Easiest way to sync work between computers?

[X5learner]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has established a quick and convenient way to keep projects in step between computers, e.g. doing some work on a laptop and then bringing that back to a main PC for further editing, then back to laptop, etc.? Is exporting as a Smart Package the way to go? Are there any alternatives such as keeping a consistent folder structure on both machines so that all media paths are the same and just syncing the differences?

Tips and comments welcome...

Thanks!

[AussieTX]

I do this quite often.
I have a desktop and laptop.
Both have VS setup pretty much the same.
I simply download all images and video to a 64Gig SD card.
I use it to go between PC's.
The project pretty much lives on the SD card until its done.

[lata]

Hi

Same again, although I use the Smart Package to save to USB Memory stick.
Any new clip additions are saved to the Smart Package folder before using in the timeline.
If the files are to large for the USB stick then I save copies to both PC’s then I only have to move the VSP.
May require a relink when opening in the other pc. 64bit saves VS samples in different locations to 32bit, Smart Package overcomes that.

I guess any memory location will do provided its accessible from both pc’s, maybe External HD Networked.

Take care when burning, you may not be able to share the VSP used for burning a disc. So if you set up the menu on one pc you loose everything when opening on the second pc.

[skier-hughes]

I use an external hard drive, similar process, but my work tends to be many VHS tapes for customers, so I'm often working with 100's GB of files Not all in one movie..... thank goodness

[X5learner]

Thanks folks. I'm quite liking the SD/USB stick idea, as it could easily lend itself to keeping the paths in sync if the stick is allocated the same drive letter as on the main PC. It sounds like the SmartPackage may have its uses though perhaps not as much if regularly swapping between machines. The downside I perceive with SmartPackage is duplication of data, though I don't know how it handles the unpacking when you open up a smart package... I guess that depends on how smart it really is

I've found with relinking media in a project that it'll automatically handle incrementing file names (e.g. file01, file02, file03) so that's worth bearing in mind if things do get out of step with the stick idea.

[AussieTX]

I don't use the smart proxy because I have the massive SD card that can hold all the media for the project without compression.
Occasionally yes it does pick a different drive letter when inserted into the laptop depending on what esle I have connected or if my VPN is active.
When that happens I get the error about file missing for the first photo or video and i browse to the new drive letter where it is located and it finds it and then automatically looks to the same drive for all the other project files and all is good again.
I used to use a USB but I had a mishap one day when I someone walked past the machine and knocked the stick and destroyed the usbport. I like the SD card as it stays inside the the SD slot on my Lenovo Thinkpad and I don't have to pull it out when I place the laptop in the bag (I am also very good at misplacing USB sticks)