P2 glitch similar to 'tape hits'

Jimmy, don't think of it as a Microsoft platform. Think of it as the only platform that runs Panasonic's software.

Not saying we shouldn't also PETITION FOR PANASONIC TO SUPPORT THE MAC USER BASE. But one thing is "what should be", and another is getting your job done with what's available. Anyway, try another Mac; wipe and reinstall minimal software on your Mac; try a PC; try until you find something that works. The question to ask is not "do I get credit for R&D", the question is, "do I get a reliable tool at the end of the day."
 
What about the Mad Cows? That was slick, eh? Anyway, don't be upset, it's just direct analogy.


(sorry, everyone, I haven't slept in two days and every time I try someone knocks on the door or even my &^%&^* bedroom window)
 
I don't mean to sound like I'm mocking you. Sorry if it does. Seriously, I have at points in my life been a logician by trade, and these are exactly the same argument you are making - direct analogy. As I said, I'm a happy Mac user without problems. But you are expressing fear of losing your job over technical issues, yet you are letting ideology stand in the way of actually solving them. Macs are great. I love 'em and use 'em every day. I can't stand PCs. But I diagnose problems, and solve them, practically. I had an iBook once, which didn't work with anything I needed it to (primarily audio interfaces at the time (sorry for when I said I never had major problems; I had forgotten the iBook, and the thing certainly didn't stay around very long)). I swallowed it and ditched it. My replacement was a Powerbook that has been working flawlessly for over five years now. Love your Mac, but don't love it so much you can't see its flaws. And, don't worry. Apple will come through... eventually...

I'm gonna shut up and try to sleep again. Just remember, Jimmy, we love you, we feel for you, and we really are trying to help you. Good night.
 
JimmyTheSaint said:
Maybe it's just me but I'm in hell with this thing. Again, I love the camera but my trust level on it has gone way, way, way below zero and I've only had it for a month and a half.

Is it possible I've got a lemon?

Anybody know of a good contact at Panasonic that might be able to help me resolve some of these issues?


I rather doubt that you have a lemon. Listen to what Barry is saying. The reccommended workflow from Apple is to make a Disk Image. Dragging and Dropping is not always a best workflow.

Transfer the card databack to the P2 card and see if the camera will play it. It probably will or perhaps it will be able to repair it. If you are using a Mac, you have to be careful and follow the Apple workflow.

I trust this helps. I will be traveling and doing a show over the next cvouple days so since I do believe this is an Apple situation, try my suggestion above and see what happens. The problem is not likely to be the camera, but perhaps the camera can help you.

Also check in with the folks at Imagine Products. They have a P2 clip repair that may also help. This is a feature in their P2 Log Pro.

Best,

Jan
 
JimmyTheSaint,

I know you're frustrated. How often would you say your P2 transfers are compromised / corrupted as a percentage? 70% - 8%? As a percentage, zero is what should be acceptable.

If you have any issues whatsoever, you must consider how your infrastructure / workflow is different than the vast majority of users who do not.

Remove the variables to the best of your ability.

Always protect your P2 cards prior to transferring your data through your Mac. If you see a corrupted file, put the card back in the camera and view the corresponding file.

If the corruption exists on a locked card when viewed through the HVX200, then the problem is Panasonic's.

If you have no issues when viewed in-camera, then your problem is in the Mac or the software between the card and the Mac. Because PC users have no reported (none that I've seen to date in these forums) issues with PCMCIA transfers in Windows XP, then you could consider a PCMCIA PC running XP to be your "control group" computer for testing the viability of your cards and or camera by extension.

If there is another HVXUser close to you, I'm certain that they would also meet you to benchmark your cards on a stable, known system. If you were in Charlotte, I would offer to travel to your location to help you suss this out.

You need to make it happen when you're not under pressure to deliver a product.

e
 
I use a mac and have never had any problems. Just for the record because it has been said by some people that they have never read of a problem on the pc side check these.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=78029&highlight=corrupt

or camdude here

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=77384&page=3&highlight=glitch

and that was just a quick 5 min. search

Disk image and write protect should be adhered to.
I will also add something that hardly ever gets mentioned is the cable you use to transfer the footage from the cam if thats the way you transfer.
 
HKpictures says he used a pc and tried viewing in p2 viewer which means pc in first linked post thread.
 
JimmyTheSaint said:
I'd rather give up cinematography for life than use a PC - and I'm serious about that.
I must also point out how ridiculous this sounds. The problem, in this regard, is not a PC or a Mac. The problem is your attitude. I try to say this as politely as possible and with all do respect. Get over yourself. Use whatever tools work and work best for you.
 
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I am really sorry to hear all of the trouble you are having with your HVX and Apple. I think there have been some excellent advice given to you on how to resolve the problem. Isolate the problem and find out if it is a Panasonic issue or an Apple issue. I think that will help you out the most. If it is a Panasonic issue you can get it serviced and have the problem fixed. If it is an Apple problem you have a few options. First get all of the hardware, software and firware updates and make sure they are current. (Latest Drivers etc...) Second, test your cards with someone else's Apple and make sure that they work. If this does work then perhaps you may want to upgrade your Apple to a known laptop or desktop that works and that you have tested on before hand. I do not own a Mac, but many people here at UCLA do. If you need a machine to test it on I am sure I could arrange something to help you out so that you can get your problem resolved. UCLA has some outstanding prices on Mac's for film students and if you need to I can see if I can get the school to extend their prices in order for you to get your Mac working as you had hoped. Also it would be my hope that the users that have an Apple that has worked 100% of the time contact Jimmy and let him know the specs they are using in case he wants to purchase the exact same make and model. Although I use a PC, I will still do all I can to help you.

Sinfear
(PM me if you have any questions or requests)
 
I pull out my hat to you sinfear11.. that's very nice of you to write in calm

Calm..noun.. The absence of violent or confrontational activity within a place or a group Cheers..!
 
DC said:
I must also point out how ridiculous this sounds. The problem, in this regard, is not a PC or a Mac. The problem is your attitude. I try to say this as politely as possible and with all do respect. Get over yourself. Use whatever tools work and work best for you.

That is a pointedly useless contribution to a valuable thread. These discussions serve a great purpose, if you've got nothing useful or worthwhile to say, why not just stay out of it?

I am another Mac user and I can only attest to a single corrupted frame. However, if I should be in the same position as Jimmythesaint I will be able to look back through this thread and maybe benefit from the suggestions.

I'd consider making a disk image of your mac and then doing a reformat and getting rid of anything on the powerbook that isn't needed soley for you P2 work. Perhaps this isn't practical but it would narow down a software element.
 
Please do. Right now you may be our leading candidate for finding the cure, since you seem to have the best shot at replicating the error.
 
Richard Sutcliffe said:
That is a pointedly useless contribution to a valuable thread. These discussions serve a great purpose, if you've got nothing useful or worthwhile to say, why not just stay out of it?

PM'ed you.
 
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