I need to figure something out real quick. I am working in the field and have no means to test anything...so I have to be sure of what I am doing.

If I go buy an external HD from a Office Depot...plug it into my powerbook, and if I DO NOT format it....can I throw files on there, and then plug it into a windows machine and get the files???

This is really important, and I need to figure out an answer ASAP.

Thanks in Advance.

 

external drives are usually pre-formated FAT32, which works with windows and macs

 

You can't put anything on a drive if it's not formatted. What you need to check is if OS X can format a hard drive partition/volume with the FAT32 or NTFS file systems.

EDIT: Just saw Wipeout's response. If it's preformatted, than yes you're golden.

 

from WD website:

Just the essentials – fast, simple, reliable add-on storage. This 7200 RPM external USB 2.0 drive is preformatted for immediate use. Simply plug in your WD Essential™ USB hard drive and you’ve got instant storage and backup for your PC or Macintosh. Easily store valuable data, music, photos, and movies. It’s perfect for digital video editing and MP3 downloads.

http://www.westerndigital.com/en/pro...asp?DriveID=97

 

Yeah , sorry....I meant using the pre-format....which is usually for windows (FAT32)


Now....the next question none of you can answer.

I am taking HD video straight from the solid media card it is being recorded onto...and taking it through my computer...to the HD....to be in used in a PC Avid machine....

I have Final Cut Pro...and this new camera/media is set up to work right with it. I know nothing of Avid or the PC version....

So, I do not now if brining the media into the mac, then to the HD will make the files any different then going from the media to a PC....

Since, It straight info from the card to the HD, I'm guessing but I don't want to risk fucking up something like that and totally screwing the director/editor...

Damn Panasonic and their new P2 technology....fuckers

 

You may not even need to go through your PowerBook. I don't know which of the three models you're using, but the manual for the HVX200 shows that you can copy directly to an external hard drive via a firewire connection. No computer required.

 

Yes...but that would require I stop using the camera while I download said footage...

Seeing as I only 4gb cards (6 of them) and they are3 only good for 4minutes of HD footage a piece I need to be able to dump and go.

I will have the powerbook and inverter set up on location in our rental Expedition via inverter.

If Panasonic engineers weren't idiots, and allowed you to name each card when you insert them (ie: Roll 1, 2, 3 etc) and it downloaded these "rolls" to the intermediary HD they provide it would be a non-issue period.

As it stands, everytime you start and stop the camera it creates a seperate independent clip, and file.

And if you you dump to the intermediary HD panasonic makes (and we have one) the P-Store, then it just dumps un-named folders for EACH clip shot. And then when you download that HD to your computer it litters your desktop with tons of un-named and unorganzied folders.

If I do everything via putting the card right into my computer then it keeps all the clips/files in one folder, and I can then transfer it to a folder i create on the desktop with a "roll" number...hence keeping things organzied.

The editor would shit himself nuts if he got a shot load of files with no names.

Fuck up on Panny's part imo...and my friend who is the rental manager where got the gear said he gets yelled at by everyone who rents these cameras for that very reason.

 

Holy crap!

Talk about a good concept not being thought through...

My occupational sympathies are with you.

 

No shit...I was sooo excited about this camera, too.

I will no longer event debate getting a biz loan for one, till this issue is addressed.

God, I love being on projects with a 35mm package and a dark room...So, much better.

 

Oy...the company Firestore makes external HD drives that allow you to recored straight to those for continous shooting.

They have had these around for other cameras such as the DVX-100....but I thought these were not yet out for the HVX....damn me.....this would have made everything a piece of cake.

Aside from the issue of figured out what formats works with Avid...since they are behind the times....sigh