Great news for Sony Xdcam EX1 and EX3 users, Apple Mac’s Snow Leopard Sony SxS express card bug now fixed and is available for download from Sony site. Previously the SxS card caused a kernal panic on both the Macbook pro laptops with the express slot.

Now users who have upgraded to Snow Leopard and Final Cut Studio can now use this application with less of a concern and worry prior to this fix.

Download link for updated Sony SxS driver can be found here:

http://www.sony.ca/promedia/drivers.htm

Matt Davis has found that Apple Mac’s Snow Leopard doesn’t like the official Sony SxS express cards and its use can lead to a kernal panic on both the Macbook pro laptops and it maybe replicated on the Macpro desktops as well.

As for what to do please follow the information I have given or e-mailed you to work around this.

More information can be found at http://mattdavis.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/how-to-kill-a-snow-leopard/

The new release of Final Cut Pro 7 part of the Final Cut Studio. While FCP 7 has updated the log and transfer interface to work directly with P2, RED and AVCintra, plus an automated import mode as soon as the card/drive mounts.

This is not the same for the Sony Xdcam EX cameras, the workflow for FCP 6 is identical to FCP 7 and will consist of installing the called Clip Browser software from Sony and the SxS card drivers. In addition you will need XDCAM Transfer utility to playback the video clips, read/amend the clip metadata, create subclips, and re-wrap them into MOV files for editing with Final Cut Pro.

More information about our Sony EX1/ EX3 training courses can be found at:

http://www.hd-productions.biz/wp/sony-ex1ex3-xdcamex-hd-camera-training-updated/

Today I had a look at the new Final Çut Studio as it now simply called, not version 3 as expected. I was invited courtesy of MacVideo to have a look at the new features demonstrated by Apple Staff, specialising in Video market.

Whilst it boasts over a 100 new features native transfer support in Final Cut Pro 7, one of them is log and transfers for XDcam Ex,you still have to use Sony’s own Log and Transfer Utility. But if you are using Panasonic P2, AVCintra or RED no problem and can be set to locate and ingest a mounted card.

We had a brief overview of the new Pro Res Codecs of which there are three including
Pro Res 4444 that carries an alpha channel as well another for multicam use and proxy version of suitable for offline laptop editing.

New speed change or time remapping features, plus i Chat theatre integration, background transcoding with ability to cluster or network distributed encoding in the background whilst you still edit.

Motion 3 supports shadows, multiple light reflections as well plus loads of other stuff already featured online or commented about. But a reminder this version is only Intel compatible and will not run on a G5 or G4 processor.

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HD Production tapeless video training and seminar handout.

Sony PMW EX1/EX3 XDcamEX powerpoint training material updated as for seminars,workshops and courses. Ideal for Sony EX1 or EX3 users, owners or hirers. Simple reference for end user on managing their card settings and how to maintain format options, for easier tapeless video production workflow management.

This updated powerpoint deals with disk formatting to maintain drive name integrity and the correct method for file deletion to avoid wiping the disk back to it’s original state.

Information suitable for RED One, Panasonic P2 or JVC HM100/HM700 users as well.

Apple’s New Final Cut Studio and resources this new edition boast over a 100 new features:

Expanded ProRes family choose from new Pro Res codecs for digital,
broadcast, compositing and 4k workflow, improved compression,
file size and production output management.

We can show what to, how to and when to them accordingly.

Benefit from easy export options for multiple formats and platforms, for online, DVD, web/IPTV, iPhone or Ipod.

Tighter integration with Compressor, create custom templates and presets for encoding for uploading to Youtube, Podcast, Vodcasts, FTP or file sharing .

Speedier production from background encoding, whilst working and editing.

Collaborate with I Chat theater get together online with client, edit production members or directors, to share and review work in progress, make amendments quickly and get quicker sign offs and approvals for work.

Includes also new speed change tool, change and retime your clips with more flexibility and fine tune options.

Alpha transitions and more visual creative options to your edits
Improved render and media management, reduce re-rendering and more control over clips and files for projects.
Optimised and improve codec performance, quicker multilayering, rendering, preview and playback for XDcam and HDV.

Many more features to gain from from Final Cut 7, when training with us as soon as it hits the UK.

In the meantime get familiar the following, update yourself and preview some of the newest additions you’ll be learning.

See links below.

Leave details below and we’ll let you know ASAP.

HD Productions Sony EX1 2 day London Courses in August 2009, first dates are the 4th-5th August 2009.

This workshop enables a fast and easy way to learn the fundamentals and advanced features on the Sony XDcam EX ranges of camcorder, shoots in full HD 1920 x 1080.

We show you how to master tapeless production workflow and recording for broadcast, event,filmmaking, documentary, corporate, webtv or IPTV sectors.

Our tuition covers all the operating and functions of the camera, from menu set-up options, shooting PAL/NTSC 1080/720, frame rates, formats, SXS card management and examine the many inbuilt options that will aid in your production.

This training is ideal for previous owners of Sony cameras wanting to upgrade or update theirs camera knowledge, video productions units or filmmakers migrating to high definition tapeless workflow, will also suit new users, hirers wanting more familiarity and hands on user experience.

Brief summary cover some aspects in the course.

Ideal for existing Sony owners or users of tape based camera such as Z1’s, DSR’s range and PD 150’s etc and other camera and camcorder users looking to upgrade to a tapeless high definition format solid state camera.

Great for independent production companies seeking a tapeless solution with a good introduction or upskilling on camera use, wanting to be able to get the best out this equipment and company investment.

HD Productions runs a intensive 1 day and 2 day training course using Sony Xdcam EX cameras. The workshop enables a fast and easy way to learn the fundamentals and advanced features on the camcorder.

We show you how to master tapeless production workflow and recording for broadcast, event,filmmaking, documentary, corporate, webtv or IPTV sectors.

Our tuition covers all the operating and functions of the camera, from menu set-up options, shooting PAL/NTSC 1080/720, frame rates, formats, SXS card management and examine the many inbuilt options that will aid in your production.

This training is ideal for previous owners of Sony cameras wanting to upgrade or update theirs camera knowledge, video productions units or filmmakers migrating to high definition tapeless workflow, will also suit new users, hirers wanting more familiarity and hands on user experience.
 

Please view our card management guide this can be found at
http://www.hd-productions.biz/wp/sony-xdcam-ex-camera-training-course-handout/

HD Productions Sony EX1 / EX3 handout covering card management tips for effective
video production and video asset transfer to computer, hard drive or archiving system.

Getting the basics right will make life easier and manageable, this begins with having
a simple procedure or system in place. Allows the user or whoever the user
collaborates with to make the media asset management and production workflow
run smoothly.

HD Productions Sony EX Training Powerpoint handout

Especially if in a multicam situation, you’ll need to know which cards came from
what camera and in what order they were recorded. Sometimes it’s not
practical to back up in the field or immediately after a shoot.

If you’ve hired or borrowed cards that need to be returned, this could
be a problem if not properly identifiable and look identical. Just like
hard drives the cards, are simply data storage areas and like hard
drives on a computer system or network by labelling them you
can quickly identify or locate the data on them.

A bonus video showing the robustness of Sony Xdcam EX SXS recording media:

New Final Cut Pro Editing courses focusing on faster, quicker, editing workflows for edit and post production staff. Utilize shortcuts for more effective workflow. Understand management storage, better multi tasking, managing HD workflow, deal with transcoding between SD and HD formats, customise your keyboard to work more flexibility, using both Macbook laptops or Mac Pro for quicker edit and storage solutions for projects.