My Firestore FS-100 experience so far

Matthew McEwen said:
Hello,

Thought I would jump in here. There were some early FS-100 units that were effected by an incorrect factory setting which was causing the drop-outs. This was fixed with a new version update about two weeks ago. I have posted the announcement (which was listed elsewhere on this forum) of the upgrade to the base of this message. Regarding availability, the demand for this product has been very strong and we are working full-speed to clear the back log. We do apologize if a unit is not immediately available.

Hope this helps,

Matt McEwen

Focus Enhancements
Click to expand...

Matt,
Thanks for jumping in and lending first-hand support for your product.
I posted my questions in another thread before I saw your post here.
I have a new FS-100 and I haven't opened the box yet and had planned to return it because of all of the problems I was reading about. It seems you have solved the dropout problem which was an absolute deal killer for me since I can't go back and re-do interviews.
My current concerns are :
(1) the 2GB file size and how to get FCP5 to re-assemble them seamlessly. My interviews are at least 30 minutes long.
(2) a secure holder for an expensive accessory (the FS-100)
(3) a solution to the wimpy firewire port (not your fault) and less than secure cable connection.

I have bought a right angle 12" firewire cable and planned to velcro strap it to the camera hand strap. If anyone has a better solution, I would love to hear it.
Thanks,
Randolph
 
Hi Randolph,

Regarding the 2Gb file size issue, here is my response from another thread... I thought I would clarify the 2GB segment issue. FS-100 is a FAT32 device. We record clips in 2GB segments (about 2 minutes, 18 seconds of DVCPRO HD). If a clip's duration does go over 2 minutes, 18 seconds, a new 2GB file will be seamlessly created (without dropping any frames). A P2 card is also a FAT32 device. It splits clips into 4GB segments (about 4 minutes, 55 seconds). Like a P2 card, FS-100 supports file spanning in the XML file created in the CONTENTS folder. If an NLE supports spanning files, it is possible for the NLE to automatically join the files on import into the system. It appears that Final Cut Pro 5 does not support this feature at this time. Hopefully they will in the future.

You can expect new mount accessories to be available shortly. If you need something right now, I would recommend the Jimmybox (www.jimmybox.com).

I have also requested a right angle 4-pin FireWire connector be added to future production. This will be available as an accessory. We also plan to have a better way of mounting it.

Hope that helps,

Matt McEwen
 
Matthew McEwen said:
FS-100 is a FAT32 device. We record clips in 2GB segments (about 2 minutes, 18 seconds of DVCPRO HD). If a clip's duration does go over 2 minutes, 18 seconds, a new 2GB file will be seamlessly created (without dropping any frames). A P2 card is also a FAT32 device. It splits clips into 4GB segments (about 4 minutes, 55 seconds). Like a P2 card, FS-100 supports file spanning in the XML file created in the CONTENTS folder. If an NLE supports spanning files, it is possible for the NLE to automatically join the files on import into the system. It appears that Final Cut Pro 5 does not support this feature at this time. Hopefully they will in the future.
Click to expand...

Why does the FS-100 only do clips of two and the P2 card clips of four minutes when they have the same file system? And why not NTSC? And what about Canopus Broadcast, doesn't it support all the HVX features, so spanning should be supported?

And a question a bit off, would it be possible to fit future versions of the Firestore with a real time WMVHD encoder?
 
Hello,

The FAT32 disk format supports either 2GB or 4GB max clips sizes. FireStore has always supported 2GB clip sizes all the way back to 2001. For compatibility with older file handling (particularly AVI2), we observe the 2GB convention. FS-100 is available in 60Hz based or 50Hz based frame rates...similar to the HVX200.

FS-100 does have a processor, but that processor is not powerful enough to do a real-time WMVHD encoding. It would take a very powerful processor to do a real-time WMVHD encoding (if it was possible at all). A processor such as this would also have heat and power consumption issues not suited to a unit like FS-100.

Hope that helps,

Matt
 
Hi Pascal,

I just took another look at Edius in our lab and it appears that Edius does not support spanning files either. I checked this on both FS-100 and a P2 card. I have emailed someone at Canopus to see if they were aware of any tricks. Hopefully, they will support it soon.

Matt
 
...So for right now, FCP users and owners of most other NLEs are SCREWED because file spanning is not yet implemented by the NLE authors...??

@#$%@#!!!
 
Just because FCP does not support file spanning, it's a non-issue for me, and FCP editor. I can take the two clips, but them up against each other, they fit perfectly. No big deal.
 
I haven't read the other posts, but i would just loke to share with you my experience with the Firestore and Focus Enhancements. While i did not own the Fs-100 i did own the Fs-4 like you i had to wait months before it was finally released, after several false release dates. The Firestore Fs-4 is very similar in operation and look from what i have gathered, and yes it breaks them up in into small clips; when imported into your NLE and patched together they are seemless (so don"t worry about that). My first one i got had a bad drive in it, but i'm happy to say they took care of it and fast,( I sent it out on a friday and had a new one one monday) They took care of all the shipping; i didn't pay a penny. I would say that they are dedicated to their customers. The only thing i hate about the thing is the fan noise from the unit, which i am told the FS-100 has also; if you are using it in a quiet set throw it in a soundproof enclosure (like a drawer), or clip it behind you on a belt (it's that annoying). Other than that i love it, It captures images and sound flawlessly (even the fan noise) and i'm sure the the FS-100 is no different. Only con, the fan.
 
Hi,

Thanks for your comments. Thought I might add that early FS-4 units did have a noisy fan, but this was changed in production. We did offer to change out early fans for the new quiet model. Contact support and they should be able to arrange this for you if you are interested.

Matt
 
Thanks, Matt, I actually don't have the unit anymore but i will tell the person i sold it to. I take it you work for Focus Enhancements?
 
Hi, Matt. I just want to take a sec to say i really appreciate you answering questions like this on this board. That's FANTASTIC customer service if I've ever seen it. This thread alone has been enormously helpful.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top