How to Import Media from ISIS onto Avid Media Composer 8: Step-by-Step Guide

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A common challenge faced by media professionals working on high-end projects is importing and managing large amounts of footage, particularly when transitioning between different editing software. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of bringing media files directly from an ISIS (Interplay Shared Storage System) onto Avid Media Composer 8.

Prerequisites

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Before starting, ensure that:

1. You have a functional ISIS setup with your media stored on it.

2. Avid Media Composer 8 is installed and activated on your system.

3. The Avid Mercury Playback Engine (AME) is enabled in Preferences > General.

Step-by-Step Import Process:

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### Step 1: Connect to Your ISIS Storage

First, connect your computer to the same network as your ISIS storage device. This will allow Media Composer to recognize and access the shared media.

### Step 2: Create a New Project in Avid Media Composer

Open Avid Media Composer 8 and create a new project with default settings. You can choose any template or preset that best suits your needs, but for this tutorial, we'll stick with 'Avid DNFS - HD1920x1080 23.976'.

### Step Importing ISIS Media into Avid

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#### Step 3: Import an Small Test File

To begin the import process, open a small test file (such as a QT or ProRes media clip) directly from within AmediaLink onto your computer's hard drive.

#### Step 4: Configure Media Files Location in Preferences

In the Project Browser window of Avid Media Composer, double-click on 'Media File Locations' under the 'AmediaL ink' tab. Here, you can specify where all media files should be stored upon import or export.

### Step Importing ISIS Media

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#### Step 5: Create a New Folder for Imported Media

Create a new folder within your chosen destination drive (for example, 'ISISImport') and name it something descriptive like 'MediaFiles'.

#### Step 6: Copy MXF Files from ISIS to Local Drive

Using an external hard disk or USB3.0 enclosure, copy the .mxf files directly from the hidden Media Pool on your ISIS storage onto this newly created local drive.

### Final Steps

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1. Drag and drop these copied .mxf media files into Avid's 'Media Files' folder alongside other imported clips.

2. Make sure to avoid overwriting any existing database or system files within this folder structure!

Troubleshooting Tips:

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If you encounter issues during the import process, try:

* Reconnecting your computer to the ISIS storage device

* Verifying that Amedialink is properly configured and running in background applications preferences

* Ensuring that all necessary drivers are updated for both Windows and Mac operating systems

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Importing media from an ISIS setup onto Avid Media Composer 8 can seem daunting at first, but with these step-by-step instructions, you'll be up-and-running in no time. Remember to always keep your software and hardware components updated, as compatibility issues are common causes of import failures.

By following this guide carefully and troubleshooting any problems that arise using the tips provided above, even novice users should be able to successfully transfer their precious footage from ISIS onto Avid Media Composer 8 for further editing and post-production work. Happy importing!

How to import media from isis onto avid media composer 8