FS-100 new firmware a workaround for the Mac Corruption Problem?

Luis Caffesse

Luis Caffesse

Admin
It just ocurred to me that with the new firmware we can record QT files instead of MXF files onto the FS-100. So will this be a way to get around the corruption problem affecting the macs/fcp?

Seems like the problem is only with MXF files - I've copied numerous QT files in the past off FAT32 devices and never had an issue. So it seems like we'd be in the clear for now.

If that's the case - other than losing the ability to span clips - is there anything else we'd lose if we record QT instead of MXF?

(BenB, I'm looking in your direction)
 
The only other thing you lose in recording QT is the extra 2 channels of audio. To me, that's really no big deal since I would be using an external mike anyway for ch1-2, and I really don't care about any ambient sound that ch 3-4 would pick up. This is defnitely the workaround to MXF problems in OSX/FCP.

Ned
 
I just did some test recording of 1080/30p DVCProHD with the QT pNative equivalent and got four channels of audio.

Didn't even burp.
 
Hmmmm.... I checked again and discovered that 1 picked up 2 audio channels because on the particular test I did I was only using the internal mikes. I have generally been using MXF just because of the clip-spanning, which now for some odd reason is working in my FCP 5.1.2.

Ned
 
Does the HVX do 1080p24? Yes. Bascially, if the HVX can record in that mode, so will the FS-100.
 
BenB said:
Does the HVX do 1080p24? Yes. Bascially, if the HVX can record in that mode, so will the FS-100.
Click to expand...

That's good news. I was under the impression 720p60 was the limit for the FS-10 because of the note that comes with the latest firmware...

FS-100 Software v3.0 Upgrade Available Now
FS-100 v3.0 software adds native DVCPRO HD 720/24p, 25p and 30p recording which more than doubles record time.
Click to expand...

So I have a few questions left. How well does the Firestore capture 1080p24? Should I worry about dropped frames? What speed does the HDD in the FS-100 spin at? Is the HDD upgradable?
 
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Captures 1080p24 just like everything else, very well. Haven't seen any dropped frames.

Not an upgradeable HDD, as Focus has very strict standards for what they use in the unit. They don't want to let just anyone throw just any drive in it. Don't recall drive speed off hand, don't recall, not a concern I have, as the unit just works.

A side note here, the Cineporter will have various drive sizes to choose from, but the prices for them posted right now are pretty outrageous for drives of those sizes. And it's not shipping yet, so it's vapor-ware at present.

A little bit of cable managment (use FW cable with a right-reversed angle on the 4-pin side, for sure) and it's a nice unit. Why Panny used the cheap, unstable 4-pin FW connector is beyond me, it was stupid, unless they wanted to discourage FW connection use so folks would be corralled into buying P2 cards and recorders from Panny rather than 3rd party developers. I can see no other reason for the 4-pin on the HVX. Any device that uses 4-pin FW connectors is just the result of cheap ass pencil pushers and lack of quality control in the design.
 
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Sorry BenB, I made an addition to my post at the same time as you were answering. How come the latest firmware release states the FS-100 now supports 720/24p? If it didn't before are you sure 1080/24p is possible?
 
I believe the FS-100 uses the 100 Gb HD because it is a single platter HD and less prone to errors.

I shot 1080/30p on Friday without any issue. 1080/24p was an option. And this was shot with the QT pNative option.
 
Thanks for your answers. I didn't look too much into the Firestore because with so many talking about the P2 cards I thought there must be something limiting about the FS-100.

Am I correct that the FS-100's only limit is lack of support for all 720p variable framerates?
 
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