The Vegas plug-in allows you to import DVCPROHD MXF files from the HVX200 directly into the timeline of Sony VegasTM 6. (Note: the latest release will also work with Vegas 7.0d or later versions.).

1. Install and Configure Raylight

Install Raylight if you have not already by unzipping the Release 2.02 or later version download file and running Setup.exe as described in section 1. When Setup runs it registers the Raylight Vegas plug-in.

Configure Raylight for Blue or Yellow quality mode and set the output folder. Then at this point you need to decide to use either square pixel HD format or the Native Frame Size HD format. The square pixel format (the default) is recommended for new users and has the best image quality. See the config screen below.

    The other options used by the MXF file plugin are
    • Mark frames Red/Yellow
    • Burn-in Timecode
    • Rotate Image 180

Any of the Raylight options can be changed after editing has begun, however the Frame Size option only takes effect when the MXF files are imported into Vegas, or when Vegas is restarted.

2. Import MXF Files into Vegas

Start Vegas, set the project settings as described in section 3, and then use File->Open, or File->Import->Media to locate the MXF files and import them into Vegas. If the Raylight plugin is installed, when you click on an MXF file, the frame size, frame rate, and other information will be displayed as shown below:

Also if the soundtrack MXF files are located in the adjacent AUDIO folder, or in the same folder, the soundtrack settings will also be displayed as shown at left.

Raylight imports tracks 1 and 2 into a stereo track on the timeline.

If you need access to tracks 3 and 4, convert them to WAV files with RayMaker and import the WAV files separately.

3. Edit with MXF files on the Timeline

The MXF files may also be dragged directly from the desktop to the timeline, or to the Media Bin. Presently the plug-in works best with native frame rate formats like 720/24PN, 720/25PN, 720/30PN, 1080/30P and 1080i/25P. It can can also be used for 1080i60/24PA and 720/24P with 2:3 pulldown. The latest release also works with DVCPRO50 or DV, both PAL and NTSC and with 2:3:3:2 (advanced) pulldown for NTSC.

When the file is selected, its information is displayed as shown below.

4. Playback from MXF Files

The quality of the preview window can be controlled by the preview window controls and by the Raylight Control Panel (see section 1 at bottom). Use the Vegas "Preview Auto" mode with the preview window set to 1/2 or 1/4 actual size. Only the Raylight Blue and Raylight Yellow quality levels apply to direct playback of MXF files. The Red, or lo-res proxy mode, is not available since the proxy is not created by the plugin. For this reason a dual-processor system with fast disk drives is recommended for using the Raylight Vegas plug-in. With such a system you can expect real-time playback of 1080-line previews in Raylight Yellow, or real-time playback of 720-line previews in Raylight Blue or Yellow. Real time playback of effects and transitions can be accomplished by prerendering them (use Tools->Selectively Prerender Video).

5. Exporting Video

Exporting video (WM9, Uncompressed, MPEG2) from the timeline works the same as described in section 3. Presently however you cannot export an MXF file or author a P2 Card directly from the timeline. If you want to preview your movie on the HVX200 camera, export a Raylight AVI and use P2 Maker.

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