P2 to External HD

M

markinhifi

Well-known member
Is it possible to dump the contents of a P2 card onto an external hard drive without the use of a computer or p2 store or anything like that? I want to do it with just the camera and the hard drive. Possible or no?

Also, somewhat related, I try to transfer the P2 contents to my mac via firewire, the HVX says "1394 Disconnect" and can only seem to do it via USB. I know the firewire port isn't broken (on either the computer or the hvx) because I tested it with a firestore and it works just fine.. Is it normal to only be able to transfer via USB? Or should the firewire be working?
 
It was real easy, just put the camera in the 'Host' instead of PC mode, and let the camera format the external drive, then it will let you dump the footage. Just need a firewire, and 120v.
 
Keep in mind that you have to have a BLANK HDD to do it this way. You MUST FORMAT THE HDD to use this method. All data will be lost. You can have multiple cards on a single HDD.

(first format your HDD using the below method but replace step 11. with doing the format command).

1. Shoot your footage.
2. Turn off you camera
3. Write protect your card.
4. Plug firewire into HDD, then into camera.
5. Plug in HDD to electrical outlet.
5. Turn on HDD. Wait.
6. Turn on Camera.
7. Verify that "1394 Host" is selected in the menu. (Under "other functions")
8. Press the MCR/VCR button to switch to the preview menu.
9. Press and HOLD the MCR/VCR button AGAIN until the screen goes blue and says "1394 Host Disconnect/Connect" (it will say disconnect at first and then switch to connect, you DO NOT need to hold the button until it say connect)
10. You should see a menu that shows the contents of the HDD (if their are any P2 cards already on the HDD).
11. Select the slot you want to export using the menus and make sure you have "do compare" selected.

This takes about a min per GB or 15 min per 16GB card.

When done VERIFY that your card was downloaded. Turn off you camera then your HDD. Unplug HDD from wall outlet. Unplug Firewire last. Done.

Oh ya, and back up your footage to another HDD.
 
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