Thursday, August 15, 2013

Why can't I open Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF files in iMovie on Mac?

Summary: Follow this article below, you will learn how to use Sony XDCAM Converter to convert Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF video to iMovie for editing with best optimized codec. 


Hi, I filmed using Sony PMW-200 camcorder and want to edit in iMovie. Somehow iMovie could not recognize my MXF footage. How can I solve this? Any reliable workflow recommended?

Designed to meet the needs of broadcast productions, Sony PMW-200 records on to solid state media using 50 Mbit/s 4:2:2 XDCAM HD, also record using the same 35 Mbit/s 4:2:0 codec as the original EX cameras as well as standard definition DV. 

As the PMW-200 records MPEG HD422 codec MXF format, you will meet the incompatiblity problem when importing Sony PMW-200 MXF into iMovie as above. So how to get Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF files be editable in iMovie with the lossless quality?

It is easy--- a quicker and easier way is to convert Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF to iMovie compatible AIC MOV format. Thus, the third party component is vital in achieving your goal. 

The best tool for you is the Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac, the powerful Sony XDCAM MXF Converter for Mac. It can convert all the .mxf files, no matter where and how you get them, to ProRes, AIC or DNxHD with the original quality. 

Here listed the three-step guide on how to transcode Sony PMW-200 MXF files to AIC for iMovie.

Step 1: Install Pavtube XDCAM Converter for Mac. Click "add video" button to import the mxf files from Sony PMW-200, click "add from folder" button to add MXF folder, or you can also directly drag and drog mxf clips to the program.




Step 2: Click on the "Format" and get the dropdown menu, then move you pointer to "iMovie and Final Cut Express -> Apple Intermediate Codec (*.mov)" to choose it as best codec and format for iMovie editing.



Step 3: You can customize the output settings as you want, such as resolution, bitrate, frame rate and video/audio codecs.


Step 4: Start to convert Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF files to iMovie.

Click the "Convert" button, the MXF to AIC Converter for Mac will start to transcode Sony PMW-200 XDCAM HD422 MXF to AIC .mov for iMovie.

After the XDCAM MXF to AIC conversion, you can easily add the Sony PMW-200 MXF files to iMovie and edit them by clicking on "import" button. And now, you can get rid of the worries about the incompatibility problem of Sony PMW-200 MXF and iMovie.

Tips:
If your MXF files have 2 audio tracks or more, here is a new program specially designed for multi-track preserving and mixing features, named iMixMXF. Featured formats include: MOV/MP4/MPG/WMV/FLV/MKV and more.

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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 importing workflow in Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink and Windows Movie Maker

Summary: To edit Canon XA20 mts/mp4 files smoothly on your editing software including Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink, Windows Movie Maker, you need to transcode mts/mp4 to AVI/MOV/WMV/MPEG-2 for Windows editing software at first. And this article will show you how.

Canon XA20 is one of the new announced Ultra-Compact Professional Camcorder which cover the needs of the professional that need compact cameras with pro feature sets.

First off, Canon heard the cries for 1080/60p from the masses and it looks like they're finding ways to please the end-users. With 1080/60p & 1080/24p in both AVCHD (28mbps) & MP4 (35mbps) codecs, everyone is covered. Plus, the 20x Optical HD Video Zoom Lens with 8-Blade Circular Aperture mounted to the 2.91 Megapixel HD CMOS Image Sensor will help make anyone's day brighter. Second, Canon has added WiFi to the cameras to enable file transfers on the go, making them perfect tools for ENG & EFP applications.




Since AVCHD/MP4 is quite complicated codec and format, currently there are not much software being able to support the AVCHD and mp4 video. Actually, you can't directly import Canon XA20 mts/mp4 footage into Windows editing software like Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink, Windows Movie Maker, etc. That's why so many users asking if there are any easy solutions that can help them edit XA20 mts/mp4 files on Windows Editors.

To make Canon XA20 mp4/mts video workable with  Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink and Windows Movie Maker , you only need to convert XA20 MTS/MP4 video files to AVI/WMV/MPEG-2, the most suitable video format for editing on Windows PC.

Now go to find Pavtube HD Video Converter for Windows.Lots of users are impressed by this converter since it is powerful enough to convert camcorder videos to multiple 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, and more. And you can enjoy the powerful edit function, like trim, crop, watermark for text, image and video, 3D effect, subtitles and so on.

The following guide will show you how to transcode/convert Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 files to AVI/MOV/WMV/MPEG-2 for Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink, Windows Movie Maker.

Download it and follow below steps.

Step 1. Load Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 files.

You can choose "add video" directly or "load files" to add the whole folder.



Step 2. Select output format for video editing software.

Click "Format" menu you will find various video formats listed by different devices. Just choose a compatible video format for your editing software. Choosing the editing software option directly will help you to take less time to find a more preferable video format.



Step 3. Edit loaded Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 video files.

Click "Edit" button and you are allowed to trim, crop, add text/image/video watermark or some effect to your output video for making it perfect. Here the function of adding subtitles to output files will contribute to make your own videos. You can use free software Subtitle Edit to edit your subtitle content then add it to output videos.



Tips: Click "Settings" on the interface and you can adjust the parameters including size, bitrate, frame rate, etc. to get a high quality of output files. And keep the settings the same as original video recordings will provide you the least loss of video quality.

Step 4. Start conversion.

Click the "Convert" button to start conversion. When it completed, click the "Open" button to get the generated videos for your editing software.

More features about it:

1. Rip and convert Blu-ray and DVD including 1:1 backup Blu-ray/DVD movies to PC hard device for future needs.

2. Directly Copy feature will save 100% intact .M2TS main movie from original BD disc.

It is an integration of Blu-ray Ripper, DVD Ripper and Video Converter and it will meet almost all your requirements about converting videos. Good news for you that Pavtube 2013 Summer Holiday Sale Round 2 is coming and 20% discount is provided to Video Converter Ultimate and iMedia Converter for Mac during sale time. Catch the chance to try it now.

Now get ready for importing and editing Canon XA20 MTS/MP4 videos in Sony Vegas, Avid, Premiere, Pinnacle, Cyberlink and Windows Movie Maker. Enjoy your editing workflow!

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Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Sony RX100 Mark II (M2) Hands-on -Sony's best point-and-shoot camera to date


Last year, Sony's RX100 changed the way many of us think about point-and-shoots. The camera's one-inch sensor enabled brilliant image quality and stellar low-light performance, netting DSLR-like results in a device you can slip in your pocket. It really did change the game when it comes to everyday photography, and I instantly fell in love. What remained to be seen, however, was how Sony would build on the RX100's success by releasing an even more capable model this year. In an unexpected move, the company opted not to retire 2012's blockbuster, and kept pricing exactly where it's always been, at $650. The RX100 Mark II, meanwhile, was marketed as a modest step up -- an even more well-rounded package, for 100 bucks more.





When my Mark II sample arrived, I did what any jaded New Yorker would after a half-dozen years of shooting sample photos in Manhattan: I booked a flight to somewhere else. United's last-minute weekend specials made Chicago the best bet, and off I went for a weekend of perfect weather, approachable restaurants and sidewalks that weren't so crowded that I had to walk in the street. It's like New York -- if you take away a million tourists and pepper in smiling Midwesterners and affordable adult beverages.

Key Features:

  • 1"-type Exmor-R BSI-CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8mm, 3:2 aspect ratio) 
  • 20.2 million effective pixels 
  • 28-100mm (equiv), f/1.8-4.9 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens 
  • Steady-Shot image stabilization 
  • ISO 160-12,800 (Down to ISO 100 and to 25,600 expanded) 
  • NFC-mediated Wi-Fi allowing file transfer and control from smartphones 
  • Rear control dial and customizable front control ring 
  • 10fps continuous shooting in 'Speed Priority' mode 
  • Tiltable 3" 1.2M-dot 'WhiteMagic' LCD screen 
  • 13 Picture Effects (27 with variations) 
  • Memory Recall feature can store up to three groups of custom settings 
  • 1080p60 video, (AVCHD) with MP4 option (50p in PAL regions) 
  • Built-in stereo microphones 
  • 330-shot battery life (CIPA)  
The final notable physical adjustment is the new Multi Interface Shoe. It looks like a typical hot shoe that you'd find on any ol' DSLR, but this version adds a multi-pin connector for interfacing with accessories like an OLED EVF or a microphone rig -- neither of which I needed to try out on a brief vacation. Some photographers clearly prefer shooting with an EVF, but the tilting LCD suited me just fine, even with the bright summer sun hitting the camera from above.



The pictures, as expected, look great. The camera did a fine job of exposing, and colors and white balance were spot on. Everything I loved about the previous RX100 is present here, too, so you can absolutely expect a top-shelf experience through and through. The one notable setback is the price. It'll run you $750, which admittedly is a bit more than we'd like to pay for a point-and-shoot, regardless of its performance. But when you start looking at this strictly as an ILC replacement, that sky-high price tag begins to make a bit more sense. Cheap it's not, but if you want the absolute best, consider this your only option.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Convert NXCAM to H.264- Transfer Sony NXCAM AVCHD video for playback and sharing

AVCHD from Sony NXCAM is not really a friendly format for playing/sharing and usually we go from Sony NXCAM to H.264 converting and this article will provide the detailed info.



For the past few days, I've been evaluating a prototype of Sony's first NXCAM camera family member. This first NXCAM model has a striking resemblance to a Sony Z5, which is an HDV tape-based camcorder with optional chip recording. Announced on November 18th, Sony's new NXCAM family brand offers class-leading, professional performance for AVCHD technology.

Sony NXCAM records stunning quality 1920 x 1080 images at 24Mbps (50i or 25p), and operational flexibility is maximised by AVCHD recording onto affordable and readily available consumer memory cards. Now I have a client who is a NXCAM user, he passed to me a bunch of .mts files came from his NXCAM with no camera info. He want to get some suggestion for playing and sharing NXCAM AVCHD video on Mac.

Then I recommend him to look for a converter that can convert NXCAM MTS files to H.264, thus, after enjoying the video on Mac, he can also transfer the H.264 files to media players or video devices for playback or sharing. He tries some converter from the web, but only received an error message while converting NXCam video to h.264. Didn't get to write it down because the app crashed. And then want me to give him some hope.

In that case, I will share my easy solution here. Since H.264 is fully supported by most media players and video uploading website, first you need to transcode NXCAM AVCHD MTS to H.264 with the top NXCAM AVCHD Converter for Mac from Pavtube.

For background, the app from Pavtube worked the first time we tried it but not this time. It works perfectly in converting NXCAM AVCHD video to H.264 codec. Not only is it extremely easy to use but it's also often faster than any other Compressor. What's more, it can convert NXCAM mts videos to other common target readable format in which you want the video to be played. Then it has quickly become my absolute favorite way of converting my Sony NXCAM footage. Well, below is a step-by-step guide for you.

Guide to convert Sony NXCAM AVCHD videos to H.264 for playback and sharing

1. Install and run the best Mac NXCAM to H.264 Converter. Transfer Sony NXCam video to hard drive, and then click "Add video" or "Add from folder" to add the avchd files you need into the program.


2. Click Format column and choose the output format, you can choose "H.264 Video (*.mp4) from "Common Video" for output. This is the perfect format for playing on Tablets/Smartphones and sharing on website.




3: Click settings button to adjust the output video’s parameters, such as bitrate, resolution, etc.

4. You can edit the Sony NXCam videos in this program before converting to other formats on Mac OS. Trim, crop, add watermark or adjust effect as you want.

5. Start converting Sony NXCAM AVCHD video to H.264 MP4 for Mac.

In this way, you can use Sony NXCAM recorded MTS footages to playback or sharing. Please take a try now, hope it will do a great favor for you.

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Importing/editing Canon 5D Mark III H.264 mov files in FCP X on Mac

Summary: From this article, you can know the best codec for importing Canon 5D Mark III mov clips to Final Cut Pro X editing on Mac, and only transcode Canon MOV to ProRes 422 or ProRes 422 HQ with Canon H.264 MOV Converter.

The Canon 5d Mark III that everyone has been waiting for has been announced. The camera brings a handful of improvements including speed, greater resolution, more processing power, and more options for shooting HD video. The full-frame sensor has been upped to 22.3 Megapixels and shoots up to 6 frames per second with a 61-point AF system. What’s great about the new sensor in this camera is that the pixel pitch is smaller, which allows for better low light performance.


I have really gotten everything I wanted out of my 5D Mk III. Best camera I ever had, it shoots mov files – which pains me is that FCP X could not recognize my mov footage. Did I miss something?

After searching, I find that the reason, that is, Canon 5d Mark III records video in H.264 MOV, it is not supported by FCP X perfectly. To edit Canon 5d Mark III mov video with Final Cut Pro X smoothly, I need to encode Canon mov recordings to FCP X compatible codec - Apple ProRes 422 MOV format on Mac.

Now on the web, I came accross this Pavtube H.264 MOV to ProRes Converter for FCP X. I am impressed by how quickly the converter runs to give me the files from my 5D MK-III that I need for Final Cut Pro X, becides it make it possible to do some little editing some simple editing features. You can follow the steps below to convert 5D Mark III mov footages for editing in FCP X.

Step 1: Free Download the best Canon MOV to FCP Converter. Install and run it on you Mac. It’s excellent Canon MOV video converter which can convert nearly all canon cameras’ videos to any formats you need, such as Apple Prores 422 MOV, Apple InterMediate Codec MOV, QuickTime MOV, etc.

Step 2: Click “Add videos” to load individual videos, or click “Add from folder” to load the whole folder from Canon 5D Mark 3.



Tips:

If you have multiple MOV files, you can select the “Merge into one file” box to merge the MOV files into one single file so that you can play these files without interruption.

Step 3. Click on the “Format” and get the dropdown menu, then move you pointer to “Final Cut Pro”.

Here we recommend the Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) or Apple PreRes 422(HQ) (*.mov) for as best video format for editing in FCP X as well as good video quality. Then you can set the output folder by clicking “Browse” icon.



Step 4. Click the “Settings” icon and you will go into a new interface named “Profile Settings”.

You’d better set the video frame rate as 30fps, video size as 1920*1080 to keep the best quality for editing in Final Cut Pro X. If you want to have a smaller file size but keep the good quality, you can change the video size to 1440*1080.



Step 5: Click the “Convert” button; it will convert Canon 5D Mark III H.264 MOV to ProRes 422 for FCP X on Mac immediately.

Tips: Before you try to do the conversion, if you are also a FCP X user, please make sure that you have installed the Apple ProRes Codec manually since the FCP X asks users to install it by themselves.

After the workflow, you can go to the output folder to find the converted video files. Now you are free to import the ProRes 422 MOV to FCP X under Mac without rendering.

This Canon MOV Converter for FCP can help you convert the video format/codec you need quickly, video and audio quality are best guaranteed. You can also follow this article: How to Import Media contents to Final Cut Pro X for editing. 

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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Easy Solution to import Panasonic HVX200 MXF to iMovie 8,9,11 on Mac OS X Mavericks

Summary: If you cannot use iMovie 8, iMovie 9, iMovie 11 on Mac OS X Mavericks to edit Panasonic HVX200 MXF file, do not be upset, below article will show you the solution about how to transcode Panasonic HVX200 P2 MXF to iMovie compatible format.



Panasonic AG-HVX200 answers the demands of the professional HDTV photographer with a compact and feature packed acquisition tool. This versatile prosumer High Definition camcorder packs an array of features into a handheld design. For recording video, the HVX200 includes a Mini DV tape mechanism along with two P2 (Professional Plug-in) card slots. The P2 cards allow for true variable frame rates and recording options that Mini DV tape can't offer. These include DVCPRO HD 1080/24p and 720/60p, along with normal interlaced video.

My work with the prototype camera I used over a period of six weeks started with what I know, which is 720p/24p. The P2 card of AG-HVX200 is capable of storing large amounts of video and audio data in MXF-format files. I prefer iMovie for editing with AG-HVX200, but I failed to open the MXF files with iMovie many times. (iMovie 11, Mac Mavericks). I am looking for the easy-to-use and reasonably priced converter to make my MXF files from AG-HVX200 to be readable in iMovie. I have more than 200 MXF files, I need to batch process them. Can anyone help regarding this conversion?

As far as I know, in order to edit Panasonic AG-HVX200 MXF files in iMovie 8,9,11 flawlessly, the best best method is to convert Panasonic MXF to Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) which is a best editing codec for iMovie 8,9,11.

At first, you need 3rd-party tool- Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac

It is a professional MXF to iMovie Converter which can not only convert Panasonic AG-HVX200 recorded MXF files to AIC for iMovie 8,9,11 editing on Mac OS X Mavericks, but also provide simple video editing functions for you. This Mac MXF Converter is especially designed for converting Panasonic P2 MXF, Sony XDCAM MXF, Canon XF MXF files for editing in Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro X, Final Cut Express, iMovie, Avid, Adobe Premiere etc. Below is how.

Guide - Encode Panasonic AG-HVX200 MXF to AIC for iMovie 8, 9, 11 editing on Mavericks

Step 1. Import MXF files from Panasonic AG-HVX200 to the top MXF to iMovie Converter for Mac.


(Note: Before conversion, you need to transfer MXF files from your Panasonic AG-HVX200 to Mac Hard Drive, then click the "add" button to browse to import MXF videos. This MXF Converter for Mac support batch conversion)

Step 2. Click the Format bar, and move mouse cursor to "iMovie and Final Cut Express -> Apple InterMediate Codec (AIC) (*.mov)", it's the best format for editing in iMovie 8,9,11.


Step 3. Click "Convert" button to start transcoding Panasonic AG-HVX200 MXF files to AIC Codec for iMovie 8,9,11 under Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks.

Some more helpful features of the app:

1. Settings- click to set video resolution(1920×1080/1440×1080/1280×720/720×480), bitrate(from 1Mbps to 20Mbps), frame rate (24p/30p)



2. Editor (next to "Add" icon)- click to set deinterlace, denoise, mute, volume up, trim, crop, etc.

So there you have it. Pretty simple. After the workflow, you can go to the output folder to find the converted video files. Now you are free to start importing/editing Panasonic AG-HVX200 MXF files in iMovie 8,9,11 under Maveircks without problems.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sony F55/F5 XAVC 4K videos and Avid Media Composer, Xpress Pro workflow

This article outlines how to ingest Sony F55/F5 XAVC footage to import into Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro for smooth editing.

The Sony PMW-F55 CineAlta 4K Digital Cinema Camera functions an eight.9MP Super 35mm image sensor, capable of capturing 4K, 2K and HD resolution video within a wide variety of formats by way of the camera's internal recorder. The F55 is amongst the initial digital motion image cameras using a international shutter, which fully eliminates motion skew and also other "rolling" shutter distortions.

XAVC is usually a video format that was introduced by Sony and extensively exist in Sony PMW-F55 and Sony PMW-F5. It may assistance 4K resolution (4096 x 2160 and 3840 x 2160) at as much as 60 frames per second (fps). XAVC supports colour depths of 8-bits, 10-bits, and 12-bits. Chroma subsampling is usually four:two:0, four:two:two, or four:four:four.


Having a lots of clips from my Sony F5 in 4K XAVC file format and want to edit them with Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro, but often failed. How to resolve it?

Since Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro (especially some versions) doesn't support the lastest 4K XAVC videos, to solve the incompatible problem, I have to convert Sony F5/F55 4K XAVC video to a native format for editing in Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro.

By Google search, I find an excellent Mac XAVC Video Converter called Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac which is specially designed to convert Sony F5/F55 4K XAVC to Avid friendly DNxHD mov format for editing in Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro at high fast conversion speed and excellent output quality. No matter you are an expert or novice, you could easily use it for its intuitive interface.Just take a look at the brief guide below.

1. Download Pavtube iMedia Converter for Mac, it's an excellent Mac XAVC to Avid Converter. Follow the prompts to install the program. Click "Finish" when the installation is complete, and it will launch automatically.

2. Click "Add Video" to load 4K video files or directly drag the files into file list.


3. Click "Format" bar to determine output format. 

For natively editing in  Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro, you are recommended to choose Avid Media Composer -> Avid DNxHD (*.mov), this format is best for native editing.


4. If you would like to customize the video and audio parameters, you can click "settings", adjust the parameters as you want, like Video Codec, aspect ratio, bit rate, frame rate, Audio codec, sampling rate, bit rate, channels.

 

5. Click "Convert" to start.

Pavtube XAVC to Avid converter can help you to convert Sony F5/F55 4K XAVC video to Avid DNxHD MOV for Avid Media Composer and Xpress Pro natively for editing.

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