How reliable is the Firestore FS-100?

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....
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Ben, I have a question and a concern about any of the firewire out capture drives such as the FS-100 and of course when it is released the Cineporter.

This is a firewire cable connection.

What issues have you, or other users, experienced with the connection to the HVX?

Have you jerry-rigged something to both prevent loose connections, or breaking the port?

Any comments would be appreciated.
 
First up, CinePorter will plug into the P2 card slot.

Second, if you simply look at the camera and FS-100 for two seconds, you'll figure it out. I got right angled Firewire cables (angled on the 4-pin end) which make it fit nice and snug. I also have some really nice velcro strips I got from a music store. Some computer stores may have them, too. They're for cable management, so their the perfect width, length, etc. You can route the cable how ever you need it. Just depends on what support system your camera and FS-100 is on.

This is not unique to the FS-100 and Firewire cables. For example, I visited a set recently that had a real pro audio set up recording the sound. Lots of cables, all had these velcro wraps around keeping them neat and safe. Before I retired from the IT field, we'd use plastic wraps to clean up huge messes of network cables. If you're running a lot of lights in a studio, I've seen them wrap the cables, and tape them to the floor, for safety reasons.

Cable management is a part of the film world, and it's not rocket science.
 
unfiltered said:
WHAT?!? When did that happen?!? ;) I assume you meant "24pN."
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I AM shooting 24pN with the FS-100 and the 3.0 firmware (beta)! Like I said, the 3.0 firmware upgrade is gonna rock your world!

Arson said:
unless you want to shoot 24p

or overcrank and shoot slowmotion footage
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Dude, I overcrank with the FS-100 all the time. The 3.0 firmware will allow for Native modes. I shoot 24p with the FS-100 every freakin' day! The FS-100 will shoot ANY mode the HVX will shoot, AND add functions the HVX can't do with P2 cards.

Arson, check your facts before you post, my friend.
 
BenB said:
Cable management is a part of the film world, and it's not rocket science.
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I agree, and that's why I asked.

Thanks.

Any chance of posting some photos of that management solution?
 
I shoot on a variety of support systems. My favorite is the CineSaddle, I can just stick the FS in a pocket along with the cable loop, and my beef jerky and beer in the other pocket. On a tripod, I usually hand the FS from it's belt clip (more sturdy than it actually seems, trust) on the hand strap of the HVX, and loop the cable between the hand strap and camera body. There's millions of ways to do it.
 
The Cineporter is 2199$ and the Firestore is 1.899. They do the same thing, in a different ways. Repairs, service and upgrades might go faster at Focus Enhancement since they are a fairly established firm. Spec-comm is too, but they dont even sell their product today...

I was sure I wantet to buy the Cineporter. But now it looks like I would spend a lot of extra cash on nothing really. Opinions?

- Proximty
 
Ben's right about the right angle plug.....In fact I was very surprised at how snug it fit. I haven't done a lot of run and gun stuff as of yet....so I've been mounting my FS on a Noga arm attached to a Zacuto double mount. Just a quick glance when I start rolling works for me. I may find a better way at some point...but so far, I've had no issues.
 
The Cineporter will have more capacity and thumbnails for playback. (Though Foucs hopes to find larger HDD's of good enough quality one day to increase the capacity.) It will also send HD out to a monitor during playback. About the only two things the FS-100 won't do, because Panasonic crippled the Firewire port on the HVX that way.

But, on the other hand, the FS-100 does a couple of things the CinePorter/P2 card can't do, snap shots, timelapes settings in any increment from 1 frame to 24 hours, disk and clip repair utilities, seperating shots into Reels, QuickTime and QuickTime Native recording in HD modes.

Since they are both hard drives, and prone to the same dangers (as tiny as the chance of those dangers actually happening may be), I'm personally more comfortable with the FS-100 having trouble shooting utilites and disk repair functions built in. Plus, it's a Linux OS, which, as a former UNIX professional, makes me very confident with it. I have no idea what OS the CinePorter is using, I'd assume the same, as Linux is very common on small devices (even in your DVD set top player and high tech car stereo).

You just have to weigh the advantages of both and figure out which works best for you. Each has it's place.
 
booth said:
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!
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Booth, when you're able to afford, go for it.. I have used one over 6 months now, and am chomping at the bit for the version 3 upgrade... It ROCKs.
 
Firestore works great. I had a power problem with the adapter and battery. Called the company and they are replacing it. Great tech support and the fs-100 is very useful.
 
Another alternative is to rent another five 8GB cards for the day you need to shoot 100 minutes continuously.
 
Firmware Status

Firmware Status

We are renting the FS drive for this weekend and a shoot with our new HD rig.
How does one make sure we have the most recent firmware?
 
You can download it off the Focus Enhancements web site. Be sure to download the user maual, too, and go through it and test run the system before the shoot.
 
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