Firestore Clip Size Limits??

Take_1

Take_1

Well-known member
We have 4 Firestore units being used on a series we are shooting right now. Settings are DVCPro HD P2 mode /Camera: DVCPro HD 720p 24p

We are finding that when we pull the clips into editing that the actual .mxf clips from the Firestore are consistently clipped off at a runtime of 02:18:04:00. Then, the Firestore automatically starts another clip to continue recording the scene. Now, normally this wouldn't be a big deal. However, the issue that is a big deal is that there are between 7 - 9 frames missing in every instance between the time the Firestore stops the 1st clip and begins the 2nd.

Is there a setting that should be tweaked in the Firestore to prevent this from taking place or is this yet another limitation of the Firestore workflow?

Thanks.
 
The Firestore is FAT32 and has a 2 gig file size limit. Guess how much time 2 gig at any HD resolution other than 720 24pn occupies? 2:18:04:00.

Ned Soltz
 
The FireStore cannot record more than 2GB; its internal file system limits all clips to 2GB. Which works out to 2:18 of HD. It's just the way the FireStore is.

I don't know about missing frames though; it shouldn't be doing that...
 
(FAT32 can actually go up to 4GB file sizes; I don't know why the FS-100 is limited to 2GB).

Ned, do you have advice about the missing frames thing?
 
I shoot with a Firestore pretty much all the time - and I've had to deal with the split clips, but I've never had any issue with missing frames between the clips.

I would give Focus a call and see what they say.
Definitely something not right there - might be a setting, but might be something else.
 
This is what I was expecting... the FAT32 2 gig file size limit. The dropped frames is where the real issue is here. All 4 units we have on the go are doing this. Any insight into the missing frames would be very appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Wow - you have 4 units doing the same thing?

Something just ocurred to me - I generally shoot QT PN files...not MXF files.
Unfortunately I don't have my FS-100 with me right now - but as soon as I get it back (should be tomorrow) I'll shoot some long MXF clips and import them and see if I can recreate this problem.

Wiht 4 units doing the same thing - seems very unlikely that it would be any sort of mechanical issue.

You might want to try shooting QT PN files - just to see if those work okay.
Not that I'm suggesting that's a solution - but it would be interesting to see if it's an issue with the MXF files alone or not.
 
Luis Caffesse said:
Wow - you have 4 units doing the same thing?

Something just ocurred to me - I generally shoot QT PN files...not MXF files.
Unfortunately I don't have my FS-100 with me right now - but as soon as I get it back (should be tomorrow) I'll shoot some long MXF clips and import them and see if I can recreate this problem.
Click to expand...

Thanks Luis, that would be great! :)

Luis Caffesse said:
Wiht 4 units doing the same thing - seems very unlikely that it would be any sort of mechanical issue.
Click to expand...

We are using Panasonic's HDX900's... maybe the problem lies there...

Luis Caffesse said:
You might want to try shooting QT PN files - just to see if those work okay.
Not that I'm suggesting that's a solution - but it would be interesting to see if it's an issue with the MXF files alone or not.
Click to expand...

Practical answer. However, its not an option as we wouldn't be able to get the time to test it out anymore and our post path is .mxf critical and already started.
 
nsoltz said:
I have not had a problem with missing frames, either.

What NLE are version are you using?

Ned
Click to expand...
I'm using Avid Media Composer Adrenaline 2.7.2 PC. I haven't had any problems with my own personal Firestore using it with my own Avid at home. If I get a chance (schedule permitting) I will try a few long clips shot on my HVX/Firestore and bring it to work and see what happens.
 
For what it's worth, I've seen a comment about dropped frames in spanned clips from a FS-100 on the Canopus/Grass Valley Edius forums as well recently, and I think FCP users have run into it too.

I don't think this is the fault of the NLE.
 
And the plot thickens...

Apparently...

According to Panavision (where we have our camera packages from) the Firestore units we are using are the same ones that are being rented on the Stargate series in Vancouver. In fact, the very drives we sent back to Panavision went back out to the Stargate set and they have not reported any issues with these units at all.

So... is there a bit of magic that our camera crew is missing in their bag of tricks in the setup of their config? I wish I had the time to get to out to Set to see what they have going on, rather than playing phone tag between sets.

I will keep you posted if anything changes.
 
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