How do I use CatDV with other applications?

CatDV will import and export clip data to a variety of non-linear video editing systems and other applications.

Many project and batch file formats are directly supported. For example, CatDV will directly read EditDV/Cinestream project files, and can export an EditDV/Cinestream capture log. It will import and export Final Cut Pro batch lists, and can export clips as a Premiere batch capture log. CatDV can import clips from Premiere if you first export them as a CMX EDL or tab separated text file.

Most other NLEs can also export and import clip lists in a form that is compatible with CatDV, as both CMX EDLs and tab separated text are fairly universal file formats. If necessary you can use a text editor to adjust the file format.

Finally, you can import and export clips between CatDV and other applications in any QuickTime-supported media file format, including .MOV and .AVI files.

Tab separated text

Use tab separated text to exchange data with a wide variety of other applications, including spreadsheets, databases or other logging applications, or even a "pencil and paper" log that you typed in to a word processor or text editor.

To export clips:

• Select a list view with the columns you want to export (use Customise Views if necessary), select the clips you want, and use Export as tab separated text.
• Alternatively, try selecting some clips from your catalog then copying and pasting them directly into an Excel spreadsheet. (If you select a single clip then its thumbnail will be copied instead.)

When importing tab separated text CatDV uses a smart algorithm that tries to guess the format of the file used and extract as much information as possible.

• There must be one clip entry per line, and each field must be separated by a single tab character.
• A line on its own is taken to be a tape name.
• The first two fields on a line that look like timecode are taken to be In and Out points respectively (unless any of the supposed "out" points are less than the in points, in which case they are all taken to mean duration instead).
• Fields that do not contain timecode are interpreted as text, in the order: clip name, bin, tape name and comments. Any additional fields are ignored, as are blank lines or lines that CatDV is unable to process.