Ann: New Mac P2 offload software. Beta testers needed....

Anders Holck

Anders Holck

Well-known member
Update
Ok, P2 Genie v1 is available:

http://p2genie.andersholck.com

You can download a full featured demo (limited to 15 sessions) or support the development and buy the registered version for €25, using credit card or a PayPal account.

The final interface for v1 looks like this:
Picture%207.png


Feel free to try it out!

(The "Use single Folder" option is not active in this version, but will be in an point update later. I had some last minute issues that I want to iron out first)





After 14 days with the Hvx-200e, 2 x 4GB cards (and a few days with the P2 store) I got tired of backing up the cards and partitions. Not to mention an endless amount of renaming.

Well, my solution is a small utility I call P2 Genie.
Basically it takes all mounted P2 cards and P2 store partitions and copies them to a selectable destination. The smart thing is that it will automatically copy each P2 item to a unique folder at this destination, with an incrementing reel number. You can set the starting reel number by typing it or use the + and - buttons. The last reel will be remembered when you quit the utility so you can continue the sequence when you relaunch it.
When it is done you can eject all P2 cards and partitions by a single button.

Here is a screenshot of the current beta build:
Beta4Teaser.jpg

Upcoming Beta 4




And some of the older builds:
b3a.jpg

Beta 3


b2b.jpg

Beta 2


b2a.jpg

Beta 2


P2 Genie.jpg

Beta 1
The left finder window shows the P2 partitions on a P2 store, the right one shows my selected destination, where I have already backed up 2 cards in another session.
The P2 Genie window is the center one. It has detected all 5 P2 partitions and if you click start backup it will copy the 5 partitions to the folders: 25, 26, 27 ,28, 29.

Send me a private message if you are interested in testing it...
 
Last edited:
Interesting. I'm still trying to grasp exactly what you are doing...I have the basic idea.

What I want is the ability to do this IN camera, and then have it translate to the P2 Store under the same method.

Til then, I opt not to use the P2 Store.
 
As I don't have the P2 store yet (I tried a borrowed unit for a few days) I offload directly to my Powerbook using the cardbus slot.
Using my utility I just awake the powerbook insert the P2 card and click "start Backup", keep shooting and when it's done, I eject the card.
No need to fiddle in the finder.

The last two features I'm implementing is verify and automatic emptying of the cards. With that in place it's a one-click system.
 
Anders Holck said:
As I don't have the P2 store yet (I tried a borrowed unit for a few days) I offload directly to my Powerbook using the cardbus slot.
Using my utility I just awake the powerbook insert the P2 card and click "start Backup", keep shooting and when it's done, I eject the card.
No need to fiddle in the finder.

The last two features I'm implementing is verify and automatic emptying of the cards. With that in place it's a one-click system.
Click to expand...


Brilliant!!!

Figure how to get it to dump the card and its genius.

My only suggestion...is that only having one roll per 4gb card, is a bit of a waste. Anyway to get at least 2 or 3 cards into one roll?

I very much like where you are going with this, bravo.
 
Nice work. I'd love to try it.

I'm using four 8GB cards and a P2 Store. Most days I end up only using the two to four cards (170 minutes of 720/24PN). Then I load them directly into a Powerbook. I'm migrating to a Macbook Pro and will need to use the P2 Store more as the intermediate reader. Currently I find keeping track of the shot order a bit tricky. File names sometimes get recycled and SMPTE time some times gets out of order. I need to be very careful about copying the cards in the order they were used. Anything that can help keep this all more organized will be a huge help.
 
I would LOVE the ablity to put everything in one folder. too many partitions too many folders, too many clips.. too confusing..
 
Anders, great idea. While have cam this weekend to test.
Would love to test your app on my PBG4. Will send PM.

Best
 
Great response...
I will make a new beta build which will function for 14 days, (I will get an update out before that) and send out to you guys.
 
Well done. I knew someone would do something like this sooner than later. I was thinking about writing something for Windows to do the same thing, though I'm pretty firmly sticking with the Mac from here out.
 
Anders,
Great job! I was wondering if your utility will also format the P2 card instead of having to do it in camera or in a P2 Store? Thanks.
 
Hi Anders,

I PM'd you but got no reply?

Have you filled the Beta Tester Spaces?

Regards

Rich
 
I will send everyone that PM's me a demo build.

As I'm busy today and tomorrow you should recieve it sunday the latest, Danish time.
 
Hi Anders, any news on the beta test? I have a shoot on wed. (usa time) and would love to take my laptop any your software along with a P2store on the shoot.


best,

Chris
 
Ok, everyone I have emailed the beta to everyone who send me a private message with an email address.

If you didn't receive it and still want to test, please send me a PM at this board or an email at p2genie(at)andersholck.com, but you must provide an email address.
 
This sounds like a great idea. I'm shooting a short film this weekend and would love to try it out...

Thanks,
 
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