How do I import HD P2 footage at a lower Rez (say 20:1) for an offline edit? And then how do you online it when you have your locked final cut?

You can't. You can only import P2 at the same codec it was shot.

You could media manage it down to offline RT...but really, that is asking for headache. 720p 23.98 really doesn't take up that much space. I have 78 hours worth on a 1.5TB drive...it takes up 1.2 TB of it. And drives are cheap. MUCH cheaper than the offline/online workflow will cost you in hours of work importing, converting...then importing again and re-linking. Plus there is SO MUCH room for error.

Import full res and work with that. It works on a Firewire 800 drive, and easily editable on a laptop if needed.


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And that will work fine if we're trying to set up a server (hopefulyl with the coming Fincal Cut Server software)? We're just trying to figure out what we'll need to do to get an effective set up for sharing HD DVCPRO footage within our office.

Right now it look sliek we need to get a supped up Xserve, Final Cut Server software (when available) and a decent amount of server space via an Xserve RAID. Sound about right?

ps we're using 720p60p so the files are bigger

Well, given that you can only import P2 media in the same codec it was shot in, as Shane says, then you really have no option. It will work if you have enough space for the amount of media you need to store at any one time. If the files are bigger, you get more storage.