Mac Users: Stop Deleting The Contents Directory

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Barry_Green

Moderator
Hey, here's a red alert for Mac users: the firmware has changed in the cameras, and that means that you might have to adopt a slightly different workflow!

Mac computers don't allow formatting the P2 cards, so Mac users have frequently been just deleting the CONTENTS directory (and executing a force-delete). THAT WON'T WORK ANYMORE.

The new firmware won't recognize a P2 card unless it has that directory structure. If you do that, the camera won't recognize the card, and will instead display a message like "FORMAT ERR" or "DIRECTORY NG". This is, IINM, why the current version of P2 Genie's erasing of cards can't be used anymore either. They'll have to update P2 Genie to erase all the files within the directories, while keeping the directory structure extant. Until they do that, don't use P2 Genie's "erase" feature with a current-firmware camera.

Formatting the cards works fine in the P2 Store, or P2 Gear, or in camera. The question comes up when we're talking about hot-swapping cards for continuous recording. This is where you may need to adopt a slightly different workflow, because deleting everything off the card simply won't work anymore.

For Windows users, just use the "format" option; it'll do what you need.

For Mac users, you cannot just delete all the directories anymore. What you need to do is use P2CMS, select all the clips and then delete them. That'll erase all the files while preserving the directory structure. P2CMS is a free download.
 
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Barry:

Any clue why the manual for the Mac version includes a format command, but the application does not?
 
I'm still a few firmware revisions behind -- what's the last version that this isn't an issue for?

I offload using GNU/Linux by hooking the camera up via USB, so I can't use the P2 Viewer's format command. I could just write a script that would only delete the appropriate files (and keep the directory structure intact), but I'd like to have the option not too if I can.

Also, has anyone verified if the camera will let you downgrade to a previous firmware? Or are you stuck once you've upgraded?
 
i'm not sure i understand what's going on here.

formatting the P2 cards has always worked fine on my mac. You just have to unlock the lastclip.txt file, then trash everything & empty the trash, voila.

if the directory structure is required, then why would formatting work in windows?
 
You're not formatting; that's the point. You're just erasing the card -- getting rid of all the data.

That worked before the most recent firmware upgrade, but it no longer works (though it will continue to work if you haven't updated your firmware). There needs to be an existing directory structure on the card, or the camera can't read it. Just erasing the disc -- trashing all the folders -- doesn't get the job done. The various folders (Contents, Video, Audio, Clip, Icon, Etc.) all need to be there.

When you do a Format in Windows, Windows creates the directory structure.
 
no it doesn't. that's nonsense. windows doesn't create directory structures when it formats. i've formatted a million hard drives and they it is empty when it finishes.
 
Correct -- the Windows format utility works in connection with the P2 driver, so when you format a P2 card in Windows it creates the proper directory structure.
 
mrWr0ng said:
formatting the P2 cards has always worked fine on my mac. You just have to unlock the lastclip.txt file, then trash everything & empty the trash, voila.
Click to expand...

That won't work anymore. Lots of people used to do what you describe, and that's why they're running into problems. The new firmware won't recognize a card if it doesn't have the complete CONTENTS directory structure. If you delete the CONTENTS directory, the card won't work. You'll HAVE to format it in-camera in order to make it a valid card again.

The new firmware means that the old shortcut method of erasing cards won't work anymore.

If you only have the old firmware you won't notice any change, but if you start using 16GB cards or later you'll find out that what you used to do won't work anymore.
 
Has anyone with Mac tried copying the CONTENTS folder of an empty but HVX-formatted P2 card to their hard drive, and putting that back on the card after formatting/erasing it?
 
No. But I'll give it a try tomorrow.

What I will do is format a p2. Copy to the desktop

shoot, copy and then tried copying the empty back
 
Wowzers this all so new to me. So from what I am hearing in camera, select all clips and just delete them? That will keep the contents folder intact allowing the mac and camera to work with the card but still be emptied? Forgive me newbie questions, but I like to know this sort of stuff instead of getting a migraine later. lol
 
In camera, just format the card.

Shoot your footage, then use P2CMS to copy the contents off to your computer. Then, either use P2CMS to select all the clips and delete them or, if you're not hot-swap recording, you can just put the full card back in the camera and format it.
 
So really to capture the footage, plug in the camera with the card, use cms to copy files to hardrive, and then delete clips using same program? sheesh am i new at this camera or what? lol
 
It's a different world, once you move into the tapeless/file-based workflow. But it's also a one-way path, because once you get used to it you'll never want to go back to tape! :thumbsup:
 
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