Need Help Transfering Footage from P2 (HPX-170) to Computer or Hard Drive.

N

NYCfilmer

New member
I just bought a HPX-170 and I feel way out of my depth. I've been using a DVX-100 for years and assumed that the transfer process would be quicker and easier... now I think I don't even have the right equipment to do it!
I am using a PC running Windows 7. I also have a My Book Essential external Hard drive.

First, I'm confused about the whole "ferrite core" snap ons to the wire. My DVX used firewire but now I have to use USB 2 for the HPX... and double wrap the wire in the core? And if I want to transfer files to the MY Book, I'd have to reformat the harddrive (if I can even find a wire that has the right sized connections on both ends)?

Do I just need to buy a new external hard drive? If I do, can I still use the MY book for storage? I was reading that if you transfer a file from one drive to another, their may be a loss of quality (it doesn't just transfer as a intact file?)? Will it be fast enough to edit it in Adobe Premier?

Right now my biggest concern is just getting video off the P2 card and stored somewhere else (my computer of external) so I can reuse the card!
 
First thing is to learn P2 workflow. It begins by backing up and making clones of your P2 cards. These are your master tapes. Invest in a program called ShotputPro by Imagine Products. This will offload your P2 cards safely and effortlessly onto external hard drives.

You can offload the cards with your camera or a P2 card reader via usb.

Once you learn the workflow, you will never go back to tape.
 
Oh...damn. So I have to spend another $100 just for software that lets me transfer the files? I had assumed that when it came with P2 driver software, it meant that it would be recognized by my computer to transfer the footage just like off an SD card camera :/
 
The route I went was to install a P2 card reader on my computer. Pop the card in, import/copy video files via editing system to project/video storage drive folder. You can read about them at http://www.amtron.com/reader/p2card_reader.htm Of course you have to have a compatible computer and operating system. I use Edius to edit which easily imports P2 card files. The amtron equipment is rugged and professional grade. It is under $100. Must also have the Panasonic drivers installed (free).

Another option which is much more expensive ($340) but does not require you to do a equipment install is http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...PCD2GPJ_AJ_PCD2GPJ_Single_Slot_P2_Memory.html This is a USB device to off load your card data to your computer. It gets very good reviews. In retrospect I would have probably gone this route but it was not on the market at the time.

If you are going to work with a professional camera (HPX170) then you have got to think/research the workflow thru. Ideally this is something you do before you purchase a camera to avoid aggravation and equipment incompatibility. I spent 6 months researching my camera, computer build, NLE software, audio monitors and video display monitors before I made the jump from SD to HD.
 
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Thanks for the info. But I'm definitely still disappointed. I did research and ask questions about the camera for many months before going ahead with purchasing it (from people at B&H)... and the idea that the camera cannot simply transfer its video files to my computer was never mentioned. I was sold on the idea that I would basically be simply upgrading the quality of video from my standard definition DVX-100 to HD, and that it would be quicker and easier (and cheaper) to transfer video because it didn't require real time "capturing".

It still seems that it's rather ridiculous that it can't export video right out of the box with the supplied hardware/software.
 
With my MAC I just copy the files over the the Hard Drive. Or I use Final Cut's "Log and Transfer"

I don't see why you would not be able to do that on a PC.

 
you can do ''copy and paste'' all the files on the P2 card(i mean all the files) directly over the HDD.
 
Hi NYCfilmer,

I'd suggest you contact someone close to you who has the HPX 170 same as yours and get them to show you how to offload onto your gear, It's easy and costs nothing if you want it too... don't be disappointed , be proactive and find that simple solution as we all had to, many video guys will help out i'm sure.

If all else fails , "Read the Camera Instruction Manual".

If your having trouble understanding the whole P2 workflow get some hands on advice. P2 is great, tape is dead (except for file storage).

Goodluck
tom k
olinevideo.com.au
 
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You don't have to wrap the USB cable in anything.

Once you have the P2 drivers installed, it's just like reading files from any kind of hard drive or USB drive, so yes, you can transfer files from the card as easily as that. Of course, you SHOULD use P2 Viewer (free, as keylight points out) to transfer files.

(You don't need the AVC-Intra decoder for the HPX170, though; it doesn't record AVC-Intra.)
 
the camera cannot simply transfer its video files to my computer was never mentioned
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you can. once you've installed the right drivers (some people end up needing to install them. some dont. depends on the make and age of your machine and what other software may have been previously installed) you can drag and drop all day with no extra software.

there is that free p2cms software from panasonic. its great as well. some people love it. some dont.

seems to me that youre getting understandably worked up over lack of or possibly incorrect information.
when i got my hvx/hpx. i simply read the manual and was off an running. and never ran into any of the problems that you're having. i will add that im a mac user. and in 4 years, have not had even a hint of problem (but thats another discussion thread)

yours may be another issue of some windows driver conflict. we've had a couple windows folks here recently who were having problems getting their machines to work... not sure if it was a conflict or maybe a 32 vs 64 bit issue or whatever...

as far as those ferrite cores go, ive never used them. they are just one more accessory that lives in the box in the attic.
 
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Thanks guys. That definitely makes me feel better - Although it's still not working.
The problem seems to be that my computer is simply not recognizing the camera on any USB 2.0 port. I decided to hook up the firewire to see what happens, and lo and behold, the computer Identified there being a Panasonic camera and an external harddrive! Unfortunately, when I clicked the drive icon, it told me I needed to insert a disc. So I decided to try and install the P2 drivers from the provided software for the only camera that had 1394 listed as an option, but unfortunately that didn't work. Could it be the USB port on my camera is defective (I tried all 4 of them on my computer - and yes, they are "enhanced" USB ports... but they take no notice of anything being plugged in). Any other suggestions?

Tom 4 said:
Hi NYCfilmer,

I'd suggest you contact someone close to you who has the HPX 170 same as yours and get them to show you how to offload onto your gear, It's easy and costs nothing if you want it too... don't be disappointed , be proactive and find that simple solution as we all had to, many video guys will help out i'm sure.

If all else fails , "Read the Camera Instruction Manual".

If your having trouble understanding the whole P2 workflow get some hands on advice. P2 is great, tape is dead (except for file storage).

Goodluck
tom k
olinevideo.com.au
Click to expand...

LOL! Believe me, I WISH I had "someone close" (or even not so close) who had the camera... or even a real interest in filmmaking. Hands on from an experienced friend really is the best way to learn almost anything. Unfortunately I live in NYC - we don't have friends here, we just have predators and prey - people who use people and then throw them away, unless they have further use for them, (Which is why I write the sorts of scripts that I do - and why it's so difficult to produce an actual film out of any of them! But that's another story...).

But I totally agree (in theory at least) about the obsolescence of tape... I just need to get the P2 working for me!
 
NYCfilmer said:
Thanks guys. That definitely makes me feel better - Although it's still not working.
The problem seems to be that my computer is simply not recognizing the camera on any USB 2.0 port. I decided to hook up the firewire to see what happens, and lo and behold, the computer Identified there being a Panasonic camera and an external harddrive! Unfortunately, when I clicked the drive icon, it told me I needed to insert a disc. So I decided to try and install the P2 drivers from the provided software for the only camera that had 1394 listed as an option, but unfortunately that didn't work. Could it be the USB port on my camera is defective (I tried all 4 of them on my computer - and yes, they are "enhanced" USB ports... but they take no notice of anything being plugged in). Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

You've got the PC Mode in the camera set to USB?

You've probably checked this, but since you haven't stated it explicitly I thought I should ask. Especially since it saw the Firewire connection.

Looking at the manual, it appears you can only have one of them active at a time. It's possible that one of the two Firewire modes is the default, and perhaps the other Firewire mode would enable your computer to see it. Here are the relevant pages from the Manual. View attachment AG-HPX170-USB.pdf
 
Just to be sure, have you done all of this:

First and foremost, slide the PROTECT tab on the back of the P2 card(s)!

Then MENU>9>OTHER FUNCTIONS>PC MODE>USB DEVICE

Then on the back of the camera, below the scene file dial, press MODE.
Your thumbnails will pop up.

Continue holding the MODE button and the camera will go into USB DEVICE, and then should show up as 2 hard drives on your computer.

COPY/PASTE the entire folder into your hard drive (preferably 2 drives for redundancy).

IMPORT into your NLE.

OPEN a beer!

Don't know if you've done all that to no avail.
Also, read the book (the manual and Barry Green's).
And don't stress out, you'll get it sorted out soon.
 
SUCCESS in the recognition! Thanks guys!

I can now drag the folder onto my computer. (It's gonna take an hour, but at least it's working.)

It also looks like every clip need to be rendered in my Premier CS 3...that's gonna eat up a lot of memory! But my real concern is the size of the image (and quality of it). I think I may need to start a new thread about that....
 
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NYCfilmer said:
Thanks guys.
LOL! Believe me, I WISH I had "someone close" (or even not so close) who had the camera... or even a real interest in filmmaking. Hands on from an experienced friend really is the best way to learn almost anything. Unfortunately I live in NYC - we don't have friends here, we just have predators and prey - people who use people and then throw them away, unless they have further use for them, (Which is why I write the sorts of scripts that I do - and why it's so difficult to produce an actual film out of any of them! But that's another story...).
!
Click to expand...

Cripes NYCfilmer, I'm sorry to hear that your environment is just like what we see from the programs coming out of the Hollywood factory. maybe a shift is in order ?.
there have been many suggestions for you to try here , maybe start over with your set-up/gear and how your trying to get clips in to your box , I'm sure someone will have a similar set and give correct advice in a understandable way for you.
Don't give up , P2 is a Great workflow. well, at least until the next best thing comes along.

Good luck
Tom 4
olinevideo.com.au

PS just saw your above post, WELL DONE,,, there are tutorials out there that will explain Premiers workflow with P2, real easy...take your pic
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=P...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
 
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LOL. Yup.... it really is a city full of loneliness and dejection, and I definitely would have better luck making films somewhere else (it would even be easier to make movies out in Hollywood!) ... But I'm utterly NYCentric, and I'm committed to making films in this ridiculous difficult locale. Like Woody Allen, I'm quite the lifer here!

But thank you for all your help! :)
 
NVentive said:
I started out using the cam as a giant USB device, it worked great but I got worried about wallowing out the plug after a while. I got one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...200091&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_2069wt_905 and it has worked great. Welcome to a really cool format..... ;-)
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When on location, I use an old HP laptop (nw9440) with a built in PCMCIA card. P2 slides right in and offloads are super fast. I dump them straight to multiple HDs. (I also bring a separate HD I can plug directly into my HPX370 so I can backup sans computer. It's slow as molasses but it works.)
 
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