Assertion Error: Can't import OMF from FCP

[Tom Smith]

When attempting to open an OMF generated by FCP (6 I believe) either by "import session data" or double-clicking the file, I get a dialog box with the following assertion error:

Code:

---

Could not complete your request because Assertion

in "/Volumes/Development/vb_cliff/AlturaPorts/

PT4_App/MacBuild/../PtSess_lop.cpp", line

155.

---

PT appears to be able to open the OMF file and begin reading it as several progress/activity messages are displayed before the error appears. The last status I can make out is "Reading Tracks: Track 6".

Running PTLE 7.3.1cs4, DV Toolkit 2, OS X 10.4.11 on Mac G5 Quad w/4GB RAM.

I'm completely dead in the water for my first paying gig in a long time. If anyone has any suggestions or is aware of a fix for this issue (Digi??!!) I'd really appreciate knowing about it.

[amptbuddy]

First thing to check. Is the OMF file bigger then 2 gig? If it is over or close to 2 gig this is not good. The editor needs to split up their sequence and remake new omf exports. I have 46min programs split into 3rds minimum or more 5 Acts works. This way you may begin to start work on a few sections and narrow down any corrupt media. These problems 95% of the time is not you but picture editorial export.
Good Luck.

[Tom Smith]

This OMF is actually just under 1GB so the size limitation shouldn't really come into play. But it's definitely something with that particular OMF as I get OMFs all the time, though usually from an Avid.

I was able to import the OMF into Logic 7 without any problems. It took a few tries, but I was then able to export an OMF from Logic that I could import into Pro Tools.

#if defined(FLAME_ON)
Sorry to flame Digi, but it's really, incredibly, super lame to have Assertion statements popping up in release software builds.
#endif

[DigiTechSupt]

Is it possible the OMF contained audio files of mixed sample or bit rates?

[JKD99]

Exactly. That's usually what gives you that error message, definitely ask your editor if that's a possibility.

[Tom Smith]

Ah yes, very interesting indeed... And a very real possibility. I'll ask the editor about it forthwith.

Assuming this is the problem though, does anyone have a workflow to deal with this? I mean, asking a picture editor to convert a bunch of audio files seems to be asking for trouble...

[Tom Smith]

Well, while waiting to hear back from the picture editor about this, I decided to test the theory myself...

So, I created a sequence in FCP containing audio clips of differing resolutions of audio: An mp3, 44.1/16, 48/24, and even a 32/16. I exported the sequence audio to OMF.

I tried to import the OMF into PT by Import Session Data and by double clicking the OMF file. Both worked flawlessly, all clips present as audio regions and in their proper place on the time line.

Okay then...

[tj_davies]

Ah yes, very interesting indeed... And a very real possibility. I'll ask the editor about it forthwith.

Assuming this is the problem though, does anyone have a workflow to deal with this? I mean, asking a picture editor to convert a bunch of audio files seems to be asking for trouble...

As far as I know, there is an option when exporting to OMF, that does the sample convertion automatically. So it would only mean exporting the OMF once more for the editor.

Hope this helps,
Timothy

[Frank Kruse]

Import of mixed Fs and/or bit-depth from OMF/AAF has been for working fine for quite some time now.

At least with OMF/AAF from AVID.

frank.

[DigiTechSupt]

Import of mixed Fs and/or bit-depth from OMF/AAF has been for working fine for quite some time now.

At least with OMF/AAF from AVID.

frank.

Correct - it *should* work, unless they had some at 32 bits. Not that it was the case here, just looking for possible causes, odd as they may be.

I think the best bet would be for us to get this OMF in-house, if at all possible, so that we can have engineering take a look at it and see if they can determine what's going wrong.

You can sent it to transfer [at] digidesign [dot] com via YouSendit or any other method. If you would like Digidelivery info to send it to us that way, please let me know.