User profile for user: VideoGuyHawaii
VideoGuyHawaii Author
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Why XAVC files suddenly upload without video but good audio

I just had this happen (April 7 2025) on my M1 iMax running Sequoia 15.4. I shoot XAVC 4K on two Sony cameras and upload to FCP. Been doing this for years no problem. Last time I did it was around March 10 with no problems. I tried on April 7, and nothing but problems. Was having problems even copying the card to a hard drive in the finder. FCP wasn’t even running. When I finally was able to copy it, I would go into Import in FCP and even the Preview track would show black. A full upload would result a black screen and good audio. Much experimenting for two days ... and it’s any XAVC footage that I have ... even old stuff that I know transferred and uploaded OK in the past ... but it will not do it now. Tried cards from both cameras and on 4 different computers in 2 locations ... 2 M1 iMacs and 2 Intel iMacs. None worked.


One bizarre twist ... sometimes ... not all the time ... when I navigated to the folder in Import, all the clips would be duplicated in the Preview Window.  If I had 10 clips, there would be 20 clips. The first 10 would not have any video, the second 10 were fine and uploaded OK. But I could copy the same card immediately again, and there would be only the 10 bad clips. All the video plays fine in the camera. I had a deadline this week and couldn’t devote my full attention to this ... so I’ll be running more organized tests over the weekend, and then contact Apple next week. 


From my last successful upload on March 10 till now, I did the update on March 27 for Pro Video Formats 2.4 and the FCP update to 11.1 on March 30. No XAVC issues on March 10 … nothing but problems now.

iMac 24″

Posted on Apr 12, 2025 4:08 PM

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User profile for user: terryb
terryb
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Posted on Apr 12, 2025 10:06 PM

In addition to the etrecheck report requested by Tom,


What are the exact specs of the XAVC footage?

Do they play properly in Sony Catalyst Browse directly from the cards? After they've been copied to disk?

Which Sony cameras?

How is the disk formatted that the camera cards are being copied to?


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User profile for user: terryb
terryb
User level: Level 4
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Apr 12, 2025 10:06 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

In addition to the etrecheck report requested by Tom,


What are the exact specs of the XAVC footage?

Do they play properly in Sony Catalyst Browse directly from the cards? After they've been copied to disk?

Which Sony cameras?

How is the disk formatted that the camera cards are being copied to?


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User profile for user: joema
joema
User level: Level 3
765 points

Apr 13, 2025 8:07 AM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

Using a Sony A7SIII, I tried 4k/29.97 10-bit 4:2:2, 8-bit 4:2:0 XAVC-S, 4k/23.98 10-bit 4:2:2 XAVC-HS (HEVC) and 8-bit 4:2:0 XAVC-HS, imported using FCP import dialog and via drag/drop from Finder. They all worked on FCP 11.1 and Sequoia 15.4, and Pro Video Formats 2.4, using an M1 Ultra Mac Studio.


If you are having problems copying files using Finder when FCP is not running, that implies some other issue besides FCP. If prior XAVC material from multiple machines won't play in FCP properly, I don't know why.


Do the XAVC files play OK using Quicktime Player?


There is a known issue unique to Apple Silicon and FCP 11.1, where Sony XAVC-L MXF files from the FX6 show black frames if imported using the FCP dialog, but not via drag/drop. However, I haven't seen it happen on the MP4 files from the Sony mirrorless cameras.



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User profile for user: VideoGuyHawaii
VideoGuyHawaii Author
User level: Level 1
42 points

Apr 13, 2025 2:23 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

Tom Wolsky & terryb -- Thanks for your responses. I finished assessing 2 computers at my home and just now starting to go thru 4 computers at the office. I'll post the details soon. I have not worked with EtreCheck in years. I'll move on that early this week. I'll also answer Terry's specific questions when I'm done check all the machines.


However I would like to give an update because I think it reveals something important. My M1 iMac at the office was the starting point of this issue. Last night, I remembered I had FCP 11 on my Intel MacBook Pro at home. I connected to my MBP with both the original card and an external HD with the card Private folder copied. Everything worked perfectly on the Intel MBP ... I could upload direct over 9 hours of XAVC 4k from the card and from the HD with no issues at all.


But issues continue with the M1 ... I checked Installations in System Report and found this:

• Both the M1 iMac and the intel MBP have Sequoia 15.3.2

• Both have Pro Video Formats 2.4.

• But the MBP that is working correctly has FCP 11.0 installed 1/7/25 ... and the M1 iMac with the issues has FCP 11.1 installed 3/25/27.


The issue started sometime between 3/10/25 (last successful upload) and April 7.


Don't know if this helps or not ... but I'm gonna check all the other machines ... I'm leaning towards something in FCP 11.1. I will update this information as I get it.


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User profile for user: EagleEye1893
EagleEye1893
User level: Level 1
14 points

Apr 24, 2025 2:05 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

I'm having the same issue with Canon XF-AVC coded: Linear PCM, XF-AVC Long GOP 420/8 150 Mbps

I tried to transcode the media in FCPX Version 11.1, but that didn't help.

I ended up importing the files into DaVinci Resolve and exported them as Apple ProRes 422 HQ, Linear PCM and they worked fine. DaVinci Resolve had no problem playing the files back in their native codec.

This seems to be an issue with the latest version of FCPX 11.1

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User profile for user: joema
joema
User level: Level 3
765 points

Apr 23, 2025 2:09 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

I suggest not ending the thread until we have more results. Threads like this form two purposes: (1) Helps you with your specific issue, and (2) Informs the FCP user base about the current and evolving status of that current problem.


Currently known problem criteria:


  • Problem presents as black frames if importing Sony XAVC-L MXF material using the FCP import dialog.
  • Clips show as black frames in preview pane of import dialog. If imported, the black frames show in the Event Browser or timeline.
  • Does not happen if material is imported using drag/drop from Finder to FCP event.
  • Problem began with FCP 11.1.0, and did not happen on 11.0.1 or prior versions.
  • Problem is not related to Apple Pro Video Format version.
  • Happens only with Sony XAVC-L (H.264) version using the MXF container format, not MP4.
  • Problem may only happen with 4k, not 1080p (more testing needed).
  • Examples of Sony cameras that can use XAVC-L: FX6, Z-90, Z-150. Many FX6 operators use only XAVC-I (All Intra) which is not affected.


Areas needing more testing:


  • FCP 11.1.0 on Intel Sequoia 15.4+
  • 1080p vs 4k at various frame rates.


I can't do more testing until early next week, but would like to get test clips from the Z-90 and Z-150 showing the problem. Apple Engineering typically wants a cross section of clips from different cameras.


In a previous case a similar problem was initially filed on Sony cameras, but also existed on DJI Mavic 3 material. Even though the DJI case was added to the scenario within 24 hr, that resulted in confusion at Apple which led to a one year delay before it was fixed for the DJI case. We don't want anything like that to happen again.

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User profile for user: joema
joema
User level: Level 3
765 points

Apr 26, 2025 9:27 AM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

I tested various FX6 XAVC-L resolutions, frame rates and data rates in FCP 11.1, Sequoia 15.4.1 on an M1 Ultra Mac Studio:


  • All 1080p XAVC-L frame rates and data rates show no black frame problems in the FCP import dialog.
  • All UHD 4k XAVC-L frame rates show the black frame problem in the FCP import dialog, except for UHD 4k/59.94, which worked OK.


I then re-tested all of the above on an Intel 2019 i9 Macbook Pro 16 running FCP 11.1 and Sequoia 15.4.1. All resolutions and frame rates worked OK in the FCP import dialog.


Based on my current tests, the problem seems isolated to Apple Silicon and FCP 11.1, and all my tests were on Sequoia 15.4.1. Your tests show it happens on an Intel iMac running OS 15.3 and FCP 11.1. I can't easily test MacOS 15.3, but my tests on Intel Sequoia 15.4.1 do not show the problem.

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User profile for user: VideoGuyHawaii
VideoGuyHawaii Author
User level: Level 1
42 points

Apr 13, 2025 2:47 PM in response to joema

joema ... Thanks for your response. I'm in the process of assessing 6 different computers at my home and office. Please note the update I just posted ... and I'll do another update when my assessment is finished.


As noted in my recent update, my Intel MacBook Pro is working absolutely fine with FCP 11.0 the only difference from the errant M1 iMac running FCP 11.1.


I may have been mistaken about the comment regarding issues copying in the finder. That was a week ago when this first came up. But since then, it seems I can copy to an external HD before trying the upload.


The issues come up in the Import Window. If it's gonna be black video, I can see the black video track in the preview in Import. If it's bad, I can make another copy of the card to a different folder and sometimes ... and I stress "sometimes" ... the clips will show up duplicated. 5 clips with appear as 1-5 and then again as 1-5. If I select a clip in the first five, I can see black video in the preview ... but if I select the same clip in the bottom five, I see the video and it uploads correctly. And then ... I know this all sounds crazy ... I can make another copy of the same card to a new folder on the same drive, and only 5 clips with appear ... all with black video.


I'm interested in finding more info regarding the "known issue" you refer to cuz that is exactly what I'm going thru. And your suggestion about Drag & Drop WORKED!!!!!! I can't find a reference to this anywhere. I did find 2 posts on Reddit about black video and XAVC video ... one from 2 years ago and the other from 2 weeks ago. But no other info or resolution. Both of these posts were about video from a Sony X70 camcorder. My cameras are a PXW-Z150 and a PXW-Z90.


This Drag & Drop idea ... I haven't done that before. I can see the Creation Date after it's dropped in but I was wondering if there was any other metadata that doesn't come over. Just curious cuz it does seem to be a good work around.

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User profile for user: joema
joema
User level: Level 3
765 points

Apr 13, 2025 7:34 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

I looked up those cameras and they shoot XAVC-L in an MXF container, similar to the FX6. That implies it's the same underlying problem in FCP 11.1. If you could upload short XAVC-L test files from both PXW-Z150 and PXW-Z90 cameras, I will document the specifics and file a bug with Apple. Upload link:

https://we.tl/r-Hp0hXYho9W

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User profile for user: VideoGuyHawaii
VideoGuyHawaii Author
User level: Level 1
42 points

Apr 15, 2025 12:31 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

Tuesday Update: Need to attend to some work that came up. I will get to the questions and report late this week.


But I did test 6 macs at 2 locations over the weekend ... with some telling results. One of the 6 is an Intel MacBook Pro from 2018 running Sequoia 15.3.2 and FCP 11.0 ... the other 5 were various iMacs including 2 M1 iMacs running OS 15.3.2 and 15.4 and FCP 11.1 ... and the other 3 iMacs running various OS and FCP 10 versions.


In short, the problem I am encountering is only on the two M1 iMacs with FCP 11.1. The other iMacs and the MBP have no problems dealing with the XAVC 4K footage.


And most surprising ... and impressive ... is that I did an upload on the oldest iMac in the office. It's from late 2014, running Big Sur 11.7.10, FCP 10.6.4, and Pro Video Format 2.2.4. It uploaded 9.5 hours of 4K video with no problem. I copied its .fcpbundle, and loaded it into an M1 iMac with FCP 11.1. It updated the project and seems to run perfectly.


Everything is pointing at the Apple Silicon iMacs and FCP 11.1. The problem still exists ... but the pressure and anxiety I was feeling thinking that my last shoot was lost is gone. I'm feeling confident I can upload new footage until a fix shows up for the M1s.


I also remembered I have FCP 10.8.1 and FCP 11.0.1 archived as separate zip files. I've never done a rebuild but I might give that a shot when I'm back in the office.


Thanks again for your responses and suggestions.


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User profile for user: VideoGuyHawaii
VideoGuyHawaii Author
User level: Level 1
42 points

Apr 21, 2025 3:46 PM in response to VideoGuyHawaii

Thanks for everyone’s help with this matter.  I just another general search for problems uploading XAVC clips into FCP 11.1.  And to my surprise there are a couple mentions  … 


Larry Jordon March 30, 2025 … https://larryjordan.com/articles/new-features-in-apple-final-cut-pro-11-1/ … 


and on a couple of FB pages but I don’t have an account and can’t see it … 


https://www.facebook.com/groups/FinalCutProTipsTricks/posts/3886676598327953/

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Why XAVC files suddenly upload without video but good audio

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