Cineporter=One giant P2 card?

[yellowcouch]

I was told that basically the Cineporter is essentially one giant P2 card and is definitely the way to go when compared to the Firestore FS-100.
Apparently it actually fits into the P2 slot in the camera
I was told it captures the HD data in its native file format.
Is anybody holding out for this unit?
When is it expected to be released?

Thanks
Mike

[SPZ]

In theory, that's the case. However, we have had no news on the device, Spec-Comm didn't show up at NAB, and people (me included) are starting to get worried.

If you want a good and reliable workflow with P2 functionality, I would suggest the P2 store plus 3 4gb or 2 8gb cards and a 4gb card.

[Barry_Green]

Spec-Comm said they were aiming for having the product out in the summer. There's nothing to be worried about, it's not due for a few months.

It is, however, an unreleased product, so don't go making any business decisions based on when you expect it to be released -- it'll be released when it's ready and not one day before, and that may be summer, or it may be later, that won't be truly known until it's done.

[BenB]

I can tell you that by the time the CinePorter comes out, there will be very little difference between it and the FS-100. You get native P2 file format with the FS-100. Both are hard drive based and have the problems that go along with it. Don't expect the CinePorter to beat out the FS-100 at the time it comes out. From what I've found out, the FS-100 will be firmware/software updated by then and the two will be "only slightly different" and will "appeal to two different shooting environments."

But, we'll know more when it actually gets into the hands of responsable reviewers. Personally, I'm not holding my breath. And I have no idea what plugging into a P2 slot does for you. It means that once it's filled, or the battery dies (do NOT think anyone's battery will last the life of recording time on the drive, unless you never stop recording), and you are in the middle of a shoot and want to switch quickly to your P2 cards! Uh oh, no P2 card to switch to!

I had this problem with the FS-100. Battery went dead while shooting in the field. Thankfully I had a pair of P2 cards I could switch to while my assistant fetched the AC cable to plug the FS-100 in to. Had I not had a pair of P2 cards in the unit, I'd could have lost VALUABLE shots.

And yes, Focus has a slew of enhancments and upgrades coming out soon to update the FS-100 to have many of the features promised by the CinePorter. I just don't like CinePorter robbing me of a P2 card! There's no real advantage to using the P2 slot for a hard disk recorder!

[mcgeedigital]

There's no real advantage to using the P2 slot for a hard disk recorder!

Not exactly true. I can think of a HUGE one:

The P2 slot is a MUCH more secure method of recording to a HD than a spindly little 4pin 1394 connection with no lock.

That is a deal breaker for me.

[for_mlove]

With the Firestore you cannot record in Native mode correct?? If, when, the Cineporter comes to market that could be a big difference between the two. Also, the fact that it uses the same battery as the HVX is nice.

[philnerd]

<snip>
I had this problem with the FS-100. Battery went dead while shooting in the field. <snip>

The CinePorter has hot swappable batteries and will apparently, if memory serves, run for up to a minute between battery swaps. Spec-Comm seems to have really looked to the end users for input on this product and from everything I've read it should, at least specification wise, be a better product than the Firestore. Native P2 device, hot swap batteries, multiple drives.. its just cool and really sounds like something a group of video guys designed instead of a group of engineers.

Buy hey, I'd be happy to have either (an HVX wouldn't hurt either). I mean, what's being recorded is more important than what its recorded on...

www.philipwilliams.com

[SPZ]

And on paper cine-porter works exactly like a P2 card. You can see the recorded clips as thumbnails, too, see the slow motion and fast motion effects on the go, and edit and erase unwanted shots. Firestore only records the firewire stream. It doesn't use the machine's functions.

[Matthew McEwen]

Regarding battery power, don't forget there is a 3-hour battery available for the FS-100. It uses the same slot as the regular battery, it is just slightly thicker.

Hope that helps.

Matt McEwen
Focus Enhancements