P2 errors anybody?

[tduncan]

do other people get errors with their P2 cards? So far my camera has acted up a handful of times. Either it did not recognize a card, all files spanning both cards didnt copy, one time giving an error message that I've seen posted here but cant remember at the moment.

basically my question is, is memory error becoming a common thing with P2? Does it sound like I have a bad card?

td

[Barry_Green]

Never heard of it. If you're having problems with a particular card then yes I'd suggest it may be bad.

[DP StrangeLove]

You may be experiencing what I experienced once during one of my first shoots with my HVX. Unknowingly I tried to use a PAL scene file on my NTSC HVX. My HVX knew, better than me, that it wasn't kosher, and I got some pretty strange P2 system error alert on my screen, stopping my HVX from recording, or saying files weren't working, or a bad P2 memory card was installed. Sometimes the HVX would record, other times it would just refuse.

After some troubleshooting, and sweating in front of the waiting talent, I realized it might of have been something related to my scene files. I deleted them, rebooted the camera, and it has been working like a champ ever since.

[tduncan]

I will eventually remember what the message was. It was only one day six months ago but I know enough about technology that it can be a bigger problem than it solves.

I can confirm today that one of my memory cards will not init. Bummer because yesterday we filmed my 20 yo son's memorial and today it is gone. Even though the card was working fine the last couple of weeks. I had searched for a backup device, afraid to trust the event to P2, but was left dry. Fortunately, we also had a DVX running tape.

Needless to say, I will probably never trust P2 again. Whether it's work or critical memories, having a whole tape (8Gb) dissappear is intolerable.

Actually, the whole 16Gb is worthless without the other, correct?

td

[dregenthal]

I can confirm today that one of my memory cards will not init. Bummer because yesterday we filmed my 20 yo son's memorial and today it is gone. Even though the card was working fine the last couple of weeks. I had searched for a backup device, afraid to trust the event to P2, but was left dry. Fortunately, we also had a DVX running tape.

Sorry to hear about your problem. A few (perhaps obvious) questions:
Can you define what you mean by "gone"?
Have you tried removing the card and re-installing it in the other slot?
Have you tried to transfer (or view) the card by means of a laptop pcmcia?


Needless to say, I will probably never trust P2 again. Whether it's work or critical memories, having a whole tape (8Gb) dissappear is intolerable.
Actually, the whole 16Gb is worthless without the other, correct?
td

I am guessing (by this statement) that you have two 8gig cards?
If one of them turns out to be defective it does not necessitate that the other is also bad. And you may have, at least, the contents of the second card but before doing anything else I'd sure try both of the suggestions above.

I have shot under a multitude of different circumstances, weather, etc., and to this point never experienced an issue with P2. Most often with new technology it "ain't the bow and arrow, it's the indians."

Double check everything before doing anything radical. If you are convinced that your data is gone you should contact Panasonic or your authorized dealer for a replacement, but I'd sure be interested in knowing what, if anything, that card looks like to a PC (or Mac).

Best.

[tduncan]

OK, this is going to take some clarification. First I am sorry if I sound short while I bang my head on the technology curve.

My DP shot the event for me. I took the camera home and began to import. One of the cards was slow flashing green when the other became solid. When I imported P2 to final cut, I only had 33 minutes of the 66 minutes shot. I naturally assumed this meant one of the P2s were failing to mount and the "F" in the screen means "failure".

Eventually, I remounted the camera but this time there were 2 different video files on the P2.... my missing data hooray ! But now the previously copied files were not showing up.

I later mounted the camera again and this time 2 "no name" drives mounted where before there was only 1. Now it appears that all the files are present between the two cards.

So I figured the flashing F doesnt mean failure, it means "full". (?)

It appears that not both of the P2s are mounting everytime. What does it sound like to you? This is exactly what happened to me a couple months ago too.

The error message was a one time thing and totally seperate from this problem.

thanks for the response,
td

[dregenthal]

Naw, you're not being short -- anybody'd be a little uptight if they thought they lost important footage . . . I'd probably freak right out myself. If you are using Final Cut then you already know more about it and/or a Mac than I do.

There seem to be some issues (and answers) regarding the best way to import your files to FC but there are a myriad of posts, and persons better qualified than I, on the forum that will serve to help you sort it all out. Best advice I can offer is to be sure you have the latest updates installed and find some way to back up your masters (your MXF files) complete with directory structure and lastfile.txt . . . this way you won't have to sweat it if you get an occasional corrupted file or some dropped frames during your transfer to FC.

Nice thing is that there are some FC experts right here on the board, hopefully one of them will tag on to this thread and have you pointed in the right direction. Keep posting though -- that's what this forum's for . . . for people to help each other.

Best.

P.S. You had me going though when you said 33 minutes! Then that dim light in the back of my brain came on that said, "he's not shooting HD" Duh! I'm a little slow at times, ;-)