STEP BY STEP REFERENCE GUIDE
PANASONIC P2
Working with P2: Using the Panasonic HVX200
camera with Avid Media Composer
Overview
With Avid, editing footage captured with the HVX200 camera is fast and easy. Avid® systems use the same
native file format as Panasonic P2 memory cards, so there’s no need for transcode, capture, or file conversion
process of any kind. You can edit directly and immediately from the P2 card if you’d like or have
Media Composer® create a rapid backup of your files. Nothing could be simpler or more immediate.
In addition to providing the fastest path from shooting to editing, the Avid P2 workflow:
• Integrates P2 formats directly, so you don’t have to shuttle through tapes looking for a shot
• Imports metadata automatically into the Avid bin
• Supports P2 media natively over 24p as well as 60i
• Provides an easy mechanism to copy the P2 media to Avid local or shared storage so you can reuse the P2 card as quickly
as possible
The sections that follow introduce the specific workflow for the Panasonic HVX200 P2 camera and Avid® Media Composer®,
version 2.7 onwards. Earlier versions of Media Composer do support more basic P2 workflows. Please consult the product
documentation for details.
The workflow referenced above applies whether you’re using a laptop or workstation, a Mac or PC. Check system requirements
The following pages cover:
1. Choosing Format and Frame Rate
2. Accessing P2 Media in Media Composer
4. Outputting P2 Media from Media Composer
P2 Step By Step Reference Guide
3: Protecting P2 Assets
Whatever your workflow, Avid strongly recommends protecting your original P2 assets prior to post-production.
The safest and most efficient way is to access the material with Media Composer and consolidate it onto a local
drive or Avid Unity™ storage system.
Consolidating within Media Composer:*
• Safe and simple
• Fast and efficient
• Incorporated failsafe checksum
• Creates an instant backup
To automatically consolidate:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Select the clips you
want to work with in
your bin
With those clips
selected, go to
the main “File”
menu
Select “Import P2”
Choose “Media” The media will be automatically consolidated
as per the settings defined via the
Media Creation Tool
To use the manual consolidate function - For greater control, choose the location for the media each time you perform the operation.
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Step 9.
Select the
Go to
Select “Consolidate At the Consolidate
/ Transcode dialog,
choose “Consolidate” same drives”
Choose “Video Choose
Make sure
that the
master clips
are re-linked
to the media custom
on the new
drive
The media
will now be
consolidated the device
Eject or
disconnect
clips you want the main / Transcode”
to work with
in your bin
and Audio on
the Drive,
Avid Unity
or network
location to
which you
wish to
“Clip”
menu
as per the
or path to
the original
P2 media,
to ensure
you’re editing
the copied
media
settings
specified
consolidate
the media
* Note: Having both the original media and the consolidated copy of that media online at the same time can cause problems and confusion both for
the operators and for the software.
To back up footage manually on a Mac or PC:
In the field
At an editing facility
Use a laptop to copy
the media to a USB or
FireWire disk, or burn it
onto a data DVD
Use a laptop or workstation to
copy the media to an archival
device such as a DLT or a
mirrored or RAID protected
stripe set
* Note: Back up all of the media exactly as it is presented on the P2 cards. The directory structure should remain intact with all files present and in the
directories created by the camera. Also, run a comparison between each P2 card and its backup prior to erasing and re-using it to make sure that the
correct numbers of folders, files and bytes have been duplicated.
P2 Step By Step Reference Guide
4: Outputting P2 Media from Media Composer
You have several options for delivering your final product. By exporting directly from a timeline containing
P2 compatible media, you can:
•
•
•
write back to a P2 card
export to a DVCPRO HD VTR via FireWire
export an alternative file type for web, DVD or multimedia from Media Composer or Sorenson Squeeze
In addition, you can deliver from a timeline where you’ve transcoded the media to:
• uncompressed HD (8 bit or 10-bit)
• Avid DNxHD
• transcode direct to SD for PAL/NTSC
With a transcoded HD or SD master you can output your work via:
• HDSDI to VTR such as D5 or HDCAM
• “Direct to air” for immediate playback
• SD to DVCPRO or Digital Betacam VTR (PAL or NTSC delivery is dependent upon HD format chosen)
To deliver P2 sequences back to a P2 card:*
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Select the sequence Go to the main
you wish to output “Output” menu
Select “Export
to Device”
Choose “P2”
The write-back will take place over
FireWire, USB or direct to a PCMCIA slot
mounted card
To deliver P2 sequences to a DVCPRO HD VTR via FireWire:*
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Ensure the video
quality is set to full
green mode
Select the sequence Go to the main
you wish to output “Output” menu
Select “Digital Cut”
Choose “1394”
The Digital Cut will take
place over FireWire
* Notes:
• Make sure the P2 device is correctly installed and recognized by the operating system before launching Media Composer.
• Due to capabilities of current Panasonic card writing hardware, this process will work only with non-native Panasonic frame rates.
To export sequences as a file type appropriate for web, DVD or multimedia distribution:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Select the sequence Go to the main
Select “Send To”
Select the format
you wish to output
“File” menu
(or use right click)
and other parameters
for your desired export
or
The Digital Cut will take place over FireWire.
Select “Export”
Use the “Export Settings”
quick drop down menu, or
the “Options” panel in
order to select the format
and other parameters for
your desired export.*
* Note: The “Export Settings” quick drop-down menu also allows for rapid access to Sorenson Squeeze, where many other file types are available
for creation.
P2 Step By Step Reference Guide
To output your work on tape via HDSDI to an VTR such as D5 or HDCAM:
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4.
Step 5.
Step 6.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Transcode the
sequence to
Avid DNxHD
format
Connect Avid Ensure the video Select the sequence Go to the main Select
At the Consolidate
Choose
“Video and
Audio on
Adrenaline
hardware
to your Mac
or PC
quality is set to
full green mode
you wish to output
“Clip” menu
“Consolidate / Transcode
/ Transcode” dialog, choose
“Transcode”
same drives”
Step 9.
Step 10.
Step 11.
Step 12.
Step 13.
Step 14.
Choose the
Drive, Avid Unity
or network
location on
which you wish
to store the
new DNxHD
media
Choose
“Convert
Video”
Choose the
Choose “Create
New Sequences”
if you want to retain complete; with
a copy of your
original sequence
that remains linked
to the original
P2 media
When the transcode Select
procedure is “Digital Cut”
The Digital Cut will take
place over Baseband HDSDI
Avid DNxHD
resolution you
want to create
the newly created
sequence selected
go to the main
Choose
“HDSDI”*
“Output” menu
* Note: Make sure the HD VTR is correctly installed and available in Media Composer beforehand.
The process to deliver an SD master (over SDI component or composite) is similar to the above, but it will be highly dependent on the
acquisition frame rate and format you chose at the shooting stage.
If the frame rate and format you are using have and SD counterpart:
Step 1.
Step 2.
First use the
Transcode and
Output as
described
above
“Format” tab to
select the SD format
of the project
To learn more—visit www.avid.com/p2
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© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are subject to change without notice. Avid, Avid DNxHD, Avid Unity, and Media
Composer are registered trademarks or trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
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