HVX P2 v. Firestore

A

atmmedia

New member
Hello, I'm new to this board (all boards actually) so please excuse my netiquette.

I'm looking to buy an HVX and was wondering about using a fire store drive to shoot on as opposed to P2 cards.

Does this work? Has anyone had problems with it?

Basically, I'm just trying to make this initial purchase as low as possible.
 
It will certainly help you to do a search here on the site. There is a ton of information available regarding the Firestore.

I, for one, have both P2 cards and a Firestore. I seldom use my cards. I use the Firestore on a daily basis and believe in the product. I do use the cards when I am in more perilous situations such as hanging out of the door of a helicopter, airplane or car.

When you do your search you will see a number of negatives posted regarding the FS-100. Keep in mind that people seldom post when things are going well.

Jim
 
I have a Firestore for a different camera (the Canon A1). The only thing I will add to the above post is that you might consider something like this if you are going to work with a Firestore.

After my first big shoot with my Firestore, I decided to order one for the following reasons: I want to be able to pull out my camera and start shooting. I do a mix of tripod and handheld shooting and I had to attach my Firestore in a different way for each setup. Between that and my external monitor, the delay in being ready to roll was frustrating. I got the mount so I could have the Firestore attached and ready to roll at all times. Your needs may vary.
 
Lots and lots of firestore experiences on the boards. My vote would be to spend the money on two 16GB cards instead of a FireStore, it's about the same price and frankly, unless you need the extended recording capacity of the firestore, I think the P2 cards are just better in so many ways...
 
as you will read in a search of this forum - and i dont know why i dont just send you links - its not a matter of either or but one of what are you working on?

like barry said, there wont be many times where a pair of 16 gig p2s wont do the trick - but when that situation occurs, there is nothing better than a firestore!

personally, i have 2 16 gig p2s, 1 8gig p2 and a firestore (and an old powerbook g4 with a bus powered external fw drive) and i rest much easier knowing that im ready for just about any situation. and NONE of them has ever let me down
 
i would say, since you get a free 16gb p2 card now with the cam, invest that money in even more p2 cards...
 
Firestore is very versatile with high capacity but bulky and cumbersome and prone to damage. The Bebob Box drawer is handy but a bit spendy. If you shoot lots of studio/controlled situations, features, etc.. get a firestore.

16g P2 cards will hold less footage but if you shoot SD or HD PN mode footage is just as good as tape capacity. They are bomber storage--- no batteries, moving parts, dangling wires...etc. The HVX was built around these things, not the Firestore. If you shoot more on the fly, run and gun, news, docs, stick with P2 cards.

I have both and tend towards using the cards. I keep a laptop with a card slot and dump footage from the p2 on the fly, or during breaks.

Cheers and have fun with it.

Jay Canode
Terravision
Paonia, CO
 
I've used an FS-100 since it came out, in very hazardous conditions, dropped it, banged it, got it wet, it keeps on working. They are very durable, and rarely break down. I have my HVX on a CamHandle with an FS-100 and can go from hand held to tripod and back in the blink of an eye. I've not used P2 cards in over a year now. FS-100 keeps running and has never failed. And the battery will outlast two DVXuser.com HVX batteries.

I shoot in swamps, in the rain, in heat and tropic humidity, and places where a laptop would have no place to recharge it's short lived battery. Thus, the FS-100 is invaluable. For example, I do footage every year of Mardi Gras day around New Orleans. I'll be out again this year. With a CamHandle, HVX, and FS-100, an two extra HVX batteries, I can go all day with no arm fatigue. And in this situation, carrying around a laptop is simply out of the question. And my FS-100, with all it's dents, chips, dings, scratches, and gouges, still runs like it's brand now.
 
I like using the FS. Not always the best choice so I have my p2 cards on hand. But generally Im one with the FS. (Im talking HPX500 but generally the work situations are similar though the HPX cams have a fair bit more real estate to locate a FS which makes it an easier choice).
 
does firestore not record through the firewire? Does that even allow for 4:2:2 recording?
 
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