Inputting and Outputting Media > Legacy File Import Using Import Media > About Using Import Media >
Importing and Soft-Importing Video Files

Use the Import Media menu to import or soft-import one or more QuickTime movies or MXF media files to the current clip library. Both video and audio tracks are supported.

Audio files that are not 48 KHz are automatically resampled to 48 KHz on import. For video files that contain an alpha channel, you can maintain the alpha channel in the imported clip for use in compositing.

Before importing any P2 MXF content, ensure that the P2 recording devices that are used are set to record clip metadata in Type 2. This allows important metadata, such as timecode and the User Clip Name, to be assigned properly in the MXF file.

Note that you cannot import or soft-import P2 MXF content that contain 2:3 or 2:3:3:2 pulldown, or variable framerates (such as from Varicam cameras).

You can scan and import P2 MXF clips whose directory names are either all uppercase or all lowercase.

NoteTo import files created using unsupported video file formats or codecs, you can use Cleaner® XL to encode the files into a supported format. For example, use Cleaner XL to import video as a sequence of compatible still images. See the guide, Using Cleaner XL with Autodesk Visual Effects and Finishing Applications.

To import or soft-import a QuickTime movie, MXF, or MPEG-4 media file:

1. From the Library menu, click Import Media and select a destination reel.
2. From the File Format box, select the format of the clip that you want to import.
   NoteTo import XDCAM EX clips, select MPEG-4.
3. If you chose MXF, then select an option from the MXF Options box. Select P2 or XDCAM to import the associated video and audio files. Select Essence to import only specific audio or video files.

   Select: | To:
   --- | ---
   P2 or XDCAM | Import the associated video and audio files.
   Essence | Import only specific audio or video files.
   Metadata | Display in the Browser the clip name and the Media Filename, in brackets.

4. Optional: Import the entire MXF content and include only the audio files or only the video files. From the Clip Media group, select an option from the Media Stream box.

   This allows you to preserve the clip while having the option of leaving out unwanted media.

5. Browse to the directory containing the files that you want to import. If you are importing MXF content, then browse to the root directory containing the contents of the P2 card or Professional Disc.
6. Enable Scan Subdirectories to display all the subdirectories and their contents.

   For MXF content, the available clip names appear in the browser.

7. Select the files.
8. Enable Soft-Import Full Res if you want to import a reference to the media, but you do not want to store the media on the local storage.
   NoteCertain options are disabled if you choose to soft-import the media.
9. Set the tape name for the imported clips and adjust any other Clip Metadata properties.

   For QuickTime files, you can read the tape name and timecode from the file header, or enter the tape name and timecode manually. See Clip Metadata Group.

   NoteA clip that is imported using an unsupported frame rate is converted to the frame rate specified for the current project. This causes the clip to appear out of sync with its audio. A comment specifying the original frame rate is added to the clip notes, providing the ratio needed if you choose to re-time the video.
10. If you are importing QuickTime files originating from a Mac® computer, apply gamma correction to bring the brightness of the image in line with the rest of your project. From the Colour Correction Type box, select Gamma, then from the Gamma Presets box, select Convert 1.8 to 2.2.
11. In the Movie attributes area, ensure that the codecs used in the video file are displayed.
12. Click Load.

    The media files are imported to the Desktop and to the specified library reel.