Firestore FS-C new firmware is out.

Michael_Richard

Michael_Richard

Active member
Are these drives reliable. The new fiirmware is posted on the Focus website. I'd like to pick one up if I hear the they are a good product. Any comments. I have an XHA1.

the readme:version 2.1.0.04032307 (for 60HZ systems only):

- Fixed QUICKTIME 1080/24F, 1080/30F, 1080/25F, and 720/25P

- Fixes to handle distruptions in recorded MPEG stream

NOTE: A new track will be created at the point of discontinuity.

- Upon System Reset, the default HD FORMAT is QUICKTIME

- Stores HD/DV FORMAT when switching between HD RECORDER and DV RECORDER mode

- Corrected several Disk Full errors

- Removed FC DV/HD from FUNCTION menu
 
these guys kill me.... they swore the FS4-HD and FS-C were the same devices but shortly after I bought the FS4-HD I learned otherwise. Now they have this new firmware that supplies exactly what I need BUT it's only for the FS-C. lol
 
Just downloaded the update. Can't wait to try it out--crossing my fingers on this one. If the F modes work properly now it will be a real boon. Instant QT editability in FCP, with a tape safety backup. :)

RELEASE NOTES:

version 2.1.0.04032307 (for 60HZ systems only):
- Fixed QUICKTIME 1080/24F, 1080/30F, 1080/25F, and 720/25P
- Fixes to handle distruptions in recorded MPEG stream
NOTE: A new track will be created at the point of discontinuity.
- Upon System Reset, the default HD FORMAT is QUICKTIME
- Stores HD/DV FORMAT when switching between HD RECORDER and DV RECORDER mode
- Corrected several Disk Full errors
- Removed FC DV/HD from FUNCTION menu

version 2.0.0.04092006:
- Native QuickTime HDV DTE format.
- HD TC display and restripe capabilities in Native QuickTime HDV DTE format
- MXF OPatom DV DTE format.
- Added ORGANIZE MXF for MXF OPatom support.
- Added HDV TC TYPE menu functionality for HDV TC playback.
- Improved DV FORMAT QUICKTIME 24P compatibility.
- Improved disk handling.
- Improved HD playback functionality.
- Handle 999 clip limit properly.
 
Elton,

Please report how this works out. I am ready to pull the trigger on one of these drives if they work as advertised.
 
Could someone please post the link for the update. Can't seem to find it on the Focus site. Thanks.

Elton-
Looking forward to your comments.
 
Michael_Richard said:
Elton,

Please report how this works out. I am ready to pull the trigger on one of these drives if they work as advertised.
Click to expand...

It works. :) I repeat--IIIIIT WOOOOOORRRRRRKKSSS!!!! :Drogar-Dum(DBG): :Drogar-Love(DBG): :thumbup: :Drogar-Smoke(DBG):

ok--Just did a very simple preliminary test, and thankfully it works like it's supposed to now.

I recorded A1 HDV 24F to tape and to the Firestore C simultaneously. The FS-C recognized HDV 24F mode and displayed "1080 24F TC" and sure enough, it was the live HDV timecode that matches tape. You do have to tell it to record in QT HDV format rather than m2t, however.

I shot about 5 clips and all I did was restart the FS-C in disk drive mode. Dragged and dropped the clips into a FCP HDV 1080 24p timeline and simply edited direct from the FS-C with no problems. For an added measure of redundancy, I would of course recommend copying the files to your capture drive, (which IS A HELLUVA LOT FASTER THAN CAPTURING!!)

I even deleted the clips and batch recaptured from tape with no problems. This particular unit can record over 304 minutes of footage direct to disk. You'll need extra batteries to actually use up all that space in one shoot however.

It works as advertised now. This is the way to go if you have to choose between an extra camcorder (for a deck) or DTE technology. The FSC totally bypasses the need to capture from tape, but now you can have the added comfort of knowing that it's all backed up on tape. Shoot both and put the tapes away. Recapture later on from tape if you need to.

Lovin' it. :)
 
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I know, at the very least I'd be quite annoyed if I were in your shoes. Maybe it will work on the other units but the downloadable update says "fsc.bin" so I would imagine that it actually looks for the specific model.

Sell your FS4 while you can or wait to see if FCP 6 works with m2t's. All I can say is that I'm simply glad that there's FINALLY a DTE unit that properly recognizes HDV 24F mode and captures as true 23.98 FCP-compatible QT HDV files.
 
just out of curiousity (because I'm not familiar with firestore), is the quality of the image the same as if it goes onto tape since it's coming from firewire.
 
Spdamf said:
just out of curiousity (because I'm not familiar with firestore), is the quality of the image the same as if it goes onto tape since it's coming from firewire.
Click to expand...


No difference in quality.
 
thanks! so basically the benefit of firestore is not having to wait to digitize the tape and ability to instantly edit your footage.
 
Spdamf said:
so basically the benefit of firestore is not having to wait to digitize the tape and ability to instantly edit your footage.
Click to expand...

Yes, and if you shoot to tape at the same time, having your media already backed up.
 
How is it you are getting around the GOP issue. Isn't it still HDV?

Also I got this email from Focus about the scarcity of units around.
The FS-C’s until last week were not being distributed due to some Canon third party issues. But a release has been sent that everything is back in order and we just mass shipped many to Canon this week. You should be able to have your Canon dealer distribute those now.


Regards,

Audrey
 
Just got this in the mail from tech support:

Hello Jay,

There is no update available yet for the FS-C to record in 24f yet. This is being worked on. More then likely this will not be available for the FS-4. Our camera partners will want to make their units different so people don't go out and buy an FS-4 which is much cheaper then their model. I expect more updates and upgrades will be coming to the camera units and the FS-4s will be a more basic unit.

Thanks,JoeTechnical SupportFocus Enhancements
763-398-1658 (technical support phone)
763-571-7688 (technical support fax)
www.focusinfo.com/support/


Here's my email to them:

I own the FS4-HD and was instructed by the tech support that it was the same unti as the FS-C as the only difference was the actual mount. I see there is a firmware update for the FS-C that now recognizes HDV 24F mode and captures as true 23.98 FCP-compatible QT HDV files. Will there be a similar update for the FS4-HD?
 
Michael_Richard said:
How is it you are getting around the GOP issue. Isn't it still HDV?
Click to expand...

The tape might still have dropped frames due to media defects, but the file on the hard drive won't (unless the hard drive is screwed).
 
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