P2 download to Macpro question (& monitor advice)

B

Body Flight

Active member
I want to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge and insights to me so far! This site (and especially the people on it) is amazing!!!

I have been waffling back and forth on what computer I should buy. I finally bit the bullet, and have purchased a new Macpro and Final Cut Studio. I also have received my HVX and four P2 cards, and Century .55 fisheye. I have shot some test footage, but have only viewed it in camera. (So far, so good!)

I have been searching for a method of downloading the cards to the Macpro without going with a P2 store or Firestore. I found this product in a different thread...
http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=JJ-PC1M12-S1

Is this the best (only?) way for me to proceed? Are there other / better solutions? I do not have a laptop or any other means to download cards currently. I was / am expecting to find an adapter that allows me to plug the card into the computer. (I do not need to be mobile... this is for on-site video production.)

Last group of questions (at least for now)... are the Apple Cinema monitors worth their cost? What is a better set up... one 30" or two 24" monitors? Is there a different brand that would work effectively?

Thank you all again so much for your knowledge and advice!!
 
MacPro doesn't support any PCI Express board or reader.

Firewire transfer mode is the only option for you other than what you mention.
 
I have read it, and I'm sure it will make much more sense once I have all the pieces in place. Thanks for the heads-up!
 
David S. said:
MacPro doesn't support any PCI Express board or reader.

Firewire transfer mode is the only option for you other than what you mention.
Click to expand...

Could I get you to clarify this for me? "...other than what you mention." Does this mean that the product in the link will work, or will not (or might?)?

Firewire is not a good option for me, but it may be all I have to work with. (I am worried about burning out the f/w plug on the camera...)
 
Thanks Phil! My understanding is that the Macpro does not have the express card slot that the MacBook Pro has... thus this will not work with the desktop computer. Someone please correct me if I am not correct.
 
i just use firewire to download the p2 cards to my desktop. not the fastest, but good enough for post.

on set I use my powerbook just to ingest
 
Crap! Thanks for the info / clarification. So, the only option I have is firewire or a laptop (or other similarly expensive device)?

I'm sorry to beat this to death! I just need to be crystal clear on this.
 
You can download from cam to MacPro via FW mode; Cardbus Type II equipped PowerBook or PC laptop, or MBP with EC/34 slot and duel adapter.

Or via FW to powered HDD
 
Body Flight said:
I was hoping for a different answer. Thank you so much for your help!!
Click to expand...
The Mac still is on the darkside of P2...

Has anyone tried setting up a 1K LAN connection between a PC laptop and a MacPro, using the pc-slot for ingest but save via LAN to the Mac HDD...?

Can this work or is it complete bulls*it?

I guess the later :beer:...
 
Don't know... Seems rather backwards to me that I have to buy a laptop so I can download P2 cards for the Mac Pro.

I need the ability to download while the camera is in use. Firewire will work most of the time, but I will need 2 cards at a time for customer videos... very often I will have 3 or more videos back to back.
 
Panny wants you to buy their multiple card reader (5 cards - $1500) or their P2 Gear (One card - $3500!!!!!).

I have asked their reps directly about a firewire, single card reader - but that is apparently (for a number of technical reasons) not in the works.

You could also try and find a used p2 Store and use it as a USB Card reader.
 
quicklad said:
I have asked their reps directly about a firewire, single card reader - but that is apparently (for a number of technical reasons) not in the works.
Click to expand...

That is so strange to me. p2 Store is friggin USB2, but that isn't a technical problem.

A single card firewire reader for $450.00 would sell out for just about everybody.

C'mon Panasonic
 
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