Life would be so much simpler for us editors if everybody used the same codec, preferably ProRes. VirtualMXF from Hamburg Pro Media brings a little more friendliness to handling MXF files in non linear editors.
MXF or Material Exchange Format sounded like it was a good idea when it was proposed as a standard for the creation and interchange of media between cameras, NLE's and output devices. One big problem though, Final Cut Pro 7 hates mixing Long-GOP footage such as XDCAM with I-frame based ProRes for example. They way round this is to convert the files to ProRes although you can't do this via Log & Transfer on ingest. The whole process is messy and takes time but is preferable to constant crashing.
So what if you want to use MXF files directly without any conversion? Hamburg Pro Media has launced VirtualMXF, a €149 tool that enables the media to handled as if it was a Quicktime file, almost instantly. There is a free demo, but you have to request a trial.
"How does it work? After defining a "MXF Source", which can be a folder, a whole hard disc drive, an USB Stick or even a server volume, it automatically and immediately originates a new - virtual disk drive - on the Desktop in which all original MXF clips are virtualized as FCP X compatible Movies. Drag&Drop these movie files into FinalCutPro X or nearly any other Mac OS X Application for audio visual content"
We are far from experts on MXF or indeed XDCAM here at FCP.co. We get cameramen to shoot with KiPro Minis on the back of XDCAM cameras if possible so we can import ProRes media directly into FCP7 without waiting. We have found that the quicker you get your footage into ProRes the better.
So it looks like the workflow in FCP7 would be to copy the media off the cards or disc, let VirtualMXF make virtual copies and then import those files into FCP. If you wanted to go ProRes then a batch export could be initiated. The virtual copy of the original media would probably disappear if the card was unmounted.
In Final Cut Pro X things are slightly more elegant as it can natively handle AVC-intra, Canon XF MPEG-2 and most flavours of XDCAM. Once you have got the files off the media, you can start editing immediately, let FCPX convert the files into ProRes in the background and then automatically swap them out when done. Do you need VirtualMXF?
We think that this product has highlighted the need for Sony to write an ingest plugin for FCPX that will allow a mounted XDCAM disk to be seen and the files to be copied and transcoded. We already know this is in developmet for SR cards. VirtualMXF will have its place in the market, mainly for FCP7 users who shoot on XDCAM and have tight deadlines as sitting in front of the Sony Transfer software is not something you want to do under time pressure.
For some background reading on getting XDCAM & XDCAM EX into FCP7, take a look at Apple's document 'Working with Sony XDCAM Formats.'
We would like to hear from editors who have used VirtualMXF or who have specific workflows for MXF with Final Cut Pro 7 and FCPX. We're sure there might be better ways to avoid mixing codecs on the timeline.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
