BobDiaz
The Professor
Way back in the mid 60s, Dr. Moore published a paper regarding the increase in number of components in Integrated Circuits. Dr Moore predicted that at current rates, the number of components DOUBLES every 2 years. Now that the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are history, we can look back and see that Moore's prediction was correct, but a bit off on the timing. Overall, the doubling occurred in just 1.5 years. In some years, the doubling occurred in only 1 year. While the time period was less than what Dr Moore predicted, who would have guessed that it still continues even today? It should come as no surprise that Panasonic created the P2 recording system, they knew the impact that Moore's Law would have on their product line.
The time period may vary from one size to the next memory size, assume that it is 1.5 years before we see the next step in memory. Currently, 8GB is the largest P2 card offered today. This card consists of four 2GB SD memory cards. Already SamDisk is offering 4GB CompactFlash memory cards. (See link below.) This suggests that 4GB SD memory cards are close to becoming a reality.
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1024)-SanDisk_Extreme_III_CompactFlash.aspx
Even if we assume that there's still a 1.5 year wait for 4GB SD cards, Panasonic should offer 16GB P2 Cards by or before Summer 2007. The next step up comes about 1.5 years later, on or before end of 2008/start 2009. At that point we'll see 32GB P2 cards. On or before summer 2010, 64GB P2 memory cards come out.
Thus anywhere from One year to 1.5 years from now, two 16GB P2 cards will give you: 32 Minutes at the highest data rate, 64 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 720@30p, and 80 minutes at 720@24p.
Two to Three years from now, two 32GB P2 cards will provide 64 minutes of record time at the highest data rate, 128 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 727@30p, and 160 minutes at 720@24p.
Roughly Three to 4.5 years from now, the maximum P2 memory size should be 64GB. Two 64GB cards would provide 128 minutes of record time at the highest data rate, 256 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 727@30p, and 320 minutes at 720@24p.
Beyond that, the next size memory will increase 2 times every 1 to 1.5 years. However, once P2 cards reach 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB we may not need all the extra recording time. Still, who knows, maybe by then, the P2 cameras will need the extra memory when they record HD at 4:4:4.
The future of P2 technology looks VERY good, but what about today? There are several approaches to today's memory limits.
(1) Rent the P2 Cards as needed until the larger cards come out.
(2) Use the FireStore Drive to hold the footage.
(3) Use LOTS of 4GB or 8GB Cards.
(4) Use 2 or 3 P2 cards and move the data into the P2 store drive.
(5) Use a limited number of P2 Cards and a Laptop with a PCMCIA Slot to move the files into the Laptop.
(6) Use a limited number of P2 Cards and a 1394 External Drive. When you are not shooting, the camera will operate in host mode and allow you to transfer the data to the External Drive.
(7) Just shoot to DV Tape until the larger P2 Cards come out.
There may be some other approach I missed and if I missed something, let me know with a posting. There is NO single answer for everyone; it all depends on the kind of work you do.
Bob Diaz
The time period may vary from one size to the next memory size, assume that it is 1.5 years before we see the next step in memory. Currently, 8GB is the largest P2 card offered today. This card consists of four 2GB SD memory cards. Already SamDisk is offering 4GB CompactFlash memory cards. (See link below.) This suggests that 4GB SD memory cards are close to becoming a reality.
http://www.sandisk.com/Products/Catalog(1024)-SanDisk_Extreme_III_CompactFlash.aspx
Even if we assume that there's still a 1.5 year wait for 4GB SD cards, Panasonic should offer 16GB P2 Cards by or before Summer 2007. The next step up comes about 1.5 years later, on or before end of 2008/start 2009. At that point we'll see 32GB P2 cards. On or before summer 2010, 64GB P2 memory cards come out.
Thus anywhere from One year to 1.5 years from now, two 16GB P2 cards will give you: 32 Minutes at the highest data rate, 64 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 720@30p, and 80 minutes at 720@24p.
Two to Three years from now, two 32GB P2 cards will provide 64 minutes of record time at the highest data rate, 128 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 727@30p, and 160 minutes at 720@24p.
Roughly Three to 4.5 years from now, the maximum P2 memory size should be 64GB. Two 64GB cards would provide 128 minutes of record time at the highest data rate, 256 minutes at DVCPRO50 or 727@30p, and 320 minutes at 720@24p.
Beyond that, the next size memory will increase 2 times every 1 to 1.5 years. However, once P2 cards reach 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB we may not need all the extra recording time. Still, who knows, maybe by then, the P2 cameras will need the extra memory when they record HD at 4:4:4.
The future of P2 technology looks VERY good, but what about today? There are several approaches to today's memory limits.
(1) Rent the P2 Cards as needed until the larger cards come out.
(2) Use the FireStore Drive to hold the footage.
(3) Use LOTS of 4GB or 8GB Cards.
(4) Use 2 or 3 P2 cards and move the data into the P2 store drive.
(5) Use a limited number of P2 Cards and a Laptop with a PCMCIA Slot to move the files into the Laptop.
(6) Use a limited number of P2 Cards and a 1394 External Drive. When you are not shooting, the camera will operate in host mode and allow you to transfer the data to the External Drive.
(7) Just shoot to DV Tape until the larger P2 Cards come out.
There may be some other approach I missed and if I missed something, let me know with a posting. There is NO single answer for everyone; it all depends on the kind of work you do.
Bob Diaz
