External Hard Drive ( HDD ) thread

FCP & PC-based AVID compatible HDD

FCP & PC-based AVID compatible HDD

I'm getting ready to do a 720P shoot and want to make sure that when I dump the P2 cards to my Mac-compatible external drive for my FCP system that I am also able to have the media available to my client's PC-based AVID Media Composer. I understand that if my client installs "Macdrive" software his system will be able to access the drive. My question is, will the AVID see the MXF files and be able to import them? I'm fairly new to the world of P2 and Hi-Def so I could use some good advice.

Thanks.
 
If you eg use P2Genie to offload the P2Cards, the MXFs don´t get altered and should read just fine on an avid system...
But I´m only working with FCP, so maybe an Avid user can clarify....
 
slm54 said:
I'm getting ready to do a 720P shoot and want to make sure that when I dump the P2 cards to my Mac-compatible external drive for my FCP system that I am also able to have the media available to my client's PC-based AVID Media Composer. I understand that if my client installs "Macdrive" software his system will be able to access the drive. My question is, will the AVID see the MXF files and be able to import them? I'm fairly new to the world of P2 and Hi-Def so I could use some good advice.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I believe that if the drive is formated in FAT32, It should be readable by both Macs and PCs.
 
Luzer,

The drive performance does not differ depending on what file system you choose. However, the effeciency of the drive space used will differ. The allocation block size will differ. NTFS is a more effective use of space more so than FAT32 or HFS because it can write to small chunks, thus rendering fewer blocks unused. Specifically, NTFS uses 4k clusters; whereas FAT32 uses 16k clusters.

I don't use apple, so I'm not as well-versed there. But, if this link is accurate; HFS uses 32-bit blocks.

In deciding which file format to utilize, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions. The first has to be in which operating system will you be using the data? If it's only Apple, then the answer is simple, HFS+. In addition to NTFS having the most efficient file storage, it also allows permissions. If you're concerned about someone picking up your hard drive and plugging into their system, you need to use encryption (which is another discussion altogether...Suffice it to say, you can have security, but there is a cost with overhead performance). NTFS has inherent security (without overhead) because you can allow permissions to users or groups of users. According to that page I just referenced, "HFS Plus only supported the standard UNIX file system permissions, however 10.4 introduced support for access control list-based file security, which is designed to be fully compatible with the file permission system used by"... Microsoft NTFS-based operating systems--Windows 2000, Windows XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003, 2008 (not an inclusive list, but you wouldn't want to edit on earlier systems).

I hope that helps.
The bottom line is this:
****Using smaller clusters reduces wasted space on hard disks.****
My personal recommendations:
If you use Apple, format with HFS+
If you use Microsoft OS's, format with NTFS
If you want to read more until your head splits, go here.
 
Firestore Drives

Firestore Drives

Postmaster said:
1. no!

I will never buy anything from Focus again. I am waiting for CINEFORM to relase that recorder.

Frank
Click to expand...

I presently go straight to my hard drive through FCP using firewire to my MBP
and then Esata to my drives, for studio shoots.

Thinking about getting a Firestore drive. Do they work ok?
 
New raid set up to work with SDI capture from a Blackmagic Deck link extreme HD required. Any recommendations from users out there? (For mac and FCP).
 
So here's my dilema. I'm headed out of the country and I'm looking to travel with my my hvx, P2 cards and an external hard drive (no laptop). I plan on dumping all my footage on the external. Does the external need to be re-formatted everytime I'm dumping footage or can I keep dumping footage until it gets filled?
 
Is the Panasonic AJ-PCS- 60G reliable ?

Is the Panasonic AJ-PCS- 60G reliable ?

I've just bought an Panasonic AJ-PCS- 60G hard drive and now I am beginning to get paranoid to use it. It does NOT have a preview screen, so the only way of knowing if you have safely transfered the footage is by "decoding" all the flashing lights. I have tested many times and it does work, but as I got ready to format the P2 card I asked myself if I would be that certain on the set, with expensive and irreplaceable footage. Please, if anyone has used the same model as mine, am I being paranoid?
 
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godamgo said:
So here's my dilema. I'm headed out of the country and I'm looking to travel with my my hvx, P2 cards and an external hard drive (no laptop). I plan on dumping all my footage on the external. Does the external need to be re-formatted everytime I'm dumping footage or can I keep dumping footage until it gets filled?
Click to expand...
You can keep dumping until it gets filled, but....... you are very courageous, my man. Please read my question above, how will you check to see if the footage transfered alright?
 
cinema1965 said:
I've just bought an Panasonic AJ-PCS- 60G hard drive and now I am beginning to get paranoid to use it. It does NOT have a preview screen, so the only way of knowing if you have safely transferred the footage is by "decoding" all the flashing lights. I have tested many times and it does work, but as I got ready to format the P2 card I asked myself if I would be that certain on the set, with expensive and irreplaceable footage. Please, if anyone has used the same model as mine, am I being paranoid?
Click to expand...


I use it but have had errors in transferring. It is pretty reliable, but it fills up fast. 60 gigs is not much when you are shooting HD. I usually try to back up my footage to a 2nd drive just in case. No, you are not being paranoid, just careful. If you can't shoot over, I would recommend backing up to a 2nd drive also.

:happy:

Bill
 
MrBill said:
I use it but have had errors in transferring. It is pretty reliable, but it fills up fast. 60 gigs is not much when you are shooting HD. I usually try to back up my footage to a 2nd drive just in case. No, you are not being paranoid, just careful. If you can't shoot over, I would recommend backing up to a 2nd drive also.

:happy:

Bill
Click to expand...
what would be an alternative option, if I decide to not use it. is there anything "simpler" I can use to upload the P2 into my harddrive? I intend to have someone transfering footage on the set to my computer right away.
 
externals

externals

Fellas,
Is it possible to record directly from HVX 200 to hard drive through FCP without dedicating the entire drive as you do if you directly to hard drive and don't use a laptop ?
 
Well... it's Friday June 26 2009 and as we all know new things come out every day.

I'm looking for a new external 1TB for storage. Any recommendations?

Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, is anyone happy with any recent purchases that they'd like to share before I make my buy?

Thanks,
-Luis-
 
so, to answer my question, it seams that the 2TB WD Studio Edition II is not recognized by the HPX171 for direct file transfer through Firewire (Host Mode). I get the "to many targets" message, and I can't even format it.

Nevertheless it turns out to be a very cheap Raid1 alternative once connected to a Laptop (as I did), for transferring P2 files out of the card.
 
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