Cameras in Canon's XF family (the XF300 and C300 generation are the ones most guides describe) don't write loose video files to the card. Each clip is stored as several files inside a fixed folder tree, and editing and asset-management software often expects that tree to be intact. This is what's on the card and what to keep together.
The short version: Canon XF cameras store each clip as an .MXF file plus sidecar files (.XML, .SIF, INDEX.MIF) inside CONTENTS/CLIPS001/. Copy the whole CONTENTS folder with its structure as an untouched backup, and reorganize only a second copy.
What's on the card
The layout described by CatDV's camera-format reference is
CONTENTS/CLIPS001/XXX/, where each clip folder holds the .MXF
media file together with files such as .XML, .SIF and
INDEX.MIF. Forum posts from owners of these cameras list further sidecar
types such as .CIF, .CPF and .THM. The XML files
carry non-real-time metadata such as codec details and the camera serial number.
The safe rule: copy the card's whole CONTENTS folder, with
its structure, to your archive as an untouched backup. Do any reorganizing on a second
copy.
Why keep the structure
CatDV's documentation says it's usually necessary to keep all of a clip's files and to preserve the original camera card directory structure. Some editing tools, according to forum reports, can open a bare MXF file on its own, while others refuse to import footage when the structure is missing or broken. Because that varies by software and version, the cautious choice is to archive the full tree and decide later what you need.
A practical workflow
- Copy the whole
CONTENTSfolder from the card to a dated folder in your archive, and let your copy tool verify it against the source. - Keep that copy as the original. Don't rename or move files inside it.
- If your editor handles bare MXF files, work from a second copy where you've organized clips by date or camera, and keep the untouched backup for the sidecar files.
- Only format the card in camera after both copies are verified.
Where ShotGrab fits, and where it doesn't
ShotGrab builds each file's destination from a folder template (date, camera, client), so it
doesn't recreate a camera's CONTENTS/CLIPS001 tree. Sidecar files such as XML
are their own category in a project's file filter: they're copied only if you include that
category or add the extension by hand. If an XF card needs its original structure for your
editor or your archive, copy the CONTENTS folder with a tool that preserves
the tree, or add the sidecar types to the project's filter and check a test import in your
editing software before you rely on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the folder structure of a Canon XF card?
The layout is CONTENTS/CLIPS001/, with a folder per clip that holds the .MXF media file together with files such as .XML, .SIF and INDEX.MIF. Owners also report .CIF, .CPF and .THM sidecars.
What should I copy from a Canon XF card?
The whole CONTENTS folder, with its structure intact, to a dated folder in your archive. Keep that copy untouched and do any reorganizing on a second copy.
Can I copy only the MXF files?
Some editing tools open a bare MXF file, others refuse to import footage when the card structure is missing or broken. Because it varies by software and version, archive the full tree first.
What do the XML files on an XF card contain?
Non-real-time metadata such as codec details and the camera serial number.
What we couldn't confirm
The sources for the card layout are CatDV's reference page and owner forums, mostly about the XF300 and C300 era. We didn't find Canon's own documentation for newer XF-AVC cameras, so check your camera's manual for the exact tree and file types before building a workflow around this.