EX1 v using tapes on Z7U – which is more practical…

[Shane O’brien]

Thanks for all the help. I have gone with the EX1. I picked it up today and will have tomorrow to get familiar with it before heading off on Monday.

I also rented a MBP, so I can backup the footage on location – as per the above suggestions. I also have an external firewire 800 drive I can bring. Once I’m back, I’ll transfer the files onto the drives I’ll actually be using while editing.

Just so I have the process straight – I can either transfer the BRAV files (just literally drag and drop) from the cards or I can use Sony’s Log & Transfer Utility to load the footage? The guy at the rental house recommended the latter. As I’m not going to be editing from the computer or drive upon which I’d be saving the files, is there any benefit to doing that?

One final question – I was thinking to shoot 1080/30p. It’s a corporate project – to go on DVD, the web, and possibly a higher res format that could be kept on computer and played on HDTVs in meeting rooms etc. Any thoughts on format?

Many thanks!

[Craig Seeman]

[Shane O’Brien] ” can either transfer the BRAV files (just literally drag and drop)”

NO
Transfer the BPAV with ClipBrowser with CRC ON.
NEVER DRAG AND DROP!

[Michael Slowe]

Craig, WHY? I have been dragging and dropping BPAV files into suitably named folders for a year now with never a problem. I know what your dictum is but don’t fully understand your reasons. I use the Sony Transfer software to cherry pick from the clips before importing to my edit system but drag and drop the files from the cards.

Michael Slowe

[Craig Seeman]

[Michael Slowe] “Craig, WHY? I have been dragging and dropping BPAV files into suitably named folders for a year now with never a problem.”

You can drive without a seatbelt for years without ever getting into an accident. One accident, one expensive reshoot, one lost client can cost thousands of dollars. CRC ensures the copy is the same as the master. Like a car accident, it may only happen once in years but that one time can be fatal.

Nearly 30 years in the business and I’ve learned this is always a game of odds. Every good facility I worked for made protection masters (because tape is so reliable he says sarcastically). When it comes to copying BPAV, CRC ensures the copy is as good as the master.

As Dirty Harry used to say, “Do you feel lucky?”