P2 card format

[bananacamera]

Is there way of formatting the P2 cards with out doing it through the camera? I tried deleting files via the computer but the camera doesn't recognize this a proper format.

If you have to format through the camera. You technically can't continuously hotswap since you'll need to stop and format cards.

thanks

[ozduc]

If you are using a PC, I believe the P2 viewer software allows you to format the card. (double check that though). On a MAC you can drag the files to the trash and hold down "option" as you empty the trash prior to ejecting the card. This doesn't technically format the card but I have had success in erasing the contents so I could do continous recording.

[bananacamera]

If you are using a PC, I believe the P2 viewer software allows you to format the card. (double check that though). On a MAC you can drag the files to the trash and hold down "option" as you empty the trash prior to ejecting the card. This doesn't technically format the card but I have had success in erasing the contents so I could do continous recording.

thanks i'll give it a shot

[Barry_Green]

Yes, P2 Viewer lets you format the cards.

[THoff]

Deleting files from the card using your computer doesn't change the file system that the card is formatted with -- there is no good reason why the camera shouldn't recognize the card.

The only thing I can imagine is that the files weren't really deleted and were moved to a hidden trash can directory. The files and folders of the P2 structure would disappear, but the space would not be freed up, and you would not be able to record anything else on the card.

If you empty the trash or bypass the trash can when you delete the files (in Windows Explorer this is done by holding down the Shift key when you delete files), you should have no problem deleting files on your computer instead of formatting in the camera.

[Barry_Green]

Sure would be nice if Apple would just update their OS to allow formatting the cards. On the PC you can just right-click its icon and say "format". It's one step, it's reliable, and it's very handy for when doing the card-swap continuous-record process.

I believe P2 Genie on the Mac also will format/erase the cards for you properly.

[JimmyTheSaint]

On the Mac - copy the files obviously - then when you're done delete what's in the 'Contents' folder by trashing all of the sub folders and holding down the option key when you empty the trash. The card should have 7.25 GB available, a text file and an empty contents folder when you're done.

Put it back in the camera and go.