hvx as a host to hdd

Paul Llewellyn

Paul Llewellyn

Well-known member
Reading the PAL manual it says that the hdd has to be formatted before anything can be transferred and that formatting will wipe the hdd. I'm getting a g-raid so will be able to start fresh which is good. A bit of a pain for those who didnt count on getting a new hdd.

The hdd only has to be formatted once, right? We can keep adding video time and time again until the hdd is full? I feel really dumb for asking, I just want to be sure.
 
Yes the hard disk is formatted once in FAT32 and will have a limit of the card dumps you're going to be able to make because in each dump, the camera creates a corresponding partition and there's a limit to the number of partitions you can make on the drive. I think that these rules do not apply when using usb2 otg but you loose the verify function.

Why do you want to use the g-raid for dumping? You can use a cheaper solution like a battery or ac powered usb 2 OTG enclosure to dump the cards.
 
it's for editing. I was thinking to unload direct to the raid to edit. Is this nto right. There are so many options that I feel like I'm losing the plot.
If usb works and is cheap then why spend so much on a p2store. Or am I thinking off into the stars?

How about when offloading to a laptop. does the partitioning apply then? I need to read this manual fully.
 
No, offloading to a laptop does not partition or format anything because the machine is the host, not the HVX. The p2 store is not only an external disk but also a p2 (pcmcia) reader on which you can directly offload your cards without using the HVX (i.e on a constant shoot cycling the cards) with a touch of button.

I believe it's better (though slower) to offload to a separate external usb disk than to use the g-raid, it is overkill for that purpose, and you risk damaging your editing disks while on the field...
 
Thanks for this. I havent looked into usb for offloading. For out in the field would youprefer it to a laptop. What size storage for usb?
 
Well, I don't think I'm going to need more than a 60gb drive for a day's shoot of 720p but others could need more.
Well a laptop is always good to be on the field because it can play alot of roles (i.e a production monitor, quick test edits, clip viewing etc.) besides being an offloading machine, however carrying a laptop is not always possible as you may already know...
 
I am not sure if i m getting your question right paul,
But if you are not talking about the p2 store and you just wanna offload your p2 card, i would suggest you not to do it through the camcorder, but using a pcmcia slot(at the laptop for example.)
This way there wount be any partion issues at all as long as i understand.(despite the fat32 limitation, but this is a limitation in generely and not due to the p2..!)
 
Called again 1 hour ago and they told me that all they know is that the shipment will arrive first week of april, however they will not be suprised if it arrives next week. So now all I have to do is wait b, Oh and no 8gb cards for now nor 4's, All will arrive along (I'll get one 4GB) with the HVX shipment.
 
Coming in late on this, but:

If you're offloading from the camera via firewire to a G-raid, that's not an effective use of space at all. The camera formats the drive, and then allows a maximum of 15 partitions to be offloaded. If you're using 4gb cards that means the most you can offload is 60gb. The rest of the space on the drive will remain unused. If using 8gb cards you should be able to offload 120gb, but any additional space on the drive won't be used.
 
Thanks Barry,

Since starting this thread I went back and found your whole usb2 adventure. I think I'm going to be safe and go for a basic Laptop for offloading.
 
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