sending P2 thru the internet

V

vanvideo

Veteran
My situation: I shoot commercials for an auto dealership. We shoot sometimes once a week, maybe multiple ads in DVCPRO 50 on my 500. The problem is, I have to ship the video out to an out-of-town editor. I send the P2 files on a flashcard. This is not cheap, and since I'm just starting out on my business, I gave the client a good, low rate.
Is there any way I can send files through the internet? I don't have an editing system, so I don't know how I can convert the files to a more compressed format, like H.264. The editor says if I can shrink the files down, I can upload them directly to his website. But how can I do that? The raw video files are huge, sometimes 8gb of data. I can't see the video once I download it to my hard drive, it's just data in a folder, so I can't pick-and-choose the best out takes - or can I?

So, the questions are:
1. Is there a way I can see my video and select the best shots, when I don't have an editing system,

2. How can I get these big files through the internet? What's the best format? How do I convert the files, if need be?

I tried to delete files inside the camera to shrink the data down. Need I tell you the trouble I got into?
 
I would use courier services like fedex or ups. you need incredible bandwidth for uploading 8 gb of video files and it takes forever! the tv stations I work for, spend top $$$$ to have realtime connections via internet and I have done it faster using their realtime video compression format than uploading to their servers via FTP. If you can transfer the video to some cheap carrier like tape, send it via UPS, you do the right thing!
 
I use portable USB powered drives for this and include a FEDEX label for the editor to send it back to you in the same box. All you need is two or three drives to exchange for your client's work at most. I keep a backup on another drive just in case and then move it to a storage drive for long term storage if I need to keep it. Sounds expensive, but it's not bad. A great cheap setup uses a Thermaltake BlackX Duet drive docking station (about $50) that can handle two eSATA drives (either laptop or internal) and keep your permanant files on labled internal drives that are faster and cheaper than a bunch of USB AC powered portable drives. Easy to store and keeps you from having this stack of USB drives with their adapter bricks all over the office.
 
I agree with everyone else, Internet option is not a good one, very slow, very expensive. Invest in a tough little harddrive and ship fast, the best way for this situation.
 
I agree with the other, best to use a hard drive (I use the Lacie Rugged series)
On the other question, you can pick and choose takes from your raw footage.
Use P2CMS content mangment software (free) from panasonic, (you can find it here https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/download.htm)
and with this software you can select shots and export them to a new folder (on a portable hard drive for instance) You can even keep exporting to the same export folder from several different P2 cards. A plus is that the software compares the copies so it's an extra check for data integrity.
 
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Every thing comes down to your budget constraint, If your budget is low, then just find a way to ship a drive/media.
if your budget is high, use a Digital video link or satelite link and send your vision realtime in via SDI.
plenty options out there if you have no money issues.
not many options if your doing the job on the "Cheap".

all comes down to your budget, that is everyones starting point. easy.
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Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
ctb1010 said:
Your statement that the files are "huge, sometimes 8gb" leads me to believe that 8gb is on the high side size wise for you. If that's the case, is there any reason you couldn't pick up a 8, 16 or 32bg flashkey to send with footage? They could fit in a regular old envelope. Here's one: http://www.amazon.com/HP-v125w-Flas...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1260299391&sr=8-1
Click to expand...

I agree with this!. Small, cheap to buy and if it gets lost then its no great expense providing you have a back up of the clips!




Tom.
 
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