Tricks and tips for using Sony RX10 XAVC S files in Avid


Came upon issues working with Sony RX10 XAVC S files in Avid Media Composer? Read this post to find tricks and tips for using Sony RX10 XAVC S files in Avid MC. It explains a way of converting RX10 XAVC S MP4 video to DNxHD for editing in Avid system with optimum performance.
working with Sony RX10 XAVC S files in Avid
Sony has published a firmware update to allow RX10 to record in the modern XAVC S codec. According to Sony, those are the benefits of installing the new release:
•Enables shooting 60p/30p/24p/120p movies in the XAVC S format that supports high bit rates
(1920×1080) 50p/25, (1280×720) 100p, (1920×1080) 60p/30p/24p,(1280×720) 120p
Note: When shooting a movie in the XAVC S format, ensure that an SDXC card of Class 10 or faster is used.

It’s a sweet surprise that Sony gives XAVC S video recording capability to RX10, but if you intend to edit the RX10 XAVC S footage in Avid MC, you may run into incompatibility issues. That’s because currently Sony doesn’t provide an AMA plugin for XAVC S codec currently. Fortunately, there are workarounds to go about this issue, and HD Video Converter is one of them. With this little converter app installed, you can transcode Sony RX10 XAVC S media to Avid system preferred DNxHD format, which Avid will recognize and handle well.

You can download a demo version (for both, PC and Mac) to have a try. They are not free but it is totally worth it.
using Sony RX10 XAVC S files in Avid MCconverting RX10 XAVC S MP4 video to DNxHD

A quick guide on how to convert Sony RX10 XAVC S video to DNxHD for Avid MC

The steps
Step 1: Start up HD Video Converter as a RX10 XAVC S Converter for Avid. When its main interface pops up, click ‘Add File’ to input your source media.
RX10 XAVC S Converter for Avid

Step 2: Choose output format for Avid MC
From ‘Profile’ list, select ‘Avid DNxHD (*.mov)’ as output format under ‘Avid Media Composer’ column.
transcode Sony RX10 XAVC S media to Avid system preferred DNxHD
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 RX10 XAVC S MP4 footage to DNxHD MOV 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 apps with optimum performance.

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