Good to know that you've never had issue with your work flow Craig. Thanks for the reply.

But isn't saying "formatting is a complete waste of time" a little harsh? I mean formatting a 16 GB card takes about 10 seconds. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't call 10 seconds "a complete waste of time". But maybe your schedule is tighter than mine. Cheers! :)

from the other Craig

The only problem with formating is you lose the card name. I don't like seeing "untitled" when a card mounts. Another issue is if you do save your camera settings (Picture Profiles for example) you lost them with format. Of course you can back those up to something if needed so it's not that big of a deal.

I just don't think formating buys you much security. I've never had an SxS or SDHC card go bad. I DO format if I ever see a clip error though.

Perhaps I should be blushing at saying this, but I just format cards. I tried naming them nicely, but the only bit of software noticing this was me. XDCAM Transfer knows the difference between a bunch of cards called 'untitled'. ShotPut EX does a date thing.

But I do number the physical cards, so I can keep a note of what is on what.

Seeing the card name on the desktop keeps me from accidently copying one card twice and not doing another.

Doing Delete Clips from ClipBrowser means I'm conscious of the clips I'm deleting. I can see them for instance. It's just another precaution to prevent deleting the wrong clips.

So it sounds like either work flow works.

#1: Name your cards (with software) and then just use ALL CLIPS DELETE to delete them

OR

#2: Physically name your cards with a marker and then just FORMAT then to erase them

Or a combination of both.

Thanks everyone. I might try naming them and then using ALL CLIPS DELETE and see if that workflow works for my needs. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my very basic question.

BTW, on a related subject, Dana on the "other forum" has come up with a clever idea using large rubber bands on how to temporarily label your cards as SAVE or DOWNLOADED. Check it out under the XDCAM EX thread.

I didn't know that you could you could delete clips using the XDCAM EX Clip Browser software. Do you simply select the clip(s) and click the Trash Can icon? Then they are permanently deleted?

See now this is another no-no when using digital still cameras. The manuals normally say NOT to delete clips using anything but the camera. But maybe it's okay to do this using the Clip Browser because its Sony software.

Thanks Craig.

In ClipBrowser
Select All
Delete

I like this because I can actually see the clips I'm deleting. It's just another security blanket so I know I'm deleting an already copied card.

In the camera it's too easy to either delete clips or format the wrong card especially when there are two cards in the camera. Deleting in ClipBrowser allows me to see what's being deleted and assures me the camera is getting an empty card which needs no further action from the camera.