Best P2 offloading solution!

Justyn

Justyn

Veteran
Grettings guys. I'm going to be buying a new laptop in the future, but until then I need to get a P2 offloading solution. I really like the idea of those USB on the go drives but just want to get some input on what to buy and why.


so.. what is the best USB on the Go case w/ or w/o harddrive? What harddrive is the best and does it make a difference on the speed?


Has anyone had any success with an ipod? Where can I find a large capacity firewire version?


Finally... what type of SATA/ firewire 800/ RAID system do people recommend for the laptop and the G5. I'd like to start with 500 gigs and move up from there. I have a terrabyte now.. and just need some reliable mobile storage.... and not firewire 400 crap drives... I hate the Lacie.

I've seen some really solid looking metal cases ones here... from OWC I think? What would be the best solution...


Anyone else have some ideas? I'm stuck with 1 P2 card unless I borrow my buddies two cards.. so I need something to stick in my pocket and run... and gun


Thanks all... BTW, the timelapse has gotten under my skin. I find myself looking around for places to set up... And man, last nights sunset was so breathtaking! Thanks YA'LL
 
I'm hoping to find something locally today. Maybe Best buy or Compusa will have it in stock.


The carnies are in town. Carnival tonight.. and it's just so low-rent... so dirty... so gypsie like. I have to shoot it. They have the ferris wheel and all that lovely stuffed animal games and crap... I'm gonna shoot some bearded ladies...


Any help on what to buy would be greatly appreciated! The USB is looking more promising than the firewire now. Anyone confirm this? I also want to hold off on geting a laptop till the macbooks have been out for a while and they have made a PCMCIA adapter for it....

I'll gladly upload the MXF files to someone to convert... I'm also waiting on the universal FCP upgrade.. For 200 bucks I can get FCP 5, DVDSP, Motion 2 and soundtrack pro.. NOW THAT"S a Deal. Anyone know when that's scheduled to ship?
 
justyn,

you can get various firewire ipods here: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...sB/0.0.19.1.0.8.63.0.0.0.0.0.0.3.1.1.0?112,66

although from what i read they're very slow hard drives and will need to format the ipod for transferring.

for firewire 800 drives, it seems the g-raids are the most popular and reliable ones. if you want to save money, you can get the owc mercury elite pro-al raid for $340 compared to the g-raid at $500. i will be going the g-raid route in the near future...unless the sata pcmcia card from firmtek(http://www.firmtek.com/seritek/seritek-1sm2/) proves to be reliable for external sata raids. if you feel comfy enough, you can pick up one of those macgurus sata enclosure which start at $136(http://www.macgurus.com/productpages/sata/satakits.php) and a couple of hitachi 250gig sata drives from newegg andstill be close in price to a firewire 800 drive. i was going to recommend a cool drives sata enclosure but it seems like those guys are scumbags over there and for some reason don't have a website no longer. as well as they have bad ratings over at resellerratings.com.

i'm currently offloading my p2 cards w/ a1.5ghz powerbook w/ an owc firewire on the go firewire 800/400/usb bus powered drive. notice that offloading p2 footage is about similar w/ firewire 400(3:46) and 800(3:41).

hope this helps...good luck!
 
Thanks boo. That's what I"m going to do as well. I'm just looking for a cheap G4 right now and I'll get the macbook later in the summer. I'd rather buy 2 more P2 cards and be swapping than streaming to a laptop in location for sometimes an hour or more..

Good info on the drives.. I do like to also find out the skinny on scumbags ahead of time. And that's why this site is so valuable right now.
 
boo said:
i'm currently offloading my p2 cards w/ a1.5ghz powerbook w/ an owc firewire on the go firewire 800/400/usb bus powered drive. notice that offloading p2 footage is about similar w/ firewire 400(3:46) and 800(3:41).

hope this helps...good luck!
Click to expand...

But the powerbook 15" does have a PCMCIA slot so you can just sleve a P2 card in and continue shooting with another card cant you?
 
Guys.. thanks for the input. A new development has come to pass. I now have a 2 day gig shooting a racing car at the 12 hours at seabring this thursday and friday. I think I worked a deal to get the P2store.

I'd be running and gunning with no place to set up a laptop.. nor time to stream to a drive. I need to rotate 3 cards.. which 2 I'm borrowing. The P2store is a viable option right now for what I need to do. Then when I've filled up the drive... that's when I can have it offloaded in the media room.

I have set up my own local P2 daycare/loan program. My good friend Jethro... Yes that's his name. Has bought an HVX.. actually got it on January 27th instead of me.. bought 2 4 gig cards. I'll let him borrow the one card I have and the P2 store in exchange for using his....


Believe me, I'm looking at the dollars and cents that are going on the credit cards and it's scary. I'd like to be getting gigs that pay instead of gigs that allow me to buy more gear.. Know what I mean, but shoot I haven't even had the camera a week and made some cash which went right back into gear. I did get to shoot some amazing crap last night at the carnival.. more in another thread later on. Just amazing footage and I have to wait to get the new FCP. Amazing 60p footage of a merry-go-round .. and also footage of me getting kicked out....

Guys.. It was friggin pricless. The guy at the carnival asked for that tape and in all seriousness I had to tell him that there wasn't any tape. It was unbelivable.. but sad that my camera will never be able to pass for a tourist camera. I'll bring out the old trusty GL1 for that... I so sold on this little beauty...


So now.. in my question. What do people feel about the P2store? Any reviews?
 
Last edited:
Justyn said:
So now.. in my question. What do people feel about the P2store? Any reviews?
Click to expand...


I was the Preacher IN the choir for the laptop off load solution, but now I feel the P2 store is the only solution. It just works better with less gear, and NO power cords to trip over, or laptops to get stolen or broken.

I just posted a post about maybe trying to change the hard drive for a 160 gig drive. That would give me 300 minutes plus 60 minutes (3 8gig P2 cards) of shooting time.

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY?
 
Hornet.. Thanks for that info... I'm thinking the same thing. It's just not feasible with a one person operation.. and I don't have the need nor the time to involve that extra hassel.. I also love that this will use the same batteries as the Hvx too..


Also, Is it heavy? Do you wear it on your belt? Does it erase the card after it's offloaded and then pop it up ready to insert? Do you think I'd be fine with 3 cards for shooting a few hours before a break?


Thanks for any and all info on what to get in addition.. and all that jazz
 
"Guys.. It was friggin pricless. The guy at the carnival asked for that tape and in all seriousness I had to tell him that there wasn't any tape. It was unbelivable.. but sad that my camera will never be able to pass for a tourist camera. "

Good friends are pricless too. Good luck, and you better put a empty DV tape in, for if you run in troubles and they demand the tape. You can give them ...something.
 
Justyn said:
Hornet.. Thanks for that info... I'm thinking the same thing. It's just not feasible with a one person operation.. and I don't have the need nor the time to involve that extra hassel.. I also love that this will use the same batteries as the Hvx too..


Also, Is it heavy? Do you wear it on your belt? Does it erase the card after it's offloaded and then pop it up ready to insert? Do you think I'd be fine with 3 cards for shooting a few hours before a break?


Thanks for any and all info on what to get in addition.. and all that jazz
Click to expand...


No it is not heavy, about the weight of a dress shoe., and the size of a brick.

You can't wear it on your belt, too large, no mouning attatchments, and movement may disturb the write process, but I doubt it.

It will be fine with 3 cards, although I would use 8 gig or you will be constantly in rotation.

It doesn't really erase the card, just reposition the bits to think it is empty, and thus re-writable. That makes the process take a few seconds instead of minutes.
That process is a two button process to avoid potential mistakes.
 
Ahh.. That's disappointing. I thought I read that its designed to go on your belt.. or be mounted on the camera... Sounds a bit big.. but really the only solution that I have right now. Somehow I feel safer in this than a laptop.. and not sure about the firestore and all the other bizness! come on products... hurry up and get on out there!
 
It's impossible not too look like a dork with a fanny pack.... but that would be my idea as well. I die laughing every time I see my buddy wear his fanny pack in the front... Like some friggin leather codpiece...

I'm gonna buy the p2store tomorrow... Or more appropriately, captial one is gonna buy it tomorrow and I'm gonna sketch on out to Columbia and change my name to Julio Valdez... Juan's half coffee drinking bro...
 
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