XDCAM EX workflow

The following section provides a workflow for efficient editing of video from an XDCAM EX camera.

XDCAM EX differs from XDCAM/XDCAM HD in several key areas.

  • XDCAM EX cameras record to SxS flash memory rather than optical disc.

  • XDCAM EX cameras record full-HD video to MPEG-2 (MP4) format.

  • XDCAM EX video is not visible in the XDCAM Explorer window. Use the Device Explorer window to import clips from an XDCAM EX device.

    For more information, see Using the Device Explorer

  • When editing XDCAM EX video, you'll edit full-resolution MP4 files unless you create proxy files. For more information, see Creating proxy files for high-definition editing

  1. Shoot your video with your XDCAM EX camera.

  2. Transfer your clips from your camera to your computer.

    1. Install the SxS device driver.

    2. Connect your camera (or card reader) to your computer with a USB cable.

    3. Your camera will prompt you to Connect USB Now? Choose Execute.

    4. Use the Device Explorer window to import clips from your XDCAM EX device to the Project Media window.

    TIP

    Previous versions of VEGAS Pro required you to convert XDCAM EX clips to MXF format before editing.

    This conversion is no longer required, but the workflow is still supported. If you want to wrap your XDCAM EX clips in MXF format, please use XDCAM EX Clip Browsing Software.

  3. Drag your imported clips from the Project Media window to the timeline to create events.

  4. Edit your project as needed.

    For more information, see Editing events on the timeline

  5. Render your project for your destination format. You can also render to XDCAM EX format by choosing XDCAM EX (*.MP4) in the Formats box in the Render As dialog.

    NOTE

    The following notes apply when rendering XDCAM EX format files:

    • Only embedded XML metadata is included with rendered files. Embedded XML metadata supports markers and regions; title, author, and description summary information; recording date/time; and timecode in/out.

    • When you intend to transfer files back to SxS media, select the Write segmented files if output exceeds 4 GB checkbox on the Video page of the Custom XDCAM EX Settings dialog (click the Custom button in the Render As dialog and then click the Video tab). When this checkbox is selected, large files will be segmented at 4 GB for compatibility with the SxS file format.

    • XDCAM EX supports no-recompress rendering (smart rendering) across the following formats when the source and destination MPEG-2 video match in frame size, bit rate, profile, and level. Frames that have effects, compositing, or transitions applied will be rendered.

      • SP 18.3 Mbps CBR 1280x720p to/from XDCAM EX and HDV HD-1

      • SP 25 Mbps CBR 1440x1080i to/from XDCAM EX, XDCAM HD, and HDV HD-2

      • HQ 35 Mbps VBR 1440x1080 to/from XDCAM EX and XDCAM HD

      • HQ 35 Mbps VBR 1280x720p to/from XDCAM EX

      • HQ 35 Mbps VBR 1920x1080 to/from XDCAM EX

      The Enable no-recompress rendering checkbox on the General tab of the Preferences dialog must be selected to enable smart rendering.