whoa whoa....why are p2 cards so expensive?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Why do the mods let these threads through?

Exactly what is accomplished by all the same arguments.

The simple decision is that if you think p2 cards are too expensive, then don't buy them.
 
If P2 cards were the cash cows some folks imagine them to be, someone else would be selling them by now (three years in) for a fraction of the price. Ain't happened yet, and that's really all the explanation anyone should need. And no, Panasonic hasn't tried to prevent anyone else from making them, to the best of my knowledge.

PS: This subject, along with "what's that rattling sound in my new HVX" (and a couple others) should probably be given some sort of "Redundant Post Hall Of Fame" award by the moderators. I'd like to suggest that the trophy design includes the phrase "SEARCH IT, STUPID" in flashing letters accompanied by a loud clanging noise...

Ahem...
 
Last edited:
Exactly what is accomplished by all the same arguments.
Click to expand...

i dont know, i guess i just hope that at some point we will find the right way to explain it to these folks...
 
1232385830.jpg


I had to find a use for this...
 
Okay, look, I do find it kind of funny that while a few end users are writing an epitaph of P2, it continues to utterly DOMINATE in its intended market. It's obliterated XDCAM. SxS is a non-starter. And while we see thread after thread complaining about the P2 price, it's still noteworthy to point out that SxS is the SAME price.

The group that seems to have a problem with the price is the prosumer market, and that's who the HMC150 and presumably other, future SD memory products are aimed at. If you don't like P2 prices, get an 8GB SD card for $9.95 and be happy.

Now, with that said, of course we all want the P2 prices to drop. And they have, per gig. They just haven't lowered the price of entry; if the 8GB card was still on the market and going for $299, we'd probably have a lot less complaining going on.

Simple fact is, it costs what it costs, and so does SxS. And the target market is buying it. And the price per gig is coming down, from $900/gig three years ago to $40/gig today. And no, nobody likes paying $2650 for a P2 card, even those who can afford it don't like to. Then again, a Canon 21x lens costs $36,000 at B&H and nobody likes paying that either, but if it's what you need, you buy it and move on.
 
Gosh, a recording medium that is smaller than a deck of cards and captures HIGH DEF footage, loads in a split second, low to no maintenance... What did I miss?

P2 cards are worth every penny and I hope the guy who developed them is filthy rich.
 
Interesting to see these comments re P2 card pricing, it's like going to the dentist and he hits a raw nerve....

PS, my Fuji 32gig P2 card was cheaper and is just the same performer as my Pana 32 giger , bargains can be found by asking dealers, not whining on forums.

Cheers
Tom K
olinevideo.com.au
 
P2 (storage media)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
P2 (P2 is short form for "PROFESSIONALPlug-In") is a PROFESSIONAL digital video storage media format introduced by Panasonic in 2004, and especially tailored to ENG applications. It features tapeless (non-linear) recording of DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, DVCPRO-HD, or AVC-Intra streams on a solid state flash memory card. The P2 Card is essentially a RAID of SD memory cards with an LSI controller tightly packaged in a die-cast PC card (formerly PCMCIA) enclosure, so data transfer rate increases as memory capacity increases. The system includes cameras, decks as drop-in replacement for VCRs, and a special 5.25" computer drive for random access integration with NLE systems. The cards can also be used directly where a PC card slot is available, as in most notebook computers, as a normal disk drive, although a custom software driver must first be loaded.
As of late 2008, P2 cards are available in capacities of 4, 8, 16, 32GB and 64GB. At introduction, P2 cards offered low recording capacity compared to competing, videotape-based formats (a miniDV tape holds roughly 13GB of data, and an S-size HDCAM tape holds 50GB). To solve this, camcorders and decks using P2 media employ multiple card slots, with the ability to span the recording over all slots. Cards are recorded in sequence, and when a card is full, it can be swapped out while another card is recording. This limits recording time only by power supply and the available amount of cards. If a card is partially full, the deck will record only until it is full. Unlike tape, old video cannot be recorded over accidentally. Old footage must be manually deleted.
P2 cards are of a ruggedized PCMCIA type with the fastest transfer speeds currently available through this format. The card also contains a processor that organises and safeguards the files and the case is developed and crafted to "military" (according to Panasonic) specifications, making P2 cards tough and reliable.
The first pieces of equipment released by Panasonic which use the P2 format included the AJ-SPX800 (a 2/3" broadcast camcorder for ENG and EFP applictions), the studio recorder AJ-SPD850, the AJ-PCD10 offload device (basically, a five-slot PC card reader with USB interface designed to fit a 5-1/4" IT systems bay), and the memory cards themselves - AJ-P2C004 (4GB) and AJ-P2C002 (2GB). Panasonic is currently shipping a wide range of camcorders that support the P2 format, including the professional AG-HVX200 HD handheld camcorder, and the high-end, or broadcast professional shoulder-mount AG-HPX500, AJ-HPX2000, and AJ-HPX3000 camcorders. Panasonic has also announced the P2-based AG-HPX170 handheld HD camcorder. The HPX170 is very similar to the HVX200 and the HVX200A, the main difference being the lack of a tape drive on the 170. The latest products to feature P2 technology are the well-received[1] recently launched AJ-HPX2700 and AJ-HPX3700 "Varicam" high end cameras.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top