FireStore FS-4 Pro HD 80GB DTE Recorder . What would you pay for it?

ifownlee41nite@mac.com

ifownlee41nite@mac.com

Well-known member
Hello, I have a dvx100b that I plan to fit with a Firestore Hard Drive.

The model is FS-4 HD 80 GB DTE RECORDER.

1. What is a resonible price it?

2. Is it even a good unit 1st off and can I use it with my camera?

3. Will recording footage to it, or any external hard drive directly give you better footage quality that recording to tap, and then capturing to post? What I'm trying to say is rather than using tape and catuing with final cut, will the footage look better by using the firestore.
With dv tape to capturing you run into pixelated reds. By bypassing the tape capturing process, will I still have the same type of pixelation issues with reds using the firetore unit?

Looking for some sound advice and education on the matter.
 
ifownlee41nite@mac.com said:
Will recording footage to it, or any external hard drive directly give you better footage quality that recording to tap, and then capturing to post? What I'm trying to say is rather than using tape and catuing with final cut, will the footage look better by using the firestore.
With dv tape to capturing you run into pixelated reds. By bypassing the tape capturing process, will I still have the same type of pixelation issues with reds using the firetore unit?
Click to expand...

Nope, quality will be identical. You'll just be saving capture time.
 
New question????????????????????????

New question????????????????????????

jade8472 said:
Nope, quality will be identical. You'll just be saving capture time.
Click to expand...

Great, BTW will you get a better result using dv monitor Pro, or is it the same basic primus?
 
hey ifownlee41nite,
Just a quick note - i had the same dilema a couple of weeks ago, after searching all over the place - i found an alternative;

I bought the 40GB version from buy.com, then upgraded the drive to 100GB and saved about $700 - if i'm not mistaken. I currently have a DVX100a and the drive works like a charm!!!...

here is what i did.. good luck!

Note that it will VOID the warranty (under 1 year), but it's worth it. No files are kept on the hard drive except for video files - the OS is probably on some kind of Eprom chip.

A couple things to remember:
Must be 120 GB or less
Must be an IDE 2.5" 5400 RPM Drive (4200's are too slow, 7200's run too hot)
Must have 8Mb of cache (not 2Mb)

The FS-4 uses the Hitachi Travelstar, but I tried the Segate Momentus 2.5" 120Gb Hard Drive and that work perfectly - - just remember be VERY VERY carefully the ribbon it looks kinda fragile - and enjoy
 
I heard the batteries on those things dont last long out at the shoot. Is there a way to upgrade that as well? or got a link as to where you can buy spare batteries?
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand the firestores they do not act like an external harddrive when you connect them to your computer. You still have to upload the files, which can take as much as half as long as the footage itself. So, one hour of footage turns into half an hour of uploading. Seems like just capturing by another name.

I'm curious, though, kryptics and shane -- did your mod solve that? Do you have instant access or do you still have to transfer the files?
 
Shane Jackson said:
Wrong. They work just like an external hard drive.
Click to expand...


Ok, well, you've got one, so I'll take your word for it, but this is straight off their website:

"Transfer speed is dependent on many things, including the PC Type (PC or Mac), the length of actual clip, and various other issues. But a general rule of thumb is that the transfer time will be between 2X and 4X faster than the real time of the recorded file. So for example, a 1 hour file would take from about 15 to 30 minutes to transfer."

http://www.focusinfo.com/support/faq_topics.asp#answers
 
JRAnderson said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand the firestores they do not act like an external harddrive when you connect them to your computer. You still have to upload the files, which can take as much as half as long as the footage itself. So, one hour of footage turns into half an hour of uploading. Seems like just capturing by another name.

I'm curious, though, kryptics and shane -- did your mod solve that? Do you have instant access or do you still have to transfer the files?
Click to expand...

Sorry JR, wrong -

I'm using a mac - a G4 at that - and transfering a 15 gigs (about 60 minutes) in about 10 minutes - to capturing the entire tape 60 minute tape...

and as far as the mod - all you have to do, is remove the old drive and insert the new drive, it format on its own - the info in kept on the hardware (board, chip, whatever it is...lol)
 
kryptics said:
Sorry JR, wrong -

I'm using a mac - a G4 at that - and transfering a 15 gigs (about 60 minutes) in about 10 minutes - to capturing the entire tape 60 minute tape...
Click to expand...

Maybe we're just splitting hairs here, but you pretty much confirmed what I (that is, Focus) was saying...that it takes time to transfer the files (ok, not as bad they say, but still) and that you don't have instant access as you would if the files were sitting on your hard drive.

Or am I just totally missing something here?
 
I guess I'm not saying it/type it correctly - the files in the FS-4 are .mov files you can view them/edit them right away - movie files it's an external hard drive! you not splitting hairs! u can edit right from the FS-4 now if you are smart enough u would transfer the files to your machine - than again that's just me...
 
Yea you dont have to move the files from the FS-4 to use them. It IS an external hard drive..... however, you may want to off load them from the FS-4 for more than 1 reason.... It's your choice - you DONT have to.
 
That's awesome. Makes it much more worthwhile. I'm surprised they worded things that way on their website. It certainly turned me off to the idea of getting one.

Now, I'm interested again, esp. with the hard drive upgrade mod.

And yeah, obviously, you'd usually want to transfer files over anyway -- if for no other reason than being able to use it again. But my main interest was using it for same day edits in wedding work where literally every minute counts... not uncommon to capture cemony footage while driving to the reception and then throwing together a fast edit for folks to watch while eating their rubber chicken. So, instant access really buys some much needed time.

Anyway, thanks for clarifying guys.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top