If you experience any issues working with Sony PMW-400 XAVC footage in Avid Media Composer, you may follow this tutorial to transcode PMW-400 XAVC MXF files to DNxHD for use in Avid system beautifully.
I can’t import Sony PMW-400 XAVC footage to Avid, please help!
“Hi, there, I am a VERY VERY new Avid user. I have a bundle of XAVC footage shot on a borrowed Sony PMW-400 camcorder. I copied these MXF video files onto a local hard disk and returned the camcorder to its owner. When I’m trying to import the PMW-400 XAVC footage to Avid, it choked. I have the correct
XAVC/XDCAM Plug-in for Avid (PDZK-MA2) installed, but it doesn’t help me AMA the footage into Avid. I also tried to directly import, but failed again. Does anyone have a good organization workflow for these files? Is there anything I’m completely missing? MC 8.3.1 with Symphony option, OS 10.8.5. Please help. Thanks. ”
You have two ways to import Sony PMW-400 XAVC footage to Avid
1. If you have the folder structure intact, and AMA recognizes it and brings the clips into a bin. Select all the clips, on the menu choose Tools > Consolidate/Transcode. Choose consolidate. You will then get to pick a drive and some other options. This essentially copies the files into the Avid media database.
2. If you do NOT have the folder structure intact and just have the raw files, then you can open a new bin, click import select all the files you want to import and the file type you want them to come in as, and let it import the files normally.
If the above mentioned two ways do not work, we would recommend transcoding Sony PMW-400 XAVC footage to DNxHD codec for use in Avid MC smoothly. This requires third party software like HD Video Converter. Read on to find a quick guide on how to encode Sony PMW-400 XAVC footage to DNxHD .mov for Avid editing.
Here’s what you need
HD Video Converter (download the right version depending on your computer system)
[Guide] How to encode Sony PMW-400 XAVC files to DNxHD for Avid editing?
Follow these steps:
Step 1. Start up HD Video Converter as the best Sony PMW-400 XAVC Converter for Avid. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ button to import your source files.
Useful tips:
1. This converter supports batch conversion, so you can load multiple files to it for conversion at a time.
2. By ticking off ‘Merge into one file’ option, you can combine the selected video clips into a single file.
Step 2: Select output format for Avid
To convert Sony PMW-400 XAVC files to DNxHD for Avid MC: from ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
Important: If you’ve loaded a number of video clips to do batch conversion, please do remember ticking off ‘Apply to All’ option before you start.
Step 3: Custom video and audio settings
If necessary, you can click ‘Settings’ button and go to ‘Profiles Settings’ panel to modify video and audio settings like video encoder, resolution, video bit rate, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio encoder, sample rate, audio bit rate, and audio channels. 3D settings are also available.
Step 4: Start Sony PMW-400 XAVC files to DNxHD Conversion
When ready, click ‘Convert’ to start format conversion. As soon as the conversion is complete, you can click ‘Open Folder’ button to get the exported DNxHD MOV files for use in Avid with optimum performance. Nothing could be simpler or more immediate.
Related posts
XAVC (S) and Avid – work with XAVC (S) MXF/MP4 files in Avid
AVCHD and Avid – Transcode AVCHD to DNxHD for Avid import
How can I import MXF footage into Avid Media Composer?
What’s the best workflow between Sony PMW-EX3 and Avid MC?