Firestore FS100 - Deconstructed (Err, well, I took it apart)...

Hi ,

well , like many others I´d like to start NOW, but also its not a problem to wait a bit more.

It looks like the HPX is the best buy today (+FS100 to compensate the missing larger p2 cards) and wait for the 32GB P2s...

I guess 2/3" XDCAM HD is out of my budget.

So I lean back and will see if I can or want to afford the HPX500 within the next months. Anyway, thanks for your kind reply.

ULI
 
With some of the HPX packages, you get four 16GB cards. That's quite a bit of recording capacity with little pressure to offload periodically.
 
well - did you read my considerations?

1 hr hd recording is unfortunately not enough for me (concerts / stage & event work) - so I cant get around a fs100 in the beginning.

Anyway - thanks for the proposal.

ULI
 
Hey Guys,

I did get further on it.

I've been swapping drives for over a month. And I got to tell you, its pretty sweet. I've filled a drive and still had to shoot some more. Normally it would have been the end of the shoot. But thanks to swaping the drive it all worked out.

The problem is that the cable to hard drive connection is the weak link right now. I can provide a solution like the one I've been using, but I don't want to rush it and come up with something that people keep breaking. (I'm pretty careful when I plug and unplug, but I know some pleope are not as careful when in a rush)

I'm working on getting a better connection even if its a bit bulkier.

I'll keep you guys up to date.

Also I just receive my Rails to FS-100 w/ Swappable drive system, and also my Rails to Tekkeon MP3400 battery system. Once you are able to swap drives, the regular battery that comes with the FS-100 will not suffice. You will need a longer power source.

That's where the Tekkeon battery comes in. It can power the FS-100 for 5 hrs and the FS-100 for 1hr more. So you get 6 full hours of HD. I've also made a double tekkeon battery to rails system so you can carry two for 11hrs of operation. or 6hr of FS-100 and 6hr of your LCD.

I'll post pictures soon.

Luis
 
Uli,

I've received a few request for this enclosure.

Unfortunately, it seems that the enclosure re wires the 44 pin connector of the 2.5" hard drive into a 40pin connector of a 3.5" Hard drive and the other 4 pins for power are split from there. So I'm not sure if it will work.

Its also a more cumbersome solution.

I've order one to see how feasible it is to adapt this to the FS-100. I should get it in a few days. I'll keep you informed.
 
Has that icy dock arrived to you yet? Any good for the firestore forever?

I have a wedding to shoot next month in HD and the firestore on its own isn't big enough as I usually shoot around 5-6 hours. To be able to swap out a hard drive and just pop in another is perfect for me.

Willing to be one of the first to have it done.
 
Hi Steve,

I did get the IcyDock. Unfortunately, it turns the 44pin connection from the hard drive into a USB connection to the back of it, so its no good for me. also its alot bigger than the FS-100 so it sticks out and it becomes more cumbersome.

If you have something next month, I might be able to get you one of the first units. But timing might be an issue since you are in the UK.

I'm thinking about doing this either all in house, or also providing a Do It
Yourself Solution. The In House would be more costly because of my liabilty and time, but there are people who definitely don't want to deal with opening their FS-100, so I think its a must that I provide that.

The DIY solution is less work & liability for me, but I'd hate to have people break their FS-100s and then blame me for it or call me for support.

Which solution would you be interested? (anyone have any prefferences? it would be between a $100 - $200 difference between one and the other I think)
 
I would rather send my FS100 to you for the modification. To the USA and back to the UK is only a few days with US Global Mail, who are very reliable. Fedex is great but extortionate.
 
ahh,
Looks like I might have order the wrong one. but never the less, the unit is bigger than I would like it to be. the FS-100 just becomes too bulky at that point. The Icy dock is about 7"x4"x1" as opposed to the 4.5"x3"x.5" that I'm looking to use.

And the IDE converts the 44pin connector (for laptop drives) to a regular 40pin connector with power separate (for standard HD inside a computer)

I also cannot find where to buy additional drawers for the Hard drives. Unless I'm not looking hard enough.

Let me come up with my design, and if people still rather have a larger enclosure for the convenience of a pop in pop out tray, then I'm sure I can work something out.

this is how I feel: I'm already making a compromise by using the FS-100. I rather have an unlimited amount of 16gig P2 cards so that I could record all day. But since I cannot afford that I got the FS-100. I don't like carrying it around, but the benefits I get from it far outweigh the price of carrying it. So when thinking of making removable drives, I just wanted to make it as small as possible.
But you guys please tell me how you feel?
 
OK Steve,

Like I said before, I already have a working version of it. I'm using my FS-100 with the upgrade exclusively. So worse case scenario, I can do the mod for you with this setup.

My reservation is that the connection to the Hard drive is fragile, and you have to be careful when you connect and disconnect, which I've done over 100 times already without a problem but then again I'm careful with my gear. I can easily see someone who might be in a rush not bend a pin on the hard drive side. (also note that with this setup there is no chance to harm the FS-100, the weak link is the connection on the hard drive. But the FS-100 would always be safe.)

I'm talking to the new cable manufacturer tomorrow and I'll try to get something back from them within a week or so. The new cable I'm looking to have made is a little bulkier, but it will be rock solid. I think we all rather have a bulkier cable as long as it means not worrying about losing a shot.

I'll keep you posted.
Also did you see my rails to FS-100 mount, and my rails to Tekkeon Battery Mount. Once you start recording 5-10 hrs at a time, you will want to have a swapable battery. What I like about the tekkeon is that they work as if you were plugging the unit in. The native FS-100 battery still remains in the unit. so if you run out of battery on the Tekkeon, you can unplug it and you still have 1hr of internal battery. This allows you to swap batteries without interruptions. (very cool. you are only down about 1-2mins while swapping HDs)
 
Yes I like the idea of the tekkeon mount. I have ordered a Tekkeon which should be with me today with any luck.

BUT, as I shoot weddings I want to be as mobile as possible, and that means once I come off the tripod, I need the camera unit to be as light as possible, so no rods come with me. At the moment. The HVX has the firestore on a dual hotshoe, together with the vidled when it arrives. Somehow I need to have the Tekkeon strapped either to the camera or firestore. I use the zacuto base plate so I guess the scenario is I keep the rods in and use one of your Tekkeon mounts.

Or I go with the firestore on the belt clip to lighten the load. Guess I will know the best setup when I am in the field, so to speak.

As for the Mod, let me know when the new connectors come in and you have had time to judge if they will work better than the current setup.

Cheers
Steve

PS the tekkeon just arrived and its too heavy to strap to the firestore. Your mount looks a get go. How much is it?
 
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I would prefer a unit as compact as possible with my major criterion being the sturdiness of the connection. I can easily see that in a field situation with juggling camera, FS100, gear and being preoccupied with the next shot, it could be very easy to become careless when changing drives. I personally now have 2 Tekkeon's (just got the improved version of the 3450). A Tekkeon mount in addition would definitely be helpful.

Also, as an indication, I use the Geardear cage with and without the rail attachment. A cage-type mount is another option for the bulkiness. While it adds to the cost, my idea scenario would be a cartridge-type mount, very much like hotswap drive trays. This avoids handling a raw drive. In that way, it is possible prior to going out on the shoot to have as many 100 gb cartridges as one would like and swap when full.

Luis, you really have something going for you!

Ned
 
By the way.. to Steve and others... I mount my Tekkeon using the tried and true method of gaffers tape. If shooting with the DVMultiRig, I find a spot on the multirig to attach either with tape or the bungee-things that Danny supplies. On a tripod where I have FS-100 in geardear cage on my Zacuto rails, I just tape it to the void in the rails between back of camera and the FS-100.

Ned
 
Ned:
I think most people would also want it smaller, that is why I'm not opting for the IcyDock. And yes, the way I'm working this thing out, you will be able to have as many HD to be able to swap them out. I don't have a cage scenario.

My railmounts work in a a few ways:
  • First off, its rubber so they are light
  • Second they don't scratch the units
  • Third, they allow the FS-100 & HD to vent
  • Fourth, they serve as shock absobtion (a little anyway. which is good for HD)
  • Fifth, They allow me to order in small batches while keeping price down. :)
Of course if I knew I could order between 100-500 right now, I could even introduce these babies cheaper, but so far I don't see enough replies on this thread to warrant that. I am still working on the price. I'll do my best to keep things down.

Thanks for your interest.
Luis
 
Keep me posted. I'm a both a potential customer and have some interest in writing about it if I can pitch it to my editors.

Ned
 
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