I certainly appreciate workflow tools. Even Panasonic has free software that helps you manage and transfer P2 assets. I have been using P2 media for 6 years, and have transferred many many terabytes of video using just a standard file copy. The only time I ever had data corruption was when a gaffer inadvertently killed the power that was running an external USB drive that I was transferring data to. And that was my own fault for not telling him I had plugged into that line.
So I trust my OS's native file transfer functionality, and if I were paranoid (and not always in a hurry) I would use a transfer-and-verify method. I understand that ShotPut automates a lot more than that, but I personally feel safer staying with something simple and basic.
George
________________________________
From: Jim Feeley <jfeeley@gmail.com>
To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 9:26 AM
Subject: Re: [Avid-L2] Re: Shotput Pro vs Auto Transfer vs Prelude
I do a lot of production/location stuff these days. We're always transferring files to drives while on the road.
I've worked with ShotPut Pro and with the beta version of Adobe Prelude (I haven't used Bouke's Offloader though it looks pretty good). Both can copy to multiple locations/drives and both offer at least a couple methods of verifying transfers. Prelude is pretty cool and does a lot more than just transfer files, but it's new and I haven't yet used it on location; ShotPut has been around for a while. If I had to choose today, I'd go with ShotPut just from familiarity. In a couple months, I may switch to Prelude or something else.
But you can download trial/demo versions of each application. Definitely grab a copy of each and see which makes you feel most secure and best fits with your workflow.
As Jim Gilson implies...are you sure you can daisychain LaCie USB3 drives? I don't think you can. Might need to go with FW800 for that (or Thunderbolt, I think, if you can find drives that fit your ruggedness needs). That'll probably slow your file transfers, but that has two benefits: you can skip the ExpressCard adapter & USB3 driver (and their additional level of complexity) and you can encourage good shooting practices (really; some camera people have forgotten that cameras have off buttons).
I wouldn't go with a RAID 1 system; your "multiple copies" approach is simpler and makes it easier to distribute your drives.
I see A LOT of LaCie rugged drives out in the field. Producers love them. I really like the orange rubber bumper around the case; orange is one of my favorite colors. But I've also seen a few (and gotten frantic calls from people with) dead LaCie rugged drives. A few years ago, there were lots of reports of LaCie failures...IIRC, there were heat and/or power supply problems with some of their "designed" drives. I don't know if they've resolved those issues. Perhaps I hear more about LaCie drive failures because their drives are so ubiquitous. Perhaps they're fine for general computing use but can't dissipate the heat generated by long video transfers. Perhaps they're fine now for everything. I don't really know. Ya the cases appear to be strong. However, I question how truly reliable their drives are, especially when used for video production in hot dusty environments. Just question; don't claim.
Maybe consider some other brands such as CalDigit, Glyph, G-Tech (maybe). If you're worried about them getting crushed or dusty/wet during travel, get some Pelican cases or dry bags (like those from Aquapac).
Other brands might be a bit more expensive than LaCie, but geez all storage is so cheap these days. Especially compared to a reshoot on another continent where you need to recapture that spontaneous but insightful interaction between your hero and that recalcitrant government official.
What brands and models do others recommend for portable, shippable, dustable drives?
Well that's way more info than you asked for...or even need. IME, ShotPut Pro is reliable and helpful. Adobe Prelude has lots of promise. Download both, get a couple drives, go shoot for a couple of days and try out your proposed workflow. Then let us know what you decide to do and why.
Jim "ya, I spend a lot of time away from home transferring files" Feeley
jfeeley@gmail.com
On May 16, 2012, at 6:22 AM, we are who wrote:
> Thnaks for the thought,
>
> As with everything nowadays, budget is very low. Also we are shooting a documentary for 3 months through Africa and will be traveling in 2 4x4 vehicles and camping so space is limited.
> The idea is to have 3 sets of Lacie 1.5tb rugged drives. 12 drives, 4drives in each set. Connect them via Lacie USB 3 ExpressCard to Macbook Pro 17.
> Each set of drives will be in 2 different vehicles at all times. A third drive will be mailed home at different locations.
>
> The reason for the Lacie drives is because they are protected since we will be going through rough terrain.
>
> I am just wondering what will be the safest software to use for copying, etc
> Shotput Pro or can Adobe Prelude do similar and copy to multi destinations.
>
> Thanks
>
> --- In Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com, Andi Meek <kwikpasta@...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > If you can afford it try and make one of your drives a RAID 1 at least. The G-Tech drives are pretty solid in my experience. Also, if you're transferring a lot of data you will be doing yourself a massive favour by taking drives with e-Sata connectivity. Be careful with the rugged drives, they are supposed to be bus powered but often i find that they are not and need the additional USB power cable plugged in, they also get REAL hot on long transfers. If you're transferring from CF card or the like then look in to getting an e-sata card reader, as slow USB card readers are the bottleneck often. Sonnet do a really expensive one called Qio but for much less Addonics also do an e-sata CF card reader. HTH,
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Andi
> >
> > To: Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com
> > From: werkru@...
> > Date: Wed, 16 May 2012 11:59:49 +0000
> > Subject: [Avid-L2] Shotput Pro vs Auto Transfer vs Prelude
> >
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> > Hello,
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> > I know this is not entirely an Avid question but believe that the best answers come from this group.
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> > I was wondering how Adobe Prelude compare to Shotput Pro and Digital Rebellion's Auto Transfer.
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> > Can you also copy your card to different locations at the same time and verify that all media has been properly copied to each location via Checksum, etc
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> > I am doing a 3 month documentary and will be on the road all the time. Was wondering what will the best and safest option be to copy, backup, verify and add metadata?
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> > Each card will be backed up to 3 different Lacie Rugged drives.
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> > As of now the show will be edited on MC6.
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> > Any feedback appreciated.
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> > W.
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