Firestore Fs-4

S

sideshowlettuce

Active member
Can somone explaine the pro's or cons on the file formats the firestore fs-4 uses.
Whats compatable with what, and is compression size per minute, and quality loss if any.


It uses Drag-and-Drop Files, which are saved in a variety of formats
including:

RawDV (.dv)
AVI Type 1 (.avi)
AVI Type 2 (.avi)
AVI Type 2 24p (.avi)
Canopus AVI (.avi)
Matrox AVI (.avi)
Quicktime (.mov)
QuickTime 24p (.mov)
 
I understand your question and apologize in advance as my input may not be what your are looking for.

I own the FS-4 Pro which was recently purchased.

RawDV - compatible with the dvx 24p, 24pa, 30P and 60i. Seems to be similar to what is on a dv tape. Seems to work well with what ever you are shooting.

AVI Type 1 Vs AVI Type 2 you may want to read this from MSN - too technical for me.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d.../en-us/directshow/htm/type1vstype2dvfiles.asp

For some odd reason I can not load TYPE 1 into VEGAS 6. I can open it in Media Player but can not put it in vegas time line for editing.. Does anyone else have this issue ?

AVI Type 2 - looks very good and I seem to lean toward it when shooting and works with F5 and F6 (progressive) and runs througn vegas smoothly.

QuickTime mov - looks good but when I render it through vegas the render time takes longer and the output is a little soft, but not bad.
On occasion when I select quictime using progressive the video, when played back on a PC will stop but I can still hear the sound but the video is not moving. - Probably a configuration error not for sure.

AVI Type 2 24p - According to FOCUS, makers of the fs-4 Pro this format is for 24P Advanced F6 shooting. This is my default when shooting 24p. Looks good, and renders quickly in vegas.

QuickTime24p - I use it sometime with good results.

As far as the other formats I do not use them sice I do not use canopus, matrox..

From what I have experienced with the FS4 it is best to power down and power on then switch formats.

It seems the FS-4Pro has several formats but it appears that it is be best to find the right combination between your NLE and camera. For me it is TYPE 2 or AVI Type 24p. never any surprises with these two formats and vegas.
 
I think the best place to ask that would be at the Focus site, I have submitted the question.

They state any DV camera with firewire support.

I would normally be more than happy to do a test but I do not have a pal camera, sorry.
 
No Problem--
I have not heard from FOCUS yet on the 25p support.
will let you know if I get an update.

regards
 
Does your FS-4 Pro work correctly with the red record button?? IE does it record when you hit the red button on your DVX and stop when you pause the DVX?? There was some other device that didn't work quite right.
 
Wadro,
Short answer Yes.

The FS-4 PRO has two user settings for the record button, well actually the dvx does. Pause and Stop.

In other words, you can configure the dvx to tell the fs4-pro to stop recording when press record or just to pause.

Keep in mind it will create a end of file every 2gb there or about, If you need a firm answer I will have to refer to the manual ?
 
I was just looking at the Canon website. I read

Eliminate time-consuming, real-time capturing with the FireStore FS-4 and FS-4 Pro Portable DTE Recorder and any CANON camcorder.

I know that different manufacturers are into making formats that are only compatible with their own products, so my question is - is this a case of that? Or will Canons FS products be compatible with non-canon DV cameras (dvx,fx1,etc). Mainly I'm wondering about the DVX (seeing as how that's what I own).

Thanks guys. I'm guessing that it will work with a DVX. But I just want to clarify. Thanks!

-Jeff
 
Compatible is somewhat mis-leading. Let me explain.

When I use a DVX with my Fs-4, I can control the fs4 just by pressing the record button on the camera, and stop recording by pressing the record button on the camera a second time.

When I use my sony mini I must manually press the record button on the fs4 to begin recording and the stop when finished.

Both are "compatible" but the DVX is more convenient.

The one requirement for using the FS-4, the camera must support firewire. The FS-4 saves in standard DV Raw format and AVI Type 2 just to name a couple.

The FS-4 does not do HD but can be upgraded to HDV for 300.00

One thing to consider with tapeless acquisition is storing the video, which can grow over time to an incredible amount and the one copy on your hard drive is the only copy.

Their site has more details; http://www.focusinfo.com/products/firestore/fs-4.htm

If the link does not work just google fs-4 pro

As far as working with a DVX - Works like a champ.
 
I doubt there's anything about that product that would make it incompatible with any other DV camera, but perhaps they added some features that make it particularly optimized for use with Canons? JVC sells a modified version of the FS-4 for their HD100, it's modified such that it can send information back to the camera to be displayed in the viewfinder. A regular FS-4 would work, but the modified one works better. But only with the HD100.

For a DVX I'd say save some money and get the regular FS-4, not any Canon-optimized version of it.
 
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