Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Import Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF files to FCP and Burn FCP projects to DVD on Mac

Summary: Follow this post to know how to import Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF to FCP for editing and burn FCP projects to DVD on Mac, hope it can solve you P2 mxf to FCP problem and dvd burning solution.

Every time that there is a need to hire a better camera it seems that everyone is hiring the Panasonic HVX200 and not the Sony EX1. So I have not had a chance to see how the HVX200's 4:2:2 with 720p helps with my Blue or Green Screen filming. I know that the EX1 produces a cleaner and better picture than the the Panasonic – or so I am told – but the colour decimation is 4:2:0, hmmm. But here is the Panasonic HPX170/171 that also has a much better picture but with 4:2:2 colour decimation. So this will be my best choice.


However, there cames another problem- How to import Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF footages into FCP for editing smoothly on Mac?

The thing is, FCP does not work perfectly with the Panasonic P2 MXF codec. As far as I know, to solve the P2 MXF importing problems, the most important piece of the equation is that transcoding Panasonic P2 Card MXF files to a FCP's supported video format, like Apple ProRes (422).

If you looking for a solution for this problem likewise, check out Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac which is entitled as a top P2 MXF Converter. It supports encoding Panasonic P2 and Canon MXF files and Sony XDCAM MXF to FCP native format so that you can easily import the Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF recordings to FCP for editing on Mac.


So follow the quick tutorial below to transcode Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF to FCP compatible format and then edit in FCP or burn to DVD on Mac.

Part 1: How to import Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF files to FCP? 

  • For FCP X users, pls make sure you have installed ProApps QuickTime Codecs, or you may get files only without video. You can download it from here:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1396

1. Free download Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac trial version, install and launch it.

   

2. Click "Add video" or "Add from folder" icon to load Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 MXF files into Pavtube application.



3. Select Final Cut Pro friendly output format.

Apple ProRes 422 is considered as the best format for FCP, so you are recommended to choose "Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) as target format from "Format" > "Final Cut Pro".



4. Start Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF to Apple ProRes 422 conversion.

Click the big "Convert" button to start encoding Panasonic AG-HPX170/HPX171 P2 MXF to Apple ProRes 422 MOV for Final Cut Pro.

When completes, locate the converted MOV files from target file path by clicking "Open" icon.

Now, open up Final Cut Pro, choose File > Import > Files…to select and load the generated ProRes 422 MOV files to FCP for editing use.


Part 2: Burn FCP projects to DVD on Mac

Pavtube DVD Creator for Mac adds support for MXF files burning, it can burn single file or folder structure videos, you can burn MXF/FCP projects to DVD disc in few steps, just follow it:

1. Install DVD Creator for Mac, connect your DVD Writer and insert a blank DVD. Add your videos into the DVD Creator for Mac

2. Edit movie clip and Customize your DVD menu. You can edit your videos with trim, crop, watermark, effect settings, audio replacing settings features.



3. Preview Created DVD-Video and click burn button to start burning.



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Monday, August 19, 2013

Best Way to convert Canon HF G30 AVCHD footage to Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6

Summary: With following this guide, you can smoothly import and edit Canon HF G30 50p/60p AVCHD footage in Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 by transcoding Canon 50p/60p .mts to Premiere/AE CS6 most compatible MPEG-2 video.




The new Legria HF G30 (also known as the Vixia HF G30 in the US) from Canon has the same imaging system, but without the XLRs and is aimed at enthusiast videographers, such as hobbyists or film students. Their HD video system has been completely redesigned – from the lens through to the image sensor and processor – to improve imaging performance. There are various advanced shooting features and connectivity options to suit different types of applications, from news and documentaries to weddings.

This camera is awesome, I've had it almost a month now and was able to put it through it's paces on a Disney cruise to Alaska. It was amazing with great control in manual mode with auto exposure and worry free shooting in auto mode where all my settings were taken care of.

But now I have a question. I'm working on a documentary project using a Canon HF G30; I had problems working with AVCHD Progressive files genereted by HF G30 and I was very worried because both Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 didn't support the 1080 50p/60p .mts files. To make this kind of file compatbile, I tried to convert the Canon HF30 AVCHD footage with various programs but the results was no more an HD progressive file.

Then I tried this amazing program, Pavtube MTS/M2TS Converter for Mac , and I'm very happy of the converted files: no loss of quality, the same high resolution, same colors and defitition.It works fast and with an incredible quality; I tried to compare the original files with the converted one and I could not find differences, I even analysed the two files with professional instrumens and compared the flow on a professional monitor, this program it's simply great! Now I have successfully converted Canon HF G30 50p/60p MTS footage to editable formats not only for  Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 editing, the converted files work perfectly with these pofessional editing programs!!! Just follow the step-by-step guide I shared below to get the work done smoothly.

Convert Canon HF G30 50p/60p
.mts to Premiere Pro CS 6 and After Effects CS6 editable format

Step 1: Copy Canon HF G30 50p/60p .mts media on to the Storage Drive in a folder.

Step 2: Launch the best Canon AVCHD Converter for Mac. Click the "Add" button for adding to import the 50p/60p mts files from Canon HF G30 to the best Mac G30 MTS/M2TS Converter.

 

Step 3: Click on the dropdown menu of "Format", and then move your pointer to Adobe Premiere/Sony Vegas> MPEG-2 (*.mpg) which is the perfect video format for you to transfer MTS to Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6.



Then you can set the output folder by clicking "Browse" icon as you prefer.

Step 4: Click "Settings" icon to adjust audio and video parameter. You can change the default codec, bit rate, frame rate, sample rate and audio channel according to your needs and optimize the output file quality.

Note: To get original(best) video quality, you can keep original video size and bitrate.

Step 5: Click the "Convert" button and it will losslessly convert Canon HF G30 AVCHD 50p/60p mts files to MPEG-2 for editing in Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 immediately.

Step 6: Once the Mac MTS to Premiere and AE CS6 conversion is done, you will be able to get the output files for Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 via clicking on "Open" button effortlessly.

Now you can easily and correctly import the converted video in Premiere Pro CS6 and After Effects CS6 for editing keeping high quality.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Enable Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF to work with Final Cut Pro

Summary: From this article, you can learn the best way to import Sony PMW-200 XDCAM MXF footage into Final Cut Pro on Mac by transcoding Sony XDCAM HD422 MXF to Prores for FCP.

 
The PMW-200 is Sony's successor to the hugely popular PMW-EX1 Camcorder. It is the first handheld camera in its class to be equipped with 3 x 1/2-inch Exmor CMOS sensors for excellent sensitivity and enhanced depth of field characteristics. Sony PMW-200 can record in Full HD 4:2:2 at 50 Mb/s, delivering exceptional performance, operational versatility and workflow efficiency. Its high-quality MPEG HD422 50 Mbps recording is fully compliant with the latest EBU commendations for long-form broadcast production and is widely accepted in broadcasting stations and production houses.

After making some 50 Mbps MPEG HD422 recordings from Sony PMW-200, you may find the MXF files are not support by Final Cut Pro on Mac natively. To solve the importing problem with Sony PMW-200 MXF and FCP workflow. Of course, you can choose to get a XDCAM Transfer. While, things can be different if you get some help from third-party software.

Now come and meet this Pavtube Sony XDCAM MXF Converter, which is capable of converting Sony PMW-200 MXF footage to Prores encoded mov files for that's the most compatible format for FCP. 


How to convert Sony PMW-200 1080 50i MXF to Final Cut Pro on Mac

Step 1. Connect your Sony PMW-200 to mac and keep it on, or use a card reader to transfer your footage to mac. Get this MXF Converter for Mac installed, click top left two icons to load individual videos or the entire folder correspondingly.


Step 2. Choose best format for editing in Final Cut Pro.

Click the drop-down list besides Format, choose Final Cut Pro > Apple ProRes 422 (*.mov) as the most compatible format as well as best video quality for FCP.



Step 3. Adjust output video settings including video size, codec, bitrate, frame rate by clicking Settings, all according to your needs.



Step 4. Click the big red circle to start conversion. Wait for a while, you can get the fresh hot converted video which is compatible with Final Cut Pro.

Tips:

Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac support outputting the original one audio track separately; if you want to retain and combine all the audio tracks, the Pavtube iMixMXF is highly recommended.

Pavtube iMixMXF integrates all features of Pavtube MXF Converter for Mac and multi-track preserving and mixing features. Other than the unique multi-track preserving feature, you can also Mix the multi tracks into one track for broadcasting. And this makes the iMixMXF as a wonderful MXF Audio Mixer. And this feature enables you to mix the audios of interviewer, interviewee, surroundings, or editors'/directors' comments into one.

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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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