Sony CX-100

[bherald 0]

With the purchase of Sony's CX-100 Handy cam came a disc - PMB (Picture Motion Browser). I'm hesitant to install this software because I'm not sure with it is, Is it a Edit Software? If it is, Should I install a different imaging software instead? Or do I need to install this software so my computer recognizes the cameras USB?

[DSE 5]

personally, I'd recommend you _don't_ install it.
What editing program are you planning on using?

[bherald 0]

I'm new to video so I'm just now doing some research. W editing program would you recommend?. I have Windos XP

[PhreeZone 20]

PMB is the only way I've been able to get the files to be relabled based on their record date, got any other suggestions since I hate the software?

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[DSE 5]

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PMB is the only way I've been able to get the files to be relabled based on their record date, got any other suggestions since I hate the software?

Quit using Premiere?
We load the files in to folders named by date and copy just the MPEG files over. It's only Apple users that need to keep the file structure intact. PC users (including Premiere) don't need to worry about keeping it intact.
You can do a bulk re-name of the MPEG files (or MTS files) either at Xfer or later on.
The PMB software was written by a third party for Sony and never really completed. I've yet to meet anyone satisfied with it.

[Bill_K 0]

Is there a way with production assistant to script it so that when a memory card is inserted that the media is copied off into a folder and renamed or placed by date? Yes I know that means using Vegas Pro and using prod assistant, I'm kewl with that, just wondering if it's possible?

[theonlyski 8]

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Is there a way with production assistant to script it so that when a memory card is inserted that the media is copied off into a folder and renamed or placed by date? Yes I know that means using Vegas Pro and using prod assistant, I'm kewl with that, just wondering if it's possible?

With a little bit of programming, one could make a program that would do just that. Its not terribly complicated, but it would be completely independant of any editing software.

"I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly
DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890
I'm an asshole, and I approve this message

[DSE 5]

yes, very possible and relatively easy.
In fact.....wish I could say more.

Currently the workflow is to put the card in, it's read (can be named), and then opens Vegas with all the media in order on the timeline, effectively "pre-edited" with everything necessary to finish it out (put in student's name, tweak any fine points) and burn to DVD.

[parachutist 2]

Quote

Is there a way with production assistant to script it so that when a memory card is inserted that the media is copied off into a folder and renamed or placed by date? Yes I know that means using Vegas Pro and using prod assistant, I'm kewl with that, just wondering if it's possible?

Bill,

In the Tandem Videos Made Easy DVD, we mention automation similar to what you're describing. Also we include a sample script for this purpose and a trial version of a macro program to use. In my sample script, the macro program runs in background 'listening' for a card to get inserted into a particular slot. When the card is inserted, all MPEG files are copied from that card to a New Folder on the hard drive. Then the macro pauses until you rename that New Folder to a more appropriate name, like Jane_Smith or something.
Renaming that folder is the only part in our script where you need to input data manually. I didn't see a usable way around that part. You could use current time/date, which could be automatically pasted in as the folder title, but that wouldn't help much for identification later, like when the student calls 3 months later and says they lost the DVD and would like a replacement copy.
I've tested this scripting with Production Assistant + Vegas in a few versions of Windows so far: XP, XP64, Vista, Vista x64, and Win7 x64. In each different version of Windows, the script needs to be tweaked a little to adapt to security changes and other differences, but it can be adapted pretty easily.

Chris

[Bill_K 0]

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In the Tandem Videos Made Easy DVD, we mention automation similar to what you're describing.

Hey Chris,

That video is what got me asking questions. However when I installed Vegas Pro on my Vista 64 machine it was actually slower rendering than my 32 bit non pro version. So I abandoned the idea for now. I will eventually come back to it as I need to find a way to get every ounce of performance out of the process and this machine.

Thx,
BK

[mmacro 0]

Does anyone have input on the camcorder and Mac OSX working together?
I'm approaching the mark where I can start planning on shooting film/photos. I want to make sure that I have my options thought out before hand so I'm not making guesses later.
I use Mac computers and have had issues in the past with camcorders not working properly with the computer.
Thanks,
Mac

[DSE 5]

AVCHD works fine on a Mac, just that it requires a conversion for FC that PC's don't have to deal with. Depending on the converter you use it can be reasonably near real-time, or nowhere near real-time.

If you're going to use high profile AVCHD, plan on slow conversions.
Consider Premiere CS4 as an option if speed is your need. For MPEG formats, a Mac will never, ever be optimal, but if you don't mind slower workflows...there are many, many conversion tools that are significantly faster than using FC to convert on import. Cineform Neo is FAST. Revolver is good.

[mnskydiver688 0]

After updating to Snow Leopard, Premier Pro CS4 is working a lot better for me when using AVCHD. One thing though would I see more significant performance improvements if I wasn't shooting in full 16Mbps quality and something more like 8Mbps?

Sky Canyon Wingsuiters

[DSE 5]

Not really. You're STILL better off converting, unfortunately, because here's what's happening on a Mac with AVCHD (Premiere).
You ingest. It's native AVCHD. In the background there is a conversion taking place so the CPU can decode it without Apple knowing it's AVCHD.
When you play back, that same encoder/wrapper is re-encoding the file so you can see it in the preview window.
It's faster in SnowLeopard because you have less overhead, so the conversion is faster. But it's still going through two extra cycles that other formats and PC users don't suffer through. On a Dell 6400, I'm seeing full resolution, full frame rate from 16Mbps AVCHD. And that's a fairly ancient computer by iCore standards.
It sucks, I know...but conversion before putting it on the timeline truly is your "best" option if you're insistent on using a Mac. It just simply isn't efficient by comparison.
Not intended as a Mac v PC commentary. I use both. It's well known for video work I prefer the PC. Vegas, Edius, SpeedEdit, Premiere CS4 all natively access the AVCHD stream. Avid requires a conversion, as does FCP.

[mnskydiver688 0]

Well I only have a Mac and Premier so I will just have to deal. It has been working fine for me so far, but then again I haven't really used an optimized system.

Sky Canyon Wingsuiters

[bdrake529 0]

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Depending on the converter you use it can be reasonably near real-time, or nowhere near real-time.

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many conversion tools that are significantly faster than using FC to convert on import. Cineform Neo is FAST. Revolver is good.

Spot, I have FCE and VoltaicHD. Ever since I got FCE, I've been using it instead of Voltaic and haven't compared convert speeds (I'm not trilled with FCE's speed but don't remember being thrilled with Voltaic's speed and at least FCE lets you log, though I'd give that up if Voltaic was truly faster). Cineform Neo is more than I'm willing to spend. Is Revolver noticeably faster than FCE/Voltaic? Is there a cheaper than Cineform, but faster than FCE Mac solution out there?

Thanks

Brian Drake

[DSE 5]

I've never compared Voltaic to Revolver for speed, but running Revolver on my newer MBP, it's noticeably faster. How much of that is due to CPU and how much is due to a newer code build...dunno. Since you've got Voltaic, perhaps you could download the trial of Revolver and compare?