[Ernie Santella]

I did think of selling my HDX900, but I do have clients that still want to walk away with tape at the end of the day. So, I decided to keep it. Plus, I didn’t like the idea of buying a used camera that I have no idea how it was used and maintained. My camera is 4 years old and still looks brand-new.

A couple things I can add… Nano will be releasing a 10Bit update for the NanoFlash soon. That will be great. I just like the company. It’s Colorado-based (where I am) They release great new features in each update. (Timelapse, Under/Over cranking etc) They are very sharp to what us pro’s need.

Something that turns me off is that, I don’t like the fact that P2 is Proprietary storage. Kinda’ rings of what AVID did that with their AVID only hard drives, That’s not good for the industry. Panasonic can charge whatever they want for storage. We need more universal, easy access storage. (I want our production world to be BetaCamSP again – haha)

[Ernie Santella]

Jeff, lots of good points!

I’m not sure of the bit-rate of the Intra codec, but the Nano can record at up to 280MB which is amazing, especially for EFX/green-screen work. I’m not sure if there has been any Intra vs. Nano 280MB shoot outs?

Not to start a flame-war, but a lot of the shooters I know think the Proprietary P2 format’s days are numbered, so, most are not investing it in. It seems every manufacturer has a new, better camera/format being released monthly. It’s scary to invest in anything.

For me, with the economy as it is, buying a new camera was out. But, the Nano was the perfect option for working in a high-quality, file based workflow.

[Ernie Santella]

J,

I did double record when I got the unit, just to make sure there were no CF glitches in the media. Not one, so I don’t run tape anymore. I would agree, the only bug-a-boo is without tape, you have to hit the REC/STOP buttons on the unit. But, there are some things that might help. There a company that makes some remote start/stop with Tally light cables. Sure, that’s one more thing to attach, but I bet you could run the cables without too much issue. Here’s the link, they also have some other cool stuff for the Nano.

https://nanoflash.net/remote_control__time_code

I might get one of the tally cables. I don’t do much run-and-gun, hand-held shooting, so it’s not a huge thing to me. (Mostly corporate/commercial work.)

The Nano records using the Sony XDCAM 4:2:2 Codec. There is no wrapping or any funky transcoding. Just copy the files off the CF cards to your edit Raid, drop them into the timeline with no rendering at all. Couldn’t be easier. Makes the P2 workflow look kinda’ silly. You can set the Nano to record in QT or MXF for AVID.

Not to get off track, but I also have the Focus Enhancements FS-H200 for my little HDV camera (Which I get calls for too) That uses CF cards and also works great. That sold me on using CF instead of going P2.

You do need to pay attention to Nano and get only the cards they recommend. They have to be really fast. Here’s the list of tested cards.

https://www.convergent-design.com/Products/nanoFlash/Media/tabid/1653/Default.aspx

[Ernie Santella]

I just bought a Convergent Design NanoFlash Compact Flash recorder. Check that out.

https://www.convergent-design.com/Products/nanoFlash/tabid/1666/Default.aspx

[Ernie Santella]

Check out the WD Media Player. Works superb for HD presentation, Kiosks, client demos etc. The box is $100 and plays all types of HD material off a Flash drive! Brilliant.

https://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=734

I give them all my clients as gifts. So, when I want to show them their projects on their big screens at their offices, I just bring a flash drive and bingo, HD quality!

There’s a couple of threads on this box.
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/8/1075359

I’ve recommended these for trade shows too. (No, I don’t work for WD)

[Ernie Santella]

Thanks Jeff for all the info. I’m getting a better grasp of what to do. Any reason I can’t use the camera for the card reader? I’m only renting the camera for this project, not purchasing a system right now.

[Ernie Santella]

Jeff Regan,

Can you save to two drives at the same time with ShotPut Pro thus saving time?

– Does the camera have to be on a separate bus? (i.e. USB 2.0 for a Panny HPX300)
– Can the two separate Hard drives be on the same bus (FW 800)

Any suggestions as what would be the faster way to read the P2 cards into my Mac? I will be on location, so I thought the camera would work, but who makes a reader that works?

Lastly, I’m assuming since the drives on my FW800 bus, I can’t have the card reader on that bus also correct???

Thanks!

Thanks!

[Ernie Santella]

Anyone have experience with the Panasonic HPX300? It has the ability to just plug a USB2.0 drive directly into the camera for Card-to-HD transfer. I’m thinking of just buying this camera for a 2nd camera.

[Ernie Santella]

Shane, Thank you for the quick response.

I’m just a bit nervous. I’ve been shooting DVCProHD tape for years now as well as used a Focus FS100. But, this is my first time shooting on a P2 based camera. I’ve done some research and there seems to be some that say DO NOT just copy the files like you’ve outlined (Contents and lastclip.txt file) And to only use the Panny P2CMS program. (Way too many opinions) I really trust your judgment.

I’ve downloaded that program, but it’s very confusing to make sure I do it right the 1st time. I don’t have a lot of time to test that workflow.

So, to be clear using your process… I am using the camera as a card-reader FW transfer unit. I just connect that to my MacPro (OSX10.6) Make all connections before powering them up, then copy the files from my (Protected) P2 cards to my external USB2.0 HD (again, contents and lastclip.txt file) into separate folders for each day. Then, should I repeat to my 2nd HD for B/U from the camera or just copy from HD to HD?

Thanks again for all your help!!!

[Ernie Santella]

It’s not a Panasonic FW ‘issue’. You can’t run a camera and a drive on the same buss.