Connecting a HVX200 to a MAC BOOK.

M

Michael Pick

Active member
I recently won a Macbook with 250GB and 2GB of RAM. I would like to dedicate this computer to video editing with my HVX200 camcorder. What type of cord or card reader would be the best way to transfer my P2 card files from my camcorder to my computer.

I've been reading the forums and I found 3 of the most common ways to upload P2 cards to a computer.

1. USB (Which is VERY slow.)

2. 1394 FireWire (Is this faster than the P2 card reader?)

3. External P2 card reader. (Which is the best way to go?)

Also, I'll be using Final Cut Pro if that makes any difference.
 
really, your ONLY options with a macbook are:

1. usb - (i dont think macbooks even have firewire ports) usb works great but your camera is left useless for shooting while transferring the cards

2. external p2 readers? - i dont know of any that are compatible with a macbook. and standalone readers like the panasonic p2 store are way too expensive for their paltry storage size...

3. direct to an external drive. but really this option isnt much better than usb to your macbook... other than max storage space...

i dont think a non-pro model macbook has an express card slot? if it does, you can use the duel adapter... which would BY FAR be the best option

i say sell your macbook, and get a macbook pro
 
Last edited:
wgzn said:
really, your ONLY options with a macbook are:

1. usb - (i dont think macbooks even have firewire ports) usb works great but your camera is left useless for shooting while transferring the cards
Click to expand...

Yes, my MacBook does have a FireWire connection. Take a look at the following pictures.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj59/The_Deer_Hunter/IMG_0028-1.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj59/The_Deer_Hunter/IMG_0030.jpg

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj59/The_Deer_Hunter/IMG_0031.jpg
 
firewire400 is not fast enough to edit dvcproHD - at least not happily. and im not sure that the internal drive of a non-pro model macbook is fast enough either...

you can transfer footage via 400 just fine. but from my experience its not fast enough to edit (via similarly connected hard drive) from.
not trying to pee on your picnic. just passing on what ive heard.
 
I keep my ancient g4 17" powerbook around because I can still plop a P2 card right into the side and transfer to a FW800, then edit in FCP 6.0

Sometimes old is useful.
 
Matt, he has a MAC BOOK...not MAC BOOK PRO. So the Duel Adapter won't work. ONly options are USB and Firewire, and in this case, only the camera can be used, or the P2 Gear ($4000) or Panasonic 5-card reader ($2000).

And FW400 is fine for editing DVCPRO HD...if you shoot 720p 24PN. Heck, I can do it off of my 5400 RPM bus powered FW drive.

The MacBook is not idea for this kind of editing...but it will work. Just have to use the camera for offloading. Or shell out $2000 for a P2 card reader. or get a used Powerboo G4 with PCMCIA slot or PC laptop with the same slot...and dedicate those as P2 offload machines.
 
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