CitiDISK HD has started shipping

additional thought

additional thought

I just remembered - I am having "two" problems that are deal breakers for me.

1- The overall recording time (this is mentioned in this firmware upgrade)

2- Random file size recordings and fragmented sections with drops lacking continuity.

(not mentioned)

I will test for these extensively tomorrow - swear.

All the best,

Michael Schoenfeld


View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com
 
WARNING - Citidisk updater DO NOT USE AT THIS TIME!

WARNING - Citidisk updater DO NOT USE AT THIS TIME!

Hello everyone

(And Richard from Procom)

It "appears" as if the Citidisk "utility Config" software has destroyed my friend's internal hardrive partition "on his valuable laptop" as he was helping me update the Citidisk HD 120.

(Matt, Michael's tech typing here)

The firmware update completed without incident. Then following the directions verbatim, the Shining Utility Suite v7.7 was installed and run. The Drive Setup utility was run, but would not finish without an error saying, "Error. The drive letter has changed..." Then the utility was re-run and couldn't find any eligible drives.

So, the computer was rebooted, and the Shining Drive Setup utility was run again with the same results. So using the Disk Management in Windows XP, the partition on the DV Disk was removed. The Shining utility was then run again.

After the procedure was started and I verified that the unpartitioned drive was selected, I started the partition/format process. Unfortunately, the PC blue screened. At this point, the computer will not boot, the system volume is not recognized, and I can only assume that the Shining software somehow deleted the boot partition of the C: drive. So my question now is, "Who makes the best partition restoration software out there?" Could it be.........Shining Tech?

Richard @ Procon, you are "welcome" to chime in here and help out.

Living on the edge is one thing.

I would, at this time, reccomend to everyone that you DO NOT ATTEMPT to update the Citidisk products with this updater/configuration utility.

The software (best case scenario) has cost a dear friend of mine hours of his valuable time; Matt of course, has a back up of his computer data, but I am not a happy person.

Proceed at your own peril. Everyone else, beware.

Michael Schoenfeld
 
To respond to Michael's concerns:

I'll be getting to the bottom of any software issues with Shining Tech. If you bought a CitiDISK HD from me or from any one of my dealers and you dont want to try to do the firmware upgrade yourself you can call or email me to arrange to send it in so that I can do the firmware install for you at no charge.
 
Hi. This is Michael Schoenfeld's friend, Matt. I'm posting this quick update.

After getting the HD out of my PC laptop, I verified that the partition had been erased. Now it is possible (albiet not probable) that I accidentally selected my C: partition in the Shining software. But even then, it should not have erased my C: partition. Every disc utility I've ever seen will not let you erase the partition from your active system drive. Again, I verified that the drive with "unallocated space" was selected in the Shining utility, so I doubt it's pilot error. But if it was pilot error, I can't imagine that anyone would write a peice of software that's capable of deleting the active partition from your system drive. Not only does it erase all of the system drives files, but since the utility is running from the same drive, it would (obviously) compromise the completion of the partition/format operation.

Matt
 
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One last update for anyone who has a similar experience with a deleted system disk partition. I used a program called Active Partition Recovery. It was $30.00 USD and downloadable. It generates a bootable CD or floppy. The program found the previous partition map, and upon restarting, the PC booted right up and all the data was intact. Much faster than restoring the drive from a backup AND more concurrent. It can be found here:

http://www.partition-recovery.com

Matt
 
That's why Matt is my digital tech - He fully recovered from badly written software - it took him a few hours, but he can do it if anyone can.

All the best,

Michael Schoenfeld

View my newest portfolio offerings at:

www.michaelschoenfeld.com
 
I'm a Mac user, could someone tell me if you can update the firmware of the CitiDisc using a Mac or do you have to have a PC?

Also is the product working now with the new firmwire update?

Thanks
Rory
 
As a retired IT Engineer (UNIX Specialist), I can verify that MattLTH's info is right on the money and makes perfect sense. Anyone who releases formating software (or any software for that matter) that has the potiential for damaging or altering your OS drive in any way, is BAD SOFTWARE! Having worked for several software manufacturers, there are safe guards built into these programs that are considered industry standard practice. What MattLTH experienced scares the hell out of me. And almost nothing on computers scares me anymore. Until dangerous software comes along. MattLTH, thanks tons for your info. I for one found it very valuable and informative.

So, what about Citidisk on Macs?
 
Just got my CitiDisk in the mail. I can't figure out how to get it to record. I went into 'Menu' then 'Other Functions' and the '1394 Control' is stuck on 'OFF'. I can't switch it to 'Both'. The 'OFF' is in blue which I guess means it is locked. How do I change it?
 
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Seeing as how the majority of FS-100 buyers are Mac users, you'd think CitiDisk would provide Mac software updates as well. Everyone else does. Why can't CitiDisk?
 
Done with this. Sending it back so Richard can make it work for another lucky user. Really tired of the headache!
 
I love competition and supporting companies that bring competitive prices, but the issues seem to be troubling... that and I still cant get over the company name Pro Con!
 
Vince,

Glad to see your feedback on the CitiDISK HD. There are well over 100 CDHD systems in the use in the field now. There were definately recording issues with the first few that went out but since the R2 firmware release the device is now a rock solid recorder according to my customers and dealers. I will continue to provide the best support I can to anyone who buys a CitiDISK HD through ProCon or one of my dealers.

As far as Yogi's problems go, as far as I can tell he has the first system with a genuine hardware problem as opposed to a firmware issue. I spent alot of time on the phone with him and I also overnighted him an nNovia QuickCapture at no charge to use temporarily while we resolve his CitiDISK issues. Despite my best efforts he wants to return his system and I am taking it back.

My phone line/email address is always open to questions and orders of course.

Thanks,
Richard Kurtzer
 
Don't want to be a whiny pants.... Richard was very supportive the entire time I had a Citidisk. I hope all who buy one enjoy it!!!
 
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