P2CMS or P2 Log or ???

K

Kiko

Member
So I got my MacBook Pro all loaded up with the proper software, shot some test shots on my new HVX-200a, opened P2CMS to ingest the shots, and followed Barry's excellent illustrated post on properly transferring the files.

When I opened up the CONTENTS folder in my drive, it's the expected gobbledygook of letters/numbers for each shot. Problem is that I'm going to be shooting for 10 days straight (no editing for a couple weeks at least), and I'll have multiple shots - likely hundreds. How can I organize them?? I know that I can't change the filename b/c that would separate it from the AUDIO files. I can't list them chronologically. Am I missing something?

Also, I ingested twice with P2CMS, and both times they went into the same CONTENT folder. It seems that it's two extremes... either a CONTENT folder for each clip or every clip in one CONTENT folder.

Also, is there any difference between INGESTing and EXPORTing (the P2CMS manual vs. Barry's illustration)? And what's happening to the sacred TXT file??

Is the only way around this by purchasing P2 Log? If so, I'd be happy to hear from anyone that finds the P2 Log system exceptional. According to their website you can "Edit clips: Change User clip names, Auto-fill text, add descriptions, delete unwanted clips". Is it that simple, really?

Please help!
Thanks,
Kirk
 
I did notice that by selecting the "icon and information" view in the top-right of the P2MCS, you get a chronological listing if you scroll over to the right.

This works when accessing the CONTENT folder with entire footage in it.

This would be okay if I could figure out how to make a new CONTENT folder for each day or each location.
 
Also, is there any difference between INGESTing and EXPORTing
Click to expand...
Yes, INGESTing takes all the clips into one big database, and turns every clip into its own CONTENTS folder.

EXPORTing sends all the clips into one master CONTENTS folder, so it's like a big P2 card. If you're working with FCP, you'd be much better off with EXPORTing.

Of course, you could always INGEST into a master database, and then when it's time to export to FCP you could just export some hard links, which would take up no additional time and no additional space.

P2CMS can change user clip names, add descriptions, all that stuff. The problem is, FCP ignores all that stuff, so what's the point?

If you're doing lots of projects and you want to organize this stuff and you want to take advantage of the power of the metadata and you want to use FCP, all together, then I highly suggest you get Raylight. Raylight knows how to use and preserve the metadata, it knows how to name your clips with proper user clip names, and it can even sort the clips based on the metadata so it can put different clips in different bins automatically.
 
Thanks, Barry.

I went through the P2CMS user manual until my brain hurt last night. I could not decipher if it's possible to tell it to put the files in a different CONTENT folder when exporting. I tried, but had no success.

Is this possible?
 
That's exactly what the export function does though. You specify a directory for it to export to, and it creates a CONTENTS folder and all the associated subdirectories, and puts all the clips in that one contents folder.
 
Just 2 quick things before I go:

  1. So don't worry about the LASTCLIP.TXT file when exporting using P2CMS?
  2. Didn't I read that transferring via 1394 direct from camera is quicker? The Duel Adapter did it in half the time.
Thanks for all the help.
Kirk
 
The PCMCIA slot approach should be much faster than firewire. 1394 is limited to 400mbps, but the P2 Card is capable of up to 640mbps.
 
My understanding is that when INGESTing you need not worry about the LASTCLIP.TXT because it puts the clip into its own CONTENT folder.

However, I wish to EXPORT (not INGEST) so that I can put multiple clips into a Sub-Folder for each day of shooting. Do I need to worry about that TXT file or not?

Thanks.
Kirk
 
No, the file is only really used by the camera to know what to name the next clip it records. If you're exporting into your sub-folders there's no need to worry about that file.
 
Mac user alert.....

The way I understand it is that the TXT file is 'critical' if you span cards..?

Curently I'm having to maually copy the txt file and put it in the daily folders I make, not a huge issue, P2CMS wont do it in export mode. I think that is correct.

Using export mode is easier for my workflow right now.....

I create a file folder in the morning and copy it to BOTH ext. HDs.

From there I use P2 CMS to EXPORT in those files, then maually copy the last clip TXT to the respective folders. So far no complaints from editorial......It really depends on how much work they want to put up with.

Each card has a BATCH be it 3 clips or 20, the reason for this is maintaining the integrity of the lastclip.TXT...better to have and not need it then need it and not have it.

If there is a better way I'm open.....

MT3
 
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