So it looks like the workflow in FCP7 would be to copy the media off the cards or disc, let VirtualMXF make virtual copies and then import those files into FCP. We have found that the quicker you get your footage into ProRes the better. We get cameramen to shoot with KiPro Minis on the back of XDCAM cameras if possible so we can import ProRes media directly into FCP7 without waiting. We are far from experts on MXF or indeed XDCAM here at FCP.co.
#Mxf plugin for final cut pro 7 mac os x
Drag&Drop these movie files into FinalCutPro X or nearly any other Mac OS X Application for audio visual content" "How does it work? After defining a "MXF Source", which can be a folder, a whole hard disc drive, an USB Stick or even a server volume, it automatically and immediately originates a new - virtual disk drive - on the Desktop in which all original MXF clips are virtualized as FCP X compatible Movies. There is a free demo, but you have to request a trial. So what if you want to use MXF files directly without any conversion? Hamburg Pro Media has launced VirtualMXF, a €149 tool that enables the media to handled as if it was a Quicktime file, almost instantly. The whole process is messy and takes time but is preferable to constant crashing. They way round this is to convert the files to ProRes although you can't do this via Log & Transfer on ingest.
One big problem though, Final Cut Pro 7 hates mixing Long-GOP footage such as XDCAM with I-frame based ProRes for example. MXF or Material Exchange Format sounded like it was a good idea when it was proposed as a standard for the creation and interchange of media between cameras, NLE's and output devices. VirtualMXF from Hamburg Pro Media brings a little more friendliness to handling MXF files in non linear editors. Life would be so much simpler for us editors if everybody used the same codec, preferably ProRes.