Is HVX practical for concerts?

. . . I have heard reports that large sound pressure levels can make the unit a bit dodgey. . . . I would recommend going P2 all the way. FS are good when you have a chance to reshoot stuff if the unit has a moment :) . P2 is rock solid.

I agree that P2 is solid. Our few experiences (rent before buying) were bad experiences. One the FS100 lost the camera just before shoot time and on that camera we lost all the footage and of course it was the MAIN camera not the B roll side AND another was a wrong setting on the FS100 and we ended up recording a codec format that was on the menu which NOT EVEN Firestore supports (thanks Edius for bailing us out on that one) AND a dying battery during the shoot that we didn't have a clue was happening . . . and thus . . . 3 for 3 was enough for us to say . . seek another solution . . P2 - YES !!
 
Firestores are not that good unless you're on a tripod, and tethered to a wall socket/power generator. the batteries that come with them are tiny, and even the replacement batteries are a bit unreliable. They are fragile as all get-out, too. FS are optical drives, so if you somehow drop that sucker, it's toast. Not to mention they have inputs/outputs on them that you have to be careful not to bump, or you've ruined the connection.

it's awesome to have all that space to record, but i think they need a little more work to perfect. you're better off using either using your HVX200 as tethered to a computer, or just using a duel adapter from duel-systems in San Jose to download your footage from your express card slot . They are cheap and effective... running your pockets for about 119.99 each. that's a lot better than the $1500+ hard drive that Panasonic offers.
 
...AND with the free Panasonic download software, you can Format the card when offloaded.

I MUST get this software. My biggest unresolved issue has been not being able to format the cards during swap-out scenarios without interrupting the shooter. I see this software on the Panasonic website (P2 card format station?) Is it compatible with the Duel adapter?

Also, does the camera firmware for 16G cards work with the 32G cards or must I update the camera again?

thanks again, tom
 
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As far as I know it WILL format via the adapter as it looks for and finds the P2 card and formats it thusly. Takes about 5 to 12 seconds (PCMCIA) but be patient for it to finish (takes a couple steps) and when it is totally finished it will say Operation Complete (or something similiar :o)

Regarding the P2 16GB update matter, from what I recall reading, that took care of the 32GB also, it was for 16GB and above. But maybe someone else can jump in here to be certain but I do recall reading that.
 
The Panasonic site only lists Windows as OS for the formatter. Trying to remember, but I think this is why I never had it before.

What solutions exist for MAC that can format and possibly assist with offloading P2?
 
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