On the show Styleyes, primarily shot using the Panasonic DVX100, we began our journey to going “tapeless.” Upon our adoption of Panasonic Hi-Def successor camera the HVX-200, we began to implement a tapeless workflow for real using P2 Card media. P2 ingest was good since we had an older Apple laptop with a PCMCIA bus that we directly inserted the cards into for download. However, when that box bit the dust, we were left to purchase and use the wee-bit wonky Duel Adapter.
While the Duel adapter provides a lifeline bridge between the PCMCIA-sized P2 media and the newer PCI express bus, and we’re happy we can still get the footage loading into our laptops in the field, the ergonomics of the device leave a bit to be desired:
1. The cable protrudes awkwardly, stiff and inflexible.
2. The express cards don’t “lock” into place and the adapter can easily be ejected accidentally by pushing it into the slot again causing it to be ejected. This can interrupt data transfer or cause your system to crash.
3. Speaking of crashes, sometimes just having the adapter plugged in can cause your system to crash. It’s a headache to have to walk on eggshells while your precious field footage is going through the pipes.
4. The device is very delicate and handling can cause it to simply cease to function.
Tips for using the Duel Adapter
1. Always transport and store your Duel Adapter in a padded case. A simple cardboard box with the adapter wrapped in some reused packing foam can do the trick.
2. Have TWO of them on hand, unforch. This way, if one goes down, you have a back-up for off-loading your footage in the field and won’t get stuck with cards that are full with no way to free-up space. If you don’t want to run out of card space without having to buy more removable media, a second Duel Adapter is a good investment. Also, if you need to send in the adapter to get fixed or replaced (as we have had to do), you can use your second one in the meantime.
3. Keep on-hand copies of the P2 drivers that you’ve downloaded from the Duel Systems web site. Sometimes inexplicably the adapter will no longer recognized your cards and reinstalling from the drivers is the only thing that will do the trick. You don’t want to get stuck somewhere on location without access to the internet, so keep disk images of the installers on your field lap top.
Works with computers equipped with a standard 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard slot
