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Can a Compact Flash or SD card be cloned?
I’d like to be able to make a backup copy of flash memory cards as they come out of the camera at shoots. I know I can copy the data without any problem but I figured it would be more reliable for later post production to clone the entire card in order to maintain the file structure, etc.
Does anyone here do that? Can you suggest third-party software, if that’s needed, for this process? We can work on either Mac or PC.
TIA
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10 Replies
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Funny,
I’m currently making an app. that does just that.and more…
It works either manual or auto
(meaning, every new inserted card gets copied to one or two different locations without user interaction)
It then will do a thorough check if every bit has arrived.
It is smart enough to remember what cards are already offloaded.
If you like, It will make a new directory per day, and per card.
And if you like, it will erase the card when it is done.I’ll make it available for both mac and windows.
I’m hoping to have a first version done by tomorrow. I’ll post here if there is something to toy with.
Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro’s -
Bouke, I knew you were an impressive guy starting way back in my Media 100 days.
Your skills are most admirable.
And would very much like to take advantage. Thanks for posting. I look forward to your release!
— Ron
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Ron,
(and others)
I’m nearly done making an ‘offloader’ application.
Worry free automated offloading of any removable media.First public beta is here:
https://www.videotoolshed.com/?page=products&pID=15Also, if you do video, have a look at this:
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/280/122
You probably want that too!Let me know if it works for you or not.
Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro’s -
Sounds great, Bouke. I’ll want to get into both of those. First I’ll have to arrange an opportunity to do that. I’m a producer/editor; not a shooter. So I have to get access to some flash memory cards with video on them. Will do as soon as I can.
Thanks!
Ron
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Ron,
For testing, you could use disk images, or CD’s / DVD’s
They are seen by the OS as removable drives.Creating a disk image is very easy on Mac, use the disk util.
hth,
Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro’s -
Ron (and others)
Version 0.3 is now online, you may want to toy with the latest version.Also, it’s both Win and Mac now.
enjoy,
Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro’s -
Hi Bouke,
I’m not in a position to do it right now but I definitely will give it a go… Thanks much!
Ron
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Bouke looking forward to your app!
A a couple things to add to the conversation.
First, if you have a laptop with you in the field then make you can easily make a clone of the card by using disk utility (on the Mac) and creating a disk image. This will create a .dmg file that is a exact copy of the card and its one self-contained file. I’ll usually create a disk image from a media card and drop it on an portable FireWire or USB based drive. Then when I get back to the studio I’ll make a Blu-Ray or because I have one I’ll layback to LTO-4 tape. Then that is my true archive
Another very very useful app that is very popular with other tapeless video sources (P2 etc) is ShotPut Pro from Imagine Products. They make a fantastic app that lets you copy up to three places including optical drives, what’s nice is you can add a ton of metadata about the copies. When speed and accuracy are paramount in a back up I use ShotPut Pro
Robbie Carman
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Colorist and Author
Check out my new Books:
Video Made on a Mac
Apple Pro Training Series DVDSP
From Still To Motion -
Hi Bouke,
your tool is great – the piece of software i was searching after last weekend, when i had to copy my SxS Cards to two harddisks during a “longterm” concert shooting with my left hand while continous shoot the concert with my right hand *g*
So i’m looking forward that you will continue this project, since your software has one great advantage over the tool “shotput” – you will ERASE the card after copy is finished an you will NOT format the card!!
Since on an SxS Card eg. from PMW-EX1 you also store the settings file, this file would be lost when formatting the card.
BTW my Cards are numbered and via formatting i will lose this title of every card…Also the possibility to choose dir’s or files to copy is great!
tom
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