Sony engineers have created a software plug-in called Cinemon-OMV1 to speed up and simplify workflow requirements for Final Cut Pro users, Omneon servers and Sony XDCAM camcorders.

Giving the benefits of a native MXF workflow environment and provides post production efficiencies in both time and cost.

Final Cut Pro users have some what been miffed by the Xdcam Ex workflow that is quicker in both Adobe Premiere and Grass Valley Edius users.

They don’t need to bother with transcoding, unwrapping or the need for another application to load up first then transfer in, whilst there is a native FCP log and transfer plug-in not dependent on the Sony Xdcam transfer software.

You still have to wait for the transcode to sort itself out and if you have copied native BPAV folders, then you create material that takes up more disk space, as you have to create a copy unlike with tape or XDcam HD you can leave your material with the original source media and copy once across and not need double up on disk space.

JVC with their Xdcam format cameras both the GY-HM100 and GY-HM700 got it right the first time by recording into Xdcam codec quicktime files, that can the easily be edited straight into the timeline. No transcoding or messing round with a cumbersome workflow.

Workflow illustration from Sony Cinemon site:

Cinemon Plugin for FCP Xdcam Workflow

FCP users benefit of the Cinemon plug-in include:

Cinemon-OMV1 allows native editing of the following formats in a Final Cut Pro timeline:

Sony XDcam Formats:

XDCAM Proxy*
XDCAM HD 18,25,35,50Mbps – 60i/50i/23.98p/25p/29.97p
XDCAM HD 720 50p/60p
XDCAM EX 25, 35 Mbps – 60i/50i/23.98p/25p/29.97p
XDCAM DVCAM
XDCAM IMX
Files exported via XDCAM Transfer Tool
Smart Render Option and API for XDCAM HD formats

Other info:
Supported Operating Systems & Software

Minimum Hardware Specifications:

See below for more information about Cinemon – OMV1  trial download and pricing.
http://bit.ly/EX1madeEZ

The affordability and flexibility has been he the key saving grace for many independent filmmakers, video production companies, broadcasters, online video marketeers and a lot of the video content that’s viewed online.

Some of the nominees as quoted below had this to say about their use of Final Cut Pro or the Studio package.

“We switched over entirely to Final Cut Pro and forced any holdout editors to switch too, because it made the most sense economically and allowed us to do everything we needed,” said Matthew O’Neil director of
China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
See: http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees/chinas-unnatural-disaster-the-tears-of-sichuan-province/3230

Kim Roberts editor of Food Inc, agreed. “I tend to work on a lot of independent documentaries and Final Cut Pro is affordable and a good application. It’s been a natural choice for filmmakers,” she said.
See:http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees/food-inc/3208

Original article source from C-Net .
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10465202-37.html

At HD Productions we are also a Final Cut Studio based video production and training company, allowing us to deliver the same standard in editing our productions or commissioned projects. Our training also gets you up to speed with various aspects package.

If you would like to know more about what we do or offer drops us an e-mail at HD-Productions.biz

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.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Apple’s new Final Cut Studio is out (short version: I am impressed). (boingboing.net)
• Apple store back up; Final Cut Pro 7, Logic Pro 9 released (tuaw.com)
• Review: Final Cut Pro 7 (macworld.com)

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.

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.

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.

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/