Laptop?

[Stonecrest]

I just received my new HPX-500 and love it. However, I don't know a lot about laptops and need to purchase one that can handle Panasonic's P2 Content Management software on location. Can someone PLEASE tell me what to purchase and any accessories I might need. I don't edit myself...it's just to be able to transfer footage over to a portable disc drive to hand to clients after a shoot. Also, I want to be able to show clients the clips that have been transfered on location. Also, is there anything out there that shows step by step of how to do this?
Thanks for any input. I feel a bit lost...

[Barry_Green]

What's your budget?

You ideally want a system with a PCMCIA slot, a dual-core processor and a fast graphics card. Don't go with a Mac if you don't otherwise have to, you'll just end up spending a lot more and having to work with an adapter.

I'm using a Sony VAIO SZ340, it does everything one could ask of an HVX laptop, but I probably spent a bit more on it because it's smaller and I travel an exorbitant amount. It was around $1800 when I got it, might be a bit less now.

You can get a laptop that'll do the basic job of transferring cards for maybe $500, you can probably get one with a dual-core processor and decent graphics card for $1000 or so. Just make sure it has a PCMCIA slot; some laptops only include ExpressCard slots. The SZ340 has both.

[Stonecrest]

Thanks Barry-I was hoping you would reply. That's been my problem...finding a computer with a PCMCIA slot. Any suggestions on where I could purchase a computer with the slot such as the Sony? The P2 Contents Management software specify that I need at least 1G of RAM and XP, correct? Should it have 2G of RAM? Thanks a bunch!

[Stonecrest]

I forgot to ask you, Barry. The P2 Contents specs. say that it does not support VISTA...is this a problem?

[Bachman]

What are you cutting on Mac or PC? If it's Mac then my a Macbook Pro

We use one in the feild, works fine

[Ed Waters]

Could anyone weight in on the best way to do this with a MACBOOK PRO?

[JimiK]

Will this do the job?

http://www.live.sonyus.webcollage.net/server/compusa/sonyus-product-full-content-page/si?ws-action=http://www.live.sonyus.webcollage.net/_wc/product-content/specs/VGCLS30E.html?popupFirstPage%26notfirst~MarkupType !document!PresentationFormat!html!channel-product-id!345928,http://www.dummy-container-url.com

[Bachman]

Could anyone weight in on the best way to do this with a MACBOOK PRO?

We are currently setting up our MAC BOOK PRO for a 10 day shoot in a remote location with our new HPX. Running some workflow tests etc. We have a P2 Store on order but wont arrive on time.

We are looking at a BUS/external powered FW800 2.5 drive enclosure with as many drives as we think we will need shooting 720p for 10 days on the road.

The Mac works fine apart from the whole QT conversion issue which is a shame, would rather just drop the P2 files straight on the FCP timeline. As for veiwing the rushes etc it works fine with CMS.

PS Youll need a PCMCIA-Express card adapter too

[pathfinder]

I just received my new HPX-500 and love it. However, I don't know a lot about laptops and need to purchase one that can handle Panasonic's P2 Content Management software on location. Can someone PLEASE tell me what to purchase and any accessories I might need. I don't edit myself...it's just to be able to transfer footage over to a portable disc drive to hand to clients after a shoot. Also, I want to be able to show clients the clips that have been transfered on location. Also, is there anything out there that shows step by step of how to do this?
Thanks for any input. I feel a bit lost...

Stonecrest, here is what I use and it has work well.

Toshiba Sattelite P25-s5262 with 3 gig processor and 2 gigs of ram with Win XP. The laptop comes with 2 PCMCIA slots built in. Once you install the P2 card drivers, it will see your card as another drive and all you do is just drag and drop files to your destination drive. If you install P2 Viewer software, you can show your clients what you got right there on the laptop.

I transferred footages from the P2 cards to an external Lacie big disk drive and everything works without a hitch.

Even if you don't have any PCMCIA slots, you can always transfer files directly from you camera via the USB cable connected to your camera. Just make sure you put the 500 on PC mode...but then, I'm pretty sure you already know that.

Put Edius Broadcast in your laptop and you're ready to edit right there on the spot.

Shooting in very remote areas in Thailand where there is no electricity, here is what I do for power.

- Use a 400W or higher DC power inverter with two AC outlet to convert 12v power from cigarette outlet in car to 120v. Plug in my laptop and external drive's power cables and I'm good to go. Most laptops use no more than 65 watts.

Check out Toshiba's new laptop. You might like it.

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cmod.to?coid=-33896

Toshiba should pay me for this...haha...just kidding.

Hope this help.

Happy shootings.

Samuel M. Lee