P2 Uploading

[Angelcyk]

I'm pretty new to the p2 world and I was searching the forum for any threads about the step by step process of uploading p2 to the FCP timeline. I heard about Raylight and P2CMS, are those necessary? Can anybody share the process or lead me to any threads or good websites on it?
thanks

 

[Nexis]

Angelcyk, you do not need Raylight or P2CMS. That's not to say they aren't useful. They're just not critical for ingesting P2 footage to your Mac for use with FCP.

I'm using FCP 6.0.2. Not sure how far back FCP support for dvcpro hd goes...not in versions of FCP before 5, that's for sure.

Anyway, I assume your version of FCP supports the codec.

If your Mac does not have a pccard slot or express card slot, you can extract the data right off the camera using a firewire connection. Make sure the firewire cable is connected to your camera before you turn the camera on and that your pcmode setting (found in "Other Functions" on the camera menu) is set to 1394device.

In my case, I copy the files off my P2 card to an external HD using an old PC and then hook up that HD to my Mac for ingesting into FCP.

If you want to copy the files off the P2 card before ingesting, you must copy the entire contents of the P2 card, including the LASTCLIP.TXT file to your destination folder.

Once you have the P2 contents where you want them (or not, if you're pulling footage directly off the camera), start FCP. Before ingesting, you should ensure that the codec your footage was taken with matches the video settings under the video/audio settings menu option. If you have 1080i/60p footage (instead of 1080i/60pA), you're going to have extra work getting your footage to look right.

Once the proper video capture codec is set, you're ready to roll. Select the log & transfer menu item. If your camera is connected, FCP will likely recognize your camera as the clip source automatically. If you have copied your footage to a location other than the camera, you must select that location (there's a button for selecting a source folder above the list of clips somewhere).

You should see all your clips and then you can start ingesting them. Once the ingestion is complete, you can close the log and transfer box and you will see all the ingested clips in your project.

Hope that helps.