DNxHD from RedCine into Avid MC6 - PC

[roryhinds]

I'm having a real problem getting Avid to import the DNxHD files I transcoded via RedCineXPro.
I'm on a PC using the latest RedCineXPro and Avid MC 6.

When I import the DNxHD files they just show up as "media offline"

I'm new to Avid but it seems something is wrong like Avid can't work with RCXPro files or something.

Anyone else have this issue?
Any tips?

[Nick Morrison]

Refresh your media database. In the "file" menu.

What you are experiencing could be because of a number of things, but THIS is the most common solution to this problem. Good luck.

[Nick Morrison]

Also, don't bother IMPORTING your DNXHD files. Takes way too long.

Just AMA the quicktimes in, and then TRANSCODE them to your whatever media rate you desire. It's about 5x faster. Trust me.

Importing is just SAFER, and should be used if you are changing frame rates (ie loading in 23.98 files into a 59.94 project).

[MichaelP]

If you're making DNxHD via REDCINE, it is native MXF wrapped DNx so it is not an import. Drop the .mxf files into the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 (numbered folder, could be 2, 3, 4, etc.). Open project and bin and drag and drop or import the AAF files created at the same time during the transcode. It automatically links.

Michae

[Nick Morrison]

If you're making DNxHD via REDCINE, it is native MXF wrapped DNx so it is not an import. Drop the .mxf files into the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 (numbered folder, could be 2, 3, 4, etc.). Open project and bin and drag and drop or import the AAF files created at the same time during the transcode. It automatically links.

Michae

True. I thought he meant DNXHD codec QUICKTIMES. I guess he means MXF media.

[roryhinds]

If you're making DNxHD via REDCINE, it is native MXF wrapped DNx so it is not an import. Drop the .mxf files into the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 (numbered folder, could be 2, 3, 4, etc.). Open project and bin and drag and drop or import the AAF files created at the same time during the transcode. It automatically links.

Michae

I think what I'm confused about (coming from FCP) is where the hell does Avid store its files? How do I setup where the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 folder is kept as I take it if I'm coping the .mxf files created by RCXP then I would like that to be on my RAID for fast IO.

From what I can tell Avid only has this MediaFiles folder on the boot drive but that can't be right.

I think the ultimate problem I have with Avid is how secretive it is about where the files are compared to how open FCP was/is. With FCP you just drag and drop the files into the bin and away you go, it will edit those files where every they might be stored so you can manually managed you media and know where things are and if they are on the RAID or not.

When I create an Avid project where does it ask me where to create the Avid MediaFiles folder? and how do i know if its 1/2/3... etc

This must be obvious for experienced Avid users so I apologise for my lack of experience with Avid.

[Eric J Robbins]

I think what I'm confused about (coming from FCP) is where the hell does Avid store its files? How do I setup where the Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1 folder is kept as I take it if I'm coping the .mxf files created by RCXP then I would like that to be on my RAID for fast IO.

From what I can tell Avid only has this MediaFiles folder on the boot drive but that can't be right.

I think the ultimate problem I have with Avid is how secretive it is about where the files are compared to how open FCP was/is. With FCP you just drag and drop the files into the bin and away you go, it will edit those files where every they might be stored so you can manually managed you media and know where things are and if they are on the RAID or not.

When I create an Avid project where does it ask me where to create the Avid MediaFiles folder? and how do i know if its 1/2/3... etc

This must be obvious for experienced Avid users so I apologise for my lack of experience with Avid.

The Avid MediaFiles folder is in the root of whatever drive it is housed on. This setting can be changed in the Media Creation settings to be on any drive. However, you cannot change the location of this directory, only the drive on which it is housed.

Typically, Avid wants this file on a drive separate from the boot drive. Once it is created, working with it is actually really easy. You can even create your own manually; as long as the structure (Avid MediaFiles: MXF: 1:) is correct, Avid will index it and make a .mdb file.

[Tom.Wong]

if it doesn't automatically link when you drop the AAF into the bins, you can select them, right click go to relink media and manually select the drive the avid media files is on.

[MichaelP]

Don't confuse the codec with the wrapper. Avid internal managed wrapper is MXF and the codec is DNxHD for picture (although it can manage ProRes internally as well when wrapped as MXF) REDCINE can export QuickTime wrapped DNxHD or MXF wrapped DNxHD. The one you drop directly into the Avid MediaFiles folder is MXF wrapped DNxHD (extension .mxf). You don't want to be AMA linking to the QuickTimes proxies of the R3D made by the camera as you lose all control of the color parameters.

From REDCINE, create native MXF wrapped DNxHD and do the steps I referenced in my previous posting. Also see the AVID+RED Webinar that shows the different ways you can work with R3D files at www.avid.com/red


Michael

[Bruce Allen]

This klnda brings up an interesting point... people don't seem to read manuals or guides much these days. Rory is a super-smart guy and really, Avid should make it easier for him to import stuff without having to go to help.

Part of the reason that Avid is having trouble is that people have no idea what their software can do... because it's not immediately obvious when using the software. The functionality is there... it just needs to be made more user-friendly to users who don't read the manual.

I think it would help a lot if someone from Avid sits down and just watches non-expert Avid users try to use the software. Then go through and fix all of the sticking points.

For, example, in this case... it wouldn't be much trouble for Avid to adjust the Import function so that:

IF file type is MXF:
1. copy MXF file into Avid MediaFiles > 1 on the specified import drive
2. add to current bin

ELSE do normal import

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com