How reliable is the Firestore FS-100?

B

booth

Well-known member
I've recently been asked to do a job, part of which will require me to record 100 minutes continuously in DVCPro50. I've been thinking that for ease of use I will get the FS-100.

I already have 2x8gb cards which would allow me to swap out and offload to P2store but as there will only be a 2 man crew (camera & sound persons) I fear this may be a problem.

So for all those firestore users, how reliable is it both in terms of picture stability and data storage? I'm just afraid of losing important data which would get me in trouble with the client, and I saw some horror stories early on with glitches all over the place.

Since then I've not been keeping tabs on its development because the cards + P2store have been fine for the work I've been doing.

Ps, I did a search before posting and most feedback about the FS-100 wasn't recent and I'd really like to know what people think about it now after using it for a decent period of time and with firmware issues supposedly fixed.
 
I love mine. It's very durable and reliable. The stories you're hearing are a Mac problem, not an FS-100 problem. It's very stable and a solid asset to the HVX-200. It even expands the abilities of the HVX-200. With version 3.0 of the firmware coming out in a few very short weeks, it'll be very, very worth the price.
 
If you get one, just make sure it is running the latest firmware which is currently 2.0.1. This can be downloaded from the Focus support site.
Matt
 
BenB said:
I love mine. It's very durable and reliable. The stories you're hearing are a Mac problem, not an FS-100 problem. It's very stable and a solid asset to the HVX-200. It even expands the abilities of the HVX-200. With version 3.0 of the firmware coming out in a few very short weeks, it'll be very, very worth the price.
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Few short weeks?

What happened to November?
 
No software ever comes out on time. There was never an "official" November release date, although Focus was aiming for November. The beta version is now being tested by contracted testers, it's looking very promising, it'll be here soon, it'll be worth the wait.

OR Focus could have released it a few weeks ago untested and you could have ended up in a potential tar pit of problems. So, you want quality in the product, or you want it this weekend? You can't have both. But then we all know, America is the premier fast food nation...

What's that crack about Cavemen? Not like we didn't set the stage for all of humanity or anything. Stupid talking lizard...

3.0 is coming very soon, and I promise the QuickTime file and Native mode functions will be more than worth the small upgrade price.
 
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Another FS-100 testimonial. It is rugged, durable and just plain works. And Focus is responsive to its customers both in terms of customer service as well as constantly developing and refining the product. As Ben said, 3.0 firmware is really going to rock.

Ned Soltz
 
I love it. My only complaint is that if it is close to the microphone, the sound of it will be picked up. But other than that, it's fantastic. Just keep it away from the mics!
 
BenB said:
No software ever comes out on time. There was never an "official" November release date, although Focus was aiming for November. The beta version is now being tested by contracted testers, it's looking very promising, it'll be here soon, it'll be worth the wait.

OR Focus could have released it a few weeks ago untested and you could have ended up in a potential tar pit of problems. So, you want quality in the product, or you want it this weekend? You can't have both. But then we all know, America is the premier fast food nation...

What's that crack about Cavemen? Not like we didn't set the stage for all of humanity or anything. Stupid talking lizard...

3.0 is coming very soon, and I promise the QuickTime file and Native mode functions will be more than worth the small upgrade price.
Click to expand...
How much do they charge for the update? Seems lame to charge for this imo.
 
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Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I've just found out that the budget for the production has been cut so I doubt we'll be able to get it for this shoot but now I really want one :crybaby: Unless I buy it myself and I don't really want to shell out £1600 so near to Christmas!
 
Gene Crucean said:
How much to they charge for the update? Seems lame to charge for this imo.
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I believe it is $30.00.

"Lame?"

In what way?

It adds new functionality. If somebody doesn't want that functionality, that person doesn't have to buy it.

But $30.00 to increase recording times significantly. Seems like a bargain
 
Lame in the sense that usually updating the firmware is to fix bugs and problems but then they charge you for it. If it truly gives you new features and only costs 30 bones then that's a different story.
 
David S. said:
I believe it is $30.00.

"Lame?"

In what way?

It adds new functionality. If somebody doesn't want that functionality, that person doesn't have to buy it.

But $30.00 to increase recording times significantly. Seems like a bargain
Click to expand...

It's actually $39.00

Focus' September Press Release said:
The FS-100 3.0 upgrade is expected to be available directly from Focus Enhancements for $39 by the middle of the fourth quarter this year.
Click to expand...

http://www.focusinfo.com/company/article.asp?id=160142 <<< Press Release

But the real question is would you have paid the extra $39 back when you bought your FS-100 to have received the new features? Of course you would've. It's only going cost folks 2% of what it costs to buy a new FS-100 now at $1800. Not bad, and a drop in the bucket considering the additional features, as well as increased stability. (I assume.)

Gene Crucean said:
Lame in the sense that usually updating the firmware is to fix bugs and problems but then they charge you for it. If it truly gives you new features and only costs 30 bones then that's a different story.
Click to expand...

You have to consider this less of a typical firmware upgrade and more of version upgrade akin to the software world. New versions of software generally provide new features that sometimes costs you more money and sometimes not, and surely don't come at a discounted raate of 2% of the original purchase price.
 
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Gene Crucean said:
Lame in the sense that usually updating the firmware is to fix bugs and problems but then they charge you for it. If it truly gives you new features and only costs 30 bones then that's a different story.
Click to expand...

I think I made it absolutely clear that it was an update to ADD more functions that the HVX by itself (nor the FS as is today) have to offer. NOT to fix bugs. Read carefully before jumping into a trashing party.
 
BenB said:
I think I made it absolutely clear that it was an update to ADD more functions that the HVX by itself (nor the FS as is today) have to offer. NOT to fix bugs. Read carefully before jumping into a trashing party.
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Party pooper -- you're taking all of the fun out of this Internet thingy...
 
No, don't work for Focus. Just as Barry and Jarred don't work for Panasonic. Would you ever asked them if they work for Panasonic?

Not a party pooper, just stating the facts, ma'am....
 
BenB said:
No, don't work for Focus. Just as Barry and Jarred don't work for Panasonic. Would you ever asked them if they work for Panasonic?

Not a party pooper, just stating the facts, ma'am....
Click to expand...

Ben - The FS-100 tutorial in your sig is great. Looking forward to the DVDs you've got coming.
 
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