With Sony's PDT-FP1, it is possible to connect the device to a camera and after shooting with the camera, files can be auto transferred to the device and then auto uploaded to Ci through the PDT-FP1 device providing, yet another way to upload from cameras to Ci.
A few recommendations & notes before getting started with connecting to cameras with the PDT-FP1 and uploading to Ci:
1. Make sure that the latest firmware is on the camera to be connected to.
2. Go through the original setup of the PDT-FP1 device. Details around the initial setup of the device can be found at: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/camera-camcorder-accessories-other-camera-accessories/pdt-fp1#manuals
3. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on the A7SM3, FX3, FX30, FX6 & Burano camera models, but a wider range of cameras can be connected to and used with the Creators App for Enterprise on the device.
4. The Creators App for Enterprise is already installed on the PDT-FP1 to start. This is a critical app to successfully setting up the connection and transfers with the cameras. This typically comes with the device at time of setup.
5. Make sure to have a Creators Cloud account via a Sony Account and are logged in with that account on the Creators' App
Certain Camera Models have different Setup steps
Parts of the setup for the various model cameras can vary. Specifically, BlueTooth is used for the A7SMIII, FX3 & FX30. Whereas, the FX6 & Burano use a QR code for the initial setup for the tethering to take effect.
4 Step Setup
There are basically five steps to setting up the the PDT-FP1 to the certain model cameras we have outlined above and then being able to upload to Ci.
- Create a File Request
- Setup Proxy Creation - Setup FTPS (optional on FX6 & Burano)
- Connecting the PDT-FP1 for the First Time
- Uploading to Ci
1. Setup Proxy Creation and Auto Transfer
Follow the directions we have previously provided for setting up a File Request and copying the File Request 8 digit code:
https://support.cimediacloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043421873-Create-File-Requests
2. Setup Proxy Creation and Auto Transfer
1. Go to the camera “Settings/”Menu”
2. If you want a proxy workflow turn “Proxy rec” to ON (follow camera instructions to do this)
3. Select to ”Auto-Transfer” either proxy, high-res/original or both (see below)
a)On FX6 (Optional)
1.In Settings go to Network > File Transfer
2.Either turn “Auto Upload” ON (for high-res), turn “Auto Upload (proxy)” ON or Chunk (for proxy)
b)On FX3/FX30/Alpha 7SM3 (Required)
1.In menu go to Network > FTP Transfer > FTP Transfer Function > FTP Function > ON
2.Then go to Auto FTP Transfer > ON
3.Then in FTP Transfer Function > Transfer Target Select either “Proxy Only”, ”Original Only” or “Proxy & Original”
2.b Setup the FTPS on the camera (A7SMIII, FX3 & FX30)
For the A7SMIII, FX3, & FX30, it is required before the setup that the FTPS settings need to be added on the camera. This is an optional step for the FX6 & Burano. Once the camera and the Creators App For Enterprise are connected, they are actually taking over an FTP setting for the transfer to the PDT-FP1 device from the camera. Having one FTPS server setup facilitates letting the PDT-FP1 utilize the server even though it is not actually going to use the original FTPS settings to upload to the original endpoint. Please follow the guidance an instructions we provide by using a File Request that we outline in the following existing articles:
https://support.cimediacloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043421873-Create-File-Requests
3. Connecting the PDT-FP1 to the camera for the First time
1. Open the Creators’ App for Enterprise on the PDT-FP1
2. Select “Ci Media Cloud” as the connected service and then enter File Request code
3. Click on ”Camera” button on home page or camera icon in Clip List
3.a FX6 or Burano
4. Click on “QR Code” tab in CAFE app
5. On the camera settings menu go to Network > Setup for Mobile App > Setup and follow instructions
6. Plug the USB into the camera and PDT-FP1
If a message appears on PDT-FP1 asking to start USB tethering, click “start”
7. Scan the QR code on the camera using the PDT-FP1
8. The PDT-FP1 may need to be around 12-16 inches / 30-40cm away from QR code to read it successfully
9. Click “OK” on the camera and press “Finish” in the app
10. The camera icon in the CAFE app should be colored green
3.b A7SMIII, FX3 or FX30
4. Click on “Bluetooth” tab and enable Bluetooth on the PDT-FP1
5. Enable ”Pairing Mode” on the camera
6. Tap “Connect” for the camera you want to connect on the app
7. In the dialogs that pop up on the PDT-FP1 initiate pairing
8. Plug the USB into the camera and PDT-FP1
If a message appears on PDT-FP1 asking to start USB tethering, click “start”If you miss this action, go to Settings on the PDT-FP1 and enable “USB Tethering”9. Press “Finish” in the app
9. Press “Finish” in the app
3.c Connecting the PDT-FP1 to Camera after First time
1. Click on ”Camera” button on home page or camera icon in Clip List
2. Click on “History” tab (if not already there)
3. Connect the camera to the PDT-FP1 using USB cable and accept any USB tethering messages
4. Click “Connect” on the camera you are trying to connect to
It is a good idea to edit the name of the camera in the “History” list to identify it from other cameras of the same type
Press on “Edit” then press “Rename” and give the camera a unique name
4. Uploading to Ci: Using Creators' App for Enterprise
1. To Auto-Upload to Ci
a)Go to Home screen; or Settings > Upload settings
b)Turn “Auto File Upload to Cloud” to ON
2. To manually upload a clip
a)Select the clip/s to upload
b)Click on upload icon from toolbar to start uploading selected files
4.b Upload a clip Segement (FX6 & Burano)
1. To upload a portion of a clip (only supported on FX6 and proxy record must be turned on in camera)
a)Click on “Browse”
b)Click on ”High-res” tab
c)Tap on clip in high-res list to mark and upload
d)Mark IN and OUT Points
e)Tap the “…” button and select “Execute trim Transfer”
f)Trimmed clip will appear in the clip list to be uploaded
4.c Delete Files After Upload & Disconnect Camera
1. Auto delete files when uploaded (to save storage on the PDT-FP1) a)Click on “Settings > Upload settings” Turn “Auto Delete Uploaded File” to ON
Note: this only deletes the file on the PDT-FP1, not the camera.
1. To cleanly disconnect the camera a)Click on “Disconnect” button on home screen b)Click “Disconnect” on confirmation dialog
Delete Files After Upload & Disconnect Camera
1. When the camera and PDT-FP1 become “accidentally” disconnected, the Creators’ App for Enterprise will automatically try to reconnect:
a)Click on “Settings” in Creators’ App for Enterprise
b)Select “Camera Settings”
c)Turn “Automatically connect to the camera” to ON
Note: This only applies to accidental disconnects and does not automatically reconnect to the camera for a normal disconnect/reconnect operation.
For any additional questions, please reach out to the Ci Customer Success Team by submitting a request here in the Help Center.