Is this Windows Laptop Usable for offloading?

[FrankCapella]

I'm wondering if this laptop is usable for offloading from an HVX (the HVX order is pending so I haven't had time to familiarize myself with the equipment before the purchase of my new system, a laptop or a desktop (depending) that'll have something to do with whether or not this laptop is operable with an HVX). I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 -- it seems to only have USB 2.0 slots. I've looked over the manual and it has a "PC slot" -- is that the same as a PCMCIA slot?

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins6000/

I'd obviously want to connect the P2 cards directly to the laptop and offload to external hard drives via a FW 800 type connection. Is any of that doable with the current system I have? I know you don't need a super fast windows laptop to offload from an HVX but I worry that this computer is lacking the necessary ports. Would appreciate any help because it would help me make my next purchase.

[mikkowilson]

Yes it'll work to offload P2 cards nativly. The PC slot is in deed a CardBus slot (what P2 needs)


It doesn't, however, have a Firewire 800 port. So you'd be going to the externalhard drives with USB2 or Firewire 400 from the P2 cards.
.. Thoguh if you dump to the internal drive first, and then switch the P2 card for a Firewire 800 card into the PC slot, that would work.

- Mikko

[FrankCapella]

Isn't it risky to ask my AC to use the CardBus slot to offload files to my internal, swap the P2 card out for a FW 800 card, and then transfer files to an external hard drive? Is that too much to ask? I'm trying to avoid having to purchase another laptop for offloading so that I can take the plunge and get a Mac Pro. Would you ever use the Inspiron 6000 in the field? What would you do?

[mikkowilson]

I'd use a laptop with internal PC slot like that one, and settle for a USB2 connection to my external hard drives - especially if I haven an assistant to do the offloading, and so presuming speed isn't *that* critical (FW800 isn't that much faster anyway).

- Mikko

[ProfessorU]

FW800 is pretty much a mac-only interface right now. Not many manufacturers support it natively. USB 2.0 should do the trick for most people. You can always use the internal drive, too. Less battery issues to worry about, faster transfer, etc.

[FrankCapella]

Do most people use Windows Laptops for offloading from HVX? What are the pros and cons of that?

I'm getting the vibe that most people on dvxuser use windows laptops when, in my experience on shoots, I've seen MacBook Pros used. Can you clarify? Thanks.

[FBAS]

As far as I know only Windows notebooks have PC slots. For a Macbook you'd need an external P2 card reader that needs a power supply (plus it's rather expensive)

[FrankCapella]

How do people view the footage on a windows laptop? And in what format? On MacBook Pro they convert to mov (in FCP) and then you can view in quicktime.

[David Jimerson]

I've offloaded many, many cards to external HDD through USB 2.0. Not the slightest glitch, ever. FW800 isn't necessary.

[David Jimerson]

How do people view the footage on a windows laptop? And in what format? On MacBook Pro they convert to mov (in FCP) and then you can view in quicktime.

Typically, P2 Viewer (or P2CMS), or probably more often, their NLE.

[Barry_Green]

As far as I know only Windows notebooks have PC slots.
Older G3 and G4 Powerbooks also have 'em. Modern Macbooks don't have any slot (I think?) and Macbook Pro models don't have the PC Card slot, they instead have an ExpressCard slot. You can get an adapter from Duel Systems that lets you use P2 cards on a Macbook Pro.

[FrankCapella]

David (or others): How do you make the transfer? Do you format your drives in Mac format and then use a program like Mac Drive so your PC recognizes the Hard Drive? Or do you edit on a PC? Thanks.

[David Jimerson]

Personally, I do most of my work in Windows. But what you suggest should work if you wanted to transfer using a PC and edit on the Mac. The only added wrinkle might be the added processing needs of MacDrive, but I don't think it would stop you from transferring on the fly.

[Barry_Green]

I edit on a PC as well. For Mac users, perhaps the easiest way to go is to use external FAT32 drives. Those can be plugged directly into the windows laptop for offloading, and then directly used on the Mac. No need for MacDrive or other such utilities when you're using a Windows laptop for offloading footage that will be edited on a Mac.