Downloading for the first time with an older computer

2

2000lux

Member
I'm renting an HVX for a shoot this tomorrow. I've never had to deal with the joys of data transferring. I was wondering if you would answer a few questions?

1. Will my Powerbook G4 be able to handle the data transfer? It does have a port for the P2 cards. I want to put the data on an external hard drive, may be two.

2. I hear there is a program on the Panasonic site one can download to look at the clips with out having to open them in FCP or whatever (I have FCP 5.04). What's it called?

3. I was told FCP 5.14 might be enough if I can upgrade.

4. If I record in 720P 24P Native, will my client have any trouble with the footage when they load it on to a 29.97 frame time line? Will it be sped up, or will FCP fill in the pull down frames? Should I shoot it in regular 24P?

5. The person I'm renting from only has two 8 GB cards. How long will they last at 720 / 24P Native? I'm thinking I should I rent an extra just to be safe so we don't have to dump one in the middle of the interview.

6. If one card fills up and the camera starts recording on the second card, will that create any problems? Do I need to stop the camera and start again on the second card? I know it's supposed to be seamless. However, a friend said she had some issues with this last year, getting the two to marry. Will the camera tell me when the card is just about full so I can stop it and start recording on the next card?

Bonus question: If I was to shoot with an EX 1/3, is there an adapter I could use with my computer so I don't have to buy a new computer?

I have a sinking feeling that if I want to shoot HD, I'm going to have to buy a new computer even though this one is otherwise perfectly good. :(
 
You'll have no problem what so ever in downloading from the HVX to the Apple Powerbook G4, remember its only data transfer. Out of interest I reguarly use an iBook G4 for offloading and even editing of DVCPROHD 1080p. OK you get some stutter but as a cheap field tool its fantastic. The application on the Panasonic website that you're probably talking about is P2CMS. Yes I would recommend it over FCP as it stores all of your footage in a database so is easier to find and index. Also it keeps the original file with all the clips Metadata .FCP mucks about with it and deletes the Metadata =8O

Not sure about FCP 5.14 I think that you should be O.K!

You'll get 32 minutes record time out of 2x8Gb P2 cards in 720p/n

Once one card is full it was automatically start recording on the free card spanning any clip between the cards. The full card could be taken out and offloaded if required.
Cheers

Indy.....
 
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