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View Full Version : Making the switch, FS100 to P2


shred99
10-30-2007, 11:00 AM
Hey guys.. ive been using the FS100 since release and like it, but with the new P2 cards coming out I am going to make the switch from FS100 to P2.

Pretty exciting stuff I know, but I have a question about reading the cards.

We use a MacBook Pro in the field, which does not have a PMCIA slot. Is it possible to use the HVX200 as a card reader? Can I connect it to the laptop via firewire and dump? Can I connect it directly to a HDD (without a laptop)

The HVX manual seems to say that you can do the latter, but only if the HDD is freshly formatted.. it doesnt mention connection directly to a laptop via firewire.

Anyone have an answer before I drop a couple grand on these cards? Id prefer NOT to buy yet another device to carry around in the field just to transfer the cards.

Thanks
agcohn
10-30-2007, 11:10 AM
The HVX200 works as a card reader. You attach it to the computer by firewire (or USB I've heard, but haven't tried it), and then hold down the Camera / VCR Mode button until it switches to PC-Dub mode.

I have never tried going to a HDD w/o a laptop attached.

The only reason I would advise against using the HVX to read the cards is that you cannot be filming while you are dumping the cards. Though in my experience dumping from HVX to Mac using firewire has been significantly faster than going from P2 Store to Mac using USB 2.0.

I like the FS-100, because I can detach it from the camera and dump it to laptop and keep on recording on P2.
shred99
10-30-2007, 11:19 AM
So does it mount as a drive on the desktop when you set it to PC Dub?
THoff
10-30-2007, 11:24 AM
Yes, each of the slots/cards appears as a separate drive on your computer, provided you have the Panasonic P2 drivers installed.

Firewire is the only connection type supported on the Mac, and USB on the PC.
shred99
10-30-2007, 12:06 PM
Are there P2 drivers for mac? I can only seem to find drivers to support the P2STORE etc for mac.
THoff
10-30-2007, 02:11 PM
The Panasonic P2 Support Desk is at

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/cs/csregistp2m/ep2main/

From there, go to Download -> PC or Mac -> P2 Driver for PC and Mac:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/download.htm#p2pcdriver