Anyone use the p2 store?

G

ggdelarge

Active member
I havent seen anything written about the p2 store portable HD.

Easy to use?

is it bulky? Can i throw it in a backpack? or how would use carry it for one crew doc?

How long does it take to upload your footage?

any other comments? pro or con
 
ggdelarge said:
I havent seen anything written about the p2 store portable HD.

Easy to use? is it bulky? Can i throw it in a backpack? or how would use carry it for one crew doc? How long does it take to upload your footage? any other comments? pro or con
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Most of these questions (upload times) have been answered -- you will find them by using the search tool (here) in the forum.

Bulky . . . ha, ha, I think not . . . it's a pound and a half! Here is the information you seek: http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webap...94262&modelNo=AJ-PCS060G&surfModel=AJ-PCS060G

click on "more images" then image 2 and you will see it held in the palm of the hand . . .
 
It is very lightweight, and a good concept, but there are some annoyances. It won't hold nearly as much storage as it is rated in normal use for a variety of reasons, perhaps the most in the way it records from the P2 cards. Instead of simply filling a 60gig HDD as you would expect, it fills into 15 separate partitions, each of which will show up as an extra drive letter on your computer when you plug it in, with no easy way to show what is in which partition without using the P2 viewer. For me, with 3 internal drives, four external, two DVD drives and a LAN connection, there aren't enough drive letters left to handle all of those little partitions, and I have to shut down some drives to see the whole thing. Frankly, I think this was an idiotic design element. BUT...it does copy (even with verify on which doubles the time) in about the same time as it takes to record, which means that with a little practiced juggling, you can keep the camera going, and going, and going...so in that way, it does it's job. In all, I give it a C+, and I am happy enough to have it.
 
Yes, I've used in the field recording a rodeo.(dusty). It was fast enough to keep up with 2 cameras each with a 4G & 8G card. One battery was enough for all day. I would download to an external harddrive and be good to go the next day. Don't overload it though. It locks up and it takes a day or two to transfer. Other than that one time, I have had good success. No dropped frames. You can record in native PN, double your recording times. I prefer it over the firestore.
 
I have a P2 Store and it is the only way to go when on location.

The only gripe I have is that it will only copy when sitting on a flat surface. It has a motion / tip sensor that stops the copy process when it is bumped or tipped too much. Great for protecting your valuable data but somewhat limiting. The thought that I had when buying it is that I would attach it to my belt and keep shooting while swapping and copying between 2 4G cards. - Can't do it because of the sensor.

When I use the HVX on a Steadicam Flyer, I mount the P2 store on top of the camera handle where it flys right along next to the camera's card slots. This makes it convenient to swap and copy on the fly. Plus it adds a bit of weight to the rig which is a plus with the Steadicam.
 
I just got one and have no problems with the use of it. I wish the HD was larger. Read Jarred's review here.
 
I also have the P2 store. But have found that I have not used it since I purchased the Firestore. While I used it...it was a great piece of gear. Reliable. Lightweight. Easy to use. Perhaps if I had a shoot where I was shooting entirely 24pn to my cards I would return to using the P2 store. But that too is expected to become obsolete once the new firmware update for the Firestore is released.
Jim
 
Been using now for 3 months in location throughout the US (23 states) for a documentary.
Has been flawless, at least for my needs.

It's limited in capacity, it works better sitting in a flat position; it's a very good reliable workflow option.

We are using 3 8gig cards and the P2 Store.

For me, it made possible to shoot our film.
 
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Have been using one for 5 months now and have brought over 200 hours of 720 24p into it and then onto FCP. Have never had a dropped frame or any other problem. Have used it at 20 degrees on a snowmobile seat and at 90 degrees and high humidity in Guatemala. In my opinion they should not sell the HVX without it. The only cons I can think of would be the size of the hard drive and I wish it had FW800 instead of USB (but there is probably a reason for the USB). Good luck, James
 
I love it too. very study. realiable. Just make sure to have it on a flat surface.. without a ton of bumps and bangs.. and you'll be fine. I think it should be possible to increase the drive inside when bigger drives make this a less desirable amount... but allowing mroe than 15 offloads if we are still using 4 gig cards. would be nice to have a 250 gig P2store.
 
anyone using this on a Mac in this forum? Having real problems with transfers, buggy software (P2StoreManager?!) The USB / Mac combination isn't working well here. Any tips for reliable 100% operation?
 
Not any issues here and I'm on a Mac. ONly time I did was during a data transfer that went bad in the filed because the client was hitting the table and the upload didn't go well.. Others have reported that.

For a tip.. Just make sure it's in a safe stable location for uploading.. Nothing bumping it or hitting it.. and just keep it out of harms way and you'll be find. I put mine in a padded case and use that to keep dust and such out of it. Works great and only takes up one batter for a full day....
 
Bill Nelson said:
anyone using this on a Mac in this forum? Having real problems with transfers, buggy software (P2StoreManager?!) The USB / Mac combination isn't working well here. Any tips for reliable 100% operation?
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I continue to have problems with my P2 Store on a Mac Book Pro. The P2 Store is seemingly great. It always records the cards correctly. The problem I have is the majority of times that I connect the P2Store to the Mac via the USB2 connection, not all the P2Card volumes show up on the Mac desktop. Hence P2Genie misses cards. Not good at all. I have to make sure to always have immacualte records of how many cards were shot (not a big deal), and when the Mac misses some, connect the P2 store to a Windows based laptop or computer to get the missing card volumes. A major hassle.
 
Barry, My HVX is getting back from a cleaning at Video Clinic this week, and I'll try the solution that doc outlines. If that simple process is all that has been needed, I'll add you to my xmas list in perpetuity! Thanks!!!
 
I was going to buy a P2 Store but then I decided that a 17"powerbook was a better investment. 100gb+FCP, AE, and internet when I'm bored. Oh yeah, it was also 500 dollars cheaper.
 
I was going to buy a P2 Store but then I decided that a 17"powerbook was a better investment. 100gb+FCP, AE, and internet when I'm bored. Oh yeah, it was also 500 dollars cheaper.
 
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