P2 Windows Workflow Questions

[Steven Bogda]

Hi,
I will be shooting stuff with an HVX200 for the first time very soon. I have a few general questions aimed at anyone who uses a Windows computer with an HVX200.

I own a older dell laptop, with a slot that fits a P2 card, and I also have a custom new desktop that I use only for editing. Both have firewire as well.

1. Am I able to get the HD footage off the card just by connecting the firewire from the computer(s) to the camera?

2. Do I need a special program to get the files off the camera?

3. Does Adobe Premiere CS3 handle the files without needing any extra programs?

4. If I wanted to keep my laptop handy, and use it to take files off the card on the spot, would I need Premiere CS3 on there as well to do so?

5. Which would be the best way to go from the HVX to editing on the Windows computer? I don't plan on shooting loads, just test clips, so I don't need to worry about clearing out the card on the spot that much.

Thanks,
Steven

[Moog]

Hi Steven.
I used P2 very briefly with a PC, before moving VERY quickly over to the wonderful world of MAC. However, if in the feild, I still dump P2 data onto a PC laptop. I may have a couple of leads for you...

1. not sure - probably - I prefer putting the P2 card in the PCIMCIA slot (make sure you have the latest drivers from the panasonic website)

2. Nope. Unless you count the aforementioned drivers

3. I believe Premiere 3.1 is cool with P2 but you definately need an upgrade as 3.0 does NOT.

4. Nope. not unless you want to view what you've just recorded. But if you do - just do it in camera, then dump to your lapton for storage. (i use an external Lacie Rugged for field work. just feels safer)

5. I guess the same as on a mac. Transfer your P2 folders (remembering to keep them intact) to your pc (or external drive - whatever) imort into Premiere and edit away. (i hope your machine is a good spec!)

hope that helps dude.

moog

[Steven Bogda]

Thanks moog!

[Steven Bogda]

If I bring the files from the P2 card into FCP the normal way, is there a way I can export the footage to a format that Windows NLEs can recognize without a problem?

[Moog]

Hmm... you can. You could export on batch convert the .mov files (that FCP produces) to .avi - but I've never really had good results doing this. PLus, it takes up a shed load of storage space. I'm not sure if the latest ones support .mov files for edit... maybe

[David Jimerson]

1) Maybe, but use USB. FireWire is not guaranteed; USB is.

2) No software needed; you can do it in Windows Explorer. HOWEVER, the better way to go is to use P2 Viewer or P2CMS. These are free and available from http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/p2-hd/downloads-and-updates.asp

If you transfer by Windows Explorer, be SURE to transfer the Contents folder and LastClip.txt file exactly as-is. Do not delete anything.

3) Yes. File>Import; navigate to the Video folder and take the files from there. Adobe PP CS4 makes this much easier with its Media Browser.

4) No. As long as you have the P2 drivers installed, just plugging in the card makes it just like any other drive; access everything through Windows Explorer or through P2 Viewer or P2CMS.

[Steven Bogda]

Thanks moog and David, I think I might pick up CS4. I get it for 300USD just for being a student hooray! I do favor Vegas though over Premiere...is there a downside to using Raylight? I heard good things about it, and I know it is under 200 bucks too. And I would get to edit in lovely Vegas I am assuming?

[Barry_Green]

If I bring the files from the P2 card into FCP the normal way, is there a way I can export the footage to a format that Windows NLEs can recognize without a problem?
Not easily. You have three choices:

1) you could use DVFilm's Raylight for Mac, which lets you export a quicktime file to Raylight and then Raylight creates a P2-compatible MXF version of that file, which the Windows NLE could work with.

or

2) you could buy the DVFilm DVCPRO-HD converter for each and every Windows system that you want to be able to share files with. That would let you use FCP-generated DVCPRO-HD quicktime files on the Windows system.

or

3) you could export from FCP in an uncompressed or other generic format, which would be supported on Windows.

[David Jimerson]

Thanks moog and David, I think I might pick up CS4. I get it for 300USD just for being a student hooray! I do favor Vegas though over Premiere...is there a downside to using Raylight? I heard good things about it, and I know it is under 200 bucks too. And I would get to edit in lovely Vegas I am assuming?

The disadvantages to Raylight involve having to worry about Raylight settings, having to dig to get the channels 3/4 audio files if you want them, and not having any ability to use the P2 metadata. I understand that there are plans to improve on all of these things, but currently, those are the issues.

[Steven Bogda]

Hey thanks David and Barry. I think I will go for CS4 for HD, and stick with Vegas for the rest.

[MarkNanneman]

How do you power your lacie rugged in the field? I heard that the hvx doesn't provide power through the usb and the firewire is just 4 pin.