Monday, September 2, 2013

Best Multi-track MXF Converter Review: Which one is the best multitracks MXF Converter?

Summary: If you want to convert multi audio channels P2 MXF/MXF to MOV, MP4 or MKV format and want to keep multi audio channels, a professional multitracks MXF Converter is needed. Which one is the best multitracks MXF Converter? Pavtube, Bigasoft, Wondershare or Aiseesoft? The article will help you.

Material Exchange Format, commonly abbreviated to MXF, is a container file format for the exchange of program material between servers, tape streamers and to digital archives. It is an uncompressed format that can bundle together multiple video, audio and program data, which makes a lossless file format with large size. So it is widely used in high definition camcorders like Panasonic P2 Pro AG-HPX600, AG-HPX500, AG-HPX170, AG-HPX171, AG-HVX200, AG-HVX201, AG-HPX300, AG-HPX370/371, AJ-HPX3700, AJ-HPX3000, AJ-HPX3100, AJ-HPX2700, AJ-HPX2000, AJ-HPX2100, etc.

“I have an .MXF video that was recorded with two microphones that play on different channels. I had 2 mics hooked up to my camera. At the beginning of the video {at 4 seconds}, while the person in the video is standing there, a person behind the scenes is asking him a question. Then, when you see the person in the video talking {at 9 seconds} you should hear his voice. 

If convert the .MXF file to MP4 and play, you can hear the person behind the scenes ask the question, but not hear the person in the video talking. See my MP4 example. If convert the .MXF file to .MOV and play, you CAN NOT hear the question being asked and can hear the person in the video talking. See my MOV example. If I try to import either video into video editing programs like Pinnalce Studio 15, Sony Vegas, Magix, I only get the one side of the conversation. 

So, something seems the conversion process is dropping the other audio. Make more sense now?”

Suppose that you have shot an interview with movie star, sport star or CEO of corporation for television program, but when you convert these P2 MXF files to other formats for further playback or editing, you always encounter some problems like no audio in output files, only one channel of audio in output files. It is so annoying! To find the proper MXF converter for help is the key. When you search it in google, you may find lots of software, like Bigasoft, Wondershare, Aiseesoft. However, when you try them, you may always have the problem of no audio in output files and they cannot support to output all the channels of audio. 

Here Pavtube MXF MultiMixer (For Mac: iMixMXF) is the best choice for you. It will help to import MXF files and convert to various video formats compatible to playback or editing. And what’s more, it also supports to convert to MKV, MP4, MOV with multiple audio channels and mix multiple audio channels into one for output. Now let me show you how it works.

Go to download powerful multitracks MXF Converter and get it installed.

1. Import P2 MXF files to MXF Converter.

As all the P2 MXF recordings will be stored in P2 card with a special folder structure. The video and audio are stored in two different folders separately. You will get the video in video folder while all the audio channels in audio folder. So please make sure to keep the video and audio folder structure intact when loading.

p2 mxf folder

Then drag and drop the video into the software directly. Or you can choose to click “Add video” or “Add from folder” button to browse your computer and select the MXF source to import.

 pavtube multi-track mxf converter

Note: When you import the MXF files in video folder, the software will automatically recognize and load all the corresponding audio channels. Do not need to manually load multiple audio channels, which avoid the problem of no audio in output files. Click “Show selected task properties” you are able to see the detailed properties of video and audio.

But some other software like Bigasoft, the audio cannot be recognized and imported automatically, and the same to Wondershare, Aiseesoft.

bigasoft mxf converter 

2. Choose Multi-track output format.

In Format dropdown list, there is a Multi-track Video catalogue. You can choose Multi-track MKVMulti-track MP4 orMulti-track MOV according to your need. Any of them will keep all the multiple audio channels separate in output video so that you can select any desired audio channel when playing or editing it.

convert multi audio channels mxf to mov, mp4, mkv

3. Adjust output settings and Mix into one channel.

Click “Settings” button to change the video and audio parameters and uncheck the audio channel for output. And every audio channel is checked by default.

If you want to merge all the multiple audio channels or some selected audio channels into one channel for output video, just go to check “Mix into one track” on the left bottom.

choose audio files you want

4. Start multi audio channels MXF conversion.

Before conversion, you should “Borwse” the path for output files. Now click “Convert” button to start converting multi audio channels P2 MXF to MOV, MP4, MKV and keeping multi audio channels.

Note: If you have imported several MXF file and want to merge them into one big output file, check “Merge into one file” on the main interface before conversion.

Besides converting to multi-track videos, it still supports to convert MXF to other many other video formats with one desired audio channel. And that is exactly what Pavtube MXF Converter can do for you as well. If you have no need for preserving multiple audio channels and mixing multiple audio channels into one channel, you just want to convert MXF files to other formats with proper audio. Choosing MXF Converter will meet all your need, especially you won’t suffer the problem with no audio. And you can learn more information about how to convert P2 MXF/MXF files on Win/Mac

Don’t worry about the problem about converting MXF files. No matter you wan to select keep all the audio channels separate for output or want to mix them into one channel, the software can help to get all of them done. Go to have a try now!

Read More:

Thursday, August 29, 2013

How to Convert Blu-ray to Asus Google new Nexus 7 with 30% off Blu-ray Ripper

The new 2nd generation Nexus 7 with Android operating system is the tablet computer developed by Google together in conjunction with Asus. With 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 1920*1200 pixel display, stereo speakers and built-in inductive Qi wireless charging, it is considered as an ideal device for playing high definition movies. It would be amazing to watch Olympus Has Fallen on Nexus 7 2nd Gen together with your family and friends. Unfortunately, it cannot play Blu-ray directly. Want to play Olympus Has Fallen with Nexus 7 2nd Gen? Get the Blu-ray to new Nexus 7 converter with 30% off to help you to convert Blu-ray movie to Nexus 7 2nd Gen support format, to make Blu-ray playable on Nexus 7 2nd Gen.

Pavtube Blu-ray Ripper is a professional tool for deal with Blu-ray. It can rip and convert latest DVD and Blu-ray including commercial Blu-ray with copyright protection like BD+, region code, etc. And a lot of videos formats are supported to output, so you are able to watch Blu-ray and DVD movies on your new Nexus 7 android tablet with best quality, or convert them to other tablets and smartphones including Nexus 7, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle Fire HD, Surface RT/Pro, Galaxy Tab 3, Galaxy S4, etc. as well as to upload them to YouTube or Facebook for sharing with friends. And CUDA acceleration will help to speed up the conversion. Get it to experience all the functions now. 

There are two versions:
How to rip and move DVD movies to Google's new Nexus 7 (2013)?

Step 1. Load blu-ray source.

Insert Blu-ray disc to your blu-ray drive and connect it to your computer. Then run the software to get it ready. Click “Load file” button on the top left to load blu-ray disc. You are also allowed to import ISO file and load from folder.

 
  
Few seconds will be taken for removing copyright protection and importing successfully. And a dialogue box will inform you the exact state of ripping progress.

 

Note: Since Blu-ray contains multiple audio and subtitle tracks, you can choose the one you need for output. Find Subtitle and Audio button on the main interface to select the desired one.

Step 2. Choose format for Nexus 7 2nd Gen.

Click Format menu you can find various video formats for many devices. Here you are recommended to choose “Google Nexus 7 H.264 Video (* mp4)” under “Android” catalogue. This option is specially designed for Nexus 7.

convert blu-ray to new nexus 7 

Note: If you need, you can adjust the parameters for output videos such as size, bitrate, channels, etc according to your requirements. Click “Settings” button to go to the dialogue box of profile settings.

new nexus 7 best quality

Remember the file size and video quality is based more on bitrate than resolution which means bitrate higher results in big file size, and lower visible quality loss. According to my experience, for watching Blu-ray movies on the new Nexus 7, 720p with 1500kbps~2000kbps (depending on the movie length) is just all right. 

Step 3. Convert Blu-ray to Asus Google new Nexus 7.

It’s time to start converting Blu-ray to Asus Google new Nexus 7. Go to “Browse” your computer to choose the folder for output videos and then click the big “Convert” button on to get started. When finished, hit “Open” button to get the generated file for Nexus 7.

More features of Blu-ray Ripper:

1. Directly Copy will help to backup the 100% intact blu-ray main movie and output an m2ts files with multiple audio and subtitle tracks for Blu-ray.

2. Full Disc Copy can 1:1 backup the entire Blu-ray with original structure and chapter markers.

3. Pavtube Blu-ray Ripper also supports converting Blu-ray/DVD movies and ISO/IFO image files for playing on iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, S4, S3, Note 2, Google Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Surface RT/Pro, Kindle Fire HD, etc.

Now go to enjoy Blu-ray with Nexus 7 2nd Gen.

And you could have have a look at Money Saving Software Bundles with special offer if you need more software for different videos, like ByteCopy($42) + Blu-ray Video Converter Ultimate($65) = Only $80, Save $27; ChewTune ($29) + Blu-ray Video Converter Ultimate($65) = Only $75, Save $19; Blu-ray Video Converter Ultimate($65) + DVD Creator($35)= Only 65$, Save $35; Blu-ray Ripper($49) + DVD Creator($35) = Only $49, Save $35, and so on. Find what you like and give a try on it.

New Nexus 7 Related guides:

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

20% OFF Convert/Merge DVD to MP4 format for playback

“I want to convert my DVD's to MP4 format. Source video is normally DVD Blu ray Player. With .mp4 format I can put the files on a WD TV Live box connected to TV. The WD box is wifi'd in my network. I can also play the files on my iPad. Some DVD's have episodes or multiple titles. It would be nice to be able to get more than one episode or title at a time.”

As MP4 is the most compatible format for many popular devices and media players, more people want to convert DVD movies to MP4 format for further playback. In this way, they can enjoy DVD movies on their high definition TV with WD box, share them with friends and watch them on their smartphones or tablets whenever they want to. However, some DVDs are the collections of multiple episodes or titles. Is there any easy and quick solution to merge them into one output file? Yes, of course. A wonderful DVD to MP4 Converter is necessary. It will help to both convert and merge DVD to MP4 format.

(Great news for you! Now here is a 20% discount for Pavtube Blu-ray Video Converter Ultimate for Windows/Mac because of the Summer Holiday Sale. Last 4 days! Go to get the special price asap and do not miss it.)

It is good at converting the latest Blu-ray/DVD and various HD videos including from camcorders to a variety of video formats for iOS/Android/Windows Tablets & Phones and HD Media Players as well as video editing software including Adobe Premiere, Sony Vegas, Avid Media Composer, Pinnacle Studio, Windows Movie Maker and more. Besides, you are allowed to edit the videos before conversion and it supports merge multiple files into one output file. Now go to try the trial version to experience what it can do for you.

Here let me show you how to convert and merge DVD to MP4 format step by step. Before going on, please make sure having downloaded and installed it.

(Note: Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac is made for Mac users)

Step 1. Load DVD disc.
  
Launch the program and click “Load file” button to import DVD source. After loading it successfully, you can go to select subtitle and audio tracks for output.

pavtube video converter ultimate

Check the “Merge into one file” on the main interface; you will get multiple selected titles into one output file. It merges not only the chapter in to a title and file but merges the titles in to one file. If you want to merge DVD with multiple episodes or titles into one MP4 file, check it before conversion.

Step 2. Choose MP4 format.

In the dropdown list of “Format”, there are a mass of video format. You can choose MP4 format directly or choose the desired portable devices. Just choose according to your own needs.

convert dvd to mp4

Note: You are also allowed to change the video and audio parameters like codec, bitrate, channels, frame rate, etc. You can adjust it according to your demand or keep it default for output.

Step 3. Convert DVD to MP4.

Click the “Convert” button to start converting DVD to MP4 format. With the technology of CUDA acceleration it will provide you fast conversion speed. Once completed, go to “Open” the generated MP4 files for playback. (Check CUDA acceleration here)

Tips: you could have lots of Money Saving Software Bundles with special offer. Go to find more surprising bundled software and have a try now.

ByteCopy($42) + Video Converter Ultimate($65) = Only $79.9, Save $27.1 
ByteCopy($42) + DVD Creater($35) = Only $44.9, Save $32.1 
ByteCopy($42) + Vidpie($29) = Only $54.9, Save $16.1 
ByteCopy($42) + MXF MultiMixer($45) = Only $69.9, Save $16.1 
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + Vidpie($29) = Only $74.9, Save $19.1 
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + DVD Creater($35) = Only $64.9, Save $35.1 

Read More:

Monday, August 26, 2013

Can WD TV playback Blu-ray? Rip Blu-ray to MKV with AC3 5.1/DTS 5.1 audio at first

Do you want to play Blu-ray on WD TV HD Media Player? Do you wan to choose multiple audio tracks or channels for output? Convert Blu-ray to lossless MKV with AC3 5.1/DTS 5.1 audio at first. Here you will find an easy to do it.

It is known that WD TV is a customer device produced by Western Digital and it is good at playing high-definition video, standard video and most common video and audio formats. However, the limitation is that it cannot play Blu-ray disc because of lacking Blu-ray drive. If you want to enjoy Blu-ray movies with WD TV HD Media Player, the best way is to backup Blu-ray to digital version. As MKV is an open source container format, which can hold unlimited number of video, audio, picture or subtitle tracks in one file, we can choose to backup/convert Blu-ray to lossless MKV with with AC3 5.1/DTS 5.1 audio, which is supported by WD TV player. 

In this case, a powerful Blu-ray to MKV Ripper is necessary. It can help you to retain all multiple audio and subtitle tracks in MKV files. However, Some WD TV users has difficulty in playing MKV files with DTS audio because some WD TV player can not support DTS sound, like WD TV Mini Media Player. Don’t worry, Pavtube ByteCopy support to select audio codec for every audio tracks in MKV. You can choose to remove unnecessary DTS audio or convert DTS to AC3codec for all WD TV box can decode AC3 5.1.

Free download and install it:
How to convert Blu-ray to lossless MKV with AC3 5.1/DTS 5.1 audio for WD TV Live media player?
  
1. Load Blu-ray source.

First of all, insert your Blu-ray to Blu-ray drive and keep networked. Now it’s time to import Blu-ray into the software after launching it.

Click “Load files” icon to choose Blu-ray source for loading.


2. Choose output Multi-track MKV.

In the dropdown list of “Format” menu, you can find several MKV options for output. Here we recommend “Lossless/encoded Multi-track MKV (* mkv)” under “Multi-track Video” catalogue. Because it will save multiple video, audio and subtitle tracks form original Blu-ray in output MKV and you won’t suffer any quality loss.

 

3. Select audio codec for output

Click “Settings” button on the main interface; you are brought to Multi-task Settings. Here detailed parameters of multiple audio and subtitle tracks are listed and you can change any of them at will.

In default system setting, every track is checked for lossless MKV output. If you want to remove one of them, just uncheck it from the list. Check “Encode” option, you can change audio parameters like codec, channels according to your needs. In this way, if you don’t like DTS audio, you can choose to remove it or convert to AC3 here.

 

Note: If you change audio parameters under “Encode” option, you will get a encoded multi-track MKV file, not lossless multi-track MKV. Recoding Blu-ray to MKV will take a little more time for conversion than lossless output.

4. Backup Blu-ray to lossless MKV with AC3 5.1/DTS 5.1 audio.

When everything is ready, you can click “Convert” button to start Blu-ray to MKV conversion. Once finished, go to “Open” the generated multitracks MKV.

Now it is time to enjoy your favorite Blu-ray movies with WD TV player!

Learn more about ByteCopy guides:
Amazing news! We have various Money Saving Software Bundles, which will provide big special sale on much software bundled with ByteCopy, like ByteCopy + Video Converter Ultimate, ByteCopy+DVD Creator, etc.

ByteCopy($42) + Video Converter Ultimate($65) = Only $79.9, Save $27.1 
ByteCopy($42) + DVD Creater($35) = Only $44.9, Save $32.1 
ByteCopy($42) + Vidpie($29) = Only $54.9, Save $16.1 
ByteCopy($42) + MXF MultiMixer($45) = Only $69.9, Save $16.1 
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + Vidpie($29) = Only $74.9, Save $19.1 
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + DVD Creater($35) = Only $64.9, Save $35.1 

If you want to convert your HD videos, movies, music for further editing, playing, sharing, storing, or burning on Windows or Mac, here is right for you. Go to find what you like and you can get special offer with saving up to $35.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

User-friendly Blu-ray Ripper: ByteCopy vs DVDfab, Which one is best?

Description: Which is more user-friendly Blu-ray Ripper on the market from three aspect: disc loading, backing up Blu-ray/DVD main movie in m2ts without any quality loss, profile customizing, multiple audio tracks and subtitle streams retaining, srt/ass/ssa subtitle adding, output multi tracks MKV/MP4/MOV and converting. DVDfab? Pavtube ByteCopy? The article will show you.

No matter you are a newbie or professional who wanna get Blu-ray Disc collection backed up to computer hard drive or ripped Blu-ray movies to other video format for playback on new iPad 3, iPad mini, Apple TV 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Tab 3, Google Nexus 7, Surface, Kindle Fire HD, etc, it is not easy to find the suitable tool because there is so many on the market.

In below article I compare two most popular and hottest tools on the market from three aspects, disc loading, profile customizing and converting, hope it can help you more or less and you can make a much easier choice.

Prepared tools:
  • DVDFab trial version
  • Pavtube ByteCopy trial version
  • An external Blu-ray Disc drive
  • A Blu-ray Disc (take Avatar for example)



Part 1. Load Blu-ray Disc.

DVDFab: I insert the disc before running DVDFab, and when I open the software it automatically detect the disc and start loading. While it seems like that DVDFab cannot correctly detect the BD region code. My Blu-ray Disc Avatar is region A and region B, while after loading into DVDFab, it shows this disc is from region C by default and I have to manually change to correct region for successful disc loading. 

Meanwhile it takes 3-5 minutes to finish disc loading process, and there is no estimated loading time period so I have no idea how long it will take until it is complete after 5 minutes.

ByteCopy: I installed Pavtube ByteCopy on the same computer and click this "Load Disc" icon to import same Avatar Blu-ray Disc, I do not need to choose BD Region Code or anything else, and it only takes about 10 seconds to finish disc loading. 


Plus, there is a percentage showing the progress of disc loading so I would know when the disc can be successfully imported.

Part 2. Custom profile settings.

1. Disc audio streams and subtitle tracks selection.

DVDFab: The GUI of DVDFab is very fresh and I could easily know the functions of every button, like the "Edit" icon for cropping and resizing source disc, the device image or "Profile" icon for output format settings, the "Advanced Settings" for customizing profile parameters, etc.

But I had trouble finding the icon to selecte subtitle and audio track in the first place, and accidentally I put my mouse on the selected Disc title, now I see the drop-down list of subtitle and audio tracks.

ByteCopy: There are obvious icons on Pavtube GUI so I can easily set up the desired subtitle track and audio stream.

2. Video editing option.

DVDFab offers two video editing options, one is Resize output movie resolution and another is Crop unwanted video black bars.

In ByteCopy Video Editor Tab, I find other options beside crop and resize, including trimming, adding text/image/video watermark, adding video effect, audio editor and attaching srt/ass/ssa subtitles, etc. Meanwhile, on ByteCopy GUI, I am able to merge several video clips into one or split one large movie into several segments.

Part 3. Start conversion.

1. Automatic rename function.

DVDFab: Once complete profile settings, I click the big "Start" button to convert my Avatar Blu-ray. While here comes an error message which shows "The file already existed, do you want to overwrite it?" because I did a similar conversion before. If I choose "Yes", my current ripped movie would overwrite the previous one and the previous ripped movie is gone forever, but if I choose "No", the conversion just aborts and tells me "Process Failed", so weird.

Later I realize that I have to manually rename the movie before starting conversion to avoid this error message again.

ByteCopy: I completely rip this movie without renaming the file and Pavtube ByteCopy does not pop up any similar error, instead it would add a number like 0, 1, 2,…at then end of the output movie name, so I will not loose any of the movies I ripped, this amazes me.

3. Locate output file.

In DVDFab, I cannot find any button that would lead me to the created movie, it means I have to remember to file path I set up then open computer hard drive to look for that file; in Pavtube ByteCopy, it is considerate to put "Open" icon on GUI to locate the ripped movie, or I could click this "Open output folder" on conversion UI as well.

Below is my point of view about these two BD ripping tool, DVDFab and Pavtube ByteCopy, and considering to user-friendly aspect, I prefer Pavtube ByteCopy.

Read more articles:

Converting HD Videos, Blu-ray, DVD movies for Android Tablet/Phone with 20% discount

Special offer of Blu-ray/DVD/SD/HD Video and Movie Converting programs which enables you enjoy movie on Android device without any limitation.
Good News! Pavtube Release a New Site - multipelife.com with Product Migration and Name Change. Along with the new website, Pavtube has moved its bestselling software products to multipelife.com with brand new names. DVD Ripper has now become DVDAidBlu-ray Ripper has been renamed as BDMagic, which extends the enjoyment on easily restoring, editing, creating and eventually watching BD/DVD copies on almost all multimedia devices without limits.

To thanks for your continued support all along our previous site and the new www.multipelife.com, we are holding a 'New Site Special' with fantastic discounts up to 40% off. Like us to get 20% off BDMagic, 30% off ByteCopy, 40% off DVDAid and 20% off Video Converter Ultimate on Windows/Mac platform: https://www.facebook.com/pavtubefans/app_209569249055691

Read more: http://device-camcorder-tips.blogspot.com/2014/05/pavtube-release-new-site-and-special.html

Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate, a powerful ripping program which integrates video converting, (protected) Blu-ray/DVD breaking and backuping features; now are on 20% off for Pavtube New Site Special Offer.

The Blu-ray/DVD movies, MTS, MXF, M2TS, TS, M4V, MOV, WMV, MP4, MPG, Tivo, AVI, 3GP, FLV, F4V videos …are all supported to be converted to suitable format for Android tablets or phones.

Download a free trial version and let start to do the magic - enjoy video, 2D/3D Blu-ray/DVD on any Tablets, Smartphones, HD Media Players, Game players, HDTV, etc.
  
1. Click the top left two icons to import discs or videos correspondingly. 

Click the drop-down list on the bottom; choose proper presets according to your device model. You can see columns for normal Android devices, tablets/phones from HTC, Samsung, Motorola or PSP/PS3. 

Or you can use the small search box (besides the big red "3") to locate your device quickly.

pavtube blu-ray/dvd/hd video to android converter 

2. Check the pencil-like icon to activate the editing function. Here you can trim, crop, add 3D effect, deinterlace or edit audio before conversion.
  
Notice the small triangles under the progress bar? Click them to adjust frame by frame easily.

video/movie editing 

3. If you want to output video in specific size, bitrate or frame rate, click "Settings" (which is marked as "3") and change the digits as you need. Pls notes that the video quality improved with the bitrate, but not the higher the better. You need to consider your device configuration as the high bitrate required higher read&write speed.

4. Ok now click the "Convert" button to start converting/copying Blu-ray/DVD/HD Videos to Andorid tablet ot phone for playing. After conversion, click "Open" to locate the converted video directly.

Don't know how to transfer videos from PC to Android? You can view this Android File Transfer.

The Mac version of this Video Converter Ultimate is renamed as iMedia Converter for Mac, it's also on 20% off to thanks for your great support; Mac users, don't miss it!

Read More:

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Free or Paid MXF Converter for Working with C300 MXF Files on Mac OS X

How to editing Canon C300 MXF files in Final Cut Pro 7 and  Final Cut Pro  X? Follow our tips to get free or paid MXF Converter to make video editing with C300 MXF footage go as smoothly as possible.
Working with Canon C300 footage – which is XDCAM 422 50/Mbs footage in a .MXF wrapper – should ordinarily be quite straight forward. MXF files will work natively in Adobe Premiere and ingest quite happily through a free plugin in Final Cut Pro 7 and FCP X.  You can also bring this footage in through AMA into Avid Media Composer 6. AbelCine has an excellent step by step guide to importing C300 footage to Premiere CS6, FCP X, FCP 7 and Avid Media Composer 6. You can check it out here.

Everything will work seamlessly, that is, if your cards have been copied correctly to the hard drive with their entire folder structure intact. Without that folder structure you are effectively locked out of accessing your footage and an editing application like FCP7 will give you an error message like this one:

c300 import erroe message

How to Copy MXF Files Correctly

So how do you copy cards correctly?

Well first, and this may go without saying, but if you're going to get an intern or producer to do it make sure they know what they're doing. Essentially you must copy the entire card structure (preferably not through dragging and dropping in the finder).

Sony and Canon both have free browser apps that will let you back up your media. Or you could invest in something like Shotput Pro to duplicate your cards to multiple drives simultaneously. You are backing them up as you go, right?

If that's not enough detail, just watch this great tutorial on a correct tapeless media workflow from Shane Ross. Although the tutorial winds up in Final Cut Pro 7, the initial principles are the same for any system. If you want even more tips, check out this great video from Chase Jarvis on his complete tapeless workflow.


What To Do If Your C300 Card Structure Is Broken

If for whatever reason your card structure doesn't come across intact, what can you do?

Depending on your NLE you have various options. If you're in Adobe Premiere it doesn't matter, as it will read the MXF files just fine.

First, you can try to 'fake it' out by recreating the C300 card structure (which should look like the example below). In the past I'm sure I've gotten lucky with it but its a pretty slim chance of actually working.

FCPX needs a correct card structure so if you have to, transcoding in a 3rd party app is a feasible workaround.

filestructure

Free App For Converting C300 MXF Files

Miro is a great free app (one of the few free apps I found) that actually works and works well. Miro Video Converter will allow you to grab the .MXF files and transcode them into Pro Res 422, DNxHD and AVC Intra 1080p and 720p. You can batch transcode as many of them as you like and it works pretty quickly. The files look great and were a higher quality than files I created using the demo of Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac Here is a detailed steps. But as Miro is a free app, there are a few catches.

miro video converter


  
First, you cannot specify the output folder and it defaults to your MacHD > User > Movies folder. So you need to have enough space on your boot drive to transcode the footage too. This is also a problem if you have multiple files with the same name, (which I had on this edit with a two camera shoot) as this means you have to transcode one set at a time and move them out of the folder so as not to overwrite them with the next batch. Annoying.

Also the original camera footage I was working with had two audio tracks in it where as Miro would only export a single mono track. This was not helpful either as I needed to be able to mix each track individually.

Note: If you want to retain multiple audio tracks from Canon C300 MXF videos, you are recommended to get a professinal multi-track MXF Converter for Mac program: Pavtube iMixMXF. The following links are detailed steps:

     
Paid Apps for Working With C300 MXF Files
calibrated q

As I was editing on an FCP7 system I had to find a way to get my C300 MXF files to play nice with Final Cut Pro 7, while getting around the broken file structure. A cry for help on Twitter led to this great recommendation from Andy Mees who saved the day by suggesting I check out both MXF Import from Calibrated {Q} or MXF4Mac from Hamburg Pro Media. Both plugins essentially do the same thing which is to allow Quicktime (and any apps that make use of the Quicktime architecture) to work with MXF files, just like any other file.

Calibrated{Q} MXF Import for OSX is a QuickTime Import component for NATIVE Importing and Editing of MXF Files within Final Cut Pro 6, 7, and X without using Log and Transfer.

And you’re not just limited to Final Cut Pro, you can also natively import and work with MXF files in CatDV, Compressor, Motion, Sound Track Pro, QuickTime Player and Shake.


You can download a free demo of MXF Import from Calibrated {Q} to test that it will work on your system. The demos only restriction is that it only allows you to view the first 30 seconds of the clip, other than that it’s the same as the full app. After installing the plugin I could drop the C300 MXF files directly onto the timeline in FCP7 and get editing – and with the dual audio tracks in the original files! Huzzah.

Hopefully these tips will save you some time, effort and frustration with broken MXF file structures.  And next time you’ll just copy the cards structure correctly…and get to editing!

To learn more about Canon, Panasonic P2, Sony XDCAM MXF videos editing and transcoding on Windows or Mac, the MXF Column from camcordervideoshare.altervista.org is highly recommended.

Read More: