XDCAM Transfer Version 2.9 Released

UPDATE: March 23, 2009

In addition to the new features introduced in the recent release of XDCAM Transfer version 2.8 (described below) the new version 2.9 enables, in combination with the new version 2.1 PDW-U1 Mac Utility Software (available below), the ability to export and write edited sequences directly from Apple Final Cut Pro timeline to any Sony PDW XDCAM Prodisc device including now the PDW-U1 XDCAM Drive.

PDZK-P1 XDCAM Transfer Version 2.9

Any converted XDCAM EX (MXF) clips* can now also be written back and stored to XDCAM Prodisc’s using XDCAM decks or drives such as the PDW-U1 for archive in the native XDCAM HD MXF file structure.

The PDW-U1 directly supports all codecs, resolutions and frame rates available in the XDCAM HD Optical Disc family.

Version 2.8 of  XDCAM Transfer had provided some bug fixes and other features including:

1. It now allows for proper bridging and import to FCP of  XDCAM EX clips that Exceed the 4GB FAT32 file limit (approx 16min@25Mbps or 12 min@35Mbps  or clips that span multiple cards.

2. In a similar fashion to the way XDCAM Transfer works to import the SMI file of XDCAM EX bridged or spanned clips (as above) it now also allows for SMI files to be imported from XDCAM Prodisc as well, meaning that clip lists created in the camera or with PDZ-1 PC software and written back to the Prodisc as SMI files can now be used to batch import clips via XDCAM Transfer to FCP using the SMI as a “select scene” list with handles, with the FCP bin set in the “icon view” when you import you can then drop the “select” clips onto the timeline in the same sequence order as the original SMI file.

3. There is also now a way to export edited sequences from FCP back to XDCAM Transfer and then record them back onto the SxS card – this is handy if you want to use the camera or deck to play out edited material on either the HDSDI** port for display or transmission purposes or also in the case of the deck you can use the HDMI port.

These features are now fully maintained in version 2.9.

*Note you require the latest version XDCAM Browser with the optional MAIN CONCEPT MPEG plug-in license in order to convert XDCAM EX MP4 wrapped files to XDCAM MXF files. Use the XDCAM Browser Software with the plug-in as the first step in this process and then use the Browser or XDCAM Transfer to copy the MXF files to the PDW-U1. We recommend conversion to XDCAM 422 50Mbps files in order to preserve the 1920×1080 square pixel raster and full image quality of the original XDCAM EX HQ 35Mbps file. XDCAM EX SQ 25Mbps MP4 files can simply be rewrapped to 25Mbps MXF files.

** Note in 23.98 Fps a 2/3 pull down is added via HDSDI play out. The PMW-EX30 with the firmware loaded that shipped from November 08 (available as a NC upgrade = version 1.11) can play out 23.98 PSF without pulldown.

PDW-U1 Utility Version 2.1 For Windows and Mac

This new utility allows the affordable PDW-U1 drive to both read and record XDCAM MXF SD and HD files with XDCAM Prodisc media from/to either Windows or Mac platforms, as well as, providing general utility functions for the PDW-U1.  The PDW-U1 directly supports all codecs, resolutions and frame rates available in the Sony XDCAM  Optical Disc family including SD DVCAM 25 Mbps, SD MPEG IMX 30, 40, 50Mbps, HD 420 25Mbps, HD 420 35Mbps and HD 422 50Mbps.

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