
I have already registered my opinion that the Clip Browser should be free as it always was. The response, as I said, is that it is a media management tool. Now, engaging in pure speculation-- Sony is licensing components that need to be monetized. In addition, the software seems to be a different division of Sony-- Sony Creative Software-- the folks who bring you Vegas, Sound Forge, Acid Loops, Spectralayes, etc etc. Just like the SxS cards come from a different division. That adds to the complexity.

I don't think it takes trash-talk social media to get the message to Sony. But I think it takes on-going pressure from users, bloggers, journalists-- and yes, Twitter and Facebook posts.

As I said, not happy about this and not happy about the response.

Ned
 
I for one have a deposit down on an F55 and I'm going to press pause and see how this plays out. What's the point of being an early adopter, when you have to charge people to even review the footage. Early adption is a battle all of it's own. I went early with the PDW700 in a market that was very entrenched with standrd def Digibeta, and i really had to fight hard for people to give the format and the workflow a go. Once they tried it, battle over, but paying for the browser is a MASSIVE obsticle and makes me feel like it's not worth it. If Sony's listening, here's a sale that will be cancelled if they stick to this ludicrous idea.
 
Osslund said:
I have XDCAM browser installed but haven't seen the point of using it. Usually I just play the clips in VLC or drop them into PP.
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I use PP, but many of my clients are still on FCP7.
You'll still need XDCam Browser to send to FCP7, correct?
 
Whats the difference between the paid 2.0 browser, and version 1.1? (Nonserial needed)

Ryan
 
Sure you're not confusing this with the new Content Browser v1.1)?
I just downloaded that recently and it's still free. I do think metadata is charged extra but the ability to view is still a free app...

Edit: Never mind, I see what the issue is now. Disregard!
 
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Andrew and Ned, what version # are you talking about here?
I have XDCAM Browser V1.2 right now, not that I have used it much as I normally ingest the media directly into FCP7, (PIX 240 media).
My F3's firmware is now at ver' 1.45, does this mean that I would have to download and PAY for the newest version of XDCAM Browser if I wanted to use that application?

I've not tried it but are you all saying that XDCAM ver' 1.2 doesn't work with the F3 at firmware 1.4+?

Before it was free, now we have to pay?

If this is the case I can see this developing into a really interesting thread!
 
Hi Peter,

Version 2.0 of XDCAM browser is still free to use. When you install 2.1 it asks for a serial. If you don't have one which if you own an F3 you almost certainly don't, you can pony up 20 bucks for basic functionality. If you want metadata from your Sony PL lenses that you got with your Sony F3, you know have to pay 200 bucks for the luxury of seeing that data in the application. Also things like shutter speed, color temp and so on need the more costly license.

Thou giveth S-Log gamma; thou taketh away metadata.

I moved to a Windows production machine back in the summer (yes it works swimmingly), so I could drop some decent GPUs into the machine for Resolve and get a modern processor for rendering in other apps, however, version 2.0 of XDCAM Browser kills my audio which only a full reboot will fix. Only app that does this. Not sure if verison 2.1 fixes this. Not going to pay 200 to find out.
 
bill totolo said:
I use PP, but many of my clients are still on FCP7.
You'll still need XDCam Browser to send to FCP7, correct?
Click to expand...

You don't "need" XDcam browser to really do anything, BUT, it is handy for reviewing all your clips, logging them and making any notes. For me, I don't import certain takes I just know I won't use... or sometimes I will use it to review the best takes with the client.

The big plus for me was, "hm, wow what were my camera settings on that shot" "oh just look at the metadata and see". Not anymore unless I want to fork out $199
 
For sure, then I will not buy the F55/F5 when we have to pay a browser...
I have paid for a F3, then S Log and now....
Bye Bye Sony, bye bye
 
I think someone told me originally that I was using the wrong browser anyway but I was just "lucky" it was working with the F3 files.

Note: there is "ClipBrowser v2.6" which in the manual refers to it as "XDCAM EX Clip Browsing Software version 2.6"

Then there is "XDCAM Browser v1.3" which I used for some time, and now I'm using "XDCAM Browser v2.1" which tells me my trial version has expired but still works.
 
Yea, v2.1 has some metadata features for XMPilot that are trial and paid only, but the main program still works for free. If they stay on that basis, I'm happy.
 
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