dale156
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: How do I format an 8 gig Lexar USB drive so it is visible by both MAC and PC?

I edit a weekly 60 min TV show and need to save the show file to the USB.

The show file is over 4 gigs.

after placing the show file on the USB I take it to the TV station where they are trying to open the USB and transfer the show file into a playback syatem which is on a PC platform. The PC is not recognizing the USB drive.

Mac Pro

Posted on Jun 21, 2012 7:23 AM

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dale156

Q: How do I format an 8 gig Lexar USB drive so it is visible by both MAC and PC?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jun 21, 2012 7:28 AM in response to dale156
    Level 9 (53,643 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 21, 2012 7:28 AM in response to dale156

    >4 GB presents a problem because the default FAT format of the drive won't work with files that size.  You have to use Mac extended or Windows NTFS and then also buy third party software to enable the Mac to read NTFS or the PC to read Mac formatting.

     

    NTFS drivers for Mac - e.g., Paragon or Tuxera

     

    Tuxera NTFS 2012.3.2  - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/33122/tuxera-ntfs

     

    NTFS for Mac OS X 9.5.3 - http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/26288/ntfs-for-mac-os-x

     

    Mac Drive for PCs - http://www.mediafour.com/products/macdrive

  • by The hatter,Helpful

    The hatter The hatter Jun 21, 2012 7:41 AM in response to dale156
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 7:41 AM in response to dale156

    Paragon Suite 2012 can convert a volume to/from NTFS and HFS without data loss (but don't skip having backup,, what if your power goes and your UPS won't last long enough?)

     

    Paragon NTFS was updated for 10.7.4, the others are not plus it mounts more PC drives and copying seems more reliable and fast and doesn't 'hiccup" half way thru from what people have written back.

     

    MacDrive can mount Apple HFS RAID in Windows w/o freeze or crash so good to know.

     

    Some people have tried using exFAT. Not sure how well that works or not.

  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Jun 21, 2012 9:28 AM in response to dale156
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jun 21, 2012 9:28 AM in response to dale156

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3003

    Note, if the Lexar has a card used in a digital camera, it is best to format it in the camera itself.  Formatting cards externally to the camera may make the card unusable in the camera itself.

  • by mac.heretic,

    mac.heretic mac.heretic Jun 21, 2012 10:23 AM in response to The hatter
    Level 1 (105 points)
    Jun 21, 2012 10:23 AM in response to The hatter

    exFAT works great in a mixed OS 10.6/10.7 or Windows Vista/7 environment (it's what I use for USB drives). There is an update for Windows XP that enables exFAT on those systems if you're using one.

     

    If you're recording video right onto a USB drive (I hope it's USB3.0 and a SSD or fast HDD if you are) then exFAT probably won't work with the camera; most cameras don't yet support exFAT so NTFS or HFS+ will probably be required in that case. If so, then Paragon NTFS or Tuxera NTFS (Tuxera I also use) will be the best option.