Tracking P2 File Names

S

SamG

Active member
Does the camera display P2 file names before, during or after record?

I ask because I am wondering how one finds a specific take after footage has been transfered to a hard drive. If the names of data/video files can't be written down on a time code log sheet while on the set, then how does one keep all of those alpha-numeric file names straight? How are folks matching file names to time code?

Thanks.
 
You can use the P2 Viewer program to display the clips by filename or by timecode. And the timecode and filename are recorded in the metadata as well so you can match them up by examining the XML files.

Also, take advantage of the shot mark function. You can "mark" which takes are "good", which will let you immediately identify them in post.

There are also metadata tags you can set for each clip so you wouldn't even use timecode at all (I think I have yet to even look at the timecode...) You can identify the shooter, scene number, and take number right in the metadata. Only problem with that technique is that a) it requires you to be diligent in maintaining the metadata before shooting, and b) the take numbers don't auto-increment on the US/60Hz camera. I believe they do on the European/50Hz camera, so hopefully that's something we could look forward to getting on a future firmware update.

P2's a different workflow than tape. Timecode is relatively irrelevant in how we shoot now, although I'm sure it'll apply for some circumstances but I've never used it. If you shoot a take and it's a keeper, you just mark it with a shot mark, or if you want to you can toggle to playback mode and examine that clip's properties and write down its filename immediately. So instead of identifying a clip by timecode you can identify it by filename right in the field.
 
Thanks Barry. That is helpful information. Still wrestling with whether or not to buy the HVX.

There are also metadata tags you can set for each clip so you wouldn't even use timecode at all (I think I have yet to even look at the timecode...) You can identify the shooter, scene number, and take number right in the metadata. Only problem with that technique is that a) it requires you to be diligent in maintaining the metadata before shooting, and b) the take numbers don't auto-increment on the US/60Hz camera.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... this sounds like naming conventions could be standardized in pre-production (per scene perhaps) and then "programmed" onto the P2 cards in the field. If that's correct, then that is very handy.

Thanks again.
 
Sam, www.imagineproducts.com for P2 media manager, HD Log. With it you can rename clips, add notes, log descriptions, etc. and save the log files with QT clips. So, in the future when you're looking for a specific clip you'll be able to search for it by any number of text keys.

Oh, and you can output to FCP with human type clip names ;)
 
HVX 200 workflow is more like a cinema workflow, needs care and planing, professional care and planing... like in movimaking !!!
Nice

:)
 
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