PHU-60K Hard Drive at DVinfo.net

Mark Slocombe · February 21st, 2009, 06:23 PM

What are users' latest experiences of the PHU-60K Hard Drive - is it reliable, and what are the consequences of "Media needs to be restored' message - does it simply mean the device isn't seated properly and needs re-attaching (are clips ever lost)?

Ray Bell · February 22nd, 2009, 09:29 AM

Don't have one but found this in the Canon area... so might as well bring it down here
for those that have the unit.... this is a software solution to joining split footage...

HVR-DR60 | Hard Disk Recording Unit

Theodore McNeil · February 22nd, 2009, 02:13 PM

I have been using the PHU-60K for 4 months and haven't had one media related problem.

The downsides to the device as i see them:

1) makes the already awkward hand-held ergonomics more cumbersome.
2) transferring the files is a bit slower than the cards

Mark Slocombe · February 22nd, 2009, 02:17 PM

[QUOTE=makes the already awkward hand-held ergonomics more cumbersome.
[/QUOTE]

Cheers - can imagine that; am considering it for a series of 8x 2hr discussions we'll be filming - static/tripod stuff - seems ideal.

Paul Kellett · February 22nd, 2009, 03:23 PM

Mark why don't you use sdhc cards in the camera instead ?, loads cheaper than the hard drive.

Paul.

Mark Slocombe · February 22nd, 2009, 04:56 PM

Hi Paul, I have a couple of 16gb SDHC cards in eFilms adapters but haven't tested them fully; the job will be 18hrs of material in Dubai for BBC with possibly not time to offload between shoots so want the most reliable solution. First time I put my SDHC in the Ex1 I got a 'Media Needs to be Restored' msg - seems like that just means it's not seated properly, but confidence wasn't inspired!

Paul Kellett · February 23rd, 2009, 01:57 AM

What sdhc cards did you try ?
I use the transcend 16gb, me and my colleagues haven't had any problems with them.
I'd rather buy enough cards for the 18 shoot than the hard drive.
The hard drive i believe only records in the sp mode, ie 1080/50i sp, where as the cards record all modes except overcrank.
Let me know if you want a reliable place to buy the cards.

Paul.

Mark Slocombe · February 23rd, 2009, 05:27 AM

Ta - SanDisk cards; further testing this week. Will check out about the drive / SP only - that wouldn't be much use!

Paul Inglis · February 23rd, 2009, 05:59 AM

I've been using the PHU-60K since last September and never had a problem with it. The only thing to note is that you can't overcrank with them (just like the MxR). I have two set-up giving just under 8 hours of recorded footage!

Mark Slocombe · February 23rd, 2009, 07:42 AM

Ta Paul - does it only record in the sp mode, ie 1080/50i sp ?

Mike Chandler · February 23rd, 2009, 07:49 AM

I've been using the unit without a hitch. I use it for interviews, so I don't have to stop and change cards (good for 3+ hours) , so camera is on stix. Then use cards for when I'm moving.

Alister Chapman · February 23rd, 2009, 03:04 PM

The PHU-60 will record all standard frame rates/modes at HQ. It just can't do S&Q modes.

Jacques Mersereau · February 23rd, 2009, 03:56 PM

We just purchased an EX1 and the drive. It works well, but I have not really put it through the paces yet. I do like the LONG record times and it is much cheaper than the 32 gig SxS.

Paul Inglis · February 25th, 2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Slocombe

Ta Paul - does it only record in the sp mode, ie 1080/50i sp ?

Sorry for the delay! The PHU-60K will record all modes but other than Quick and Slow Motion!

Max Allen · March 26th, 2009, 12:11 AM

Other than no slo-mo, it is also inadvisable to use the PHU-60K on a plane as data may be damaged in low pressure environments. The altitude limitation is 9,800 feet. Although the cabin may be pressurized, most planes bring the cabin altitude down to 10,000 feet only.

February 21st, 2009, 06:23 PM	#1
Mark Slocombe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 120	PHU-60K Hard Drive What are users' latest experiences of the PHU-60K Hard Drive - is it reliable, and what are the consequences of "Media needs to be restored' message - does it simply mean the device isn't seated properly and needs re-attaching (are clips ever lost)? __________________ Mark Slocombe, CreationVideo http://www.creationvideo.com Last edited by Mark Slocombe; February 22nd, 2009 at 03:14 AM.

February 22nd, 2009, 02:13 PM	#3
Theodore McNeil Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Centreville, Maryland Posts: 258	I have been using the PHU-60K for 4 months and haven't had one media related problem. The downsides to the device as i see them: 1) makes the already awkward hand-held ergonomics more cumbersome. 2) transferring the files is a bit slower than the cards __________________ http://twitter.com/tedmcneil

February 22nd, 2009, 02:17 PM	#4
Mark Slocombe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 120	[QUOTE=makes the already awkward hand-held ergonomics more cumbersome. [/QUOTE] Cheers - can imagine that; am considering it for a series of 8x 2hr discussions we'll be filming - static/tripod stuff - seems ideal. __________________ Mark Slocombe, CreationVideo http://www.creationvideo.com

February 22nd, 2009, 03:23 PM	#5
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	Mark why don't you use sdhc cards in the camera instead ?, loads cheaper than the hard drive. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

February 22nd, 2009, 04:56 PM	#6
Mark Slocombe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 120	Hi Paul, I have a couple of 16gb SDHC cards in eFilms adapters but haven't tested them fully; the job will be 18hrs of material in Dubai for BBC with possibly not time to offload between shoots so want the most reliable solution. First time I put my SDHC in the Ex1 I got a 'Media Needs to be Restored' msg - seems like that just means it's not seated properly, but confidence wasn't inspired! __________________ Mark Slocombe, CreationVideo http://www.creationvideo.com

February 22nd, 2009, 09:29 AM	#2
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Don't have one but found this in the Canon area... so might as well bring it down here for those that have the unit.... this is a software solution to joining split footage... HVR-DR60 \| Hard Disk Recording Unit

February 23rd, 2009, 01:57 AM	#7
Paul Kellett Trustee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 1,273	What sdhc cards did you try ? I use the transcend 16gb, me and my colleagues haven't had any problems with them. I'd rather buy enough cards for the 18 shoot than the hard drive. The hard drive i believe only records in the sp mode, ie 1080/50i sp, where as the cards record all modes except overcrank. Let me know if you want a reliable place to buy the cards. Paul. __________________ Round 2 GH5,FZ2000

February 23rd, 2009, 05:27 AM	#8
Mark Slocombe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 120	Ta - SanDisk cards; further testing this week. Will check out about the drive / SP only - that wouldn't be much use! __________________ Mark Slocombe, CreationVideo http://www.creationvideo.com

February 23rd, 2009, 05:59 AM	#9
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	I've been using the PHU-60K since last September and never had a problem with it. The only thing to note is that you can't overcrank with them (just like the MxR). I have two set-up giving just under 8 hours of recorded footage!

February 23rd, 2009, 07:42 AM	#10
Mark Slocombe Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 120	Ta Paul - does it only record in the sp mode, ie 1080/50i sp ? __________________ Mark Slocombe, CreationVideo http://www.creationvideo.com

February 23rd, 2009, 07:49 AM	#11
Mike Chandler Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Moab, UT Posts: 264	I've been using the unit without a hitch. I use it for interviews, so I don't have to stop and change cards (good for 3+ hours) , so camera is on stix. Then use cards for when I'm moving.

February 23rd, 2009, 03:04 PM	#12
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	The PHU-60 will record all standard frame rates/modes at HQ. It just can't do S&Q modes. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

February 23rd, 2009, 03:56 PM	#13
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	We just purchased an EX1 and the drive. It works well, but I have not really put it through the paces yet. I do like the LONG record times and it is much cheaper than the 32 gig SxS. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

March 26th, 2009, 12:11 AM	#15
Max Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NY Posts: 186	Other than no slo-mo, it is also inadvisable to use the PHU-60K on a plane as data may be damaged in low pressure environments. The altitude limitation is 9,800 feet. Although the cabin may be pressurized, most planes bring the cabin altitude down to 10,000 feet only.