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MovieSlate now imports Deva CSV Log files


Richard Lightstone, CAS

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Just an FYI.

The latest version of MovieSlate version 3.0.0306

• Sound Dept - added new feature to Import Zaxcom Deva CSV file attachments from emails in the Mail app.

With this feature, folks who prefer to keep Zaxcom logs can email those logs to MovieSlate, which will now import the Zaxcom shot data. Then MovieSlate can be used to generate its fancy Sound Reports.

Instructions: install this new version of MovieSlate, and create a new Project that will ultimately contain the imported shot data. Email a Zaxcom Deva log file (CSV format) to your iPad. Run the iPad's Mail app, and tap on the attached file. A preview of the CSV file appears as a spreadsheet. Tap the "action" button (with a curved arrow icon, located in the upper right corner of the screen). A menu appears; choose "Open in MovieSlate" from the menu. MovieSlate will ask you to choose a project into which the Zaxcom shot data will be imported. Then MovieSlate will import the shots-- which you can view from MovieSlate's History screen.

Zaxcom logs do not contain as much data as MovieSlate's History. So before generating the Sound reports, you'll probably want to edit the Project information which will appear on the reports. To do that, go to MovieSlate's History > Projects, then tap the blue arrow to the right of a project's name. Likewise, you might want to enter "My Info" that appears on reports-- from MovieSlate's Settings > Shot Log History > My Info.

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Is there a way to get the CSV into MovieSlate w/o going thru email (for those times where one is out of wifi or even cel range)?

I'm not sure how you'd get the CSV from the Deva to the iPad in that situation. We could use iTunes File Sharing (http://support.apple.com/ht4094) to get the CSV from a Mac/PC to the iPad, however.

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Tell those guys to answer there emails. I've sent them a few over the last month with suggestions and no reply. I'd like it to be able to email the report as a PDF.

We try to respond to emails within a few hours of receiving them (often within a few minutes). So it sounds like we never got your emails. Please try again. It might be best to submit through our website to avoid email spam filters (http://www.movie-slate.com/Contact_Us/).

It is a major undertaking to build PDF creation into the app itself.

We suggest this inexpensive workaround:

  • Purchase the $5 "PDF Printer for iPad" app (App Store link).
  • Run that app at least once.
  • Using MovieSlate, email the Sound Report to yourself.
  • Run the iPad's Mail app, and read the message that contains the report.
  • Tap on the report (in the email) and choose Open in "PDFPrinter".
  • Tap on the report within the PDF Printer app.
  • Tap the button with the double arrows on it.
  • The app will convert your report to a PDF, and can then be email the PDF onward to post.

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We try to respond to emails within a few hours of receiving them (often within a few minutes). So it sounds like we never got your emails. Please try again. It might be best to submit through our website to avoid email spam filters (http://www.movie-slate.com/Contact_Us/).

It is a major undertaking to build PDF creation into the app itself.

We suggest this inexpensive workaround:

  • Purchase the $5 "PDF Printer for iPad" app (App Store link).
  • Run that app at least once.
  • Using MovieSlate, email the Sound Report to yourself.
  • Run the iPad's Mail app, and read the message that contains the report.
  • Tap on the report (in the email) and choose Open in "PDFPrinter".
  • Tap on the report within the PDF Printer app.
  • Tap the button with the double arrows on it.
  • The app will convert your report to a PDF, and can then be email the PDF onward to post.

Well isn't that just handy. I will try that out. Thank you.

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I tried the PDF Printer for iPad and had a problem with the PDF. It cut off the right side of the report and last track. Is this a known issue? It seems the whole report would not fit.

MovieSlate's Sound Reports are intended to be printed in Landscape orientation. That is likely the issue.

The "PDF Printer" app is a workaround for folks who don't have access to a Mac or PC. Our suggested PDF solution is to email the report to the computer, open it in a web browser, then print to (save) the PDF from the web browser. PDF creation is built into Mac OS X. On Windows, PDF creation Adobe Acrobat Pro.

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Seems like some positive steps are being taken with this app. I have been watching and waiting for the ability to import .csv logs from my Fusion. The functionality of being able to turn the .csv file generated from Zaxcom machines into a tidy .PDF is key to me and what I would pay money for. All of the column widths would of course be adjusted automatically (something that Wave Agent does not do well - notes and track names are cut off making it somewhat useless.)

It may be involved to perfect the .PDF creation but it would be worthy!

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Seems like some positive steps are being taken with this app. I have been watching and waiting for the ability to import .csv logs from my Fusion. The functionality of being able to turn the .csv file generated from Zaxcom machines into a tidy .PDF is key to me and what I would pay money for.

Hmmm, I gave that app away for free, at least as a Filemaker Pro template. It's still up on the Zaxcom download section... or at least it was. I'll see if I can get around to updating it. But it only runs on a laptop (preferably Mac).

The trick is that, when I designed the program, the CSV's were buggy and repeated the first take of the day at the end of the file, as I recall. Not sure if Zaxcom fixed this or not.

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With all the features of MovieSlate, I really don't need the Deva CSV file and especially importing it via email. It's the same convoluted method that people have used previously, wether it is re jigging the file in Filemaker Pro, Excel, BWF Widget or Wave Agent.

Lots of unnecessary and time consuming steps.

That's why I use MovieSlate as a stand alone product; no pens, paper, printing, importing of files etc.

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@Marc Wileage - I saw that app awhile back but never downloaded it since I don't own FileMaker Pro.

@Richard Lightstone- Do you use the timecode functionality of MovieSlate? I thought it would be nice to import a .csv file for those occasions where I'm in the bag with a boom op just because we are running around grabbing shots and it makes each move between shots faster. For a strictly cart based mixer, I could see how you would be able to stick with MovieSlate solely.

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the CSV's were buggy and repeated the first take of the day at the end of the file, as I recall. Not sure if Zaxcom fixed this or not.

I haven't noticed that in the latest CSVs. However, I designed MovieSlate to properly handle data that had previously been imported. In fact, users can import the same CSV multiple times, and MovieSlate will do the right thing: updating existing records rather than creating new records.

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Brandon,

I use the timecode function only as a reference. I jam Movieslate to my master TC (Denecke Gr-1) once at the beginning of the day.

Zaxcom fixed the CSV 'first take' error a long time ago.

I understand the concept of using the Deva CSV file when working in the bag. The accuracy of that information will depend on the accuracy of the metadata you enter on the Deva.

After you are done working in the bag you will have to get the CSV file from your DVD-RAM or CF Card into the iPad so it can be imported into MovieSlate.

This is where it gets very convoluted;

1 import he CSV file from the media into your PC or Mac.

2 Email the file to yourself

3 Open that email in your iPad and export it into MovieSlate

4 Open that Project File in MovieSlate and edit it to add additional information.

5 Email that project to your clients.

That is a great deal of work for a "work around" for a file written by the Deva that is so sparse in the information it contains.

Prior to MovieSlate, I would scroll through the segments on the Deva and write down the Seg #, Sc, Tk,TC and Track Assignments onto my hand written log. Now I do the same on MovieSlate and yes, either method takes time.

MovieSlate has the auto-increase feature which simplifies the data entry so the most work is in editing the TC start info for each take.

When the Deva and Sound Devices can wirelessly send the Sound Logs to whatever logging system you use, or have a port where you can export the data, then our workflow management will be a lot easier.

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Richard-

Thanks for the detailed response. Is it necessary to edit the TC start info for each take because you want it to reflect the files exactly? Is there a way to mark start timecode on the files for a rough TC start time (you could hit this and record at the same time)?

It would be fantastic if Zaxcom and Sound Devices would develop a way to wirelessly send sound logs to your ipad, or iphone. I would pay good money for that. Thanks for all of your help. MovieSlate is looking mighty nice. I think I'm ready to make the jump.

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  • 2 years later...

It would be fantastic if Zaxcom and Sound Devices would develop a way to wirelessly send sound logs to your ipad, or iphone. I would pay good money for that. Thanks for all of your help. MovieSlate is looking mighty nice. I think I'm ready to make the jump.

 

Most recorders from Zaxcom and Sound Devices can already export logs as CSV files-- which can be imported into MovieSlate.  MovieSlate can then be used to generate the sound reports for those logs.

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