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Need advice to P2 workflow, Cache-A Tape storage and FCP Server
Hi,
Im now starting my path into P2 world.
Trying to figure out which workflow to choose.We have a HPX3700 with P2 cards.
We have a Cache-A LTO4 Tape Storage
Two Intel FCP 7 clients, one of them connected to a (12 TB) Promise raid. (now as two luns 4TB raid5)
Four PPC FCP 5.1.2 clients (Fiber connected to a apple xsan 4TB xserveraid)And Im wondering how we can utilize this best.
FLOW 1:
Shoot AVCI 1920×1080 50i/25p
Offload P2 AVCI from Camera through Finder to Promise raid5.
Archive P2 from raid to Cache-A lto4 Tape using Automator.
FCP Log and Transfer to create QT (Let FCPServer create Low res proxys – editable in fcp 5.1.2 on ppc)
DELETE Original P2 from raid (?)
Transfer low res QTs to xserve raid – edit FCP 5.1.2
Finished Project file back to FCP 7 for finishing,
transfer needed files from Cache-A tape using FCServer?
Batch capture as Pro res HQ – or what ever comes AVCI to just – Regarding Quality.
Send to color, and export omf to Pro tools for finishing.My thoughts:
high quality output – lots of conversion ifs depending, allows use of 4 clients in san.
Is it recommended to have the master P2material only on LTO tape? scary to delete from raid…
Let me have 4 more clients at work.
Maby timeconsuming, converting and restoring from lto tape…
Don’t know how FCServer will act in this role- pointing to a LTO tape not inserted…FLOW 2:
Shoot DVCPro HD 50i/50p
Offload P2 from Camera through Finder to Promise Raid0. (need the space then…)
Archive P2 from raid to Cache-A lto4 Tape using Automator.
Use P2flow to let FCP edit naively.
Send to color, and export omf to Pro tools for finishing.My thoughts on this one
Not as many steps in the flow, easier management, need of more edit storage, not as many clients available right now
More time efficient, not as good quality in end product as flow 1?__________________________
Is there other workflows I should consider?
Do you have any suggestions for one or the other? – drawbacks?What is your flow?
I have read Shanes P2 article, seen his tutorial and read the fcpP2 white paper on Panasonic’s site. in addition to a “few cowposts.
However still wondering about FCServers role in this, and how Tape storage can play its role in this world. for instance; reconnect to data tape.I have not yet bought FCServer, nor P2 Flow.
When it comes to P2 organizing we are standing on the bridge of 5x50min documentary series and 8×50 min tv entertainment shows, (and maby one 5×50 min more)
Any P2 thoughts? other than give them a 6-8digit unique reel. (show, episode, number of tape) like: PLG103 or BFCWB002.Any experience using Cache A LTO tape with FCP, or with FCP server in a P2 flow?
All your thoughts are deeply appreciated!
Best regards
Andreas -
2 Replies
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This may not be the right vehicle for specific answers to your workflow, but I can speak in more general terms.
You will want to look at ShotPut Pro for offloading cards, not the Finder with Automator.
I wrote a short review here.
If you need to be able to edit the footage on either PPC or Intel without proxies, then DVCProHD would be the way to go.
You can edit AVC-Intra natively in ProRes, but not on PPC macs.
FC Server is good for making proxies, but you should find consultant to figure out your specific workflows.
Archive the P2 volumes to Cache-A box. This can be done automatically with HD Log from Imagine Products, or maybe with FC Server. There is also a connector for the CAT DV database and the ProCache to track assets. Might be all you need in place of FC Server.
Also consider RayLight https://dvfilm.com/raylight/mac/index.htm instead of P2Flow if you want to take advantage of advanced organizational workflows with P2 metadata.
Read this article for more info on P2 workflows with Raylight.
HTH,
Art Aldrich
P2Pro.com -
Thank you for your answer Art,
however I have some follow ups.Good white paper you have wrote “using p2 with final cut pro” by the way!
[Arthur Aldrich] “This may not be the right vehicle for specific answers to your workflow, but I can speak in more general terms.”
Do you know about a better vehicle?[Arthur Aldrich] “You will want to look at ShotPut Pro for offloading cards, not the Finder with Automator.”
I gave SPP a try. I tested it quite hard- and it wasn´t solid enough for me. I ran a copy of my card to cache a, made my router restart – causing the copy to fail.
and there where no log that showed this after restarting the program.
I cannot have to rely on a secure copy.
With Automator I have a “to archive” and “archived” folder besides each other. I let Automator move the “to archive” content to “archived” when transfer to Cache-A is finished. In addition I need to have the copy devided in two steps to the cacheA. First to the Cache HD, then move to the Vtape folder for automatic transfer to tape. Automator does this easy – SPP can´t.
But thank you for the recommendation.[Arthur Aldrich] “You can edit AVC-Intra natively in ProRes, but not on PPC macs.”
Natively as read mxf with raylight/P2 flow, and have your timeline in proRes? or rewrap to ProRes quicktime using for instance L&T?
[Arthur Aldrich] “FC Server is good for making proxies, but you should find consultant to figure out your specific workflows.”
My nice Apple reseller tests this out for me.[Arthur Aldrich] ”
Archive the P2 volumes to Cache-A box. This can be done automatically with HD Log from Imagine Products, or maybe with FC Server. There is also a connector for the CAT DV database and the ProCache to track assets. Might be all you need in place of FC Server.”I reckon I have to check out Imagine and CAT DV – and see how they behave with material back and forth to LTO tape.
[Arthur Aldrich] ”
Also consider RayLight https://dvfilm.com/raylight/mac/index.htm instead of P2Flow if you want to take advantage of advanced organizational workflows with P2 metadata.Read this article for more info on P2 workflows with Raylight.”
Thank you!, I´ll read more.
Any thoughts regarding letting LTO tape be the only place mxf are stored in a online /offline Workflow? (flow 1)
Are there big media organization differences between read mxf native and rewrap as QT?
Anybody using LTO tape with workflow experiences?Thank You!
Andreas
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