Can anyone explain the whole workflow using the Hvx200 and a P2 card.

I was told you aren't able to just record and drag and drop.

Also how much time do you get on the 8gig P2 card?

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/sales_o/p2/p2card/index.html has a detailed list of recording time for different formats. An 8gb p2 card recording 720 24p will give you 20 min. The workflow question is more difficult to answer and depends on the NLE you are using.

This is exactly why I was asking the motivity guys...

The NLE is Final Cut Pro, I just wanted to know before I go ahead and recommend it to some folk.

FCP 5.1.2 came today (through software update for 5.1 users) and makes the whole P2 thing a lot easier.

Insert your P2 medium (Firestore or P2 Card)
Preview clips in the new import window
Import.

Drag and drop... sorta -;) As you have to do the drag'ing and drop'ing from FCP.

If you're in PAL land the difference is more than cosmetic, as you now also have 720 p25 support and can enjoy the over- and undercranking without hacking quicktime.

Gunleik

So basically I can transfer all the footage
that's on my 4gig card in less time than it would take me to transfer
tape?

So a powerbook 1.5ghz can do this job easily?

I just heard about 5.1.2...
Sounds great! I will update as
soon as I get a big edit put away!

Yes, I edit with a 17" PB...
Did a shoot today and was editing
at lunch....
Had a rough edit done in 30 min...
Went back and shot the rest of the show
with the client feeling good about what
we had shot....
I have 2 - 4 gig cards...I transfer to my internal
drive (and yes that takes 4 min per card) and keep shooting....
I also copy the P2 contents from the internal
to 80 gig USB externals...it takes like 8 minutes
for a 4 gig card but it is just for back-up...all battery powered
and I can preview the the footage using P2 log
on my 17" screen....