We published yesterday that Final Cut Pro X 10.2 would accept Sony FS7 XAVC L files without the need for the Sony XDCAM plugin. We were right, but there is one essential piece of information you need to know and one large 4K sized problem.
Sony FS7 owners have been complaining about the lack of XAVC L support in FCPX. Up until now, users had to resort to Sony's Catalyst Browse, Edit Ready or similar transcoding application to use the files.
When 10.2 was released, it came with the promise that XAVC L would be supported and also the news that you didn't need to install Sony's XDCAM plugin anymore - FCPX did it all for you.
So we were quite surprised when we saw that a few of our friends were seeing the XAVC L files as JPEGS in the new import window and for that reason, couldn't get their footage in.
After much head scratching and phone calls between ourselves and proud FS7 owner Philip Johnston who runs HD Warrior, we eventually found the solution.
Philip had been recording XAVC L onto a card that already had files with other formats/codecs on it such as MXF. Take a blank card and record XAVC L and the files pop up ready for import immediately.
So, the moral of the story is don't mix codecs on a camera card if you want to guarantee getting footage into FCPX. We don't know why this happens or if you can mix different XAVC flavours and import those, or if this occurs with other codec combinations. We will post more when we have more information.
Our tagline for the article that we wrote last night was 'Now have at least one happy Sony owner shooting XAVC L on an FS7 and editing in Final Cut Pro X 10.2!' Unfortunately this morning, Philip tells us that the import only works with 1080, UHD doesn't work. We are also hearing import problems with XAVC L from Sony X70 users.
Philip is doing more tests this morning and will publish an article on his findings later.
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!
