Hard drive connection question.

R

rhodesb3

Member
Hi, I just purchased a 200a. It came without P2 cards, so I have some basic questions..

1. Should I get the E series P2 cards? Is it worth the extra $ for the original cards?

2. Is there a way to record directly to a computer or hard drive, without buying the firestore?

3. I have a computer without a mini firewire port. What is the most common way users are connecting their cameras to hard drives to dump P2 data? Do you use a mini firewire to 800 cable?

Thanks, and I apologize for the newb questions!!
 
1. Depends on much you intend to shoot.

2. Yes, and you don't even need a NLE.

I can't answer further without some details about what computer, what OS, and NLE you use.

And you can transfer p2 volumes to computers using the USB connect mode.

Remember, we can't see your computer from here.
 
Hi David,

I have a current macbook pro, which has an 800 connector, no 400. It does have an ExpressCard/34 slot.

I would say that I would be shooting a moderate amount. What I wish I could do would be to just record directly to a hard drive, without a computer. I gather that that isn't possible, as the firestore exists for a reason.
 
unless you fill and reformat a card several times, every single day, the e-series cards should be fine.

as the firestore exists for a reason.
Click to expand...

i appreciate your good attitude ; ) a lot of new folks get all pissy because they cant do that. and act like we're all just lazy and havent figured it out. and you are correct. you cannot record directly to a hard drive. you can record to a hard drive connected to a computer, and you can dump a card directly to a hard drive. but not SHOOT to one.
 
You can record to a hdd connected directly to the camera. It must be FireWire and it must have it's own power source, and it must be formatted by the camera.

Look up 1394 Host mode.
 
Programs for the Mac to allow you to record directly out firewire in all modes except pN include Scopebox, HD Monitor, and onLocation.

But you will need the DVCProHD codecs installed to do this
 
Programs for the Mac to allow you to record directly out firewire in all modes except pN include Scopebox, HD Monitor, and onLocation.
Click to expand...
doesnt FCP do it as well?
 
its pretty good practice to stay away from ANYTHING you can buy at officemax/staples/bestbuy

i use products from trusted, media-focused companies like caldigit, owc, glyph, promax, etc. id also steer clear of lacie. some people swear by them. i swear AT them. i have owned two and both irrepairably corrupted my data on contact.

80% of my production drives are owc mercury elite.
single drive models:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
raid models:
http://eshop.macsales.com/Customized_Pages/Framework.cfm?page=mepal_splash_raid.html

i usually get the "quad interface" versions. so im ready for whatever connection type i need.

 
If I wanted to record direclty to a drive, no computer, which would you recommend? Is there one with a mini fw jack, or do I need to get a mini to 400/800? And it has to have its own power supply, correct?

What is the preferred rpm?

Thanks again for dealing with newb q&A...




80% of my production drives are owc mercury elite.
single drive models:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB
raid models:
http://eshop.macsales.com/Customized_Pages/Framework.cfm?page=mepal_splash_raid.html

i usually get the "quad interface" versions. so im ready for whatever connection type i need.

[/quote]
 
Dick Campbell wrote:
You can record to a hdd connected directly to the camera. It must be FireWire and it must have it's own power source, and it must be formatted by the camera.
Click to expand...
im sorry, i THINK dick is mistaken on this. AFAIK, you cannot RECORD to a connected hdd, just offload what youve already shot onto P2 cards.
 
long and short of it.

NO. you cannot record straight to a hard drive without a computer. as you said. thats what firestores do.
YES. you can connect a hard drive to your camera to offload footage youve shot to your P2 card
YES. you can shoot to a computer (most advisably with an external hard drive connected) using one of the several programs david and i mentioned.

you can connect your camera to a computer via usb or firewire to offload your P2 footage
if you have a laptop (or desktop) with a pcmcia slot, you can (in 90% of cases) insert a P2 card directly into it for transferring
if you have a laptop (or desktop) with NO pcmcia slot, you will have to use one of the variety of firewire, usb, expresscard, etc adapters. these adapters run from just over $100 to nearly $2000 or more. there are various compatability issues. so research before you buy

if you have a macbook pro and want to use the duel adapter you must use an OS version PRIOR to snow leopard.

that covers the broad points i think.
 
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