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Screen Magazine - Index

Screen Magazine - Screen Magazine: Vol. 29, Issue 9 - Index

EQUIPPED
Demystifying The Data Management Process
Using Panasonic P2 Memory Cards For The Layman (It Doesn’t Get Any Easier Than This!)
Lately there has been quite a bit of hubbub regarding what
kinds of complex and magical tools, specifically in regards to
image data storage, one needs to complete projects shot
in HD. Over the past few years, Panasonic, with its P2 solid
state memory card technology, has provided the media
industry with an easy workflow process, whereby video and
audio information is recorded onto their P2 cards, then easily
downloaded onto a non-linear editing system. This workflow
process has eliminated the time and labor-intensive step of
digitizing tape recordings. Instead, the information can be
easily loaded onto a file-based system of non-linear editing
equipment as well as network servers. It is our hope that this
article will be helpful to future users in creating an easy and
affordable workflow of data for themselves.
In the following illustrations, we have outlined simple scenarios
that include anywhere from two to five steps in bringing your
footage to post. The first scenario is the easiest, where you
simply record onto the memory card(s) and download the
data off into post land via the “P2 drive.”
This process is as easy as it sounds, however, some may not
want to shoot this way due to the following reasons:
• If you are shooting oodles of footage you will need several
P2 cards. If you own your own camera package you will
soon realize that these cards are not cheap and most of us
may only have two to three on hand. In addition, your rental
house probably has a limited amount as well. However, the
beauty of these cards is that you can reuse them over and
over and over again on set as long as you have some device
to download the data onto (more on this later).
• Some people want to view the footage of the card in the
field before sending it off to post. To do this, you will need a
playback device and possibly a large monitor to see all the
details (more on this later as well).
• If you are renting the camera and cards, your rental house
will want both items back first thing the next morning. This
is not a problem if post can download the data from the
Archives
cards the same day of your shoot. However, if they cannot
get to the task until the next day or two, your rental house
may not be too happy to find its P2 cards are missing its -
especially if the cards are slated to go out on another rental
that day.
The second scenario offers a variety of steps and tools to
work with depending on the personal comfort and budget
of the user. As you can see in the illustration below, once
the image has been acquired, we take the P2 cards to the
“preview, copy and media conversion” phase. Panasonic
devices such as the “P2 Mobile” or “P2 Gear” allow the
footage on the cards to be viewed, deleted or moved
from one card to another. From here, the footage can be
viewed on the larger set monitor to verify that all looks great
before downloading to a portable hard drive, which can be
purchased at an affordable price from a store like Best Buy
or through many vendors online. In some cases, a production
will purchase two hard drives. The second one serves as a
backup to remain untouched, much like a negative in the
film world is archived. From here, the information can be
taken to post and the P2 memory cards can return to the
rental house with the rest of the camera package.
As you can see, the data management process of P2
technology simply requires an understanding of the camera
system, viewing tools and a basic knowledge of how to
download computer files onto an external hard drive.
We hope that this information is helpful to all of you as
you plan your next production. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to call us at (312)243-3400.
Sincerely,
James Pope, Mike Acuña, Mike Pavlisan
//www.schumachercamera.com
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