Importing XDCAM Discs

You can use the XDCAM Explorer window to import full- or proxy-resolution clips from XDCAM discs to your computer for editing.

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  • If you delete XDCAM clips from your computer, those clips will appear offline in your projects. You can reimport the clips by right-clicking the clips in the Project Media window and choosing Recapture from the shortcut menu. For more information, see Using the Project Media window

  • The XDCAM deck is not available for external monitor or print to tape while in XDCAM Media Drive mode. Click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the Windows system tray and choose your XDCAM device from the menu to disconnect the device. You can then switch to AV/C mode and reconnect to enable external monitor and print to tape functionality.

  • Use the Device Explorer window to import clips from an XDCAM EX camera. For more information, see Using the Device Explorer

  1. Choose View | Window | XDCAM Explorer to display the XDCAM Explorer window if it isn't already visible.

  2. Click the Import XDCAM Disc button in the XDCAM Explorer window. The Import XDCAM Disc dialog is displayed.

  3. The XDCAM Device box displays the current XDCAM camera or deck.

    If you need to choose a different XDCAM device or transfer method, click the Device button. For more information, see Setting up an XDCAM Device

    NOTE For information about using your camera or deck, please refer to its documentation.

  4. In the Clip Resolutions box, select check boxes to indicate which clips you want to import:

    • Clear both check boxes if you want to import clip information (metadata) only without importing clips.

      You can import clips later by right-clicking a clip in the XDCAM Explorer and choosing Import Full Resolution Files or Import Proxy Files from the shortcut menu.

    • Select the All full resolution files checkbox to import full-resolution clips.

    • Select the All proxy resolution files checkbox to import low-resolution clips for quick timeline editing and preview.

      If you're working on a system with limited disk space or processing power, you can edit the smaller proxy files on the timeline and replace the proxies with full-resolution files before rendering. For more information, see Editing XDCAM Clips on the Timeline

  5. The Capture Folder box displays the path to the folder where clips will be imported. Click the Browse button to choose a folder.

    TIP You can also copy XDCAM discs to the capturefolder manually. Simply copy the files and folders to the specified capturefolder (preserving the XDCAM disc whatfolder/file structure).The next time you start VEGAS Pro,the disc will be available in the XDCAM Explorer window.

  6. Type a name in the Optional Disc Name box if you want to assign a friendly name to the disc.

    For example, if you've written "Joe's Tire Spot" on your XDCAM disc, you can type that name so you don't have to try to identify the disc in the XDCAM Explorer window using its 32-digit identifier.

  7. Click the OK button to start importing clips. The disc label is added to the left pane in the XDCAM Explorer window, and the clips are displayed in the right pane.

    You're ready to start editing your XDCAM clips on the timeline. For more information, see Editing XDCAM Clips on the Timeline

    NOTE

    • Select the Import MXF as multichannel checkbox on the General tab of the Preferences dialog if you want to import MXF files from XDCAM cameras and decks with multichannel audio. When the checkbox is cleared, audio from MXF files will be imported as stereo, but you can access the other channels by right-clicking the event and choosing Channels from the shortcut menu. For more information, see Preferences - General Tab

    • The imported disc is not associated with the current project. Imported discs are available in the XDCAM Explorer window until you delete them from your computer.

    • Imported clips are not added to the Project Media window. Drag a clip to the timeline to add it to your project or right-click a clip and choose Add to Project Media List from the shortcut menu. For more information, see Using the Project Media window