7

File-Based Media Terminology
When you transfer file-based media using the Log and Transfer window, it’s important
to know the following concepts and definitions:
• Ingest: A general term for capturing or transferring video, audio, and metadata from
one media storage system to another. Depending on the context, ingest may mean
any of the following:
• Transferring data between different computer platforms or file systems, such as
between a P2 file system and Mac OS X
• Transferring data between different storage media, such as from tape to hard disk
(also known as capturing)
• Adding media files from your local scratch disk to a nonlinear editing system to create
clips that point to the media (also called transferring)
• Converting media between different container file formats, such as from MXF files
to QuickTime files
• Transcoding video and audio data to different formats, such as from AVC-Intra 1080i
footage to Apple ProRes 422 codec 1080i footage
• Log and Transfer window plug-in: A software plug-in that extends the capabilities of
the Log and Transfer window to preview and ingest specific media formats. Final Cut Pro
includes default plug-ins for formats such as the Panasonic P2 format, but additional
plug-ins can be installed as manufacturers introduce new formats.
• Storage media: File-based media where your footage is recorded. Examples include
Panasonic P2 cards, Sony SxS cards, hard disks, Sony Professional Discs, and miniDVDs.
A single unit of storage media (such as a Panasonic P2 card or a Sony Professional Disc)
is generically called a storage media unit.
• Media device: A camcorder, deck, card reader, or other device capable of reading and
writing to file-based storage media. These devices can usually be connected to a Mac
computer via a USB or FireWire cable.
Note: External hard drives are considered media devices whose storage media is
permanently installed.
• Media volume: A media device or an equivalent disk image mounted on the Mac OS X
desktop. The Log and Transfer window displays only media volumes whose file and
directory structures are recognized by the installed Log and Transfer window plug-ins.
This may be called a volume for short.
• Disk image: A file that stores a representation of a media volume. You can create a disk
image of a mounted volume using the Log and Transfer window or built-in Mac OS X
utilities.
• Media volume name: The name of a mounted volume, disk image, or folder. If you have
write access to a media volume, you can change the volume name in the Finder.
325Chapter 21 Overview of Transferring File-Based Media