Counterintuitive

[Michael Totten]

Jeez : /

Just downloaded Avid Media Composer 6 (mac).
For 45 minutes I've been trying to figure out how to import / view footage (MXF / DNX files)... can't seem to do it.

I've got an external drive full of MXF files that I'd like to bring into a project.
How do I tell Avid where the files are stored & then bring them in?

I can't find the "Avid Media Files" folder (it doesn't exist on my system).... when I try "importing" from a bin (as per Avid tutorial) I get a vague error like: " you can't import media this way... check media documentation ".

 

[Justin Barham]

The first step would be to create the "Avid MediaFiles" folder at the root of your media drive. Inside that a folder called "MXF". Inside that a folder called "1". Put all your MXF in that. Now it's in Avid's world.

Open your Media Tool and you can access the files. Drag them to a bin and you should be set. Alternately you can drag in the *.mdb file that Media Composer will create in that "1" folder.

It'll once you start doing it this way.

 

[Justin Barham]

*It's START TO MAKE SENSE once you start doing it this way.

 

[Michael Totten]

The first step would be to create the "Avid MediaFiles" folder at the root of your media drive. Inside that a folder called "MXF". Inside that a folder called "1". Put all your MXF in that. Now it's in Avid's world.

Open your Media Tool and you can access the files. Drag them to a bin and you should be set. Alternately you can drag in the *.mdb file that Media Composer will create in that "1" folder.

It'll once you start doing it this way.

I followed your instructions but still get this error message:
" You cannot import this file into a bin.
See the documentation for information about transferring media files".

 

[Steve Sherrick]

There was an official Avid RED workflow video that covered this sort of thing but they are updating their RED workflow material and not sure where it is. In the meantime...
http://avidscreencast.com/red-workflow-for-avid-the-complete-guide/

 

[joe hedge]

The folder has to be named Avid MediaFiles

No space between Media and Files, exactly as it is written above

Inside that folder is a folder named MXF

And inside the MXF folder is a folder named 1

The .mxf files go in the folder named 1

And the Avid MediaFiles folder can't be in any other folder, it has to be at the root level on the drive it's on

Also make sure your project settings match the framerate and resolution of the .mxf files (720, 1080, 23.98fps, 29.98fps etc)

If you don't know the resolution and frame rate, find out

 

[Chase M. Wrenn]

There was an official Avid RED workflow video that covered this sort of thing but they are updating their RED workflow material and not sure where it is. In the meantime...
http://avidscreencast.com/red-workflow-for-avid-the-complete-guide/

There's also this link:

http://www.red.com/learn/workflow

Avid workflow guide PDF part way down the page.

 

[MichaelP]

The video is here:

http://tinyurl.com/29ue8mm

Michael

 

[Michael Totten]

The folder has to be named Avid MediaFiles

No space between Media and Files, exactly as it is written above

Inside that folder is a folder named MXF

And inside the MXF folder is a folder named 1

The .mxf files go in the folder named 1

And the Avid MediaFiles folder can't be in any other folder, it has to be at the root level on the drive it's on

Also make sure your project settings match the framerate and resolution of the .mxf files (720, 1080, 23.98fps, 29.98fps etc)

If you don't know the resolution and frame rate, find out

This was the problem !
There was a space between Media and Files.
thank you kindly.

 

[Justin Barham]

No problem.

It does seem counterintuitive at first. There are great advantages, however, to having know where to look to find it's media.

 

[Steve Sherrick]

The video is here:

http://tinyurl.com/29ue8mm

Michael

Thanks Michael, that's the one I was looking for.