SIDECAR File – What is .sidecar file and how to open it?
SIDECAR File Extension
Blackmagic RAW Video Sidecar File – file format by Blackmagic Design
The SIDECAR file extension is associated with the Blackmagic RAW Video Sidecar File format, created by Blackmagic Design. It contains metadata associated with Blackmagic RAW video files, including camera settings, lens information, and color correction data.
SIDECAR File Overview
A SIDECAR file is a metadata file that accompanies a Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) video file. It contains essential information about the video, including camera settings, lens data, and color grading information. The SIDECAR file is linked to the BRAW file and is used by video editing software to display and edit the video footage.
Features and Benefits of SIDECAR Files
SIDECAR files provide several advantages for video editing. They allow for non-destructive editing, as the changes made to the metadata in the SIDECAR file do not affect the original BRAW footage. This enables editors to experiment with different settings and color grading without altering the source material. Additionally, SIDECAR files facilitate efficient collaboration between editors, as they can share metadata and settings without the need to transfer large video files. This simplifies the workflow and reduces the risk of data loss or corruption.
What is a SIDECAR File?
A SIDECAR file is a metadata file created alongside a Blackmagic RAW (BRAW) video file. It stores essential information about the video, such as frame size, resolution, codecs, and color space. This metadata is necessary for software to properly decode and process the BRAW footage. SIDECAR files are saved separately from the BRAW video files but share the same filename and are closely associated with them.
How to Open a SIDECAR File
SIDECAR files cannot be directly opened or viewed on their own. However, they are automatically loaded and referenced by applications that support BRAW playback. These applications include Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Adobe Premiere Pro. When you open a BRAW file in one of these software, it will automatically read the corresponding SIDECAR file and apply the stored metadata. In some cases, SIDECAR files may also contain additional information such as project settings, editing markers, or color corrections, which can be imported and applied to the video footage.
Blackmagic RAW Video Sidecar File (.SIDECAR)
A SIDECAR file is a companion file to a Blackmagic RAW (.braw) video file. It contains metadata and settings associated with the RAW video footage, such as camera settings, white balance, and exposure. This information is used by video editing software to interpret and display the RAW video footage accurately. SIDECAR files are typically created automatically by Blackmagic Design cameras and software, but they can also be manually created or modified using third-party software.
The SIDECAR file format is an XML-based text file. It contains a hierarchy of elements and attributes that describe the metadata and settings associated with the RAW video footage. The following is an example of a SIDECAR file:
xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Sidecar version="1.0">
<CameraSettings>
<BlackmagicDesign_Blackmagic_Cinema_Camera_EF>
<WhiteBalance>5500</WhiteBalance>
<Exposure>-8</Exposure>
</BlackmagicDesign_Blackmagic_Cinema_Camera_EF>
</CameraSettings>
<ImageSettings>
<Resolution>3840x2160</Resolution>
<FrameRate>24</FrameRate>
</ImageSettings>
</Sidecar>
SIDECAR files are an essential part of the Blackmagic RAW workflow. They provide video editing software with the information needed to interpret and display RAW video footage accurately. Without a SIDECAR file, RAW video footage may appear corrupted or distorted.