Can't Import XAVC from PXW-X70 into Sony Vegas

audiocrest wrote on 9/30/2014, 10:20 PM

I just received my Sony PXW-X70 and was eager to import XAVC 50Mbps (MXF) footage into Sony Vegas Pro 12. I ignored the negative comments I saw on the Web about importing into Premier and Final Cut but since I have Sony Vegas 12, I figured that I'd be okay. Guess what? Sony Vegas Pro 12 does not recognize file. I get an error statement. This is a file which was being read from a Sony SDXC 64 GB Class 10 UHS 3 94MB/s card. I also tried to importing the MXF file using the device explorer in Vegas. Nothing.

As a test, I created an AVCHD file and that was easily imported and recognized in the device explorer. I should also add that I borrowed a Sony AX100 for a day and shot XAVCs footage and easily imported that into Vegas. But no luck with the pro-grade XAVC.

So I read the literature for Sony Vegas Pro 13 and it states that it I/O XAVC and XAVCs files so I figured that I would purchase an upgrade and all would be good.

The same exact error occurred in Sony Vegas Pro 13. The NLE software will not import the XAVC file. At this point I am pissed. $2300 for the Sony X70 and $150 for the Vegas upgrade to 13 and I can't import and edit footage shot with Sony's latest XDCAM using Sony's latest NLE! Shame on Sony. Actually, shame on me for trusting Sony.

Naturally I send an e-mail to Sony's creative software tech support. As I write this, 7 hours have passed and no word from tech support except an e-mail stating that they received my question.

Now I consider myself a tech-savvy person so I wasn't giving up so easily. After researching some more on the Web about this problem, I found several recommendations for a program called Brorsoft Video Converter. This seemed like it could be the answer. You can download a free trial version and purchase it for $35 if memory serves me correctly. Unfortunately, after several unsuccessful conversion attempts I sit here sharing my negative experience with you.

Sony moderators report this MAJOR problem to their engineers fast and get this problem fixed. Because another day or two of this BS and I am will gladly be posting my thoughts everywhere on the Web. That includes every forum and distributors comment section (BH Photo, Adorama, Amazon, etc...)

It's a shame. I like Sony and have migrated away from Canon. I've been using Vegas since it first came out and own several of their cameras (FS100 & RX100) Is it too much to ask for their products to integrate seamlessly?

PLEASE HELP!

Mark K.

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Comments

Gene Aum wrote on 10/4/2014, 7:55 PM

I've got a demo X70 on the way to test whether shooting talking-heads with DLP projection in the background will be a problem for this camera. Have had problems in the past with single-chip cameras. (and no problem with 3-chip cams).

It's funny that sales people always suggest I purchase different (read: older model) cameras instead of the X70 - ones with clearly inferior specs.
The X70 has two SD slots, has 4:2:2, and numerous other features that the CX900 is missing. Not sure if the CX900 supports firmware updates, but I'm looking fwd to the X70 for that and many other reasons. Just hope there's no issue with DLP projected video.

Steve

astar wrote on 10/5/2014, 9:59 PM

These 2 commands will convert the footage to something useable:

1080P24 to DNxHD 175M
ffmpeg.exe -threads 8 -i <name>.MXF -vcodec dnxhd -b 175M -acodec copy <output>.mov

1080p24 to Prores 422 HQ
ffmpeg -i <name>.MXF -vcodec prores -profile 3 -acodec copy <output>.mov

Here is what FFMPEG reports on the codec:
Input #0, mxf, from 'Cat_XAVC-L_1080p_24fps_50Mbps.MXF':
Metadata:
uid : 60f70e8a-8f7a-122b-839f-000000000000
generation_uid : 60f70e94-8f7a-122b-a7ff-000000000000
company_name : Sony
product_name : Mem
product_version : 2.00
product_uid : ffffffff-ffff-ffff-ffff-ffffffffffff
modification_date: 2014-10-01 22:35:29
timecode : 00:01:10:16
Duration: 00:00:09.51, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 50682 kb/s
Stream #0:0: Video: h264 (High 4:2:2), yuv422p10le(tv, bt709), 1920x1080 [SAR 1:1 DAR 16:9], 23.98 fps, 23.98 tbr, 23.98 tbn,
47.95 tbc
Stream #0:1: Audio: pcm_s24le, 48000 Hz, 1 channels, s32 (24 bit), 1152 kb/s
Stream #0:2: Audio: pcm_s24le, 48000 Hz, 1 channels, s32 (24 bit), 1152 kb/s
Stream #0:3: Audio: pcm_s24le, 48000 Hz, 1 channels, s32 (24 bit), 1152 kb/s
Stream #0:4: Audio: pcm_s24le, 48000 Hz, 1 channels, s32 (24 bit), 1152 kb/s
Stream #0:5: Data: none
Metadata:
data_type : vbi_vanc_smpte_436M

peterB wrote on 11/10/2014, 1:40 PM

I bought the X70 too. And could not do anything with the XAVC footage. So I signed up for Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2014 and import from the card and edit, period. No screwing around. I guess I could render out as Adobe MXF so Vegas 13 can use the video but why bother? Shame on Sony!

Rob Franks wrote on 11/10/2014, 2:46 PM

" Shame on Sony!"

Can't say I disagree.

There has always been a real disconnect between Sony and SCS, but it borders on just plain silliness when a Sony camera works better with a competitor's editor. Maybe this is why Sony is in such trouble these days.

Gene Aum wrote on 11/10/2014, 7:38 PM

Got to use my new X70s on an 1.5hr gig today. One cam using avchd and the other xavc.

The avchd clip looks wonderful!

WRT XAVC:
Installed Catalyst Preview and started the conversion of the xavc clip. It was going so slow that I left work to let it run overnight. (new model PC with 4th-gen i7)

Of course while installing the Catalyst software it DID state that it was installing the CPU version of OpenCL - i.e. no GPU support. So, no wonder.

Obviously I will use the cams in AVCHD until next month when, purportedly, Vegas will have ability to directly ingest xavc.

Oh, btw, for those of us with X70s it appears Sony is going to charge a subscription for the firmware updates. So, those of us who thought the 4k feature was coming... it will, but apparently at a cost.

Steve

OldSmoke wrote on 11/11/2014, 5:24 AM

Steve

As far as I know, the 4K upgrade was always to be at a cost and knowing Sony, it won't be cheap.

peterB wrote on 11/19/2014, 9:27 AM

yes the 4K upgrade won't be cheap (cheap is relative). But you have a camera that cost less than 3K$ that produces video comparable to what I get from my PDW 700 that with a broadcast HD lens, large viewfinder, stereo mic and wireless kit cost me almost 20x the cost of the X70. I love the X70 and by adding a matte box and a fuzzy shotgun windscreen to it, it looks pretty serious. Video is outstanding and Premiere Pro CC 2014 edits it without a hitch. If I could connect it to CBC's Telus transmission box I'd never again use the PDW 700 for news footage. More off topic: Miller sells an quick release adapter so you can mount your X70 and other small cameras on your tripod with the Sony VCT plate.

OldSmoke wrote on 11/19/2014, 9:47 AM

I am waiting to see how much the complete PXW-X70 with 4K package will sell for. So far I am very happy with my AX100 but I do like some of the features the X70 offers. If it is still below 3K, around 2.5K, I might sell my AX100 and get a X70.

Christian de Godzinsky wrote on 1/18/2017, 2:27 PM

Hi,

Has the situation changed since the last post? Recently I bought the Sony X70 (with the 4K upgrade). Looking for the most Vegas-friendly HD format to use. Do I have to do conversions or can VP13/VP14 digest HD files correctly from this CAM? What format in that case? There are so many options to test so I would appreciate someones comments on this that have both the X70 and Vegas 13.

Cheers,

Christian

PS: Did not yet upgrade from VP13... so this question is also important: Is there any improvement here from VP13 to VP14?

set wrote on 1/18/2017, 4:55 PM

I remember after the announcement of X70's firmware update last year (or 2015, can't remember), VP13 has released the updates that finally read the XAVC format. Both updates (X70 and VP13) fix each other.

I forgot the X70 4K test file, but I remember it finally works. But, since you just bought the x70 with 4K upgrade (I still HD only - not yet upgraded to 4K), you can post very short xavc sample in Dropbox / Google Drive / WeTransfer / etc. and let us check it for you.