[Bob Woodhead]

What Barry sez, but possibly substitute the LaCie 2big RAID 1 external FW800 2 drive array as storage. Mirrored as you copy. 1TB (500GB used as RAID 1) now $400. Warm fuzzy ensues.

[Bob Woodhead]

You mean you tried it 1st with MCD set to USB Device & it didn’t work?

[Bob Woodhead]

Yes it does.

[Bob Woodhead]

I don’t think there’s any “P2 readers” for USB. You need the DuelAdapter Cradle that goes PCMCIA->ExpressCard for the MBP.

You should use the free P2CMS software from Panasonic to do your transfers. (Make sure in Options that “compare” is on.)

Yes, P2 cards show up as drives.

DO NOT MESS WITH THE FILE/FOLDER NAMING AFTER TRANSFER! Bad Idea.

[Bob Woodhead]

Well, I’m using the VZ PG-F12 Zoom Control, but it’s specific to Fuji… you’d obviously need the Canon version. Zoom control is great, but the focus is **SO** darn touchy in HD (or maybe it’s the lens?), it’s way hard focusing when the lens is wide open. Seems like if there was a “gear down” in the focus, in order to get more handle turn for a desired focus, it’d be easier to hit focus without overshooting.

[Bob Woodhead]

Yeah, I’ve come to realize, as others have already said elsewhere, Raylight shouldn’t be considered an option when going P2.

Only 4 basic cam + lens packages, when I bought. Choice of Fuji or Canon, 2x or not. I went with Fuji 2x.

Other goodies, not a package, but stuff I wanted:

Anton Bauer Tandem 70 charge/adapter; super lightweight!

Portabrace CC-HD1; quickdraw cam case

Cavision clamp-on matte box & flag; we call it the “client box” – they LOVE seeing that thing on the front… makes it look like a “real camera” (sheeesh!)

Varizoom zoom & focus controls (make sure it’s the right pinset for your lens)

Marshall V-R70P-HAD LCD; couldn’t afford the Panasonic 7″

Petrol PLCD bag for Marshall

Noga 8″ articulated arm for Marshall (a must)

Hope this helps. Shaking my head thinking how many hours went into debating that list!

[Bob Woodhead]

We like to work green. Dollars, that is. 😉 Mostly corp, some broadcast, starting our 1st HD feature next month. (Used to do all broadcast composite/FX work… this “shooting” stuff is past 4 years. Well, after a 12 year hiatus strictly in post… lol)

KUDOS to a fine bit of work Panasonic has done with the 500! Sure, there’s some things I’d change (some of which could be done in software), but overall, a KILLER kit for the price.

“Constituo, ergo sum”

Bob Woodhead / Atlanta
http://www.CoolNewMedia.net
Quantel-Avid-FCP-3D-Crayola
Panasonic HPX500

[Bob Woodhead]

Lol… oops! Apologies to Barry – hadn’t seen his posts about editing off camera directly. (Thought it was using a P2 card in a laptop slot.) But anyway…. WOOOOOT! :))

[Bob Woodhead]

Blu-ray = too slow, too small. Now that we’re using P2, the media archival goes WAY over 25/50 in a hurry.

I’d think that with the WIDE use of LTO in business IT, it should be compatible for a long time. And I’d be happy with maybe 10 years – enough time for a really large, cheap, fast archival medium to arrive.

But I guess I’d need to use Retrospect to create the archives…. (?)

[Bob Woodhead]

I don’t feel secure for the long term using HDDs sitting on a shelf. Prefer a format that’s rated for shelf-life.