Build your own P2 Cards

[Topher_sullivan]

I was reading the Panasonic P2 Card Guide and they had a break down of the P2 Card and the components that make it. Most of you already know the card is made from 4 SD cards in a raid o configuration. So the question is, if I have 4 2GB SD cards and I buy a 4Gb P2 Card, can I replace the SD Cards with the 2GB Cards and re-raid it to be a 8 GB card?

[rgdfilms]

Sure you can!!! It's so easy to do it , simple, very simple










***sorry I'm a sarcastic bastard, check the search, this has been discussed over and over and over and over

[Andreas]

The question is not about simplisity, its about risk. Yea, it will probably be simple.. or not... Do you take the risk ? I have made a DIY projector that requried stripping a 500$ lcd monitor, and it worked fine. Go ahead and try it, thats the only way to know for sure (and tell us the results !). If you ask my personal opinion, most probably it want work :)

[The Engineer]

It will NOT work, because the LSI controller is programmed for the specific SD card size. If you put in a 4GB P2 card 2GB SD cards you will have a very expensive 4GB P2 card, but not a 8GB one. Do you think Panasonic guys are stupid? As I said before they are in the business to make profit, not charity...

[Anders Holck]

Also i don't think it's 4 actual SD cards that sits inside a P2, it's more likely 4 Flash ram chips, LIKE the ones in a SD or CF card.
They are small glued SMD components like these:
http://www.intel.com/design/flcomp/pix/298113_pix.gif
(http://www.intel.com/design/flcomp/pix/298113_pix.gif)

[Spec-Comm]

It's actually 4 SD cards in sockets.

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[bilgami]

Are there instructions on how to do this.

[Spec-Comm]

How to do what? Replace the SD cards with larger ones?

[evinsky]

I know you guys are all freaking out because you think 4Gb is a paltry amout of recording time but I've used the camera and the P2s and it's not a big deal. Unless your shooting for projection you won't be using 1080, there just isn't enough difference. And 720 gives you quite a lot of time in 24PN, 11 minutes per 4Gb card. 2 of these are more than any 35mm film magazine. You just have to get your head out of the tape mentality, it's dead, and good riddance.

[bilgami]

i was wondering if there are instructions on how to build my own p2 cards?

[Spec-Comm]

I'm afraid that would be practically impossible.

David

[bilgami]

why would it be impossible to have instructions how would someone know how to do it if there are no instructions.

[Spec-Comm]

Having instructions isn't impossible, just building one. :)

David

[ksteiger]

Anyone know where I can get a service manual for a Nuclear Power Plant?

[The Engineer]

I'm after instructions on how to build a flying broomstick. Does anyone know Harry Potter's phone number?

Bilgami, just in case you didn't read my first post, here it is again: It will NOT work, because the LSI controller is programmed for the specific SD card size. If you put in a 4GB P2 card 2GB SD cards you will have a very expensive 4GB P2 card, but not a 8GB one.

In other words, you have in there a VERY specialised chip that does the housekeeping of those 4 SD cards. Where are you going to get it from? And also the other components and the enclosure...

[Richard__Knight]

((pop open the p2)), replace one card and give it a run. As long as you can get the p2 back to it's original state, you'd only be out of $130 ... if the switch doesn't work.

...aren't broomstick plans are only held by card carrying Engrs?

[Mr. Blonde]

Build your own P2 cards....You guys are crazy as hell lol. :costumed-smiley-047

[TedRR]

I dare someone to take your $600 to $1,400 card, tear it apart and try it. :grin:
But if it works, let us know, OK?

[oneinfiniteloop]

Also, the cards inside P2 are 4 times faster than the fastest consumer cards that are affordably available, so...

You can always try, but I'm sure you'll end up here--->:badputer:

[HVXguy]

Unless your shooting for projection you won't be using 1080, there just isn't enough difference. You just have to get your head out of the tape mentality, it's dead, and good riddance.

I agree, except that many HVX shooters are backing up CineAlta shoots and shooting in 1080. A shooter stated here on the forum that he was shooting B-roll for a LifeTime movie in 1080 24p on the HVX. They lined up the CineAlta next to the HVX and he said "it was hard to tell the difference in the picture". With FCP 5.1 now supporting the 1080 24p modes of the HVX I bet we see a marked increase in 1080 shooting!!