Format or Delete SDHC card????

Chris Harding · May 28th, 2010, 05:08 AM

Hi Philip

Just Google for "panasonic SD formatter v2.0" it will find a link to the Panny Japan website with all the utilities.

Also google for "H2TestW" software..it's a freebie from Germany and tests SDHC and USB drives by writing and verifying data ...software also runs in English!! I found it very useful.

However, up to now I have just been formatting in camera without any issues at all ... make sure your reader can handle the formatter software!!

Chris

Philip Younger · May 28th, 2010, 09:27 AM

Thanks Chris - got it, I always download these things, you never know when you might need it. I too format in the camera before each shoot and not had a problem, but that doesn't mean I may not get a problem in the future!!

D.R. Gates · June 1st, 2010, 11:29 PM

I format as well. Been doing that with the same 3 Panasonic 16GB cards I've been using for just over a year. No problems.

Robert Turchick · June 1st, 2010, 11:53 PM

format...all my cards after the files are on two other drives!

Chris Harding · June 2nd, 2010, 01:15 AM

Thanks Guys

When you say "format" are you using the Panasonic software on the computer first and THEN formatting in the camera???

It seems that most people simply use the camera to format the card (even if you do it with the Panasonic software you still need to format in the camera as far as I know??

My current batch of 4 cards have been only camera formatted since August with no problems apart from the one isolated incident.

If would be nice to have a definitive preferred course of action eg: Always format with the Panny software first or use the Panny software every few months just to check the card or only use the software if there is an issue.

Chris

Denny Lajeunesse · June 2nd, 2010, 02:22 AM

Yes, you need to format in camera in order for the file system to work write. In fact all digital cameras state somewhere in there manuals to format the cards in camera.

I run the SD formatter on new cards. Then after that I format in camera for all other formatting.

Graham Hickling · June 3rd, 2010, 12:29 PM

Once the file system is established, is there a reason thereafter to not simply delete the files, rather than reformatting the whole card?

Denny Lajeunesse · June 3rd, 2010, 03:35 PM

Not really. I just find it quicker as I can do this from cam mode and not have to flip back into playback mode.

June 1st, 2010, 11:53 PM	#19
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	format...all my cards after the files are on two other drives! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

May 28th, 2010, 05:08 AM	#16
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Hi Philip Just Google for "panasonic SD formatter v2.0" it will find a link to the Panny Japan website with all the utilities. Also google for "H2TestW" software..it's a freebie from Germany and tests SDHC and USB drives by writing and verifying data ...software also runs in English!! I found it very useful. However, up to now I have just been formatting in camera without any issues at all ... make sure your reader can handle the formatter software!! Chris

May 28th, 2010, 09:27 AM	#17
Philip Younger Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 207	Thanks Chris - got it, I always download these things, you never know when you might need it. I too format in the camera before each shoot and not had a problem, but that doesn't mean I may not get a problem in the future!!

June 1st, 2010, 11:29 PM	#18
D.R. Gates Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 111	I format as well. Been doing that with the same 3 Panasonic 16GB cards I've been using for just over a year. No problems.

June 2nd, 2010, 01:15 AM	#20
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	Thanks Guys When you say "format" are you using the Panasonic software on the computer first and THEN formatting in the camera??? It seems that most people simply use the camera to format the card (even if you do it with the Panasonic software you still need to format in the camera as far as I know?? My current batch of 4 cards have been only camera formatted since August with no problems apart from the one isolated incident. If would be nice to have a definitive preferred course of action eg: Always format with the Panny software first or use the Panny software every few months just to check the card or only use the software if there is an issue. Chris

June 2nd, 2010, 02:22 AM	#21
Denny Lajeunesse Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kelowna, BC [Canada, Eh!] Posts: 257	Yes, you need to format in camera in order for the file system to work write. In fact all digital cameras state somewhere in there manuals to format the cards in camera. I run the SD formatter on new cards. Then after that I format in camera for all other formatting.

June 3rd, 2010, 12:29 PM	#22
Graham Hickling Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 1,669	Once the file system is established, is there a reason thereafter to not simply delete the files, rather than reformatting the whole card?

June 3rd, 2010, 03:35 PM	#23
Denny Lajeunesse Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kelowna, BC [Canada, Eh!] Posts: 257	Not really. I just find it quicker as I can do this from cam mode and not have to flip back into playback mode.