Ive read a lot about this on various forums.. personally I use shotput pro .. but just wondering.. apart from the nice messages and and all.. is there actually any logical answer to those who claim there is no difference what so ever.. and if files are lost its some other computer problem .. or that using software to copy is actually safer..?

I can't say I've seen a resolution to that debate. However, some less tangible reasons to use the software over the Finder are:

Getting support for a corrupted card/file from Sony
I find the Sony software much faster at ejecting the cards then the Finder
The large icons in CLip Browser take less room and display faster than in the Finder

Why not use the free software?

What good reason is there not to use XDCAM Browser or Shot Put?

XDCAM browser will reconnect spanned files and long clips, can be used to combine or split BPAV folders making file management easier and most importantly does error checking.

Shot Put Pro is invaluable for professional production environments as it can provide logs of copies and backups, so if something does go wrong its easier to trace why and where your files might be.

I wanted to give Shotput Pro a try, but the download of the trial version always ends up in a 'damaged disk' error report. So installing it is impossible. Not a good sign...

Why not use the free software?

What good reason is there not to use XDCAM Browser or Shot Put?

XDCAM browser will reconnect spanned files and long clips, can be used to combine or split BPAV folders making file management easier and most importantly does error checking.

Shot Put Pro is invaluable for professional production environments as it can provide logs of copies and backups, so if something does go wrong its easier to trace why and where your files might be.

One thing I have noticed with new version of SPP.. using 10.7.3 is that it wouldn't download files directly to an ext HDD.. only to a folder with the ext HDD.. apple told me something to do with permission with the new OS.. can't remember exactly.. but it worked fine like that.. but not directly just to the ext HDD icon.

One thing I have noticed with new version of SPP.. using 10.7.3 is that it wouldn't download files directly to an ext HDD.. only to a folder with the ext HDD.. apple told me something to do with permission with the new OS.. can't remember exactly.. but it worked fine like that.. but not directly just to the ext HDD icon.

That limitation is actually a good thing. You don't want to clog the root folder on a drive with files. It doesn't matter to the space on the drive but it does matter to the file system on the drive.

I highly recommend using sub-folders to organize and store files and not put them in the root folder of the drive.

Yes thats what Apple said.Just getting the alarm sound from SPP was alarming :)