XfcpX2 released – and why it doesn’t matter ;-)

So, I finally got around to do a version 2.0 of the XfcpX utility.

It has proven more popular than I expected – which is great; but also pretty bad as this should never have been nessecary.

The new version is rewritten from scratch and solves some of the major issues with the old utility. All of this does not matter though, as Canon FINALLY release a plugin. Yes, you heard me right – it’s out there, and while I have not tested it myself yet, it is apparently doing it’s job. While I would like to say “Kudos to Canon for making this” however, I will settle with saying “That’s about d*** time”. I love Canon. I am a photographer who’s whole gear base is Canon and as such, I was expecting the same top notch Customer Service moving my Video to the XF platform. This is simply not good enough.

Anyways – I made the utility, and while it is basically rendered useless, I am putting it outthere anyways. Who knows, someone might find use for it – if anything, as a backup in case there are glaring bugs in Canon’s plugin (let’s hope not!). I also think Canon’s utility is MacOS 10.7 (Lion) only…. this is NOT confirmed, so please correct me if I am wrong. However, if that IS the case, you can use XfcpX2 until you get your system upgraded – it has been tested on Leopard as well.

You can find Canon’s XF plugin for FCPX here: Canon Plugin for FCPX (Make sure you select Mac OS 10.7 from the dropdown list.)

Without further ado, here it is – XfcpX 2.0:

XfcpX2 Release notes:

Due to popular demand, and a few rather handsome donations (Thank you!) I have reworked the XfcpX code.

Version 2 of XfcpX indicates a big change.

There are 3 major things to notice with this release.

– The program has been rewritten from scratch, and is now a Cocoa application written specifically for mac instead of Java. This has no real big impact other than the fact that I had to learn a new programming language ;-) What I do hope, though, is that it solves a few issues of mine (and some of yours). First off, Java is not really well supported on the Mac platform. As a result, some people have simply been unable to use the program as it would not start on their system, and I had no chance to find the cause. Being a native program, it is my hope this will be more smooth now. It also opens up for a few more tricks in the UI part of the program – and it will be the foundation for the XfcpX utility from now on.

– The workflow model has changed – or rather, has disappeared. My way of doing this should not be imposed on everyone else; and for some users it was a bit hard to understand the whole workflow idea. Instead, XfcpX just takes any folder as a master folder, with no requirements to the folder structure. You simply browse to your master folder (Or drag it to the green drop area in the application) and XfcpX will scan that folder and all subfolders for the video files. This has some added benefits:
– You are not forced to use the canon supplied XFUtility program (But, you certainly can and I still recommend it)
– You can simply backup your cards, by copying the contents folder from camera to your harddrive and read that folder (as the majority are doing it seems)
– If you have no need to retain the original files, you can now read directly from the camera by dragging the cards (labelled “Canon XF”) from finder directly into the green drop area in XfcpX (Or browsing to them using the “locate” button)

– Finally, and the big one for many, XfcpX will now combine your big (2GB+) files into one clip.

You can download the new package here: http://pika.dk/XfcpX/XfcpX2Installer.mpkg.zip

27 Responses Subscribe to comments


  1. Michael Cox

    Man, I wish I’d known about this or its predecessor some months ago. I’ve been really wasting too much time ingesting my XF100 footage into various apps, some of which work (Aunsoft’s Video Converter) and some of which don’t (Aunsoft’s MXF converter!). And writing emails to Canon, and so on and so on. So thank you. I realize it may well be redundant now that Canon have released their MXF plug in but I haven’t tried it yet (just downloaded it) so I’ll have yours on hand in case theirs is a dud. Anyway, good job.

    Feb 19, 2012 @ 10:07


  2. Paul van Nierop

    I tried and tried to get the Canon Utility working, but up to now, no luck. Somebody advised the XDCAM utility of Sony, it produced the images, but without sound, tough luck again. I know Imedia by PavTube to work well, but I found and tried your app. I like the idea of automatically merging large files. Tried it right away, works nice and smooth. And it finds the MXF files in the folders all by itself, good job.
    One more content user, thanks. I am traveling now, but will send you a donation as soon as I am back home.

    Mar 28, 2012 @ 20:16


  3. admin

    Great to hear that ;-)

    Apr 14, 2012 @ 16:31


  4. barry

    Hi
    Will your app enable me to more easily capture media from my canon XF100 into FCP 7 or is it only for FCP X

    Would you recommend switching to FCP X – I still operate to tape camcorders as well as the XF100

    your thoughts would be much appreciated

    kind regards

    May 07, 2012 @ 17:59


  5. admin

    Not at all. Using my application, will only add more steps to your workflow.

    I suggest you use the Log & transfer capability in FCP7 for your XF footage – it wont get easier than that.

    As to whether or not you should switch to FCPX depends entirely on your editing needs. I don’t use any tape based media myself, but my understanding is that FCPX supports it now in an adequate fashion – so that should not be a stopper for you.
    In essence, if your primary work is editorials and the like, FCPX can surely speed up your work. If you are more into music videos for instance, I’d suggest staying on FCP7. That’s a very simplified view though – I’d suggest buying the FCPX (it’s not that expensive really) and try it out for a while. Personally, I run both.

    May 21, 2012 @ 18:22


  6. Robert Dower

    Advice, please.
    I’m shooting with a CanonXF100 and using a Mac 10.7.4 and FinalCutProX. Whereas before I was able to move the video clips from the Canon icon on the desktop after they had been downloaded to FCPX, now after I move the master folder to the green box for the source, the only option I’m given for the Output Folder is CanonXFUtility folder and then the option of CanonManual. Obviously, that’s not the correct Output Folder. When I go to the Applications option, CanonManual is one of the few options highlighted (FCPX) isn’t so I can’t seem to set it as the option for the Output Folder.
    I’m I doing something wrong?

    May 27, 2012 @ 01:52


  7. Lance

    Read about your app on apple’s support site after sifting through a ton of webpages. I’m so glad I found it! thank you very much for producing this!

    I think that Canon’s plugin only works on Lion as I have tried it on 10.6.8 and still nothing for FCPX. So until I get my system upgraded, I’ll use this app! It’s only a couple of steps anyway!!!!

    Jun 14, 2012 @ 00:51


  8. David

    It’s not a waste of time that you released this! A lot of us are still not on Lion and as you mentioned, the Canon XF plugin only works on Lion. I am making the move to CS6 which should handle the file structure of the card well enough (I think CS5 has a bug), but there will be plenty of times where I don’t want to launch Premiere, import the files, have them be analyzed, drag them into a timeline, export them, and then view them. I imagine even after I move to Mountain Lion and CS6 that I will still be using your software.

    Thanks!

    Jun 18, 2012 @ 01:00


  9. James

    HI,
    Canon XF100 shooting 23.98 Running FCP 6.0.6
    I used the Canon Plugin successfully to log & transfer and cut several projects.
    On my new project and now the log & transfer does not work. I get an error message that the media’s folder structure is incompatible.
    I was thinking of moving to FCPX anyway with this new project.
    Suggestions? Thanks!

    Aug 13, 2012 @ 06:01


  10. andrew

    I have discovered that there is no Canon XF Plugin for Mountain Lion. Therefore, i find it impossible to import clips from m Canon C300. Unfortunately, I am in a remote location without access to installer disks to revert to Lion, and very slow internet.

    I’ve searched for a solution for about 10 hours, and have found none.

    Your program is the only thing that comes close to solving the issue. It works as described, even connecting spanned MXF files into single clips.

    When playing back the re-wrapped clips, the audio plays seamlessly. Unfortunately, for video, I only get a green or black screen. Also, when bringing the clips into FCP 7 it says they are no good and should be recaptured or recompressed.

    Can you think of any possible solution? Your software is the only thing that comes close to working for me.

    Aug 23, 2012 @ 15:18


  11. Mark Spencer

    Rune,

    Just tested 2.0 on Mountain Lyon with some XF100 footage copied to the local hard drive and worked great.

    Aug 29, 2012 @ 06:25


  12. Evangelos

    Your contribution is much appreciated (and MUCH better than the official one). Many thanks indeed for your work.

    Dr Evangelos Himonides

    Aug 30, 2012 @ 21:22


  13. Eris

    Sir this is all I was looking for, thank you!
    Canon’s utility wont work on Mountain Lion. Thank you for working on this and enabling me use my XF100 with more ease.

    Oct 28, 2012 @ 00:41


  14. admin

    You’re most welcome ;-)

    Nov 07, 2012 @ 17:39


  15. KIM

    Hi Rune

    Couldn’t import with Canons utility. I lost the index.mif file, so you’re app really helped. THANKS a bunch.

    KIM

    Nov 12, 2012 @ 22:26


  16. admin

    You’re very welcome :)

    Nov 16, 2012 @ 17:13


  17. Mary Sandro

    Hi Rune,

    Your application has been so valuable. I have a question, which will show my ignorance, but I appreciate your help.

    In FCP X it shows the re-wrapped video’s codec as m2v1

    I had my logo animated and delivered as an mov. The codec is Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)

    Everything else is the same 1920 x 1080 29.97 fps, linear PCM, 48 khz mono.

    Will the logo animation be ok in the same project with my Canon XF100 re-wrapped footage with those different codecs?

    If not, I was thinking I could add the intro in QuickTime 7.

    Thank you again!

    Mary

    Feb 08, 2013 @ 22:21


  18. Patrick McCormick

    For your information, someone posted on the canon site how to trick your OSX system into thinking it is Lion instead of Leopard, for the new canon plug in for fcpx; perhaps it will apply to your plug ins you are so graciously helping the fcp community with.

    On our Forum, macmacmac had an interesting trick for getting the OS X Lion ‘only’ plugin to work on Snow Leopard

    To install the plugin on Snow Leopard OS X 10.6.8 you have to temporarily change your system version number to Lion 10.7.2!
    1. Go to HD:/System/Library/CoreServices/SystemVersion.plist
    2. Copy the file to the Desktop
    3. Open the original with a text editor and change the string value of ‘ProductVersion’ and ‘ProductUserVisibleVersion’ to ‘10.7.2’.
    4. Save & Overwrite.
    5. Install the plugin
    6. Move back the original SystemVersion.plist from the Desktop

    from the site;
    http://www.fcp.co/final-cut-pro/news/735-a-valentines-present-from-canon-the-mxf-ingest-plugin-for-final-cut-pro-x

    Feb 19, 2013 @ 16:55


  19. Peter J

    Hi Rune,
    In early 2012 I downloaded and used your converter (after making a donation) with great success – thanks. When Canon released their FCPX plugin I changed to using that, primarily because the time and date that the clip was taken was retained and visible via the clip name.
    As a long time Adobe Premiere Pro user I eventually found FCPX a bit limiting and have switched back to Premiere Pro and your XfcpX2. (The video stabilisation in Prem Pro CS6 is vastly superior to FCPX especially for handheld XF100 Powered Stabiliser shots that till have a tiny amount of movement. Pro stabilised shots are rock steady whereas FCPX stabilised shots have ‘jumps’ in them??) Please excuse my digression but I thought it may be of some interest.
    My question is:
    Would it be possible during the conversion process to make the ‘Created Date’ and ‘Modified Date’ for the newly created MOV clip the same as the original MXF clip?
    This would mean that the very important (to me) Date Created information would still be available.
    Thanks again for your great utility.
    Warm regards
    Peter J

    Jun 07, 2013 @ 05:56


  20. Alexandru

    Hi Rune,

    I am using FCP7 and I’m having difficulties importing some footage that was not properly copied and it’s file structure is somewhat messed up. Actually I can’t tell what’s wrong with it but FCP log and transfer tool will not let me load the files. I am working on a bigger project and I have this problem only with some cards that were copied in the same way as the cards that work!!! FCP is gone mad in my opinion.
    I tried loading them in XfcpX2 and it worked but FCP7 will not read the files. Is tere a simple way to get the footage to FCP7 without transcoding it? I want it just rewrap.

    Thanks for your work on this.
    All the best,
    Alexandru

    Jun 24, 2013 @ 22:32


  21. Paul Sullivan

    I cannot thank you enough for creating this. As I have just purchased the XF100 (very happy) and discovered the Canon utility does not support Mavericks OS and have, like others here, experienced terribly inconsistent / futile attempts with other software.
    As I type your app is munching through 40GB worth of very important footage that I thought would take me forever to convert, if even at all, for a big client.

    Eternal gratitude from me.

    Dec 17, 2013 @ 21:11


  22. David

    Hi I installed your utility and now my fcpx is crashing I cannot import any files osx 10.9.1 and fcpx 10.1.1 any help on how to uninstall?

    dfcarsearch@earthlink.net

    Mar 08, 2014 @ 12:13


  23. admin

    Hi,

    just delete the file. But I can guarantee you, XfcpX is not causing your issues with FCPX – they are not linked in any way at all, nor does XfcpX ever touch any files related to FCPX. I can see your comment is a bit old, so I hope you already solved your problems long ago.

    /Rune

    May 02, 2014 @ 23:57


  24. Gretchen

    Hi Rune,

    Everyone above on this thread seems to be having plentiful luck with your program and I feel I should be too…but it is just turning out soundless black videos that are the length of the original clip.

    Any idea what is causing this?

    Thanks,
    Gretchen

    May 09, 2014 @ 00:35


  25. Gretchen

    ** To make an alteration to my above comment, I am getting audio but no visual. Just a black screen. Any thoughts?

    May 09, 2014 @ 03:20


  26. admin

    Hi Gretchen

    To be honest, I have no clue – I haven’t seen this before. When is the file black for you? When you play it in quicktime player or when you import to Fcpx?

    Also, why are you using this tool? FCPX imports the MXF files just fine from the Canon cameras, so there’s really no value in this anymore :-)

    May 12, 2014 @ 19:17


  27. Mark

    Thank you for your work on this.

    Why would anyone need your xfcpx when canon has a plugin?

    My sad story is that my friend shot hours of footage, but didn’t keep the file structure of the original cards, and I’d rather NOT transcode all these clips into prores, and have it take so much more space on my hard drive.

    Your utility works well, and does it quickly. I’m sad that timecode doesn’t pass through, so this limits the usefulness of your app.

    If you ever decide to go back in and add the timecode, please let me know.

    Thanks.

    Dec 01, 2014 @ 08:01

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