DSLR footage into Final Cut Log & Transfer

I'm sure most of us know how this is done, but just to make sure it's out there for anyone and everyone to read, here is a quick tutorial on how to make this happen.

Everyone SHOULD know that with the current versions of FCP you can't work efficiently or effectively with the H.264 files recorded on your DSLR. You need it to be converted to the native format for FCP, Apple Pro Res. You can do this a number of ways, be it through MPEG Streamclips Batch List workflow, or putting all those H.264 files into Compressor and converting them there. Both of these ways take time, as does Log and Transfer, but I find the Log and Transfer process to be much more efficient and easier to do... plus it helps keep things organized within the project better, since you can add your scene/take/roll and notes in the Log and Transfer screen.

The process I am about to talk about works with the Canon cameras for sure, since I've not yet used a Nikon yet in this manner I can not say for sure if this works or not for Nikon. When I do that, I'll update on the accuracy of that.

This whole process is really easy, and done even easier if you do it right during your DIT process on set of after shooting. (DIT stands for Data in Transfer, though many people say it stands for a number of different things... or just simply, dumping your card onto a drive.)

The card, when opened on your computer will have 2 files in it... DCIM and MISC.

Inside of the DCIM folder you will find your card data folder, and inside your data folder will be all your recorded clips: .MOVs are the H.264 and the .THM files are the core data of each individual clip...

In the MISC folder, you will not find anything... it's empty...

This does not make this folder any less important... it's part of the workflow and works with FCP to allow Log and Transfer to read the data. I'm sure 100% how the software code works for this to work, but it works similar to a P2 card... where there are empty folders that are necessary for the program to read the data.

Anyway... people's biggest mistake when transferring is to just take the data folder, in this example labeled at 100EOS7D. Thinking this all you will need... but when you get around to the Log and Transfer process you will find it impossible for Final Cut to read the file, giving you a Data Error message.

This is because it does not have the proper path directory for FCP to read... it's annoying, but none the less true.

If all you copied over is the data folder, what you need to do is simple... under your CARD folder (or whatever you decide to name the folder) you need to create 2 new folders... labeling the first DCIM and the second MISC. When this is done, copy the 100EOS7D folder into the DCIM folder. Then in Final Cut Log and Transfer, make the directory path lead you to that folder labeled CARD. Do not lead it to the 100EOS7D folder, because the program needs to read that MISC folder too.... so by leading it to the CARD folder, you allow it to read both the needed folders. Or you can simply drag and drop the CARD folder into the Log and Transfer screen...my preferred way of doing it, much faster.

That's all it takes.... but like I said, you can save yourself a small headache and just copy the FULL card onto your drive when you're doing the DIT. It's not the end of the world, but saves you a few moments later or confusion if you can't figure out why it doesn't work.

Even though I've done this numerous times... if I get caught in the moment of WHY WON'T THIS WORK with the Log and Transfer screen, I still find myself pondering the issue for awhile before I realize it's the same simple mistake it's always been.