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P2 info from Intel Mac to PPC Mac
First off, I’d like to thank everyone who has been helping me (us) so far on figuring out P2 information. We are very close to implementing P2 HD to our workflow, and I’m excited to get off this Avid Meridian (circa 1997).
Ok, on to my question..
We will be purchasing a laptop for on-site injesting of the P2 information. Originally we thought to get a (refurb) PowerBook G4 1.67 Ghz machine to handle it, becuase that worked before, and because we will be getting two QUAD G5 systems that are also on the PPC platform. After more thought, i really would rather have a MacBook Pro for the overall performance, but i’m wondering if that is going to create any glitches taking the info injested on an intel mac, and transferring it to a PPC Mac. Has anyone tried this?
It seems like MBP would be a better choice (except for the absence of FW800) since it’s processor technology isn’t 2-3 year old.
Thanks!
-Ross Hendrickson
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10 Replies
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As much as I hate to say it the MacBook is somewhat at odds with P2 because it lacks a PCMCIA slot. That means you either use a P2 store, a P2 drive or the camera itself to ingest. We are promised an ExpressCard to PCMCIA adapter card but it’s been late in coming. Still you are right the Powerbooks have kind of been put out to pasture and the MacBooks do rock.
Noah
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It’s very funny that Apple includes the newer ExpressCard instead of the PCMCIA card, saying that this is where things are going and gives the MacBook Pro a leg up on the future. Oddly, there’s almost nothing available that uses it — the P2 issue is not the only one, if I travel on the road and need to access the Net, I have to take my old Powerbook as it works with a PCMCIA card and there’s no telephony card available for the new slot in the MacBook Pro.
Apple is quite aware that most of these machines will never be used longer than a year or two at the most and then they are going to be outdated and replaced by newer technology.
I guess you could call this new card slot, preemptive orphaning. ;o)
Me, I’d gladly trade my newer wowwee zowwee super-powered cutting edge slot for a good ole PCMCIA slot.
But hey, that’s just me… ;o)
Beast regards,
Ron Lindeboom
creativecow.net -
There is confirmation that a PC Card to ExpressCard/34 adapter is coming along with a PC Card reader to USB2.
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Wow, that totally slipped by me. I noticed the absence of FW800 in the MacBookPro’s.. but no PCMCIA? That’s kinda lame.
Sounds like my best option for the On-Site P2 ingesting is that G4 Powerbook since it has FW800 and a PCMCIA slot.
I’d rather not go with the adapters and such when they are yet to be ‘proven’, and just add to the extra ‘stuff’ I would need
to manage on the shoot.Thanks!
-Ross Hendrickson
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PS- Ron you can get a USB modem for the MacBook.
https://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MA034Z/A
-Noah
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Yes, but the PCMCIA card we have allows us to get broadband access while we are on the road. The USB modem does not have this capability, Noah. But I do appreciate you taking the time to look this up for me. Thank you.
Ron
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I have been happily shooting HVX200 P2 and editing with 17″ PB on the road.
I get plenty of editing accomplished while in the airport and while flying. -
Is it like an wireless modem- a la EVDO or Edge? I know there are EDGE Express cards from Verizon and Dell momentarily.
Noah
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I’ll tell you what I do (and would do again) and works like a charm:
P2 card to Toshiba Windows laptop running P2 Genie. Then, back at the ranch, copy P2 files to Mac over LAN. Then import to FCP.
Very inexpensive (laptop was in the $650 range);
P2 Genie is a must – it automates the ingest to laptop process, and can reformat the P2 card for you after ingest. it will do all this automatically on card insertion, and will save the data anywhere you like – even to 2 locations (like local and external HDDs) if you like. It also creates unique reel numbers (folders) for each new card inserted.
I hotrodded my laptop a little bit with a 7200rpm Hitachi local drive, which is extremely fast. I keep the computer free of junk, and the drive defragged. basically, i treat it like a piece of video gear, not for e-mail or games or even editing. just production work. I also use DVRack on it, BTW.
Mac laptops and notebooks are just too expensive for field work IMO, especially considering the low relative cost and ease of use and featureset of windows machines. Heck, when the PA drops it (you know it’ll happen sooner or later) I can call my wife to bring her laptop (my backup, but she doesn’t know it), or go to Staples or Best Buy or Walmart or whatever and buy a replacement, and I haven’t blown the shoot. Or use another one that happens to be in someone’s car. You get the picture.
YMMV!
HarryD
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Just got my new Novatel card…. finally shipping see here
https://www.rastervector.com/files/f639612e7ed548b2ec7f8b87dae1136f-58.html
Richard M. Harrington, PMP
Author: Photoshop CS for Nonlinear Editors, Understanding Adobe Photoshop, and ATS:iWork
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