P2, or not P2?

[tduncan]

I dont see many discussions on the pros and cons of going P2. Or is it not even a question here anymore?

I decided to go HVX vs. Canon when I saw the Firestore FS-100 at expo. Since I tend to shoot with no/min crew which keeps me way busy, what I am really looking for is to record direct to disk without lugging a computer around. The P2 cards just dont hold enough data for me and I dont have the luxury to dump video during a shoot.

So my HVX arrives tomorrow. Should I buy the P2 as a temporary solution? ( accept the fact that in 2 years they will be $2800 doorstops ) Does the P2 drive offer the flexibility of the FS-100? When will the FS-100 be out? (they were saying early March at expo).

Or do I need to alter my view of P2 workflow? I can't make sense of 16min of record time for $2800. Who else has dealt with this issue? What solution have you arrived at?

thanks in advance,
td

 

[lpcvideo1]

My advise, based on my own experience is yes, get a couple 4gb cards. Even if you go the other routes (firestore, cineporter), having two P2s will be a good thing to have on hand. I am finding that I can do everything I have wanted with the two 4gig cards (I have not shot any events, yet, tho), and they are always in the camera ready to go.