AAF Import problems

[lampasone]

I'm curious if anyone has ever had problems importing aaf files on DP 7.22. I have an an AAF that was exported from Avid MC 5.0 embedded that will not open properly.

I can open the file on another avid system so I'm pretty sure the AAF is fine. When I try to open in DP all I get is a blank timeline. The weird thing is it's seeing something because the name of the sequence shows up but nothing else.

Anyone have any ideas to fix this problem. I have exported AAF's and OMF's from Avid MC in the past but never from vs 5.0 into Avid.

Thanks.

Don

[MIDI Life Crisis]

I haven't used AFF in a while. OMFs are working fine. In the past, it seems DP versions worked with one or the other, but not usually both for some odd reason. Are your data files are present with the AFF? Simple question, I know, but that's all i can think of.

[AudioGod]

Hi Don,

I have to work nearly every day with aaf-exports from avid. There is one main problem which occurs every time trying to import the aaf directly into DP 7. And the problem is named: MXF-support.
DP does not support these files, but Avid introduced it a few years ago and each file (no matter if video or audio) is converted in Avid MC 5 as a mxf-file. When the cutter export the audio for you as aaf-file, all files included are mxf-files. This is an container-format, which includes lots of information like TC-position, original position of a file and for audio the suiting audio files. That would be great, if MOTU would give us a chance to import those files, but only ProTools and Nuendo can handle it.
I wrote a long letter to MOTU and gave them a contact to the company mxf4mac. They are specialized in bringing software solutions for mxf-files to the mac-platform. I thought that this was interesting for the developers of DP, but I think they didn´t get in touch with them...
What I do is a small workaround: I open the aaf-file in ProTools and export the arrangement as omf-embedded or omf with folder for DP. It takes a few minutes, but after that I can work with the audio material in DP.

Hmmm, that´s all I can tell you. I really wait for DP 7.5 or 8.0 and hope that mxf is then supported. As you could see DP was awarded for the best DAW! This should be the best reason to develop a future version which supports mxf!

Yours Robert

[martian]

hey robert thats interesting information-

I having some problem with these imports as well -

so your work is convert them to OMF - I guess thats what I will do - if I cant get them to resend as OMF..

shame I dont have protools and would have to get a DV toolkit version - around 2000US I think,,

maybe I will bite the bullet - I have 3 features on the go at the sec and all want protools files for the mix session,,

at least its cheaper than it used to be and now does surround,

[AudioGod]

Hey Martian,

I don´t believe you´ll need a DV Toolkit-Version. I bought a Protools 8 LE Version with the Digidesign MBox2 mini. After that I only bought the Digitranslator Software and I was ready to import AAF/OMF in ProTools. Thats all you need. I think you will spent less than 1000 $ for the whole thing.

Have a nice sunday,
Robert

[martian]

thanks for that! I wasnt aware of that.

thats a massive saving - but I guess I will have to weigh up if I am going "halfway" there whether to go the whole hog and get surround and more tracks..

this might be an answer for me as I have 2 films contracted that I am supposed to supply in a protools compatible format.

I was getting around this by "printing " a zero dB trim and exporting that OMF... which sort of worked but of course wont have the surround panning...

I would also have to weigh up whether Logic or maybe cubase could help cross convert - I really was anti avid for a long time - and still dont feel the love yet..

[supersonic]

I do the same except I use the AAF as originally exported from AVID. This way a reexport AAF from PT linking to the original media. It's pretty fast this way. No media copying.

[cbergm7210]

Hi guys.

Working with Avid and DP is brand new to me. I realize the MXF files will not work in DP, but can't the exporter choose to make the audio files WAV or AIFF?

We did this, but unfortunately there are missing audio pieces in the tracks, which is weird. Specifically, on Audio Tracks 3 and 4 there are sound effects and music, but the music does not show up. But, the music soundbite is in the list, but not in the actual timeline of the sequence.

Ideas?

[supersonic]

If there are files missing the best way to make sure they are taken into account is by copying media. That is what I did a few times this has happened to me.

[cbergm7210]

What's odd is that DP made a separate chuck for About 15 of the audio files. Each chunk had an audio file in it. The music was one of those chunks, but was not in the main sequence time line. The file is there inside DP, but not in the sequence.

I think I'll make a movie to better explain...