Handling HPX500 files

[Brad Neal]

I have had my cameras for 2 weeks now, but I still have no cards :-(

Anyway, I rented some cards for todays shoot which was a total of about 2 hours of footage.

Although I moved all of the files from the cameras 4-16 gig cards, I was a little surprised with all of the residual folders and files that go with P2. Each card contains about 6 folders.


Once I dragged all four cards over to my computer's hard drive, I now have what could turn into a disorganized and confusing mess of folders and video clips.

Is there a good way to organize all of the clips into one folder? Or would that be a bad idea?

Can some of you share your workflow and how how you manage all the folders, files, etc?

Thanks,
Brad

[Barry_Green]

Use P2CMS. It's designed to move all your clips into one massive database, from which you can pick and choose and search and sort and then export the individual clips you want to use into a single folder.

It's freeware, downloadable from the Panasonic website.

[EditingFX]

DON'T erase or give back those cards until you're sure your data's safe! I'm new myself to the P2 scene (just starting to grok the whole workflow), so I won't offer a deep workflow suggestion, other than what I just said. As a start, though, repost with OS, NLE, etc. The easiest way for a "P2 noob" on FCP is to simply hook your HPX via 1394 to the Mac & use the "Import P2" in the FCP "File" menu. Pretty hard to muck it up that way. FYI, the cards in the camera will unmount easiest via the eject button in the "Import P2" dialog window.

[SPZ]

What I normally do is create a folder with a name such as " WTD day 1 card 1", then copy the contents and Lastclip files to that folder. Then follow with a new folder, entitled WTD (name of the project) day1 card 2. Copy second card's content.

Of course one should keep record (either in a Word document or text file, daily logs of whats recorded in what card.)

Anyway, for mac, the P2CMS free software from Panasonic is a good logger ( only problem is the japanese english in the software.)

EDIT- Barry already said this. You guys reply fast!

[davhud]

If you want to spend more money, about 30 bucks, P2 Genie is a good program for this and you can teach a reasonably intelligent intern to use it in about 5 minutes. Oh, you still need to verify that everything went over ok and then format the cards in the camera. P2 genie still has format probs with 16 gig cards.

[Brad Neal]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

And for the record, I am PC based (Dual Quad Core Boxx Tech machine) running XP Pro and Adobe Production Studio CS3, i.e. PPro.

I'll give the P2CMS a try.

My primary concern is with an upcoming job that will require 2 HPX 500's running all day shooting 720p.

My job yesterday was only one camera and about 2 hours of footage. When I saw all of the folders, files, etc from that, I thought, what will 16 hours of HD from 2 cameras look like?

Anyway, I'll give the software approach a try, but any recommendations beyond that will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brad