Hot Swapping - Advice, Comments and Questions

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

Our new Public Beta, for the nanoFlash, 1.6.226, supports "Hot Swapping".

I am starting this thread to explain this new feature and how to use it properly.

Please post comments and questions about "Hot Swapping" in this thread.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

"Hot Swapping", as it applies to the nanoFlash, is the technique of removing a CompactFlash while recording, and inserting another card.

One very practical reason to use "Hot Swapping" is to allow one to start editing or broadcasting footage while one continues to record, uninterrupted.

In an ideal world, if one expects to use "Hot Swapping", one would have a batch of CompactFlash cards that were previously formatted in the nanoFlash ready to be used.

In a more practical environment, one can, using the proper techniques, remove one card, while continuing to record to another, then copy the footage to a computer or other device, or just transmit the footage back to a station, then format the card in a computer (or other nanoFlash), then re-insert the card in the nanoFlash.

As I have stressed in another thread, just deleting the files, or deleting the }CLP{ directory are not recommended (specifically prohibited) as this places the ability of the nanoFlash to record to the card in jeopardy.

One can use another preformatted card, or one can reformat the card in a computer using the Cluster Size or Allocation Unit set to 32K using FAT-32 as the formatting option.

If one chooses to go with the reformat option, please test this in advance to ensure that your computer will properly format the card and that the nanoFlash can successfully use it. There are a wide variety of computers, operating systems, and versions out there, a prior test is very important.

To use "Hot Swapping":

Format all of the cards that you will need for your shoot ahead of time (preferred method)

Insert two cards into the nanoFlash, then record in the normal way.

One can wait until the nanoFlash finishes recording on one card and starts recording to the second card,

or

One can force the nanoFlash to immediately advance to the second card.
This is accomplished by pressing the Record Button twice in rapid succession.
This will force the nanoFlash to flag the card as full.

Please allow time for the nanoFlash to close the current file, then switch to the second card.

After allowing time, one can check the Status light next to the CompactFlash card.
Blinking Red means that the nanoFlash is currently recording to the card.
Solid Red indicates that the card is full and can be removed.


Then use the removed card for immediate editing or for transmitting the contents to another location.

Then either insert another card, already pre-formatted in the nanoFlash, preferred method,
or format the card in your computer (FAT-32, 32 K Allocation Unit - Cluster Size).

Note: If one presses the Record Button Twice in Rapid Succession, then the nanoFlash will have flagged the card as full.
Removing the card and reinserting it will not reset this condition.
One must reformat the card, in the nanoFlash (which cannot be done while recording) or on a computer.

"Hot Swapping" requires that it be done correctly, and it is dangerous if done inappropriately.

For example, one must wait until the Red LED is on prior to removing the card.

One must remove the correct card. Removing the card being recorded to, will cause lost footage.

But, by following these simple rules, and practicing beforehand, this can be a very nice tool.

This feature is very nice for event videographers and for situations where the footage needs to be edited or broadcast immediately.

As far as I know (at this time), the nanoFlash is the only external video recorder that supports “Hot Swapping”.