Super Happy PCMCIA Reader and Laptop Fun

S

Sean Smith

Active member
I recently purchased an HPX-500 and I am trying to load my 1080i files to both my laptop (PCMCIA slot) and my desktop (PCMCIA reader).

I installed in both the laptop and desktop the drivers from the HPX-500 disc that came with the camera, P2 Viewer and P2CMS. When I slide the P2 16 gig card into both machines I hear the audio indication that my computer recognized that a P2 card was just inserted but I cannot see the P2 card folder on my machine. I also cannot view the P2 16 gig in P2 Viewer or P2CMS.

When I connect the 500 via USB to either the laptop or desktop, I can see the files without a problem. I can drag and dropped, P2CMS manage, and use P2 viewer with ease. It works great.

I am running XP Pro SP 2 on both machines.

For the desktop I purchased the Panasonic P2 Card Reader from ShopDigi.
http://www.shopdigi.com/product.asp?pf_id=PCD-TP101CS-B&gclid=CMuMr63-8ZICFQRbHgodmxcVcg

I was hoping it would be a low cost add-on for studio work but no success as of yet.

Where I am really surprised is that I figured with the laptop, just install the software, insert P2 card into the PCMCIA and go!

Would someone be able to tell me what I am doing wrong or what further P2 software/drivers I need installed?

Thanks.
 
Sounds like you may not have installed the drivers properly (or they didn't get installed properly). But, you've obviously got the usb drivers installed, so maybe you just checked the wrong option.

Just to make sure:
You should open the installation program for the p2 drivers and have a freshly formatted p2 card inserted in any and all pcmcia slots on your computer. If you don't, you won't see the option for the proper drivers (which should be the first option).

It should actually prompt you to insert p2 cards at a point early in the installation. Do so, and when you click next you should have the option for pcmcia p2 drivers (don't remember exactly what it's called). If you see usb drivers as the first option, you aren't doing something right.

Anyways, just want to make sure that you did the above when installing the drivers.

Since you are having problems on both machines, sounds like maybe you didn't. You may want to also download the latest drivers from the panny website and use those rather than what came on the disc with your camera. Just make sure you uninstall any driver installation first before attempting to install them again.

Later,
Jason
 
Woot! Thank you. That was the problem. I did not check the box for Card Slot in the original 500 disc install. I pulled everything off and carefully built it back up brick by brick and there it was. A sad empty lonely Card Slot box.

The P2 reader for the desktop works well. Granted, its not Firewire 800 but for now I am just happy it works.

Thank you again.
 
i am surprised i havent heard of this product - i didnt know there was a way of mounting p2 cards on a desktop without panny hardware - this is great

how is it working?
 
Just need a 32bit type II pcmcia reader... For a pc, there are several options (load in the back). For a mac, not so many. Of course, you may get what you pay for in speed and all that.

Kholi bought a cheap one, I think. You can ask him about what he got and how he likes it.

Spec-Comm sells what is supposed to be a real nice one for about 80 bucks.

I highly recommend being able to directly insert your p2 card into your desktop or laptop whenever possible. You can enjoy faster transfer times, not having to tie up your camera for offloads, direct editing from the card, etc, etc. It's the way it was meant to be done.

PCI - PCMCIA adapter for desktops, or an expresscard - pcmcia adapter for notebooks that don't have a pcmcia slot.

Later,
Jason
 
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