andyhi
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Re: How to import videos from a7riii to iPad
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I went through this recently with my RX100 V and would like to add some notes for others who stumble across this thread...
Onur Otlu wrote:
Hello,
I did a bit of searching online regarding this topic, and from what I read (and see in some YouTube videos), when you're using the XAVC-S codec, you can see the videos shot by the camera and import them when:
For most (all?) of the Sony 4k cameras to record in XAVC-S format you must use a minimum 64GB SDXC U3 card. If the camera detects a smaller or slower card, it will only record in the lower bandwidth AVCHD format.
- You're using the USB Camera Connection Kit,
Both the powered and non-powered USB 3.0 Camera Connection Kits work... SD CARD READER will NOT work even on IOS 12.0. I can't speak for the original USB 2.x camera connection kit.
- The camera's "USB Power Supply" setting is off,
Only needed for *some* cameras if using the NON-POWERED USB3 Camera Connection Kit. If your camera draws too much power via USB, you will get power draw warnings/disconnect. Either turn this setting off in the camera menu so the camera runs off battery or if you have the powered camera connection kit, connect it to external power via the additional lightning power in port.
- Camera's USB connection mode is set to "MTP".
An absolute requirement. In my experience Auto swaps the (RX100M5) between Mass Storage and PC Remote.... so of the 4 choices MTP must be manually set instead of the default AUTO.
At these conditions, you can see the videos at the Photos app "Import" tab when you connect the camera to the iPad/iPhone, and import them to the iOS device.
I haven't used this myself (my original A7 shoots AVCHD video, which does not appear on iOS no matter what you do), but perhaps you could check out some of the video tutorials that show this, and if you have the Camera Connection Kit, give it a try?
***VERY IMPORTANT TROUBLESHOOTING STEP WHEN IMPORT ACTS FLAKY***
If you have ever manually moved/deleted XAVC-S video files out of the private folder of the SD card, there is strong chance you will have an issue with the native import process on IOS 11.x and 12.0. Best I can tell, the camera keeps a database of known video files which is used to populate the in camera review/playback menu. I.e Display all 4k videos, all pictures, all files taken on X date, etc. If you have invalid references in this DB, it causes issues for the import process. This can manifest as a video object showing up on the IOS import screen with no preview thumbnail. Sometimes valid videos that are on the SD card simply don't show up as importable. Other times the import process randomly stalls on a particular video.
Some work arounds I've come up with...
*** Potential Data Loss Warning ***
Open the camera playback menu and manually delete every video with missing/blank thumbnail. If you are traveling with only an IOS device, this is likely your best option.
Move all desired pictures / video off the card then simply delete all contents or reformat the file system of the card.
Alternative: I believe Deleting/Renaming the PRIVATE folder in the root of the card likely resets this DB.
Someone with more time on their hand might find the exact DB (XML?) file(s) that need to be removed.
*** END Potential Data Loss Warning ***
The Recover Image DB option in the camera menu does not seem to resolve the issue.
I don't know if the video/image db issue affects LumaFusion import.