Dump footage to portable USB HDD?

Jaime Valles

Jaime Valles

Veteran
Hi, all! Quick question: Can you plug in an external, portable USB Hard Drive directly to the HMC150 in order to dump footage from the SDHC cards without the use of a computer? I don't want to record to HDD, just dump pre-recorded footage without having to lug a laptop or a NextoDI "smart" drive.

If it is possible, can you use bus-powered USB drives, or would the drive need another power source (A/C adapter or external battery)?

Thanks! :)
 
You will need a dedicated powered source, and wouldn't be transfering from the camera, so no need for cords from camera to device.

You would be transfering from cards to device.

They do make devices to transfer footage from SDHC cards to devices with internal hard drives,
but personally I have never purchased one due to the fact that I have purchased enough SDHC cards that I don't need to do transfer on site, and that also eliminates the possibility of other failures.
 
jrv i have an external hard drive with usb, I really doubt you can dump from the card in the camera, but i will test it in a bit and let you know for sure
 
This is possible with the 200, 200a, and 170, but I don't think you can do this with the 150.

Given the inexpensive cost of the SDHC cards, it would not make much sense.

Buy a dedicated SDHC reader instead. Several mentioned in this forum
 
David S. said:
Given the inexpensive cost of the SDHC cards, it would not make much sense.

Buy a dedicated SDHC reader instead. Several mentioned in this forum
Click to expand...
Generally speaking, you're right. The cost of SDHC cards is so low, it's almost not worth it.

However, I'm often shooting footage for a producer who wants to take the footage with him after the event is done, but I want to keep the SDHC cards with me. It would be very convenient to be able to just plug in a cheap, off-the-shelf USB hard drive and transfer the footage straight into it from the card still in the camera. Otherwise, I'd need to lug around a laptop with an SDHC card reader and a portable USB HDD. This is what I'm trying to avoid.

Maybe it's not the best way, though. A NextoDI "intelligent" portable HDD with a built-in SDHC card reader does what I'm describing, and even has a "verify" function, so maybe that's the better workflow. But those drives are way more expensive than a regular 'ol USB HDD, which is why I started this thread.
 
In that case, you might want to consider picking up a cheap 9" netbook (you can get a Dell Mini-9 for $250). The SSDs are only 8GB so you wouldn't be storing anything on there, but maybe buy a few more SD readers and cards (it also has an integrated SD reader) and just make direct copies over to other cards.

The batteries are good for I think 4 hours, so you can just grab the netbook and run - they're surprisingly small & light. :)

*edit*
Just saw one on the Dell outlet (refurbished) for $189
 
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Ya sorry been a little backed up but when I get home today I'm going to test it out and let you know. Because it would help me out a lot also..
 
As I said, this possible with p2 cards because there is a way for the cam to format the HDD, which is required to properly partition the HDD.

I don't see any menu settings to accomplish this with the 150
 
David S. said:
As I said, this possible with p2 cards because there is a way for the cam to format the HDD, which is required to properly partition the HDD.

I don't see any menu settings to accomplish this with the 150
Click to expand...
Ah, I see. I wasn't aware that only the P2 camera have have that ability. Thanks for the clarification!
 
jrv3034 said:
Maybe it's not the best way, though. A NextoDI "intelligent" portable HDD with a built-in SDHC card reader does what I'm describing, and even has a "verify" function, so maybe that's the better workflow. But those drives are way more expensive than a regular 'ol USB HDD, which is why I started this thread.
Click to expand...

Ive seem them without the HDD on Ebay for $180-200 for off brands... Anyone have any experience with these readers?

I really like the 9" laptop idea, your right with a SD reader built in... you plug in your USB HDD and copy over the files! Wonder how long that would take to copy over a full 16gb class 6 (20mbs) card to a USB 2.0 HDD (480mbs). Anyone?
 
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The panasonic battery powered HD that came with the AG-HSC1u shows up on eBay all the time... they usually sell way under $100. But, they only hold 40 gig... might as well have 3 16GB cards....
 
VIDInc_Houston_TX said:
Hi All...VID Inc here

I just received word...the new Panasonic end user rebate is going to make some happy and some not...

FREE 1pc 16GB SDHC Card...this replaces the promotion of FREE 1 pc 8GB SDHC card and FREE 1pc Battery
Click to expand...

Rather have more battery power since my options are so limited... SDHC is cheap enough.
 
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