XDCAM/ P2 Question

[Geezer.1]

I have a couple of questions for users of these two formats.
We are using Newscuters and an Avid Unity server system and I want to find out how well these formats link up to this software.
Are any of you ingesting XDCM at DV25 compression into Newscutters? If so can you ingest at greater than real time?
If so how fast can you go? Are any of you cutting in the field on laptop computers with XDCAM and what software are you using?
Same questions for P2 users.
Also what are you paying for P2 cards?
Any thoughts on the cameras generally?
I know Sony head ends make beautiful pictures but I have also heard some troubling things about XDCAM and battery life. Is there anything to that or is it just a rumor?
How durable are the XDCAM drives? How do the discs themselves stand up?
Any observations from the real world on P2 or XD you care to share would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to PM me if you like.
I don't want to start one of those Panny vs Sony dustups. I'm looking for some feedback from the grunts on the bleeding edge.
Mange Tak!
Mike Plews

[SeagateNews]

Mike--Do a search for P2 and XDCam by clicking the link at the top of the page, right under the "New Topic" and "Add Reply" buttons...you might find some answers...

[ May 07, 2005, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: Seagate News ]

[wutang]

Geezer.1
Get a hold of Dennis Decker at kwch. His station is currently using p2 and grass valley out in the field. He could give you a good assesment of it all. I will leave his e-mail adress at the bottom.


ddecker@kwch.com

[Dedline]

Pana is demoing P2 with an Avid Newscutter. You take the card out of the cam, put it in the laptop computer and boom you're ready to edit with thumbnails showing up in ur bins in a couple of seconds. no ingest or digitize. I understand you can buy an external disc drive now for the XD which will treat is as an external USB drive. Either camera will also usb into your computer (or firewire), but then it ties up ur camera and uses up ur battery.