FS4 Pro or FS-100 for the HVX200?

[crobs808]

So, I just bought an HVX200, brand new for $3500. Yes , it is legit, and USA version, no worries there, but my question is what kind of Firestore do I need?

I can use the FS4 Pro or the older FS-100 right? Also, I am planning to upgrade the internal drive of whichever I get, to the 250GB Hitachi Travelstar. It's model number "HTS542525K9SA00", has the same millisecond rating, RPM, and voltage output/requirements. Also, since I am going to do that do I need the FS-100 or can the FS4 be upgrades also? I know the FS100 firmware will recognize 250, since they make a 250 stock version, but they dont make a 250gb FS4 version off the bat, so do you think the FS4 could handle it?

Anyway, so my question is should I buy the FS4 Pro or the FS-100 for my HVX. It would be nice to get the FS4 since I also have HDV cameras I could use it with, and the FS-100 cant do HDV also right?

K, thanks!
::: Connor

[Kwan]

Fs100

[THoff]

The FS4 doesn't support DVCProHD, it would only be able to record SD DV.

[mdslammer]

Where did you buy your HVX-200 for $3,500.00?

[crobs808]

the fs4 pro DOES supports p2 format (mxf) i thought...yeah, the regular fs4 doesnt, but the pro version does everything the fs100 does, plus hdv right?

anyway, i got it from ebay, user "time2envy", i've bought from him in the past (canon hv20 camera right when it first came out, for $950), never had any problems :) has over 11K positive feedback. (no, i am not time2envy nor do i work for them, lol)

-connor

[PerroneFord]

My FS-4 Pro says MXF on it, but I've never tried recording to it with an HVX.

[THoff]

MXF does not mean it supports DVCProHD.

MXF is a (somewhat) standardized container format for audio, video, and metadata. The FS-4 does support MXF for DVCPro25, but you can't record HD material from the HVX on it. If you don't believe me and think you can save money by getting it instead of the FS-100, go for it...

[Barry_Green]

but the pro version does everything the fs100 does, plus hdv right?
Absolutely not.

The FS-4 does DV.

The FS-4 Pro does DV and HDV.

The FS-100 does DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO50, and DVCPRO-HD.

The ONLY firestore that supports the HVX properly is the FS-100. Buying anything else, for use with the HVX, is unquestionably and without a doubt, a mistake.

[crobs808]

cool thanks guys. just bought a fs100 today from adorama for $1500, found a $100 off coupon for them, since B&H went up to $1700. what kind of securing device do you recommend. i have seen the "box" that goes on the bottom and holds the firestore as well as an external battery, but then how do i mount it on my tripod? i have also see the hot shoe mount, but then i cannot add on a video light if i need to. any ideas, lemme know, thanks

-connor

[Jim Carswell]

Did you actually receive your camera at that price?

Jim

[New_Zealand]

Crobs808,
Just wondering, did the HVX200 come with a 16GB P2 Card? Thanks

[crobs808]

no, no p2 cards. $3600 and change was just for the camera new.

Didnt need P2 cards anyway, and never plan to use them, since I bought a Firestore FS-100 for $1500, and upgraded it to 250gb by purchasing a $100 hitachi travelstar drive and swapping it out with the firestore stock drive.

[crobs808]

Did you actually receive your camera at that price?

Jim

yeah, why? he's been selling them on ebay for months now at that price. with shipping it was around $3600.

-connor

[wgzn]

just wait until your firewire cable gets yanked out during a shoot. then you'll wish to heck you had used P2.

not saying firestore is a bad choice. i have one and its never failed me. but i think to abandon P2 altogether in favor of firestore is just asking for trouble...

[crobs808]

yep, they called and confirmed, and they dont upsell ebay purchases. they cant. you have already paid thru paypal, so they cant upsell. they only upsell if you call in to buy, or buy from their site. just buy off ebay, and they will give you a call, but all he said was "is this the correct address...(listed my address)....we verify addresses on high end orders", i said yes, then he said "ok, this will ship out tomorrow", hang up. i got it 4 days later.

PS - to the guy who whined about the firewire, i got what is called a p-clamp (wraps around the corner of the camera, avoiding the headphone jack), it holds your firewire in the camera, and made specifically for hvx/fs100 users on the go. never comes out, doesnt even budge :)

-connor

[crobs808]

I think you're contradicting yourself.. you said you purchased a $400 warranty in another thread. Who exactly did you purchase this warranty from?

In any case, there is absolutely no way they didn't try and upsell, because I myself purchased an HVX from them through paypal and they gave me the run around with shipping insurance and warranty fees. You think they just pick and choose who they want to try an bamboozle or upsell to? I think you should care more for providing the truth of the matter to the forums rather then making your own argument look better.

And actually these crooklyn dealers are allowed to do whatever they want, and if you question them they'll just cancel your order. There's nothing in paypal or ebay that implicitly states that a buyer can't ask for additional fees. I complained about T2E's methods myself and got nowhere and I'm an eBay powerseller. All you can do is create a dispute that says you and the seller disagreed on shipping terms.

Unfortunately, there is no way to actually get an HVX for less than $3,900 through these crooklyn dealers because they will always find a way to charge you that missing 300 to 400 dollars depending on the auction price. I have a very hard time believing that you somehow found a way to trick these guys into sending you the HVX for the actual auction price, when there are plenty of examples on eBay on the sellers feedback of T2E adding on additional fees to make the HVX 3,900-4,000.

No, I did pay $400 for a 4 year warranty, from T2E, but the camera by itself with the built in 1-yr warranty was $3699. They said "Ok thanks, that's all we needed", and were going to hang up when I asked about the warranty. He said it came with the manufacturers 1-yr, but they didn't upsell me until I asked about available warranties. So I paid $4,100 in all, but that's still over $1,000 cheaper than any other competition...I mean $100 a year for free fixing unlimited times at a local Bestbuy or CurcuitCity is fine with me. Plus, if they cant fix it in 14 days, I get a brand new HVX200 from Panasonic USA for free. Already called Panasonic USA and confirmed/registered everything with serial number and all, so it's all legit.

Time2Envy is a good company. Most of the people who say they have issues with them must be taking a tone or getting all mad on the phone from the get go. If you don't "act" suspicious, then you'll get what you want. $4100 with 4 yr warranty is fine with me.