After you are finished with the SD card

Phil B

Active member
After you are finished with the footage that is on the SD card what do you do with the card to get it ready for the next shoot.

Do You

a) Use the Delete All function in the PB Mode?

or
b) Just reformat the card?

Just wondering if one is better than the other....

Thanks
Phil
 
I don't know which one is better but I normally just delete all files on the card.

I don't reformat the card everytime I use it but if/after I delete a number of files I'll reformat the card either in camera or via my computer.

So far I've used and abused my "main" 16 gig card many times and I have not run into any troubles.
Yet.....
 
Format will erase everything, including scene files, user files, and metadata files. Delete All will delete just the video clips.
 
Of course. But, establishing habits will keep you from torching your files later, when you actually do have them. First time I tried an HMC150 I used "format" because that's what you do with P2, and heck, I blew away all my scene files and metadata files that I had saved out for analysis. I learned pretty quick that the "delete all" seems to be the preferred workflow. Of course, if you never intend to use scene files or metadata files or user files, and you never intend to use your SD card for any other purpose (still photos, moving files around, whatever) then you could just use "format" but... why? Delete All is infinitely safer, won't erase everything else on the card, and ... well, it just seems to me to be a good habit to get into.
 
Thanks for the info....

I just got 3 of these cameras and I am just barerly starting to use them. So for right now I am not using any of the Scene Files or metadata. These will be used mainly for wedding so I am honestly not sure if I will use that stuff. Hopefully as I get more use to the idea of NO tape and a completely different work flow I can use more of the features. I think I will just get into the Habit of using Delete instead of Format...

Thanks again. The help is appreciated...

Phil
 
I would assume most people store their scene files in the camera and use the scene file dial (F-1 to F-6) to access them. Otherwise, what would you use the dial for?

Do you think that formatting the card can be a safeguard to prevent data corruption? I have a buddy on FCP who just lost a wedding because the SDHC corrupted when FCP locked up during transfer.

One last related question; how do you make the camera give custom MTS file names? I.E. Barrywedding0001.MTS, etc.
 
Data Corruption scares the heck out of me. I am going to transfer all my cards to two external HDD after the shoot... I just registered two of my camera today and I noticed on Panasonics PASS Site https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/p2ui/Login.do;jsessionid=FE44CBF8D5865F07974F6E8B6170D551
that there is a utility called AVCCAM Restorer. I have no idea what it is supposed to do or how well it works but it is on there and may be worth a look for your buddy...

Phil
 
... I noticed on Panasonics PASS Site https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/p2ui/Login.do;jsessionid=FE44CBF8D5865F07974F6E8B6170D551
that there is a utility called AVCCAM Restorer. I have no idea what it is supposed to do or how well it works but it is on there and may be worth a look for your buddy...

Phil

He tried it with no luck. He is going to try a data restoration firm.

Im on Vegas so Im not sure why FCP wants to feed off the camera. It certainly turns ugly when you have a lockup.

Thankfully, I have never had a data problem except a few times with clips that the camera quickly repaired. I understand what Barry is saying, but I format before every shoot to be as safe as possible. Losing a wedding is disaster.
 
After I've copied the card structure to to separate HD's, then trancoded and scrubbed the AVI files to see if they're ok, I just reformat the card each time.
 
you could just use "format" but... why? Delete All is infinitely safer, won't erase everything else on the card, and ... well, it just seems to me to be a good habit to get into.

I copy everything from the card to the computer, so I don't lose anything by formatting.
 
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