What Form Will The Camera Original-to-Client Take?

[Deleted User]

Quite a few options exist, and more will soon be available.

If the client provides/pays for P2 cards, you could return them with the video material recorded on the cards.

Or, if the client provides/pays for a compatible field-operable, portable harddrive data recording unit (such as FireStore and such), you could return the HDD or a HDD cartridge containing the video material. Some of these units can record data while shooting takes place, so a separate “dubbing” step isn’t required.

Or, a client might provide one of Panasonic’s new portable P2-to-harddrive storage units. This unit will most likely let you copy the video data faster than realtime from a P2 card to the unit’s internal drive. Then the client can leave the shoot with their drive and video.

Or, if the client requires DV25 recorded onto a miniDV tape, there’s a chance (not confirmed by Panasonic) the new, small P2 AG-HVX200 camcorder may include a miniDV tape transport. In which case delivering DV25 on miniDV tape will be easy. Panasonic has strongly indicated the HVX200 will _not_ include a tape transport capable of recording DVCPRO-50 or DVCPRO-HD because it’s too big & expensive to include in a “under $10K USD” camera.

Or, if the HVX200 does not include a DV25 miniDV transport, since it will apparently have a Firewire port, a portable DV25 recorder, such as the small Sony GV-1000, or fullsize Sony DSR-50 DVCAM recorder (or similar Panasonic DVCPRO unit) can be connected to the HVX200. It’s not yet known if the cam’s FW port supports external device control, but this seems likely.

Or, if the client requires a different tape format, you can dub to their tape of choice either in the field — or more likley — after the fact.

Other P2-compatible media systems are likely to be announced next Monday at NAB.

Concerning the “large” IDE harddrives you mention: As has been discussed here recently, “large” harddrives (>150 GB or so) are typically 3.5″ technology units which are not designed for portable applications. Although 3.5″ HDDs be transported safely while powered-off, they have much lower resistance to shock/vibration-induced errors while in operation compared to 2.5″ and smaller harddrives. So “big” HDDs will be great for “desktop” use, sometimes even in the field, but for handheld-in-operation use, only smaller HDD are appropriate.

Stay tuned to NAB for more details …

All the best,

– Peter

Just a friendly reminder to all: Please consider filling-in your COW user profile information so we have a better idea who you are, where you’re from, and so forth. It’s the friendly thing to do. Thanks!

[Luis Caffesse]

[Peter DeCrescenzo] “Although 3.5″ HDDs be transported safely while powered-off, they have much lower resistance to shock/vibration-induced errors while in operation compared to 2.5” and smaller harddrives. So “big” HDDs will be great for “desktop” use, sometimes even in the field, but for handheld-in-operation use, only smaller HDD are appropriate. “

I think 3.5″ HDDs would be fine to back up P2 cards to in the field.
The drive wouldn’t be on the camera, or moving around, it would be hooked up to a laptop on set. Cards could be copied over between lighting setups, and at the end of the day the drive is unhooked and either taken back to the edit suite or handed off to the client.

I agree that I wouldn’t want to use a 3.5″ drive on the camera, or in any situation where the drive would be transported while powered on. But keeping it on set shouldn’t be a problem. I suppose that depends on the specific project and what sort of environment you’re shooting in.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Rob Brandreth-gibbs]

I can’t see most client’s paying for something of much greater $ value than the worth of a tape. Mostly out of habit, I suppose. But also economics given the alternatives.

But getting back to large IDE drives… I meant as a post production device, not at the camera head. The scenario would be to take a P2 card; stick it into a PCMCIA slot; and transfer all the data to a USB2 Large IDE. Without calculating, seems that would be comparable to an HD tape cost for a client.

RBG

[Rob Brandreth-gibbs]

Now how are 3.5 drives being used now?

And small drives, in general: I’m thinking IPod drives. You know that thing in all the ads with the wildly gyrating listeners?

RBG

[Luis Caffesse]

[RBG] “Without calculating, seems that would be comparable to an HD tape cost for a client. “

1 Hour of DVCProHD at 100mb/s takes up roughly 47GB

A 1 hour DVCProHD tape costs $80

A 60GB external drive can be purchased for less than $60.

So in the end, it is cheaper than buying tape.
You may want to read the “I’m excited about P2, no I’m not” thread, there are a lot of the same concerns being covered there.

Luis Caffesse
Studio 3 Productions, Inc.
Austin, Texas

[Deleted User]

[RBG] “… But getting back to large IDE drives… I meant as a post production device, not at the camera head. …”

For sure, post-production and computer graphics folks have been sneaker-netting harddrives and HDD cartridges (and data-tape cartridges) around for years. And these devices are less expensive than ever.

All the best,

– Peter

Just a friendly reminder to all: Please consider filling-in your COW user profile information so we have a better idea who you are, where you’re from, and so forth. It’s the friendly thing to do. Thanks!

[Rob Brandreth-gibbs]

Thanks for that. It all almost seems too good. Let’s keep this between us, ok? ;^)

And thanks for the thread reference. That was the one thread I hadn’t read.

RBG

[Rob Brandreth-gibbs]

Forgive my ignorance, but are there 2.5 inch PCMCIA drives (that might fit into the P2 camera slot)?

RBG

[Deleted User]

I don’t believe one which is compatible with P2 has been announced — yet.

As Jan Crittendon (Panasonic P2 marketing manager) says: “NAB. NAB.”

All the best,

– Peter

Just a friendly reminder to all: Please consider filling-in your COW user profile information so we have a better idea who you are, where you’re from, and so forth. It’s the friendly thing to do. Thanks!

[Bigwoolydog]

Isn’t some form of data storage on Blu-Ray a possibility here?
Afterall, Panasonic has signed on to the Blu-Ray party and with data storage of 25 to 50 gigs possible relatively soon, this could be another alternative for low cost storage of P2 data, if not for playback.
With some of the rumors going around that Apple might introduce Blu-Ray drive equipped G5s at NAB, it’s certainly conceivable that Panasonic might be working on this, even if they’re not quite ready to announce it.

Bob England