I have just purchased a Canon Vixia HF10. I also purchased a portable media backup and storage device, the Wolverine 7160 160GB FlashPac 7000 to backup and store the video files and photos from my camcorder.
I need some information and help before I try to use these devices together since I don’t want to damage them or the files I want to transfer.
The Wolverine has built in card readers and a USB port and does not know file formats; it transfers all files as they are in folders automatically created by date and time.
The PC recognizes the Wolverine as an external hard drive and I can transfer all the files to the pc with the USB connection.
I am concerned though by the AVCHD files which are newer and bigger in size and I don’t want to risk damaging them during the transfer.
My questions are:
1) What is the maximum size of individual “scenes” video clips created in the highest definition FXP by the camcorder? Is 2 GB the limit? Will Wolverine be able to handle files of this size?
2) What happens if I let the camcorder to record for longer periods of time continuously? Will it automatically create “scenes” and what will be the maximum size of them?
3) Will the Wolverine be able to access directly the camcorder’s built in internal flash memory through the USB port, or will I have to copy first the files from the built in memory to the SDHC card and then transfer them?
It would save time and battery if it did it directly.
4) Will the PIXELA ImageMixer 3 SE and/or Pinacle Studio 12 Ultimate recognize the files from the Wolverine or it only recognizes the files coming directly from the camera? Same question for the PC’s built in card reader?
5) Is Pinacle Studio 12 Ultimate doing everything PIXELA ImageMixer 3 SE is doing and maybe more and better? Or do I have to use both?
I hope you can help me enjoy fully this marvelous camcorder with your prompt answers.

Hi Yoki,

I don't have the same backup device so I can't answer all your questions directly, but hope this helps a bit...

1) & 2) Yes my HF100 creates a seperate 2GB (actually ~1,997,000KB) for each 18 minute segment when recording continuously in FXP. I have recorded for up to about 1h20m continuously and succesfully backed this up to my 200GB Fat32 USB OTG drive and it worked fine. Assuming your Wolverine is Fat32 it should be fine too.

3) I don't think so, but it is possible. If your Wolverine supports USB OTG (On-The-Go), then it should work. but looking at the specs online it would appear that it doesn't. It looks like it will only backup from its build in card reader, so you'll have to copy to a SDHC card, and if you're going to do that then you may as well record to it directly.

4) Almost certainly. These backup devices should backup the files exactly as they are on the card (mine certainly does), and so the files will appear to any software the same no matter where they are.

5) I use Vegas, so I can't help on this one.

My advice would be to ignore the build in memory (a bit of a waste I know; that's why I got a HF100) and just record straight to an SDHC card. Then, when it's full, pop it into the HD and back it up, then just re-initialise it and start using it again (it takes about 10-15min to back up 8GB BTW).

I used this technique recently on a 2 week holiday, and ended up with around 80GB (10 hrs) of footage using a 16GB SDHC card and my USB OTG HD.

it takes about 10-15min to back up 8GB BTW
On my desktop it takes one minute per GB.

Hi willc111,
Preparing for my vacation and just got these goodies. May I ask what video mode would you recommend, that looks best on hdtv for long shots mainly scenery? Have you used it indoors in churches or museums? It would save me a lot of useless footage. What is your final product in order to maintain the HD quality? I don't feel like buying a BD burner and the blanks are still $20 a piece.
So, you don't use Pixela at all; Vegas does everything from capture to render; I expect Pinacle Studio 12 Ultimate to do the same.
Thank's again.

Hi Yoki,

I don't have the same backup device so I can't answer all your questions directly, but hope this helps a bit...

1) & 2) Yes my HF100 creates a seperate 2GB (actually ~1,997,000KB) for each 18 minute segment when recording continuously in FXP. I have recorded for up to about 1h20m continuously and succesfully backed this up to my 200GB Fat32 USB OTG drive and it worked fine. Assuming your Wolverine is Fat32 it should be fine too.

3) I don't think so, but it is possible. If your Wolverine supports USB OTG (On-The-Go), then it should work. but looking at the specs online it would appear that it doesn't. It looks like it will only backup from its build in card reader, so you'll have to copy to a SDHC card, and if you're going to do that then you may as well record to it directly.

4) Almost certainly. These backup devices should backup the files exactly as they are on the card (mine certainly does), and so the files will appear to any software the same no matter where they are.

5) I use Vegas, so I can't help on this one.

My advice would be to ignore the build in memory (a bit of a waste I know; that's why I got a HF100) and just record straight to an SDHC card. Then, when it's full, pop it into the HD and back it up, then just re-initialise it and start using it again (it takes about 10-15min to back up 8GB BTW).

I used this technique recently on a 2 week holiday, and ended up with around 80GB (10 hrs) of footage using a 16GB SDHC card and my USB OTG HD.
Hello willc111 ,
I am plannign to buy the Canon HF100 and was worried about the small card space especially during outdoor vacations.Your idea of recording onto a USB OTG is interesting.

Can you tell me which USB OTG Harddrive you have working with Canon HF100 please?
This will save me some time and also feel more confident to purchase.

Thanks

Hi willc111,
Preparing for my vacation and just got these goodies. May I ask what video mode would you recommend, that looks best on hdtv for long shots mainly scenery? Have you used it indoors in churches or museums? It would save me a lot of useless footage. What is your final product in order to maintain the HD quality?

The HF100 is my first camcorder so I'm still experimenting really. It's a pretty versatile camera though, and seems to produce good footage even if you don't get the settings exactly right for the scene. I shot mostly outdoors in 50i as motion is more important to me than resolution, and usually in shutter priority 1/50th mode to try and give a consistant look. This worked well most of the time. I also used an ND8 filter to allow me to use aperture priority in bright light for a narrow DOF sometimes, and a circular polariser to help with reflections. The most important tip I can give is to use some kind of tripod/support as much as you can, as the OIS isn't great (at least not with my shakey hands).

Hello willc111 ,
I am plannign to buy the Canon HF100 and was worried about the small card space especially during outdoor vacations.Your idea of recording onto a USB OTG is interesting.

Can you tell me which USB OTG Harddrive you have working with Canon HF100 please?
This will save me some time and also feel more confident to purchase.

Thanks

I use an Apacer STENO CD211 but this is ancient now and I'm pretty sure has been discontinued. There are lots of newer ones available now at reasonable prices. For best value for money buy an empty drive enclosure for about $35 (Google "USB OTG Enclosure") and then buy a seperate 2.5inch HD to fit in it (watch out for the 2 different types of drive, IDE and serial ATA; make sure you get the right type for the enclosure). Or you can buy them with a HD already fitted, but you'll pay a hefty premium for this.

Here's a link to get you started...

http://www.meritline.com/camera-mate-otg-enclosure1.html
(http://www.meritline.com/camera-mate-otg-enclosure1.html)

If you get one with a built in card reader (make sure it supports SDHC) then you can just pop the card out of the HF100 and into the HD, press the 'backup' button and it will automatically create an incremental directory name and copy the entire card contents into it. Mine doesn't have a built in card reader, so I connect it to a seperate USB SDHC reader. I did this at the end of each day of my holiday, so I ended up with one directory for each day.

Thanks a lot Willc111.

I would like to purchase a HDD with built-in card reader so that I can use it during my travel where I will not have access to laptop or PC.

Will such HDD be operable on its own without being connected to a computer?
If yes, which one you suggest?

I really lack technical knowledge but would like to buy good stuff...

Hello yoki,
Does your Wolverine FlashPac work even without a computer?
What is your experience on Wolverine with Canon HF10?Do you suggest buying it for HF100?

Thanks

I believe that people looking for a portable HDD should have bought an HDD-based camcorder at the first place.

Question: on HD edited video.

I have HF10 Canon
PS3
Mac... (imovie)

I want to take my files AVCHD files from HF10 camera and edit them in iMovie, then play them back from the Scan Disk or USB slot in my PS3 in HD quality... 1080i or at least 720p.

I can't get the format right the best i get is something like 920x500.... not good.

Thanks.

I believe that people looking for a portable HDD should have bought an HDD-based camcorder at the first place.

Good point. It would be nice to use a HDD based camcorder just like a external HDD to put any type of files on there to read on a PC or mac.

I believe that people looking for a portable HDD should have bought an HDD-based camcorder at the first place.
Not really. Having the smaller HF10 camcorder is a full time benefit rather than buying a larger HDD camcorder to satisfy the few times when I might need more storage (vacations). I ended up just buying a 2nd 16GB card figuring 6 Hours should cover my vacation.

Rich

Rich, That & waiting on 32, 64 & 128 GB SDHC's :D

Hello yoki,
Does your Wolverine FlashPac work even without a computer?
What is your experience on Wolverine with Canon HF10?Do you suggest buying it for HF100?

Thanks

The Wolverine works without any pc and according to the very friendly customer support shold work with any size of files and any type of files.
The only problem is that you have to have it plugged because the battery does not last long enough. I did not fill a 16 gb card so I did not test it with thos size, but it did transfer smaller sizes and worked. The pc recognizes it as a drive and that's all. This is the olt FlashPack and the new PicPack seems to do a better job.

Not really. Having the smaller HF10 camcorder is a full time benefit rather than buying a larger HDD camcorder to satisfy the few times when I might need more storage (vacations). I ended up just buying a 2nd 16GB card figuring 6 Hours should cover my vacation.
This just proves my point. You did not need an HDD camcorder after all.