Backup camera's internal memory

I am now using the Sony CX550 underwater. It has an internal memory card of 64Gb. Even at full HD-FX quality, I calculated that that memory should be enough for about 5 to 7 days of liveaboard diving. So, I should be able to get a full dive trip done. I can use its 16Gb Memory Stick for any spill-over.

But, I'm a bit nervous about having all that video (assuming that I've shot some good stuff) in one "delicate" place. My question is: "How do I back it up?"

Now, the obvious answer is "Take your laptop, transfer it to FCP and start the logging process while on board".

What if I don't want to do this? I don't like taking my laptop on a dive trip. I already have enough stuff to carry. I don't like the idea of people watching over my shoulder as I import the good, the bad and the ugly.

Has anyone figured out a way of attaching a small external disk to the Sony camcorders and just copying the footage to the disk? I know that the Sony cameras have a "direct copy" function. Is anyone using this to take backups off the internal storage? To what disk drive? Using what cables? And what power source?

Regards

Peter

Peter,

i googled a bit about that and unfortunatly i found only a tread in a german video forum, so the language is german.

It seems that the camera feed the power to a external HD, so no charger is needed. Some users are struggeling with problems mainly that the camera don't connect to the hard disk. Some users managed it also to use USB-Sticks as backup medium what may be a (sturdy) solution.

Here the link: http://www.slashcam.de/info/Sony-DHR-CX550...DD--417436.html

Peter,

i googled a bit about that and unfortunatly i found only a tread in a german video forum, so the language is german.

It seems that the camera feed the power to a external HD, so no charger is needed. Some users are struggeling with problems mainly that the camera don't connect to the hard disk. Some users managed it also to use USB-Sticks as backup medium what may be a (sturdy) solution.

Here the link: http://www.slashcam.de/info/Sony-DHR-CX550...DD--417436.html

Thanks for the help.

So, an external HDD might be possible but needs testing. Any sign from the thread which brand HDD did work?

Memory sticks might work. Let me play with that and see if I can get it to work.

Regards

Peter

After a bit of experimenting, I think that the best approach is to buy 5 x 16 Gb Sony Memory sticks and "dub" the movies across at the end of each day of the dive trip. The in-camera dubbing feature has a "dub by date" option which will make this easy. Might be a bit pricey but probably easier than carrying an external hard disk.

You can use also use USB-Sticks and they should be cheaper than Sony's memory stick.

To connect you can use a normal large USB to small USB cable, it seems that there is no need to buy the expensive SONY one.

I translate you the basic information from the Forum mentioned:

1. Samsung 2,5 250GB HD is working without external power

2. 1,8 Samsung Mini S1 HDD is NOT working (no connect)

3. Don't use USB adapters, they may interfere

4. Siemens and Medion HD don't work

The best will be to go in a big electronics shop and test there if the camera connects to the hard disk or USB-Stick. If she connects you should see a dialog on the screen, asking what you would like to do. It seems that the HD or Memory Stick have to be formatted in FAT32.

Chris

Just to close the loop on this thread, I thought that I would post here my solution.

I went down to the local IT centre to buy some Sony Memory Sticks.

But, then I saw a new device from Western Digital called a "My Passport AV". It is a 132Gb small external hard drive with a USB cable. In the box comes the necessary adapter cable to plug it straight into the USB port on the Sony camcorder (2010 models). Then, using the camcorder's "Direct Copy" function, you can copy all or some of the camcorder's content to the hard drive. Just need to plug the camcorder into an AC power source (don't need a separate power source for the hard disk) while copying.

Bought it for 140 SGD, brought it home and tested it. Works perfectly. Copied off 15 Gb of video in about 25 mins. What's better is that FCP recognises the hard disk as an import source in the Log and Transfer module. So if I ever do lose the camcorders contents, I can transfer the footage straight into FCP.

But, according to the box, this "Direct Copy" function only works with 2010 model Sony Camcorders.

Regards

Peter

Perfect,

one mistery case resolved!

Enjoy your trip!

Chris