The Sony XDCAM EX cameras, like the PMW-EX1 and the PMW-EX3, capture MP4 files, while XDCAM HD cameras capture MXF files. Avid supports native XDCAM EX files on both Mac and PC using the Avid Media Access (AMA) feature. This feature is available in:
Select the product you have above to find documenation on how to use Avid AMA.
Note: Media Composer 2.8.3, Symphony 2.8.3, and NewsCutter, 6.8.3 and above are required for XDCAM EX support.
XDCAM EX footage may also be imported into an Avid editor using the Sony Clip Browser software (Recommended workflow for version 2.8.3 thru 3.1.x editors).
The following are basic steps to create an AAF for metadata and drop MXF files directly into a MediaFiles folder using Version 2 of the Sony XDCAM EX Clip Browser:
- In the Sony XDCAM EX Clip Browser (Version 2), select the destination for the MXF files. Since these are Avid Media Files, the exact folder must be selected: (drive)\Avid MediaFiles\MXF and the appropriate numbered folder.
- Select the SxS card or folder where the XDCAM EX media is stored; choose the clips to use in the Media Composer and select File, Export, Avid AAF
- Select a location for the AAF file (the Avid AAF should never be exported to the Avid MediaFiles folder. This is the clip information and it should be sent to the desktop or some other folder so they can be easily imported into a bin). Click Execute.
- AAF files are created with the clip metadata and the clips rewrapped as OpAtom MXF files.
- In the Media Composer, select File, Import (the Avid Import Settings do not apply here as all XDCAM formats ignore them). Navigate to the folder where the AAF files are and select them. The clips along with sequences are imported into the bin linked to the media ready for an edit.
Click here to view the full tutorial for the above mentioned steps
Click here to export camera media as MXF and then import to a bin using Version 1 of the Sony XDCAM XE Clip Browser
Refer to your Sony documentation for more information on using these features
Click here for additional information on Avid Editing Products and Sony XDCAM