XDCAM HD questions

[Raja]

A couple of questions about XDCAM HD.

1. On the Sony XDCAM HD cameras (F335 and F355) there is a button the cameraman can press and it places a marker during recording on the clip at that time (Essence markers). These then show up as markers on the timeline (so the editor may look at the clip that the cameraman has marked).
I know FCP shows these markers on its time line. Does Edius (or Edius Broadcast) also show these markers on the timeline?

2. When importing XDCAM HD foortage directly of the camera discs into the Edius Broadcast timeline, is it editable straight away (smoothly) or should I convert to Canopus HQ?

These questions are in view of moving over to XDCAM HD (currently DVCAM)

Any input appreciated. Thanks

[GrassValley_KH]

A couple of questions about XDCAM HD.

1. On the Sony XDCAM HD cameras (F335 and F355) there is a button the cameraman can press and it places a marker during recording on the clip at that time (Essence markers). These then show up as markers on the timeline (so the editor may look at the clip that the cameraman has marked).
I know FCP shows these markers on its time line. Does Edius (or Edius Broadcast) also show these markers on the timeline?

As far as I recall, no, there is no support currently for essence markers directly within EDIUS. (Feel free to request this feature!)

The markers should still be available within the Sony PDZ-1 software, which in turn allows you to create EDLs for import into EDIUS.

2. When importing XDCAM HD foortage directly of the camera discs into the Edius Broadcast timeline, is it editable straight away (smoothly) or should I convert to Canopus HQ?

It really depends on the specs of your system (as always). XDCAM HD is essentially a Long-GOP MPEG-2 format, similar to HDV but with a higher bitrate and expanded audio data (more channels).

If you system is contemporary, and tough enough for native MPEG-2 editing, there's nothing to suggest that you have to convert to Canopus HQ. Certainly, this would only be a requirement if you planned to edit with the essence content anyway.

Editing with proxy content is trivial - the amount of realtime performance is on par, if not better than DV.

[Raja]

Thanks. The essence markers are a must have feature as it would allow cameraman / editor communication via marking clips that require attention. I'll request it in the feature request.