USER GUIDE
AVID MEDIA COMPOSER
WORKING WITH AVID MXF FILES FROM CODEX
REVISION 06.03.2014
CODEX USER GUIDE - WORKING WITH AVID MXF FILES FROM CODEX REV 06.03.14
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Disclaimer
Codex products are continually developed to remain at the forefront of the industry, and as such the information in this
guide is subject to change without notice. Whilst Codex endeavour to ensure that all documentation provided is correct at
the time of writing, this document is not guaranteed to be error-free.
Codex does not assume responsibility for issues or losses due to misinterpretation of the information in this document,
errors in this document, or incorrect configuration or installation of the equipment described herein.
Please report any errors found in this document to [email protected]
Support and Servicing
For assistance with your Codex product please contact [email protected]
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Contents
Disclaimer..............................................................................................................................................................................................2
Support and Servicing........................................................................................................................................................................2
1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................................4
2. Creating the MXF files...................................................................................................................................................................4
3. Creating an ALE file........................................................................................................................................................................4
3.1. Using the Codex UI.....................................................................................................................................................................4
3.2. Using the Vault.............................................................................................................................................................................6
4. Importing the ALE file to a bin....................................................................................................................................................6
5. Copying the MXF files to your media drive..............................................................................................................................7
6. Relinking the MXF files to the ALE file metadata...................................................................................................................8
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1. Introduction
Codex software can generate Avid MXF files that can be loaded directly into Avid Media Composer with no
importing or conversion required.
The following document describes performing this process using an ALE also created by Codex software to
populate a bin with master clips, and then ensure that all media files are present and are relinked successfully.
This guide assumes the use of Avid Media Composer version 7.
2. Creating the MXF files
The digital camera negative material can be transcoded to Avid MXF using the Codex software for either
Capture Drive Dock or Vault 2. These systems also provide the ability to apply a 3D LUT and burn-in mask to
the files.
The Avid MXF files from Codex use the DNxHD family of compression codecs to ensure compatibility with
Media Composer.
Refer to the guides available from http://codexdigital.com/support/user-guides for details on configuring the
Capture Drive Dock or Vault 2 to provide Avid MXF files.
3. Creating an ALE file
An ALE (Avid Log Exchange) is a text file that contains metadata information for your shots. In the file there is a
column for each metadata item that is stored for the shots.
3.1 Using the Codex UI
To create the ALE click the CREATE ALE button on the MAIN tab:
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The initial settings for creating the ALE are shown here:
The folder icon on the right of the Filename box can be used to open a browser to set the destination for the
ALE, or if you know the path you can type it. You must type the name for the ALE at the end of the path, and
the correct extension (.ale), as shown here:
Next choose the Source shots for the ALE. This is normally done per Roll, so open the drop down list to set
Source shots to Specified roll and then choose the Roll from the list:
Next set the Timecode frame rate to be match the editing rate for the project:
Then click DO IT to create the ALE file.
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3.2. Using the Vault
The Vault automatically generates an ALE file when a group of shots are transcoded to Avid MXF format. This
file is saved in the same folder as the Avid MXF files, and is always called generate.ale - you may therefore
wish to rename the file, for example for the shoot day or Roll it represents.
4. Importing the ALE file to a bin
The drag-and-drop method can be used to import the ALE file to a bin:
Alternatively use the File > Import option, or right-click in the bin to open the context menu and select Import.
The bin will then populate with master clips based on the ALE:
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5. Copying the MXF files to your media drive
Copy the MXF files to the correct folder structure on your media drive:
It is essential that the files are located in this folder structure on your media drive: /Avid MediaFiles/MXF/1
Also, confirm that all users have permission to read and write inside this folder structure.
Then in Avid use the File > Refresh Media Directories option:
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6. Relinking the MXF files to the ALE file metadata
Select all the clips in the bin:
Then either right-click on the film strip icon to bring up the context menu and click Relink, or select the top
menu Clip > Relink:
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In the Relink options select the drive containing the MXF media, and uncheck the option for ‘Relink only to
media from the current project’:
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The bin will now display the master clips with details of the Drive on which the Avid MXF media files are stored
and also the Video codec:
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It is now recommended to check that all master clips have been relinked successfully. If any master clips have
not relinked then the Drive information will not be displayed, as shown for ‘1-009_A001’ in this example:
Notice also that the Video codec information is different from those master clips that have been relinked.
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Notes
24 hour support line +44 7985 467 665
CODEX DIGITAL LIMITED 60 POLAND STREET LONDON ENGLAND W1F 7NT UK
TEL +44 207 292 6918 CODEXDIGITAL.COM [email protected]
Codex Digital Limited reserve the right to alter the specification at any time and without prior notice. © Copyright Codex Digitial Limited February 2014.
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