XDCAM EX and MXF vs. AVCHD

Tech Diver wrote on 1/18/2012, 12:18 PM
Though I have spent quite a number of years working with DV/avi and AVCHD/m2t formats, I am now treading on new ground with the imminent arrival of my new camera, the JVC GY-HM750. This system records in MP4/HDCAM EX format on memory cards. I have never worked with these files before and as I understand, these can be transfered to my computer in either MXF or AVCDH format. Also, I understand that I could use either the Vegas device explorer or XDCAM explorer to import my clips.

At this point, I really don't know in which direction to head despite the fact that I have searched the forum archives. If someone could please give me some workflow advice on this topic it would be greatly appreciated.

Peter

Comments

rs170a wrote on 1/18/2012, 1:31 PM
Peter, I have a pair of those cameras and will be glad to help out.
They shoot in either MP4 or MOV format in HD mode and AVI or MOV in SD mode.
I'm a PC user so I shoot in MP4 or AVI.
When I come back from a shoot, I use a card reader and run XDCAM EX Clip Browser (it's a free download) to transfer the footage from the SD cards to my computer's hard drive.
It re-wraps the MP4 files to MXF format at the same time and Vegas loves that format :)
In theory, you can copy the original MP4 files but, if it was a long continuous shoot like a lot of mine are, you wouldn't get the clips joined together to make one long file.
BTW, the only forum specific to that camera that I've found is the one on DV Info.
If you have any more questions, ask them here or feel free to contact me off list by clicking on my name and sending me an email.

Mike
Tech Diver wrote on 1/18/2012, 3:39 PM
Mike, thank you for your informative reply and the link to the browser software (I too am a PC user).

I would like to ask you just a few more questions. Namely, why is it better to wrap a clip in MXF instead of directly working with the MP4s? Also, I noticed that JVC has a clip manager untility and I don't know if I should download that as well. Lasty, is the Device Explorer or XDCAM Explorer in Vegas of any use to the workflow?

Peter
rs170a wrote on 1/18/2012, 5:28 PM
Files from the SD card have a size limit during recording and then it automatically switches to a new file.
For example, if I shoot a 1 hr. play (continuous record), I get somewhere between 10 to 15 MP4 files.
Using Clip Browser re-wraps all these files into one continuous file in MXF format.

I tried the JVC utility and gave up on it immediately as it didn't do what I needed it to.

The JVC is not an XDCAM camera so XDCAM Explorer is of no use to us.
I've never tried Device Explorer so I can't comment on it.

BTW, JVC says you only need Class 6 SDHC cards which means low $$.
At the recommendation of my dealer, I went with Class 10 Transcend cards ($75 CDN.) and haven't had any complaints.

My only complaint about the camera is that, due to the 1/3" chips, the low light capability leaves a lot to be desired.
My former cameras were the JVC 550U which had 1/2" chips and were a LOT better in low light situations.

Mike