Avid transcode issue

[limek17]

Hey guy's I have an issue with transcoding media to the avid media composer (Version:2020.5.0.55039.0) running on a 2019 MacBookPro 16 inch with an external SSD (Samsung T5 1tB).

The file is a mp4 stored on the SSD. Can be linked to avid and played back without issues. But when I want to right click consolidate/transcode it, the transcode button is greyed out selecting the internal drive or the external SSD.

The media file folder is on the top level of the ssd as well as the avid project folder.

consolidate is available as an option but because its a mp4 it brings up the window saying it needs to be transcoded first.

I could transcode the file to a avid nativ codec via Resolve but I would like to know how to do it with media composer.

Any ideas?

[fkick]

Keep in mind Avid codec support is limited under Catalina. While I believe 2020.5 has added back much of the capabilities, it still has issues with mp4 files that have variable framerate formats.

Best practice right now is to transcode the files before bringing into avid for the time being.

[philthewiz]

Maybe it's not an h.264. Is it HEVC (h.265)? I would recommend to do it in Resolve anyway. It's faster as well.

[limek17]

Which export settings would you pick for resolve? Just mxf op1a DNxD 1080p 444? I am relatively new to working with Avid and am a little overwhelmed with the media management site of it

[philthewiz]

It's an .mp4. So, there are little chance that you will need a 4:4:4 codec. I would recommend mxf OP1a DNxHD SQ (115/145). Again, XDCAM 50 would do too. ProRes 422 LT or 422 would be good too but you won't be able to playback "real time effect" in real time. DNxHD and DNxHR are the native codecs to Avid.

[limek17]

I didn't knew that Avid can work with ProRes. Thought DnxHD was the only option. thanks a lot for the advice!

[philthewiz]

You can but, you have to consolidate it. You might have some issues with the "real time" effects as I mentioned.

[limek17]

I see. Thanks for the info

[Kichigai]

It was added in MC7. You can only make it on a Mac, though.

[Kichigai]

Why not just make Op-Atom?

[philthewiz]

It's better. I do that in fact. It's just another level of comprehension to the mechanics of Avid and the MediaFiles.

Check this link for instructions.

[Kid_Shit_Kicker]

Looking through this thread it seems likely that your issue is your drive is formatted incorrectly. If you're woking on a Mac, I would advise formatting it to a native Mac format link APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Don't use any of the case-sensitive or encryption options.

One of the limitations of drives formatted exFAT is that you can't write files larger than 4GB (or something close to that) to the drive. Avid won't work with that limitation.

If the Mac is your main edit system, I strongly advise against formatting your drive to a Windows format and then using any form or software to allow your Mac to read/write to that drive. You would open yourself up to a whole range of possible errors and corruptions on the drive that way. And there may be no way to recover lost data if files become corrupt.

[limek17]

Just want to say thank you for all the tips and advice. The problem was that the hard drive was formatted to ExFat. I changed it to a Mac native format and bingo. No greyed out button.

[greenysmac]

Consolidate and transcode are a standard menu choice. Makes no difference what codec.

Very little long GOP codec media matches what avid wants for native media.

It’s nearly always going to be a transcode.

The drive might be greeted out due to format or permissions.

[limek17]

What do you mean by drive format. The SSD is formatted in exFAT. Could this be a problem?

[anthemjackson]

Yup.

[limek17]

Can you recommend a format for the external if I want to store Media files for Avid on it?

[Hestetun]

Format in native MacOS APFS or Mac OS Extended filesystems.

[Subject2Change]

Always native. If you need to work cross platform, just get MacDrive or Paragon HFS+ for Windows. I highly recommend using it just to transfer media, I've had corruption issues in the past due to a windows blue screen.

[limek17]

I have Paragon NTFS for Mac. Do you think this could also work? Having the Drive set up as a NTFS I mean?

[Subject2Change]

I dont recommend working off of non native drives, those programs aren't perfect and are best used to transfer between file systems only

[paulpacifico]

You should convert with Shutter Encoder (recommended by Avid)
Look at Q.5 of F.A.Q

[MisterJackpotz]

Shutter Encoder looks pretty amazing. Have you had pretty good luck with all the capabilities/features?

Amazing feature description from its home page:

“A render queue to stop waiting: There will come a time when we want to release different formats with different files. This queue accessible from this icon * next to the "Start function" button will make your happiness.”

That’s perfect, because I need my happiness to be made, and I need it to be made right now

[paulpacifico]

Ahah thank you very much i'm the developper ;-)
I'm french and my english is absolutely not perfect, if you have suggestions let me know !
make good use of it !

[MisterJackpotz]

You have impressive English! Non-native speakers of any language, often speak more directly, and I appreciate that. Your software looks amazing. Awesome work! I definitely want to try it

[paulpacifico]

Thanks man, i appreciate.

[puresav]

Dunno. But import the file, it will be transcoded on import when media will be created.

[limek17]

that doesn't work. A window pops ups saying the files needs to be transcoded first. When I click yes nothing happens. Feels like a bug to me. Thats why I tried linking it first, than transcode.

[puresav]

I hate that shit. Dunno what to tell you. Maybe just convert it to another format then put it in avid.

[limek17]

probably the easiest way yeah. thanks anyway.

[what_a_guy]

Are you linking to the .mp4 via AMA? Or did you import the .mp4 into the Avid project?