30 GB PCMCIA size drives coming! P2 alternatives?

[Vsv]

These 1.8-inch disks (12x40GB)already used in Jeff Kreines Kinetta camera.

[Luis Caffesse]

[PappasArts] “they are no bigger than PCMCIA cards, and can use the same connectors to link up to devices.”

While the idea is really cool Micheal, it’s still unclear whether or not these drives would actually work in the P2 slots of an HVX200 – and if I had to guess I would say they probably won’t (just a hunch).

At least we’re down to less than 2 weeks of waiting now.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Harry Pallenberg]

They may not yet… but where there is a will there is a way… give it 8 months at most.

Thanks,
Harry.

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Dual 1.8 G5 ** 1GB ** 10.3.6

[Derek Antonio serra]

You guys are missing the point. Panasonic want to sell you a handful of expensive proprietory P2 cards. Sure no cheap HDD will slot in and work like a P2. The markup on the P2 cards is factored into the profit from peripherals which are necessary to operate the camera. Maximising profit is why companies are in business – Pannie may take a hit on the actual camera to appear competetive but will make it up on the cards

[Luis Caffesse]

[Derek Antonio Serra] “Sure no cheap HDD will slot in and work like a P2.”

Possibly not Derek, but I’m sure there will be alternatives to P2 for those who want it (much like you can use a firestore on an XL2 right now, HDD on JVC, etc).

The markup on the P2 cards is factored into the profit from peripherals which are necessary to operate the camera. Maximising profit is why companies are in business – Pannie may take a hit on the actual camera to appear competetive but will make it up on the cards

I think people are underestimating how much the price of P2 cards will drop once this camera is available.

The price of P2 today is not the issue, it’s the price of P2 when the camera is released that is the issue.

And, as we’ve mentioned here before, a year ago DVCProHD/24P for under 10,000 seemed like a fantasy. Things are moving faster than ever, and the pricing on all products in the future will refelct that I think.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Luis Caffesse]

“Pannie may take a hit on the actual camera to appear competetive but will make it up on the cards

You may be right…
But I don’t see that as being much different than any other time you move into a new format…

If I were to buy a DVCPro50 Tape camera, a Beta Camera, or even an HDV camera…I would have to invest in a deck.

I’ll probably spend less on P2 cards than I would have spent on a deck…
so in the end I think it’s a worthy investment (considering the cheapest DVCProHD deck is a bit over $20,000).

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Pappasarts]

<<>>>

Don’t say that Luis, we must think positive. It will work , it will work . This might not, but something most likely will.

Look at those two guys who built a mod on the DVX100A . Tapping into the cameras ccd to get 4:4:4, full ccd res 12 bit rgb recording to firewire. That’s not easy to have done……

Here is Their link:

https://www.reel-stream.com/index_temp.php

When compared to that, coming up with a ribbon PCMCIA card adapter to drive or just a PCMCIA/ HD enclosure can’t be anywhere near as difficult as to tap into the ccd’s of the DVX100A and stream out a signal like that.

Even the italian guys who cuts off the lens of a FX1 and machined a new mount is not a cake walk to get right. But they did.

So hard drives, PCMCIA cards, cables and power systems are all off the self gear. It will happen.

These moments make me think how Charles McConathy would be knee deep in this right now. He would have innovated new devices at Promax. Charles McConathy for sure would of had a P2 alternative. I know that.

Unfortunately there really is no one like him, as there has not been anyone that is doing just that, coming up with alternatives.

So now it’s up to others?

Michael Pappas
https://www.pbase.com/ARRFILMS

[Emery]

I think your right on track with that last post michael…

The whole “P2 thing” is not a complicated mechinism. Nor is it new. Solid state media has been around for a long time, and there are a ton of companies out there making products. PCMCIA is nothing new either. Surely there will be third party companies that will develop compatible products, and you can be the prices will plummit. Connecting a relatively cheap hardrive to a PCMCIA interface is not hard, i could build one myself, and infact maybe i will. Maybe Ill sell them to all of you guys and makes lots of money! 🙂

Im searching for flights to Vegas now, I cant miss this years show!!

Emery

[Luis Caffesse]

[PappasArts] “Don’t say that Luis, we must think positive. It will work , it will work . This might not, but something most likely will. “

Okay Michael…I misunderstood what you were getting at.
I thought you meant, ‘hey look, this hard drive will fit in the P2 slot, so chances are it will work straight out of the box.’ That’s something I’m not holding out much hope for.

But if you’re talking about someone out there finding a way to make it work, then yes, I’m with you. I’m constantly amazed by the lengths people will go to to accomplish what they feel they need to get the images they want (Juan with the Reelstream project, case in point).

I can’t wait to see what people come up with for this camera…and also what panasonic may already have in store for us.

We’re all on the same page now…
I wasn’t trying to be the wet blanket in this discussion.

I’m as big a cheerleader for the DIY solutions as anyone.
It’s part of what makes production at this level so fun and exciting for me.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Pappasarts]

These are indeed very exciting times Luis.

The odds that I can go to NAB are 50% for family reasons right now. So I may have to rely on you good people to be reporters for me and everyone that won’t be attending.

I can’t wait for the 3rd party guys, they are going to be making so much for this camera. It will be awesome.

Michael Pappas
https://www.pbase.com/arrfilms