PowerBook and Windows Laptop - Direct to Disk Recording

O

ozzymandius

Active member
Hi Guys,

I just bought an HVX200 with one 16GB P2 card, and am gearing up to shoot an independent feature film. Been reading these forums for over a year.

I am still trying to figure out if my PowerBook is powerful enough for straight to disk recording from the HVX, via firewire cable. I will use the P2 card strictly for run and gun improvisational shots.

This is my current configuration:

PowerBook G4

CPU speed 1.67 GHz
L2 Cache 512 KB
Memory 512 MB DDR SDRAM
Bus Speed 167 MHz
Hard Drive 80 GB (55 GB currently unused)
5400 rpm, 8MB buffer, 100 MBps external transfer rate
(Fujitsu MHT2080AH)
PCMCIA Yes, one slot
Graphics ATI Radeon 9700 64MB VRAM, Core Image Supported

Here are some questions, the answers to which I am sure will be useful to others members:

  1. Is the above laptop powerful enough to run HD Monitor Pro or ScopeBox software, smoothly?
  2. Can I shoot from the HVX direct to the laptop's internal drive for REAL TIME recording?
  3. If I attach a large firewire drive to the above laptop, can I shoot from the HVX, thru the laptop, and to the Firewire drive for REAL TIME recording?
  4. Which particular make/model of external Firewire drives do people recommend (suitable for outdoors)?
  5. If the PowerBook is not adequate, should I just find a $500 Windows laptop and use that instead? If so, any make/model recommendations and min specs to look for?

I know Barry Green and others recommend to use a Windows laptop, and I am fine going down that route. It's just that I spent a couple of grand on my PowerBook two years ago, and would hate to incur additional expense if I don't have to.

Any and all feedback most appreciated!!
 
David S. said:
Download the trial version of scopebox and give it a try.
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty much decided to just try it out once I realized there was a trial version available. Will try soon.

What about protecting the laptop in the field. Do people generally use some kind of protective cover (in case it rains, etc)?

And any recommendations on robust Firewire drives to attach to the laptop that are also suitable for outdoor use?
 
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