MXF: what the format is and how to work with it on set
MXF is a container for professional video: many professional cameras record to it. MXF is opened by editing apps, while MultiSyncer Studio takes care of everything before the edit: it copies the card with its whole structure and with verification, reads the camera data, checks the footage and builds the project.
What MXF is
MXF (Material eXchange Format) is a container for professional video and audio. Many professional cameras record to it, for example Sony (XDCAM) and Panasonic (P2). An MXF file can hold the picture, several audio channels, timecode and metadata.
Next to the MXF files a card often has the camera's folders and service files: for example, Sony writes an XML file describing the clip (…M01.XML). Editing apps rely on this structure, so an XDCAM or P2 card is copied whole, with its original folders and names.
How to open MXF
MXF is opened by editing apps, for example Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. MultiSyncer Studio does not convert MXF. Its job is different: copy the card safely, check the footage, read the camera data and build the edit project.
What MultiSyncer Studio does with MXF
Copies the whole card
With checksum verification, to several drives at once. XDCAM and P2 cards are copied with their own names, otherwise editing apps will not open them.
Reads the camera data
The model and serial number come from the file or from the XML next to the clip. The shooting settings (ISO, shutter, white balance, iris, lens, gamma) go into “Footage” and into the colorist report.
Checks picture and sound
Black and frozen frames, a stuck pixel, clipped highlights, a file that ends early; clipping, lost sound, a silent channel and more.
Syncs and hands off to the edit
MXF clips land on their tracks by sound, timecode or slate, and the project goes to Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Do not rename files on an XDCAM or P2 card. If you want your own names, MultiSyncer renames only the copies, but XDCAM, P2, AVCHD and RED cards are still copied with their own names: that way editing apps can open them.