Importing Panasonic P2 cards to DaVinci Resolve

We are in the process of switching to Blackmagic 4K cameras, I have a Mac Catalina 10.15.3. DaVinci Resolve 16, free version that came with cameras.

But still have some projects shot on our old HD Panasonic HVX200 and am having trouble importing the footage. If I go straight to import with the MXF files and they came out 4:3 instead of 16:9 with no sound. I tried to convert to AVI which is supposed to be an acceptable format and those wouldn't load.

I would like to work on this stuff in DVR instead of FCP 7, which I've been using forever, to get used to it.

What is the best way of getting footage out of the downloaded P2 folders into DVR with sound and proper aspect ratio? Thanks!

p.s. I made .movs and that worked but I can't find a good video converter that works with Catalina, and reformatting everything on old computer and then moving drive over is kind of cumbersome. Any suggestions?

Joining the thread for an answer to the aspect ratio issue.

To import P2, just copy the entire CONTENTS folder from a P2 card to a project folder. Then drag and drop that CONTENTS folder into the DVR Media area. This will give you proper clips with audio. But they are 4:3. Note, you cannot rename the CONTENTS folder. If you have more than one P2 card for a project, you must put each card in a separate folder and retain the CONTENTS name. Then you can drag each CONTENTS folder separately into the Media manager.

Still looking for a workaround to get the 16:9 clips in properly.

I found a workaround that works for me, but not everyone will have access to this old software.

I can "Log & Transfer" my P2 cards using FCP 6, then get the resultant MOVs, which import nicely into DVR at the proper aspect ratio.

You should be able to change the aspect ratio under "Clip Attributes".

Yes, that works. Thanks a bunch.

Trying to get P2 footage into resolve 17. Don't have cards just have the files with the last clip txt, etc.
Can you provide the steps on how you copied the P2 folder into resolve.
You mean make a folder in the project manager? Tried that no way to drag P2 into that folder?

Would you provide a step by step process for this?

Thank you

Trying to get P2 footage into resolve 17. Don't have cards just have the files with the last clip txt, etc.
Can you provide the steps on how you copied the P2 folder into resolve.
You mean make a folder in the project manager? Tried that no way to drag P2 into that folder?

Would you provide a step by step process for this?

Thank you

Did you have any luck?

At this point I'm trying to do the same thing.

I did manage to open them with Premier, if that helps....

Hi,

I own two older Panasonic Cameras (HVX-200 & HPX250) which use P2 cards. I can successfully import footage from HPX-250 into DaVinci Resolve (Version 18). However when I try to import footage from the HVX-200 it seems to change the aspect ratio and doesn't look correct. The funny thing is I can import the same footage into both Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro and it looks fine. Another odd thing is the resolution appears correctly in both Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro, but lists it differently in DaVinci Resolve.

Couple of notes:

1) The resolution from the HPX-250 appears as 1440 X 1080 in all 3 video editors. The Codec I used is AVC-Intra 50.

2) The resolution from the HVX-200 appears as 1280 X 1080 in both FCPX and PP, but is listed as 1920 X 1080 in DR. The codec I used is DVC-Pro HD.

3) I don't think I can change the resolution on either camera. They both have options to switch from 1080 to 720 and to 480 (SD).

Couple of Questions:

1) I would think when you film in 1080 the resolution would always be 1920 X 1080.

2) Is this an issue with DaVinci Resolve 18 or something to do with the codec I am using? The HVX-200 doesn't have the Intra codecs.

Thanks for any help!

Gary

Those cameras used a so-called 'thin raster' to save some space.
You can correct this in the "Clip Attributes" under "Pixel Aspect Ratio" if its flag is not recognised correctly.

HERE IS THE SOLUTION! It is a CODEC issue with DVCPRO. If you use Intra you will not have this problem.

All HD recordings will be distorted using the HVX-200, no matter what settings you use. (1080/720), because it uses DVCPRO. Newer Panasonic cameras can use Intra.

All SD recordings will look perfect in DaVinci Resolve if you use the DV setting.

The solution is to set the Pixel Aspect Ratio to 1.5 in the clip attributes window if you have recorded using DVCPRO.

Bamm!!

It is a CODEC issue with DVCPRO. If you use Intra you will not have this problem.

interesting ... I use 720 DVCPRO footage from an HVX 200 and it imports just fine, setting the aspect ratio at 1.33 without any intervention from me manually ...

HERE IS THE SOLUTION! It is a CODEC issue with DVCPRO. If you use Intra you will not have this problem.

All HD recordings will be distorted using the HVX-200, no matter what settings you use. (1080/720), because it uses DVCPRO. Newer Panasonic cameras can use Intra.

All SD recordings will look perfect in DaVinci Resolve if you use the DV setting.

The solution is to set the Pixel Aspect Ratio to 1.5 in the clip attributes window if you have recorded using DVCPRO.

Bamm!!

You are correct "set the pixel aspect ratio to 1.5" ... this works! Thank you

interesting ... I use 720 DVCPRO footage from an HVX 200 and it imports just fine, setting the aspect ratio at 1.33 without any intervention from me manually ...


What version of DR are you using? I'm on 18. Interesting thing is it does the same thing if I record in the DVCPRO codec on my HPX-250 as well. If I use intra it works fine.

What version of DR are you using? I'm on 18. Interesting thing is it does the same thing if I record in the DVCPRO codec on my HPX-250 as well. If I use intra it works fine.

Current version 18.0.1