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Double Checking Workflow
I have been reading all the information about transferring footage from the cards to a hard disk and wanted to make sure I have it right before making a purchase. I have the HVX-200, three 8 GB cards, a firestore and a Lacie 600 GB hard drive for transfering to a 2.5 TB RAID on a Mac G5.
The missing component, laptop. Is the ExpressCard/34 on a MacBook Pro the same as a PCI card slot on a PC? In other words, does this accept the P2 cards? I know there is a considerable cost difference, but I was going to install FCP on the MacBook Pro for “offline” in the field as I travel quite a bit. I thought I read you can install same license on a studio workstation and one mobile/laptop.
Is there anything I am missing? Or is it better to just transfer using a PC?
Thanks in advance for your responses.
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7 Replies
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Nope, can’t insert P2 cards into the Macbook Pro (yet). P2 cards won’t fit into the Express Card slot on the Macbook Pro (will on a PC, though). There is an adapter that is supposed to be coming out, but I believe it has supposed to be coming out for about 6+ months now. Only option with the Macbook Pro is to hook HVX directly to laptop via firewire and transfer that way (I’m not a big fan of this method while shooting in the field. Takes my camera out of commision for 5-7 mins for just one P2 card). I was in a similar situation to you and just last week decided to buy an Apple Referbed G4 Powerbook (does have PCI slot for P2 Card) and it’s working fine for me at this point (just finished a shoot right before making this post). May want to consider that route.
Also, yes, you are right. You can install your license of Final Cut Studio on one desktop and one laptop.
Steven Gladney
Sometimes the obvious is hidden in plain view.
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Thanks for the input, I’ll look into the Powerbook option, if it will handle Final Cut for basic operation.
Also, forgot to mention that the Lacie 600 GB is USB 2.0, no firewire. I’m assuming this tranfer speed is okay.
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Just to let you know, Powerbook (I have the 17″ titanium and love it) will definately work for basic editing. I’m acutally trying some HD stuff a little later on today. If interested, I’ll let you know how it works out.
As far as the USB 2.0 drive goes. If you already have it, it will work fine for transfer (P2 through Powerbook to Lacie). But transfer ONLY!!! I would not suggest trying to edit from this drive with it set as your Media Drive (scratch disk). USB 2 is fast, but it has not shown the ability to sustain a fast enough transfer rate for video editing (unlike firewire, which has). I’m not sure how the USB drive would work if you’re just doing offlined work, but if I had the choice, I’d definitely just go with a Firewire 400/800 drive. At least that way you have a multifaceted drive that would be good for transfer and editing.
Steven Gladney
Sometimes the obvious is hidden in plain view.
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Yeah, If you have time to reply on your HD test later today that would be great.
I do already have the USB drive and yes, was only planning on using it for transfer and have already looked into the 17″ Powerbook. Thanks!
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An adapter has recently been annouced to read/write to P2 cards via the MacBook Pro’s Express 34 slot:
https://www.duel-systemsadapters.com/?productid=DP-0001
Special pricing at $99.
In my workflow, the original MXF files are stored on a Level-1 RAID. This “mirrored” RAID will help ensure that data doesn’t get lost in case a drive goes down. Cost of storage is around 80 to 90 cents per minute which isn’t cheap. But it’s still much more cost-effective when compared to the option of Varicam tape.
Dean Sensui — Imagination Media Hawaii
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Hi Jeff,
Just wanted to give you a little feedback on the HD tests on the Powerbook. Everything thus far is working great! I’ve only done some very rough cuts (working on a DVCPro 720 HD 24p timeline) with no real motion graphics are anything yet, but it’s working fine. And this is from a small G-Drive Mini (only 5400 rpm). I’m trying not to get into any heavy editing yet because this is a “real” project and I really want to edit on a firewire dive that is at least 7400 rpm. But as far as simple renders for color correcting and dissolves, works great. Definitely not my desktop (G5 2.0 Dual Core with 2.5 gigs of Ram), but at this point better than I expected. Also, this is only with 512 MB’s of RAM (Selling my old laptop to get 2 gigs of RAM next week). So I only expect improvement with more RAM. Hope this helps
Steven Gladney
Sometimes the obvious is hidden in plain view.
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Thanks Steven,
I’ll be making my purchase sometime this week. After reading the post before yours, however, I may look into the Macbook with the adaptor, but will way all options especially the cost. Thanks again for all who responded.
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