This IS the Avid L2: [Avid-L2] Roundtripping Media Composer 5.5.3

Saturday, February 9, 2013

[Avid-L2] Roundtripping Media Composer 5.5.3 – DaVinci Resolve 8.X

(If this appears as one solid block of text, my sincerest apologies.
Rich-Text never seems to work for me on this forum and I've yet to
figure out how to achieve as simple a task as a double line return. I'm
trying this in a new browser to see if I have more luck.)

I've read the manuals, I've googled, I've tried variations
and I cannot get this to work.

First the short version: I've exported an AAF of my DNxHD 175
(HD1080p), 23.976 sequence, my colorist successfully imports it, does a
couple of test tweaks and exports, I import the revised AAF and get an
error message declaring, "Encountered exception `Incompatible
File Format.' Do you want to continue the import? (If you do
continue, remember to check the console for import errors.)." I
continue and get an entirely offline sequence. Media Tool displays the
DaVinci corrected clips, but with names that have no relation to offline
new.01 clips in the bin. Relinking gets me nowhere.

How do I link these clips or how do I import in a way that they will
come in linked?

In detail:

1. The project was created and completed (up to color correction,
which is where we now stand) in MC 5.5.3 on OS X.6.8. Footage was shot
on Canon 5D and 7D.
2. I imported AMA files, transcoded to DNxHD 115 and cut the show.
3. I relinked the final show to the AMA clips and then transcoded the
relinked sequence to DNxHD 175.
4. I exported a video-only AAF of forty-six seconds of this DNxHD 175
sequence. I included two video channels and an assortment of the effects
I've used to see what would and would not work. Export Settings:
Include All Video/Data Tracks in Sequence, AAF Edit Protocol,
Consolidate Media, Media Destination to Folder.
5. Colorist successfully imported the AAF, made a few corrections for
test purposes and followed what we both believe to be the correct
protocol for roundtripping and sent it back to me.
6. I copied the .mxf files into the appropriate media folder (Avid
MediaFiles>MXF>1) and deleted the .msm files in that folder.
7. I went back to the project, waited for the database to rebuild,
opened a new bin and imported the revised AAF file.
8. I get the error message listed above. I tell it to proceed.
9. Bin fills with entirely offline sequence, a collection of
corresponding offline new.01 clips and online copies of some of the
original master and subclips that went to build the original sequence.
10. Per the error message I check the console for import error
messages. There are three. The first is "Can't make a track effect.
Importing without effect," the second one references the one clip on
V2, which has an AniMatte effect. It reads, "Minor Change: Error
with media reference (clip will be offline)." And the third
references the unused camera in a group clip, in other words, a clip
that doesn't actually appear in the sequence. The message reads,
"Minor Change: Error with media reference (clip will be
offline)." There are no messages to indicate it did not happily
import the rest of the media.
11. Media Tool does show new clips that are the `corrected'
footage, but they have unfamiliar names, not corresponding to anything I
can detect and they do not appear in the import bin. These clips are the
same resolution and frame rate as my original sequence.
12. I think, "What the heck, I've got the sequence, I've
got the media; let's just relink."
13. I attempt to relink using "Selected items in ALL open
bins," with the new media all in its own bin and selected. I get
bupkis. "No clips were relinked."

I realize I didn't provide a lot of information in number 5 above,
but I know the colorist would be happy to answer whatever questions you
might have. And I, of course, will gladly, gladly provide any additional
information. I'm going to try an AAF export of a single-track
effectless sequence and also try an export of a sequence built from the
AMA relink. But I'd really like this to work directly from picture
lock. Anyone still with me and do you have any idea what we did wrong?

Martin

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