HVR MRC1 and a 32GB card?

[Carl Sobeck]

Has anyone used a 32 gb card in this yet? Sony doesn't state the use in any of it's documentation. Has anyone tried copying to a stand-a-lone DVD recorder with the docking station?

Thanks

[Steve Renouf]

Originally Posted by Carl Sobeck

Has anyone used a 32 gb card in this yet? Sony doesn't state the use in any of it's documentation. Has anyone tried copying to a stand-a-lone DVD recorder with the docking station?

Thanks

Possibly because they didn't exist when the manual was compiled. There's no reason why they shouldn't work (or a 64GB when they become available) - it's no different to replacing a 250GB HDD with a 500GB HDD in a PC.

When I bought my digital camera, the maximum capacity on CF cards was about 512 MB, so I bought a 1GB microdrive - there was no mention of them in the camera manual at all and it only mentioned CF cards up to 512MB. I currently use 4GB CF card in it with no issues and the 16GB Sandisk CF card from my MRC1 works in it just fine too (although it would be slight overkill to use it in there as a matter of course). The technology is the same - the only thing changing is the capacity and (AFAIK) there is no current hardware limit (along the lines of the old 8-bit max drive capacity type issues).

Having said that, I haven't actually had the opportunity to try it, so there is an outside chance I *could* be wrong.

I haven't tried copying to a DVD recorder and I'm not sure it would work because I don't think the recorder will recognise the files from the MRC1. It may depend on the particular machine's support of file formats.

[Steve Renouf]

Originally Posted by Carl Sobeck

Has anyone used a 32 gb card in this yet? Sony doesn't state the use in any of it's documentation. Has anyone tried copying to a stand-a-lone DVD recorder with the docking station?

Thanks

Possibly because they didn't exist when the manual was compiled. There's no reason why they shouldn't work (or a 64GB when they become available) - it's no different to replacing a 250GB HDD with a 500GB HDD in a PC.

When I bought my digital camera, the maximum capacity on CF cards was about 512 MB, so I bought a 1GB microdrive - there was no mention of them in the camera manual at all and it only mentioned CF cards up to 512MB. I currently use 4GB CF card in it with no issues and the 16GB Sandisk CF card from my MRC1 works in it just fine too (although it would be slight overkill to use it in there as a matter of course). The technology is the same - the only thing changing is the capacity and (AFAIK) there is no current hardware limit (along the lines of the old 8-bit max drive capacity type issues).

Having said that, I haven't actually had the opportunity to try it, so there is an outside chance I *could* be wrong.

I haven't tried copying to a DVD recorder and I'm not sure it would work because I don't think the recorder will recognise the files from the MRC1. It may depend on the particular machine's support of file formats.

[Kirk Graham]

I am using a 32 gb transend card everyday and it works great!

[John Harding]

In response to the original post, I have been using 32GB cards and have suffered the following problems - please note! I am not necessarily blaming the cards as this is my first foray into flash capture, but I am merely revealing my experiences:-

1 - Occasional 'dropout' on cards, lasting a frame or 2, despite being told "Use CF cards and leave dropout and all those other tape problems behind!"

2 - Frequently fails to rec to CF card when REC button pressed (despite tape recording OK) - rather awkward when filming dance shows and weddings like I do, having to stop the show and ask them to start again (joke) It is REALLY frustrating

I have posted a new thread on this just now asking what cards and experiences other members have

[Greg Laves]

Originally Posted by John Harding

Occasional 'dropout' on cards, lasting a frame or 2.

I have only experienced problems in the middle of a clip when I was ignoring the fact that the manual says not to format cards in your computer. After I learned that little point and only formatted in the MRC1, those issues disappeared. If you have drop-outs at the end of long clips (4 gig limit because of fat32 file size limitation) try using the Sony utility for stitching long clips together.

[Annie Haycock]

Originally Posted by John Harding

2 - Frequently fails to rec to CF card when REC button pressed (despite tape recording OK) - rather awkward when filming dance shows and weddings like I do, having to stop the show and ask them to start again (joke) It is REALLY frustrating

Are you using the cache mode? If you are starting to record a second clip in this mode while the first one is still being saved, then MRC1 won't start recording the second clip.

[Mark Morreau]

Originally Posted by Kirk Graham

I am using a 32 gb transend card everyday and it works great!

Yes, me too.
However, I have learned NOT to format the cards, but just to delete the files on it.
Formatting these 32GB cards seems to make them useless! I've had to send them back for replacement as they're not recognised by MRC1K or computer after formatting in MRC1K.

[Ed Sharpe]

what about formatting on the computer???

Originally Posted by Mark Morreau

Yes, me too.
However, I have learned NOT to format the cards, but just to delete the files on it.
Formatting these 32GB cards seems to make them useless! I've had to send them back for replacement as they're not recognised by MRC1K or computer after formatting in MRC1K.

[Ed Sharpe]

this is worrysome when the sandisk gives a person problems... any solve?

Originally Posted by John Harding

In response to the original post, I have been using 32GB cards and have suffered the following problems - please note! I am not necessarily blaming the cards as this is my first foray into flash capture, but I am merely revealing my experiences:-

1 - Occasional 'dropout' on cards, lasting a frame or 2, despite being told "Use CF cards and leave dropout and all those other tape problems behind!"

2 - Frequently fails to rec to CF card when REC button pressed (despite tape recording OK) - rather awkward when filming dance shows and weddings like I do, having to stop the show and ask them to start again (joke) It is REALLY frustrating

I have posted a new thread on this just now asking what cards and experiences other members have

[Greg Laves]

Originally Posted by Ed Sharpe

what about formatting on the computer???

When I first started using the MRC1, I had numerous problems that seemed to be related to the cards. At that time, I was always formatting my cards in my computer. When I discussed my problems on this forum, someone pointed out to me that the manual says to format only in the MRC1. When I quit formatting in the computer my problems decreased a lot. However, I am now having other problems with my MRC1. Problems that have absolutely nothing to do with cards. So I am going to have to send it back to Sony for out of warranty service. Oh joy.....

[Philip Howells]

Originally Posted by Greg Laves

(snipped) If you have drop-outs at the end of long clips (4 gig limit because of fat32 file size limitation) try using the Sony utility for stitching long clips together.

This bothers me - just as I was getting ready to buy three MRC1s. I make wedding video programmes and see the move to tapeless recording as inevitable. However, whilst I can I want to retain and use the option of recording a backup to tape simultaneously.

Because we also multicam edit the three cameras the FAT32 limit on file size is a real bugbear. May I ask a couple of question from MRC1 users here? Does Sony guarantee that there is not even a frame drop between consecutive files? How long does it take for Sony's stitching software to work? Presumably it's installed on the host computer?

I wish I was clever enough to understand why manufacturers insist on using FAT32 and not NTFS. Trusting invaluable video recordings to a system even basic PC's OS have dropped seems a serious retrograde step.

[Adam Gold]

Originally Posted by Philip Howells

I wish I was clever enough to understand why manufacturers insist on using FAT32 and not NTFS. Trusting invaluable video recordings to a system even basic PC's OS have dropped seems a serious retrograde step.

I started a thread on this very question a while ago. It generated lots of really good, if unsatisfying, answers. Do a keyword search or just scroll back through the thread titles and you'll find it.

Originally Posted by Philip Howells

However, whilst I can I want to retain and use the option of recording a backup to tape simultaneously.

You can, no problem. Just be aware that if you change tapes while you are recording on the MRC, you'll get an audio dropout. Obviously no problem if you are paused or are recording sound to an external device independent of the cam.

[Peter D. Parker]

Philip,

You download the Sony utility onto your hard drive and use this to transfer clips from the MRC1K into where you want to save them. The files that are over the 4gb limit (about 20mins) are "stitched together into one file. I've just checked a dance show I did using the MRC1K and it joined two files together without any audio glitch.

It's easy to check. When you line up your clips on the timeline, use the wav files to line them up at the beginning and then go to the very end of the clips and see if they're still lined up. If they are, great, if not just go backwards until you find where the wav files don't line up, cut the clip and re-align it. I do this when using tape as well, as sometimes there is a drop out in the picture we film in HD so it can be anywhere up to a second long sometimes, depending on whereabouts in the GOP the drop out has occurred. It's more difficult trying the find the "glitch"/drop out with pictures, much easier using the wav files.

Peter

[Chris Duke]

I just got two Kingston 32GB 133X CF cards today. Both were usable at first, but I thought the workflow was to format them on the MRU itself, so I did. In doing so it gets stuck at "FORMAT" and even when left alone for 30 mins, it doesn't stop. It just hangs. I have to disconnect the battery to shut it off... it won't even turn off on its own.

I can format them on my Macbook Pro (Snow Leopard) as DOS but then the MRU says "FORMAT ERROR" shortly after I turn it on.

Any suggestions on how to properly format these so the MRU will accept my cards?