Need Help! PANASONIC HVX 200, P2 CARDS, FCP 6.0.4: Importing Mayhem!

Shane, thanks for replying so quickly!

I had in fact seen your tutorial, and did exactly what you suggested: Copied the entire contents to a folder, then tried to import from that - it didn't work.

"First off, you are skipping a VERY VITAL step...copying the data off of the cards."

Nope. I did copy off the data, but FCP didn't see it.

"Now...did you click on that little FOLDER icon on the upper left and direct it to the card? Sometimes FCP doesn't automatically detect the card and that needs to be done"

Yep. Pressed and navigated to the card - but it didn't work.
The card doesn't look like in your tutorial (with the P2 logo) - mine looks like an ejectable drive.

Wilfredo

Shane,

Trashed prefs. Repaired permissions. Switched off computer. It's working!

It's now 2.20 in the morning, must get some sleep or else I won't be able to film anything later on today! Thanks for your help. Will let you know how I get on!

All the best,

Wilfredo

If you've been following my little problem with these pesky P2 cards, then you would have been glad to see that I solved the problem before going to bed ... unfortunately - after recording the event, I am now sitting at my MacBook Pro, with the Camera connected via firewire, and guess what? Log and Transfer doesn't see the media!!

I have just spent some time trawling through other posts, but can find no step to try next. Just so that you are all up to speed:

The P2 cards are fine. I can view the footage on the camera and all clips play fine. When I mount the camera, the Macbook sees the P2 cards.

When I open the Log and Transfer window (after assinging a logging bin and creating a folder to place the media on), I try and connect to the folder containing the LASTCLIP.TXT files and the CONTENTS folder.

Log and Transfer does not see the media. (even if I disconect the camera)

I have tried accessing the media files directly from the camera, but this doesn't work.

PERIAN is not installed.
FXFactory is not installed.

I have followed Shane's Creative Cow tutorial:
http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ross_shane/p2fcp6/video-tutorial.php

but this doen't solve the problem.

I have trashed FCP prefs, repaired permissions, and even repaired the drive (though it wasn't necessary). I have restarted the Mac. I have gone for a ten minute walk, I have made some coffee, drank it, crossed my fingers - done everything I can think of - and it still doesn't work!!

Can anyone shed any more light on this?

By-the-by, I also have a SONY SR11 and this doesn't import using the Log and Transfer window either - so I though this in to the melting pot as well.

Thank you

Wilfredo

Shane! Hi.

Hope you're well.

Okay, will try it ... just before doing that - no chance that a different plug-in may be causing a problem?

Wilfredo

Right.

As you suggested, Shane. I re-installed FCP and updated it to 6.0.5 along with QT 7.5.5.

I have also set up a new account, made sure that PERIAN is still not installed as well as the FXFactory plug-ins. Followed your instructions, but still no luck.

I am getting really worried, now. I have been trying to solve this for two days.

Wilfredo

I'll keep you posted ...

David, thanks for your input on this.

+"All those p2 cards are write protected before you mount (a copy) them aren't they?"+

As far as I am aware, they are not write protected. I have checked the files - there are no 'lock' signs and all files are 'read and write'.
If you look at Shane's tutorial (see earlier post in this thread) his LASTCLIP.TXT has a lock icon on it, and it seems to work for him.

+"you are actually copying the entire p2 volume, aren't you?"+

Yes. LASTCLIP.TXT and CONTENTS copied across to drive - not a alias.

+"You need to see a green + sign and wait for about 10 minutes for the copy to occur."+

Presumably, you mean on the Camera? Can you clarify a bit more exactly what you mean?

I am just going to the Hire company right now (UK time 12.30) to get them to sort it out for me.

I will get back to you (all) about this as soon as I return with the solution to the problem.

All the best,

Wilfredo

David, Shane, and anyone else who has been looking at this thread.

This, I think has solved my problem with the P2 cards and FCP not being able to import the media stored on the cards.

The logic board was faulty!

When I took the camera (and my macbook pro) to the Hire company, it refused to start. After several hours of testing and trying everything I could to get it to start up, I finally had to give up, and take it to my local Apple store. Luckily, I had invested in Applecare, so I knew that I would be taken care of. There was a moment of panic, when they suggested that it might be the drive and that I would lose all that was on it, but this was not the case. The logic board was changed the next day, and everything is now back to normal.

Just tried to import the P2 media into FCP and it worked first time. I can't think that it was anything else, as (you can see from the thread) I/we had tried everything to get the import to work.

Two things to note about the whole affair:

1: I have had the logic board replaced on my previous laptop (a Powerbook G4)
2: If you can afford it, get Applecare! It saved me around £600.

I'd like to thank everyone who tried to help me - particularly Shane and David S.

All the best,

Wilfredo

PS I can now get on and start working on the edit!!!

I am closing this thread.