AVCHD import workflow

[tosok]

Hey there. Continuing to learn Edius and wanted to get some feedback/clarity on my current workflow. Video is shot on Sony AX53 in AVCHD format. Recording is up to three hours per camera... using three cameras. Here's what I'm currently doing to bring in video:

I have a bin for each camera
I select the bin that corresponds to the SD/Camera Card to be imported
Use Source Browser to import the video from the SD card using "Add and Transfer to Bin"

Previously, I had been copying the SD card contents to a project folder... then I found I had to use a program to stitch the video together. Then I would add the video to the camera bin. It was a bit tedius and was informed that I didn't need to do all that. Now I'm just checking in to see if I'm on the right track or if I should be doing something different. My main concerns are time-efficiency in my workflow, not having to stitch files, and making sure that the video is actually on the hard drive before I delete the info on the SD cards.

I tried using Mync but wasn't sure how it would speed up my workflow - which I'm still trying to establish.

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks!

[Ron Evans]

Is there a reason you are using AVCHD ? XAVC-S is much better and not excessively bigger file sizes they do not need to stitched together either. That is what I use all the time on my AX53 also my AX100. I shoot 1920 x1080 60P and just copy those files to PC folder and then the bin directly for each camera. I use 128G cards which are plenty to run for a very long time. At 1920x1080 60P it is about 24G an hour so about 5 hours on the card. If you are using AVCHD to get an interlaced file then using a progressive file in an interlaced project will still get you an interlaced output but you also will then have a progressive file for PC viewing. Shooting 50/60P files gives you the option of interlaced output or even slower frame rate ( 25 or 30 ) all from the same file.

I mix GH5 , GH5S, 3840x2160 60P as well as AX53 and AX100 XAVC-S 1920x1080 on a 1920x1080 timeline multicam. All these files can just be taken from the cards and put in folders on the hard drive and placed in the bins in the project. I have a USB C card reader so the files are copied really quickly.

[tosok]

Hi Ron-

Thanks for your input. With three cameras shooting about 10 hours of classroom video each per project, storage capacity is an issue. That's why I chose AVCHD. This work is being done for a non-profit and so spending is an ever-present consideration.

Perhaps I'm off on this, but I thought XAVC-S was double the data. Am I reading this wrong? https://helpguide.sony.net/cam/1630/...000946132.html

If I am, I would consider using XAVC-S.

Stitching has been an issue, but I believe the way I'm bringing the files in directly from the SD card now avoids that problem.

[antonsvideo]

your source browser workflow is correct for automatically stitching during transfer and add to bin when it comes to files that are divided at 4GB intervals

[PaulTV]

Any reason you don't bother with the free import soft from Sony? It allows you to select files and transfer to desired hard drive location...stitches everything correctly, no holes in audio and so on.....maybe you have a better idea in mind.

Paul

[tosok]

Paul-
Wasn't aware of the Sony software. Thanks for letting me know. I'm wondering... is it necessary since Edius recognizes the SD cards and transfers them to bin without stitching problems?

[GrassValley_PS]

No, it's not necessary

[Ron Evans]

Hi Ron-

Thanks for your input. With three cameras shooting about 10 hours of classroom video each per project, storage capacity is an issue. That's why I chose AVCHD. This work is being done for a non-profit and so spending is an ever-present consideration.

Perhaps I'm off on this, but I thought XAVC-S was double the data. Am I reading this wrong? https://helpguide.sony.net/cam/1630/...000946132.html

If I am, I would consider using XAVC-S.

Stitching has been an issue, but I believe the way I'm bringing the files in directly from the SD card now avoids that problem.

Yes it is about twice depending on frame rate of course. However when you can get a 128G card for less than $20 and 256G for around $30 recording a much higher quality I think it is worth it. Better quality and no possibility of stitching issues easy drag file off card to hard drive for a copy. So for 3 hours of 60P HD video you will need 75G for each camera on your PC hard drive or about 225G. A 125G card in the camera is enough for over 5 hours. 256G card 10.66 hours. I am sure you have a lot more invested in your full system than $100 of SD cards. As to system storage a new 6T hard drive is maybe $200. The combined total of new hard drive and SD cards is less than a third the cost of one of your cameras.

As to bringing in AVCHD I am with Paul. For Sony cameras I used the Sony software when I shot AVCHD made sure the files were backed up before even starting EDIUS. Yes source browser works fine too now. However I still like to keep file storage and backup separate from Editing.

[tosok]

Thanks Ron. That's helpful.

[antonsvideo]

Hello group! Source browser suddenly not working with files from my Sony NX5 flash drive. Plug in the drive, right click on the thumbnail of the clip I want, select "transfer and add to bin", but while the file appears in the bin, clip properties says that the clip is still being sourced from the external drive. The files is not actually transferred to the Transferred folder in my system. If I disconnect the external drive, the clip is no longer there. Any Idea what I am doing wrong? Thanks.

disable create waveform cache, then it will work instantly. If this option is enabled, EDIUS will spend half day generating waveform files on flash drive and then on local drive prior to transferring any file, it is a long ago reported bug

Anton-01570.png