P2 Offload Consultant Needed - Paid

A

adanac

Carbonite Member
I've followed the directions in this thread from Barry Green:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?118672-Proper-P2-Offloading-Procedure-For-A-Mac

Using P2CMS, I've "exported" the files from the card (within the camera attached to macbook via cable) to a folder I created on my desktop. P2CMS appears to have created sub-folders within the one I created. If I give the folder I created (with all the P2CMS sub-folders intact) to someone will they have all they need to cut it in FCP?

Name your price for this information and I'll pay - I really have no choice at this point.

Thank you.
 
I haven't used P2CMS, but in the folder, there should be:

CONTENTS folder and LASTCLIP Txt- be sure you have the LASTCLIP TXT (crucial to edit in FCP).

Inside CONTENTS should be 6 more folders- AUDIO, CLIP, ICON, PROXY, VIDEO and VOICE.

Do you see these folders?

Again, I haven't used P2CMS, but if the card shows up on your desktop, you can Get Info (Cmnd I) to get the total size of the files on the P2 card, then Cmnd I on the offloaded folder, and they should be the same size.

And I know many have had issues with the Duel, and I'm not sure it's always OS issues.

Lastly, if the Duel/P2CMS doesn't get you the files onto your computer, just hook up a USB cable.

Go into the camera menu> Other Functions, be sure PC Mode says USB, close Camera menu.
Use the Mode button, leave camera mode, go into MCR mode, hold down Mode button until cam goes into PC Mode.
The P2 card(s) should show up on your desktop.
Copy the card.
Paste into the folder on your desktop. (some drag, I prefer Copy/Paste)
Get Info on the P2 card showing on your desktop and on the folder you've created- they should be the same size.
Have a beer :beer:

Just for the record, I don't think the "Good Lord" comment was necessary in the other thread.

Also, 3 threads on the same workflow problem might be a bit much, although I know you were trying to update your problems.

Do you have either/both the manual and Barry Green's book? Invaluable.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, LASTCLIP TXT is not in there, although the other folders are. Unfortunately, the method described by Barry, although followed EXACTLY, does not appear to work in my case. It's incredible it's this difficult to get footage onto a computer. I never, ever would have bought the HVX had I known what I know now.

It sounds like you're describing a drag and drop method that Barry explicitly warned against. However, since his other advice didn't work it looks like I'm dragging and dropping.

With regard to the other threads, they could have been and still can be deleted by a moderator at their discretion, I have no power over that. Yet I agree - I would have loved it to have been done in the first thread.

groveChuck said:
I haven't used P2CMS, but in the folder, there should be:

CONTENTS folder and LASTCLIP Txt- be sure you have the LASTCLIP TXT (crucial to edit in FCP).

Inside CONTENTS should be 6 more folders- AUDIO, CLIP, ICON, PROXY, VIDEO and VOICE.

Do you see these folders?

Again, I haven't used P2CMS, but if the card shows up on your desktop, you can Get Info (Cmnd I) to get the total size of the files on the P2 card, then Cmnd I on the offloaded folder, and they should be the same size.

And I know many have had issues with the Duel, and I'm not sure it's always OS issues.

Lastly, if the Duel/P2CMS doesn't get you the files onto your computer, just hook up a USB cable.

Go into the camera menu> Other Functions, be sure PC Mode says USB, close Camera menu.
Use the Mode button, leave camera mode, go into MCR mode, hold down Mode button until cam goes into PC Mode.
The P2 card(s) should show up on your desktop.
Copy the card.
Paste into the folder on your desktop. (some drag, I prefer Copy/Paste)
Get Info on the P2 card showing on your desktop and on the folder you've created- they should be the same size.
Have a beer :beer:

Just for the record, I don't think the "Good Lord" comment was necessary in the other thread.

Also, 3 threads on the same workflow problem might be a bit much, although I know you were trying to update your problems.

Do you have either/both the manual and Barry Green's book? Invaluable.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
No, I actually said I don't drag, I copy/paste.

If you do that (copying the P2 card when it shows up on your desktop) you will get all the files of the P2 cars, including lastclip.

Try it.

Copy.

Paste.

It's not that hard, you just have to do it the correct way. And trust me, once you get used to it, you'll wonder why you didn't go tapeless sooner.

EDIT: Also, be sure you Write Protect the card (as Barry also says in his instructions).
 
Last edited:
Isn't copy and paste functionally the same as dragging and dropping?

I went tapeless years ago when I bought the HVX new. I just don't use it much because getting what I shoot onto the computer was deliberately, it seems, designed to be a lose-your-footage minefield.

I have an older version of FCP that has the P2 import function but I don't see the LASTCLIP.TXT file in the folders where FCP stores things so I don't know if it's possible to load all of my footage via FCP and then give it to someone else. Even if it is possible, I have no idea what to give them. I don't have a lot of luck on DVXuser despite offering money for information. Of course, if I needed to know what $80 mic to put on top of my camera I could get 15 responses!

Many thanks for trying to help. Hopefully, someone out there will want to make some money before my shoot tomorrow!
 
I appreciate the advice. Im sure it's great for those with with FCP7. If he did a tutorial for those with FCP 5.1.4, and he indicated how to give all the files to another FCP, and it didn't leave out one or more critical piece/s of information like every tutorial I've seen does, it would be perfect for me!
 
Yes, C/P and D/D are theoretically functionally the same, but I've been told to C/P, so I do, avoiding all the Finder issues Barry speaks of.

Works on both PC and Mac. I've never had a problem. Ever. There is no minefield, so stop convincing yourself there is.

I don't use FCP, but I know you don't need to do anything with FCP to give the material to a client.

Just give them a hard drive with the folder with everything in it (starting with Contents and Lastclip) and that hard drive will be able to import the footage into any editing system, inclucing FCP.

There are no major issues with the system- it's proven. You just need to learn and acclimate to the workflow.
 
Adanac,

If you use P2CMS and mount your cam as if it is a hard drive, this is really cake. One of the things that P2CMS does for you is confirm that all files are properly transferred and have the proper file format. This is really important to P2 workflow. Do you know how to mount the cam to your CPU, I mean what menu selections to make on the cam? This is crucial to get your cam mounted on your CPU. I have a HPX170 not a HVX, so I can't speak to this, but I know it is in the Panny manual. Once you see the disc image of your cam, it will probably appear as "no name" on your desktop, open P2CMS to the ingest setting, pick a menu option that describes your cam and open that. If you didn't add any meta data, this is a little vague. But open something and you will see your clips, each of them. Select the clips and ingest. Afterward, you will be able to view the clips within P2CMS. They will have a bunch of strange files names but don't worry about that, the important thing is DON'T ALTER ANY FILE STRUCTURE!!.

From wherever P2CMS stores your files (on a mac, it will default to your "movie" file in your home menu), pluck them in their entirety, and copy them, or move them to your hearts desire. P2CMS is a little kludgy, but it gets you through the ingest process and lets you preview your footage without any editor being involved.

Wow, I hope that help a bit, sound like you've been suffering through this.....

Grant
 
Many good responses, thank you. I've done the copy and paste method because the P2CMS method didn't put the LASTCLIP.TXT file in the folder.

Now my "client" is calling me, angry, because she doesn't know how to load the files into FCP. They are all grayed out. It's the same when I try. How do I now open them in FCP?
 
Still seeking a consultant. Files won't "transfer" in FCP. A day of shooting and footage not accessible. Thanks, Panasonic!
 
adanac,

Not trying to be critical here but it's not Panasonic's fault. This is a system and workflow that works for thousands of filmmakers and television stations around the world. It is rock solid and very nearly bullet proof. If you are using 5.1.4 you don't Log and Transfer. That came about in version 6. It's been a while, but if I recall, you should use Import P2 to get the contents files into your FCP project. Give this a try and see if it works for you.

Jim
 
I shot for one day and it's now been a week of trying to get the footage into my computer. I'm pleased it's worked for thousands of others but it's not for me, although I have sinced transferred other, unrelated files from one drive to another many times since then with no problems. Please, let me pay someone to help me. Hoping someone MIGHT answer my posts and that they MIGHT know what to do isn't working. I agree it's silly it's come to this but it's where this has come, unfortunately.
 
Here is my experience and advice with P2 cards and FCP 5.

1, Copy and paste like groveChuck says. I've done it probably over 500 times. Not a single failure of any kind. Make sure you write protect your card first. Best to make a top folder labelled P2 raw footage (or something) for both your content folder and LASTCLIP.TXT

2, Import the whole folder into FCP, FCP won't be able to import the LASTCLIP and two of the folders and their contents... I forgot which two but they are unimportant. The video and audio folders and one more get imported, and those are all you need.

3, The problem is, the audio tracks are separated from your video tracks, so on your timeline you would have to put them together again. It may or may not be an issue for you.

EDIT: there were a number of time I didn't copy protect my card first, still no issue... but I know I should do it. Copy and paste is fine.
 
Hoping someone MIGHT answer my posts and that they MIGHT know what to do isn't working.
Click to expand...
ive sent you PMs and my personal email address in hopes of helping you solve your problem. seems youd rather just complain than answer the questions we need to help you...

: (
 
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