8Gb P2 discontinued
- Thread starter Spartacus
- Start date
This is upsetting news.
This is upsetting news.
Not upsetting that the 32's should soon be released, but that the 8's are being discontinued.
Any idea what the price is likely to be?
I don't have the money to buy a 16 GB, and was hoping the 8 GB would drop even more in price and I'd be able to get 1 or 2. (Right now I have only two 4 GB cards; shooting anything beyond DVCPRO50 is almost entirely out of the question).
I'd venture a guess that there are situations where a smaller card, e.g. an 8GB might be more suited to certain situations than a larger card, and if Panasonic keeps dropping the smallest cards even before the new ones are released, I may never get "current" and will forever be on the lookout for used cards. (Unless I come up with a film to rival "The "Godfather" - hah!).
At this rate, even as I save for larger cards, I'll always be behind the current level. While I like my HVX, I'm beginning to think I may never be able to afford to do lengthy shoots in HD.
I sometimes feel like this "boat" is taking on water faster than I can bail and is sinking beneath me. Am I the only one on board this bucket?
I know there are many reasons that contribute to the situation; I suspect Panny's production facilties are effectively A and B facilities: while A makes one size, they gear up B for the next larger size, then alternate as a new size can be produced.
(I'm simply lamenting (whining about?) the difference between my desire/need for larger cards and my lack of available funds to acquire them...pay me no mind. I doubt I'm alone in that boat).
Seems my biggest salvation is that HD players (B-Ray, etc.) aren't yet widespread enough).
x
This is upsetting news.
Not upsetting that the 32's should soon be released, but that the 8's are being discontinued.
Any idea what the price is likely to be?
I don't have the money to buy a 16 GB, and was hoping the 8 GB would drop even more in price and I'd be able to get 1 or 2. (Right now I have only two 4 GB cards; shooting anything beyond DVCPRO50 is almost entirely out of the question).
I'd venture a guess that there are situations where a smaller card, e.g. an 8GB might be more suited to certain situations than a larger card, and if Panasonic keeps dropping the smallest cards even before the new ones are released, I may never get "current" and will forever be on the lookout for used cards. (Unless I come up with a film to rival "The "Godfather" - hah!).
At this rate, even as I save for larger cards, I'll always be behind the current level. While I like my HVX, I'm beginning to think I may never be able to afford to do lengthy shoots in HD.
I sometimes feel like this "boat" is taking on water faster than I can bail and is sinking beneath me. Am I the only one on board this bucket?
I know there are many reasons that contribute to the situation; I suspect Panny's production facilties are effectively A and B facilities: while A makes one size, they gear up B for the next larger size, then alternate as a new size can be produced.
(I'm simply lamenting (whining about?) the difference between my desire/need for larger cards and my lack of available funds to acquire them...pay me no mind. I doubt I'm alone in that boat).
Seems my biggest salvation is that HD players (B-Ray, etc.) aren't yet widespread enough).
x
Spartacus
Veteran
Europe as always behind...
I need something for even longer form jobs.
I need something for even longer form jobs.
That's not really the problem I seem unable to solve. I've got a firm grip on offloading to both FW and USB. Have a few hundred minutes of a doc I shot throughout the spring in DVCPRO50 that I'm still editing. (That will be a "donation" to my son's college, once I finish it). At 16 minutes of shooting time w/my 2 4 GB cards, it worked for most of that doc. (Interviews suffered because some were lengthy shoots and frequent offloading forced me to interrupt them).
I need something better than miniDV tape for long-form event work. I'd settle for something at DVCPRO50, with better color depth, even though it's still SD. (In fact, that might be better than HD, because most customers still want DVD). I had a job 2 weeks ago today (2 performances of a play in the same day) where each performance lasted for 2 1/3 hrs of continuous shooting, with speaking and between-scenes entertainment. It was non-stop shooting except to change tapes. (My back was killing me afterward). Earlier this year, I shot an all-day conference that broke only for lunch: 3 1/2 hrs in the AM, and nearly 4 in the PM. 4, 8, and even 16 GB cards won't help w/jobs like that; I don't have the $$ for that many cards, or for multiple Firestors.
About 1/3 to 1/2 of my work consists of such long-form stuff. That's why I was so dismayed at the death of the CinePorter; at least that would have given me the long-form I need, and I'd even have gone into more debt to get it. With removable/replaceable drives, that would have been the cat's pajamas.
I still don't understand why no other company is filling that void, but I guess there just aren't enough others who want/need it. (Wedding and other event vids???) I'd really like something that I could best describe as an HVX-aware "hub-like" - or "hub-sized" - device that had the necessary software to deal w/the HVX streams, but allowed connection of any size of eSATA drive (at least up to the file- system's limit). That way I could choose the size of the drive(s) based on the project or my budget...whichever "ruled" at the moment. I guess that's too much to ask for, though. (I wonder if Steve Jobs could pull it off? If he did, then I'd probably have to spend even more $$ for a Mac).
The only other option I seem to have at present is a laptop w/eSATA and appropriate software, but I was hoping to avoid lugging around all that bulk and figuring out how to keep it all handy but out-of-the-way while still manning the camera and audio.
I can't find anything like what I want. If you have other suggestions, I'm certainly willing to listen & learn. Meanwhile I'll have to live with tape...ugghhh...and forsake the real convenience of what the HVX offers.
Am I crazy for continuing to expect someone...anyone...to produce something that can store long-form footage but is more portable than a laptop?
thanks.
I need something for even longer form jobs.
That's not really the problem I seem unable to solve. I've got a firm grip on offloading to both FW and USB. Have a few hundred minutes of a doc I shot throughout the spring in DVCPRO50 that I'm still editing. (That will be a "donation" to my son's college, once I finish it). At 16 minutes of shooting time w/my 2 4 GB cards, it worked for most of that doc. (Interviews suffered because some were lengthy shoots and frequent offloading forced me to interrupt them).
I need something better than miniDV tape for long-form event work. I'd settle for something at DVCPRO50, with better color depth, even though it's still SD. (In fact, that might be better than HD, because most customers still want DVD). I had a job 2 weeks ago today (2 performances of a play in the same day) where each performance lasted for 2 1/3 hrs of continuous shooting, with speaking and between-scenes entertainment. It was non-stop shooting except to change tapes. (My back was killing me afterward). Earlier this year, I shot an all-day conference that broke only for lunch: 3 1/2 hrs in the AM, and nearly 4 in the PM. 4, 8, and even 16 GB cards won't help w/jobs like that; I don't have the $$ for that many cards, or for multiple Firestors.
About 1/3 to 1/2 of my work consists of such long-form stuff. That's why I was so dismayed at the death of the CinePorter; at least that would have given me the long-form I need, and I'd even have gone into more debt to get it. With removable/replaceable drives, that would have been the cat's pajamas.
I still don't understand why no other company is filling that void, but I guess there just aren't enough others who want/need it. (Wedding and other event vids???) I'd really like something that I could best describe as an HVX-aware "hub-like" - or "hub-sized" - device that had the necessary software to deal w/the HVX streams, but allowed connection of any size of eSATA drive (at least up to the file- system's limit). That way I could choose the size of the drive(s) based on the project or my budget...whichever "ruled" at the moment. I guess that's too much to ask for, though. (I wonder if Steve Jobs could pull it off? If he did, then I'd probably have to spend even more $$ for a Mac).
The only other option I seem to have at present is a laptop w/eSATA and appropriate software, but I was hoping to avoid lugging around all that bulk and figuring out how to keep it all handy but out-of-the-way while still manning the camera and audio.
I can't find anything like what I want. If you have other suggestions, I'm certainly willing to listen & learn. Meanwhile I'll have to live with tape...ugghhh...and forsake the real convenience of what the HVX offers.
Am I crazy for continuing to expect someone...anyone...to produce something that can store long-form footage but is more portable than a laptop?
thanks.
That's what I figured.
That's what I figured.
I'm tired, and maybe that's why I'm being grumpy, but after a yr and a half with my HVX, I feel Panasonic has let down the HVX user community by not providing something for long-form recording. I thought Panasonic had more on the ball than to take this long to get 16 Gb cards on the market; how long before the 128's are available? Before then, I figure I could get by with 3 64Gb cards and a P2 Store, but at the rate of change, they won't be available before late spring or early summer. By then, the HVX could well be on its' way to being obsolete. (Not everything we shoot is done on a controlled set with 3 minute scenes and a union crew). Since everything tech changes so quickly today anyway, I'd be very happy if they made some reasonably-priced, replaceable-disk device available and then stopped producing it 9-12 months after the 128 GB cards finally hit the market. That would be true planned obsolescence, and, I suspect, something many HVX owners might appreciate. (I should live so long).
Thanks for letting me vent.
That's what I figured.
I'm tired, and maybe that's why I'm being grumpy, but after a yr and a half with my HVX, I feel Panasonic has let down the HVX user community by not providing something for long-form recording. I thought Panasonic had more on the ball than to take this long to get 16 Gb cards on the market; how long before the 128's are available? Before then, I figure I could get by with 3 64Gb cards and a P2 Store, but at the rate of change, they won't be available before late spring or early summer. By then, the HVX could well be on its' way to being obsolete. (Not everything we shoot is done on a controlled set with 3 minute scenes and a union crew). Since everything tech changes so quickly today anyway, I'd be very happy if they made some reasonably-priced, replaceable-disk device available and then stopped producing it 9-12 months after the 128 GB cards finally hit the market. That would be true planned obsolescence, and, I suspect, something many HVX owners might appreciate. (I should live so long).
Thanks for letting me vent.
dregenthal
Veteran
P2Store is not going to be a viable option if your plan is to use 64Gb cards.
edit-
(begging your pardon--I was not trying to be a wiseguy . . . perhaps you meant something else, 4GB cards & a P2Store)?
edit-
(begging your pardon--I was not trying to be a wiseguy . . . perhaps you meant something else, 4GB cards & a P2Store)?
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You're right...
You're right...
It's not big enough to hold even 1 full card at 64 GB, is it? (Duh...I AM tired).
Thanks for reminding/correcting me.
So, I guess that's one more thing about Panasonic for me to whine about tonight...that they plan to give us the proverbial 10 lbs of stuff, i.e. the 64 GB cards...or heck, even 2 32 GB cards... and only a 5 pound bag, i.e. the P2 Store, to keep it in?
So now, it looks like I s/b searching for a fast laptop and a small-form eSATA. (Two more things that probably don't exist).
I can't stand it! I need to find another planet to live on. Any UFOs in the area I can hitch a ride with?
You're right...
It's not big enough to hold even 1 full card at 64 GB, is it? (Duh...I AM tired).
Thanks for reminding/correcting me.
So, I guess that's one more thing about Panasonic for me to whine about tonight...that they plan to give us the proverbial 10 lbs of stuff, i.e. the 64 GB cards...or heck, even 2 32 GB cards... and only a 5 pound bag, i.e. the P2 Store, to keep it in?
So now, it looks like I s/b searching for a fast laptop and a small-form eSATA. (Two more things that probably don't exist).
I can't stand it! I need to find another planet to live on. Any UFOs in the area I can hitch a ride with?
X00, someone in another thread said you can get 200 gb out of the 100 gb Firestore... does that help you?
Spartacus, you got a great deal, although if it was one seller, he may have felt it was worth it to make a package deal. The 8 GBs were already in demand because this is a window of time where it's almost impossible to find new 16s or the 8s other than at auctions. Used 8s have been selling for $630-695 in the last week and as more people learn they are out of production for good, yes, the value of the 8s will rise until the 16s are easily available. Anyone who paid the early prices for the 8s should hold firm to their wanted sale price during this time. These things are durable and as Panasonic says, good for a huge number of shoots (100,000?). There are a lot of commerical shooters out there who just need the cards to do their job and will pay a fair price without haggling. I know, I sold mine to one.
Spartacus, you got a great deal, although if it was one seller, he may have felt it was worth it to make a package deal. The 8 GBs were already in demand because this is a window of time where it's almost impossible to find new 16s or the 8s other than at auctions. Used 8s have been selling for $630-695 in the last week and as more people learn they are out of production for good, yes, the value of the 8s will rise until the 16s are easily available. Anyone who paid the early prices for the 8s should hold firm to their wanted sale price during this time. These things are durable and as Panasonic says, good for a huge number of shoots (100,000?). There are a lot of commerical shooters out there who just need the cards to do their job and will pay a fair price without haggling. I know, I sold mine to one.
dregenthal
Veteran
Hey, I know how you feel (been there done that, and have the t-shirt to prove it).
I was/am an early adopter so I have the experience of having made a lot of guesses along the way, with equal shares of sucsess and failure. I think you just have to break it all down . . .
1. shooting scenario
For the folks that want to shoot 4 hours of continious footage . . . that camera has yet to be invented. Shorts, features, and docs . . . we already have a host of viable solutions. The HVX-200 adds no degree of difficulty to the "live event" or old soldier's story (in a doc shoot) that did not already exist prior to solid state recording--you still had to change film magazines or video tapes.
I just completed a shoot at Fort Benning, GA. I worked with 4 8GB cards, my laptop, and P2Store for 5 days and never missed a shot (the daily temps BTW, ranged between 100 and 104 degrees during my stay). I uploaded everything to an external G-Tech 500 drive, including what I also left on the P2Store. Some of the footage was priceless but I did not want to invest the time, before returning home, in burning DVD's so I ran down to the local STAPLES and picked up a bus powered USB drive (external for my laptop) for a few dollars . . . this gave me my second copy (on location).
2. editing
I can edit on my laptop easily but unless there is some compelling reason to do so my preference is for my workstation--much more power, tools, and storage. With the number of platforms and NLE's available I would say there are almost too many choices. In fact I recently replaced my DV Rack 2.0 HD capable Toshiba laptop (currently on e*** for $499) for a new, albeit a slower processor, Toshiba that doesn't require an 800 lb gorilla to carry it on the aircraft for me.
3. long term storage
HD's, DVD, Tape (choose your flavor . . . DLT, LTO, video if you can afford to rent/purchase a DVCPROHD deck). I've been using the multiple Hard Drive AND LTO-2 approach and I'm pretty comfortable that it's not all going to fail simultaneously.
Why am I telling you all this stuff that you already know? Because *I think* that there is no "one size fits all" solution for shooting/editing/and storage, but if you think about it a litte and "break it down" in a way that fits your requirements you'll have less stress, probably more sleep (wink!), and live a lot longer.
Best.