Sony X70 Proxy Workflow

HI all.

So my X70 should be arriving tomorrow, it has the option to record proxies from the high res 4K source.

I'm wondering if there is a way I could only import the proxies and replace them later without having to import the 4K footage so my edit suite does not strain under the pressure of creating it's own proxies too much.

The proxy and source clips are supposed to have the same file names, not sure if they record to separate cards which I assume with relay recording, could I just overwrite the clips in the project via the finder. I seem to recall on one or tow occasions when I manually went into a library the clips had been renamed by and for FCP X.

Feedback would be appreciated, thanks.

What is your hardware? Do you really need proxies? Unless your Mac is really old, you may not need proxies at all.

Hi Ben

I will be shooting 4K, I use a Macbook Pro 2015 with an external monitor. I know with other 4K footage or sometimes even high megabit footage I max out the system.

I know I should transcode to optimized media but it takes a huge amount of space and my thunderbolt external drive only has 2 terabytes available for my projects. I am constantly moving content off it would be quite cool to start off with proxies from the camera and switch to high quality for on-line.

Hi. I have been wondering the same thing.
I also have a 4k PXW-X70 and use FCPX. I usually create proxies in FCP even with HD movies. I intend on using proxy QFHD files and wonder what, if any, are the advantages of creating QFHD proxy files when shooting with the PXW-X70 OR post-production in FCPX?

Also, I am considering the SONY PXW-X70 MPEG firmware upgrade. I use FCPX. Is there any significant advantages with using MPEG format VS SONY QFHD/XAVC?

I have a Sony X70 but I haven't shot 4K yet. If I needed proxies I'd rather have FCPX general ProRes Proxy files than use H.264 proxies at smaller frame size. ProRes is generally easier to handle than H.264 and I'd rather have the proper frame size.

I shoot with an X70 - it replaced the Canon XF100 in my photo. I have never felt the need to use proxies at all, either camera or FCPX-generated. I have a current top spec iMac with RAID 0. If I felt my computer was getting too bogged down I'd probably just use FCPX proxies. I feel like that would give better final quality. You should try it before you go the proxy route though. I always shoot XAVC-L at maximum quality, about half and half HD and 4K.

You're right thanks, I was just thinking of lowering the load on my CPU which gets quite bogged down when I add too many effects but I guess letting FCP do it would always be the safest choice.

4K on a MacBook Pro, you will probably end up needing proxies. Even with a 1TB T'bolt SSD external drive for my Library, I have to use proxies for 4K work. But test it out, see what works for you.

Import the footage directly into FCPX (ATI & some NVIDIA cards only) & let FCPX handle the proxy transcodes - don't bother with optimised media.

If you have an NVIDIA card that exhibits the XAVC-L random pixelation issue - convert your master files using 'Edit Ready', import them into FCPX, then create the proxies.

Hope that helps!

Hi Ben

Have run some tests. It is a 2015 Macbook Pro using a thunderbolt drive and optimised media runs brilliantly, I suspect adding a grade after the colour correction and removing some noise and having a spot of stabilising here and there is going to cause problems.

I cut a project before where I directed a shoot on a GH4 which took some rendering but was fine. The XAVCHD codec is a little unknown for me but will of course optomise the media straight away on injest. Was just thinking of alternative workflows.

Thanks Coldsweat

Will let FCP do the proxies. I also optimise however for the grade, just makes life easier I find with all sorts of goodies I throw on top.

Thank you all for your advise. It seems the consenus is that I should let FCP create the proxy files.

Another question...
SONY has made the BKZ-SLMP upgrade licence that adds MPEG HD422 recording. Does anyone know what advantages there is to using MPEG files instead of the SONY XAVC/QFHD? ANd if there is advantages, are they woth the price tag $629USD.

And another question..
I am researching archiving of FCPX libraries. Given FCPX can automatically create backups that are significantly smaller files and can be used to recreate projects, could I simply save the original movie files + the FCP backup files instead of saving whole FCP bundles/libraries?

« Mpeg HD 422 » is a 10bit Codec which makes it richer in color information : better for green screen and intensive color grading. If you need these characteristics , it might be worth it. Originally you had to pay a lot of money ($20000 to $30000) for a camcorder body (PDW 800) to get that codec.

MPEG2 HD422 is best for broadcasters who are working with XDCAM HD workflows. Not really worth it unless you need that compatibility IMHO.

XAVC-L is also 422 10 bit and is a much better codec.

QFHD is worth it just in case you have UHD specific projects or otherwise want to scale and reposition shots.

FCPS Camera Archives are backups of the files from the camera cards. They are the same size.
They are entirely different than Libraries which may contain the media or pointers to external media.

Francois wrote: « Mpeg HD 422 » is a 10bit Codec which makes it richer in color information : better for green screen and intensive color grading. If you need these characteristics , it might be worth it. Originally you had to pay a lot of money ($20000 to $30000) for a camcorder body (PDW 800) to get that codec.

XAVC-L is 422 10 bit. MPEG2 HD422 is for compatibility with broadcasters using an XDCAM HD workflow so they can stick to a single codec. XAVC-L is generally a better codec.

Thank you Craig for this information , it has made me aware of the recording possibilities of the PDW X70:

I agree that the upgrade is not interesting unless you need to harmonize with other specific cameras or comply to a broadcaster standard.

The XAVC HD at 50 mbps should be as good a recording choice being also 4.2.2 / 10bit …

PDW X70 recording specs:

XAVC QFHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 4:2:0 Long profile

XAVC HD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 4:2:2 Long profile

XAVC Proxy: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 4:2:0 Long profile

AVCHD: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 AVCHD 2.0 format compatible

DV

————
XAVC QFHD (3840 x 2160)@29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, 60Mbps

XAVC HD (1920 x 1080)@59.94p, 50p, 50 Mbps/35 Mbps

XAVC HD (1920 x 1080)@59.94i, 50i, 50 Mbps/35 Mbps/25 Mbps

XAVC HD (1920 x 1080)@29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, 50 Mbps/35 Mbps

XAVC HD (1280 x 720)@59.94p, 50p, 50 Mbps

XAVC Proxy (1280 x 720)@59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, 9Mbps

XAVC Proxy (1280 x 720)@59.94p, 50p, 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, 3Mbps

et cetera ...