Need to format SD card before use

[Ken Veal]

The manual for my Panasonic X920 camcorder states
“When not using an SD card not from Pan. or one previously used on other equipment, for the first time on this unit ,format the SD card “
Does this really mean that new unused , non Pan cards have to be formatted before use, or is it just a way to make you only buy (usually more expensive) Pan. cards to save the bother ?

[RobertOZ]

Not at all, it's saying that a Panasonic card is already formatted, but if you use a non Panasonic card then it needs to be formatted, ie: it needs the Panasonic code embedded on it, your camera will do this for you, just find format card in the menu and say OK

Robert

[lata]

Hi Ken

From my Pana 900, onscreen display – Menu – Setup – scroll the pages, I see Format on the 4/5 screen, maybe same location on your cam?

This will delete all clips recorded to the memory card.

[BrianCee]

In fact 'format' in this instance is a bit of an over statement - as far as I can see all that happens is every thing previously on the card is deleted and a new folder structure is written.

doesn't take very long at all Ken - do it as Trevor says 'in camera'

[Ken Veal]

Appreciate the info-thanks
This is from the Panasonic website and refers to a Panasonic RP-SDRB08GAK 8GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card, a card they recommend for my cam.On other sites they state “Long-life MLC flash memory “ for the same card which can be purchased for under £10 there.Has any one got any views on this.


“The RP-SDRB 8 GB SDHC memory cards are also equipped with the "Proof 6" feature (water-, shock-, magnet-, static, X-ray-, temperature-proof) to withstand severe conditions. Panasonic SD memory cards are safe because they have a built-in fuse. It prevents overheating or ignition of the card.

As the number of rewrites increases, the length of time that data is saved decreases. This kind of use calls for Panasonic's SD cards with MLC flash memory. Compared with TLC (Triple-Layer Cell) flash memory, MLC flash memory can be rewritten up to 10 times as much. That means they last 10 times as long.

Am I correct in assuming that a partially used Pan. card will accept more recording on to then ?

[df]

This is actually good advice for all cameras to format the card in the device that you're capturing with. Although in the past this had as much to do with your computer system as it did with your camera that you're using. In early digital still cameras a card formatted by a computer may or may not work with your device depending on the parameters you've chosen, the driver on the OS, the file system, etc... but a card formatted from your device will be set up to work efficiently with your device.

[BrianCee]

Am I correct in assuming that a partially used Pan. card will accept more recording on to then ?

Yes you can take a partially filled card out then put it back in and continue filming until the card is full - there is no problem as there was with tape with ensuring that you have put it back in the right place on the tape - it's all digital - just think of an SD card as a small hard drive - works just the same.

[Ken Veal]

Has anyone benefited from using a Panasonic card that “can be rewritten up to 10 times as much”

[RobertOZ]

Hi Ken,

I use Sandisk SDHC cards and most have been rewritten (as you call it) dozens of times, every time I transfer video to the computer, i wipe the card clean and start again, most of my cards have been in use for 5 years or more and still show no sign of degradation.
These days, cards are very cheap, 16Gb SDHC (Class 6, which is the most my camera will take) can be purchased for less than $20 and will last for years

Robert

[Ken Veal]

Thanks for the reply Robert. B.T.W. “been rewritten “ was a quote from Panasonic, not my words

[lata]

Hi Ken

I also use Scandisk 8Gb allows for one hour + of recording, one hour is long enough for anyone to edit in one go.
So yes I have several cards but most of my cameras (point and shoot) use SDHC cards anyway.

If one should fail I only loose one hour of recording, after my last holiday I will be purchasing a few more as spares.
I did not actually run out but getting close.

--------------------------------

By the way when I transfer (Copy and Paste)the files from the Stream folder they all have a similar/same names for each card.
We have to save these to different folders which makes sense, good housekeeping I suppose.

I used Video Studios option to Insert Digital Media, using this created files with the recording date and time as the file name, obviously each being a unique name.
I have only use this option once but I am finding the names very useful.

[Ken Veal]

Thanks for that reply Trevor where you answered a question I was about to ask-(8GB = 1 hour).
Re Insert dig media- In step 6 of a workflow I listed following Brian’s advice in post
http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 06#p285706
(= AVCHD playback), I intended to “insert media files” into a dedicated folder for each project.
I guess this would not record the rec. date but would allow for easy retrieval.

[lata]

Hi Ken

The 8Gb per hour assumes you are recording to AVCHD at 16800 kbps. I assume your camera records the same as my 900.
The recording time should show on your cams screen, I see top middle of screen.

Change the recording to use 50 p and that rate will reduce as a higher data rate is used.

[Ken Veal]

Have not yet as far a recording yet , but in operating instructions under charging and recording time it says.recording mode (1080/50p) (AVchd) max continuous rec time 1 .25 min actual 55 min

[arpita30]

I need to format Card. How to do this?