FireStore Portable Recorder Yes or No

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So I've placed my order for the HVX-200. My original plan was to purchase the FireStore Recorder with the camera instead of the P2 cards. I feel it make more sense money wise. My question is, is the FireStore worth purchasing. I spoke with a camera dealer over the phone that told me the Recorder was junk and he would never sell it again. He said everyone that he’s rented it to or sold it to has complained about the flimsiness of the unit. He recommended that I purchase P2 cards instead. I thought this guy was only trying to sell me what product he had in stock. So should I get 2 8gig P2 cards or get the FireStore Recorder. I can only purchase one or the other.
 
well there is a lot of talk on the forums of this, some say yes some say no, i personally own one of these units and bought it on the same reasons as you, i have to say that i have not had any problems with the unit and find it works well
 
I love my FS-100. But you do need to have at least one P2 card in a slot or the HVX does weird things like not send out time code. But if you don't want to use P2 cards, you can set the FS-100 to generate it's own timecode.

The folks having problems, I find, either got it and have a use it doesn't fit well with, or don't know what they're doing with it. Like all hardware, you have to THINK about what your specific needs are first. Then go find something to fit those needs. The FS-100 isn't going to fill in every production need on every set. Nothing will.

P2 cards have their place, the FS-100 has it's place, and the CinePorter will have it's place when it comes out.

There was a firmware glitch on the first units to come out, but there's an update on the Focus web site to fix that, if you have an older unit.

I think some folks want to do run and gun in super harsh environments with the FS-100 and think the belt clip will work. Nope. I use the belt clip, when appropriate. I also now use the handle mounting kit from Focus on occation. I'm looking at the JimmyBox solution now, which will fit some other situations my documentary will call for.

One recording solution will not fit all applications in the field. Figure out what works best for you. The FS-100 is a very nice unit. And will be growing with updates over time. Plus, unlike the CinePorter, it has disk utilities for when (not if) your drives glitch up. I've used this utility already and it saved my footage. CinePorter won't do that, and neither will P2 cards. But, there's situations where I need to use P2 cards.

Be flexible, conform to your own shooting style, not someone else's.
 
Ben,

Id be interested in your opinion. You have just got the contract to cover a major snowboarding competition you will be covering it with four static cameras plus a follow cam. Obviously you will be out in the field in potentially sub zero temps, possibly with wind rain or snow and you will need to shoot for four hours plus at a time.

Which recording format do you go with if the requirement is for SD and what recording medium?

I think I have made my decision already but its based purely on what I read and not on experience with the devices.

Thanks
 
I was one of that guys complaining about FireStore at first. I had some problems that then I could fix. I never use the belt clip becos it's not safe for firewire cable so I use the handle mount.
The only problem of FS is that the standard battery is too weak! Less than one hour and half! So I try to use it plugged in the wall when possibile.
For the rest is a good tool and thanks to it I forgot about tapes!
 
A posting from the COW that I found. This is the exact problem we have. Out of almost 9 hours of interviews shot with the FS100 there are probably well over a hundred new clips made at the switchover points of which nearly half are missing one to three frames. Focus suspects it's the way FCP handles the "delete duplicate frames" function on import but man is this a nightmare for us. It will get better, it has to. Just plan ahead and if you're doing long take stuff make sure and archive the ORIGIINAL Firestore files to get you out of any jam later. We ran out of disk space and weren't able to have the luxury for all nine hours so we're hurtin'.

Cow post follows. This is vindication to those who told me time and again that I was wrong and must be mis-using the device.

Don Wilson
AmericanaMediaInc.com


Name: Christopher Wright
Date: Jun 24, 2006 at 10:19:13 am
Subject: Firestore FS-100 problems with Final Cut Pro


After my glowing report on the FS-100 and the HVX-200 working flawlessly, I did discover a very annoying bug in the workflow interface between the two. It seems upon import of continuous shots (the Firestore breaks the long shots down into 2.18 minute clips), there is a one to two frame gap between clips when you import them into a FCP timeline. Depending on the type of footage you are shooting, and whether or not you are needing audio from the shoot, this causes a very noticeable audio glitch/click between each clip on the timeline, and if there is a lot of movement in your clip, a noticeable stutter caused by the missing frame(s). The tech people at Focus Enhancements have confirmed that this is a problem, and they are supposed to release a firmware upgrade to fix this anomaly soon.
 
BenB said:
I love my FS-100. But you do need to have at least one P2 card in a slot or the HVX does weird things like not send out time code. But if you don't want to use P2 cards, you can set the FS-100 to generate it's own timecode.

The folks having problems, I find, either got it and have a use it doesn't fit well with, or don't know what they're doing with it. Like all hardware, you have to THINK about what your specific needs are first. Then go find something to fit those needs. The FS-100 isn't going to fill in every production need on every set. Nothing will.

P2 cards have their place, the FS-100 has it's place, and the CinePorter will have it's place when it comes out.

There was a firmware glitch on the first units to come out, but there's an update on the Focus web site to fix that, if you have an older unit.

I think some folks want to do run and gun in super harsh environments with the FS-100 and think the belt clip will work. Nope. I use the belt clip, when appropriate. I also now use the handle mounting kit from Focus on occation. I'm looking at the JimmyBox solution now, which will fit some other situations my documentary will call for.

One recording solution will not fit all applications in the field. Figure out what works best for you. The FS-100 is a very nice unit. And will be growing with updates over time. Plus, unlike the CinePorter, it has disk utilities for when (not if) your drives glitch up. I've used this utility already and it saved my footage. CinePorter won't do that, and neither will P2 cards. But, there's situations where I need to use P2 cards.

Be flexible, conform to your own shooting style, not someone else's.
Click to expand...

Ben, I hope you'll see this since it's in an old thread (but at least I was
searching rather than asking questions that I know have been asked 1000's
of times even if I haven't read them.) Here though, I found a new question.
Why do you say "I think some folks want to do run and gun in super harsh
environments with the FS-100 and think the belt clip will work. Nope. " ?

Is the problem the running and gunning or whatever "super harsh" is?

Thanks.
 
Cut2muz said:
A posting from the COW that I found. This is the exact problem we have. Out of almost 9 hours of interviews shot with the FS100 there are probably well over a hundred new clips made at the switchover points of which nearly half are missing one to three frames. Focus suspects it's the way FCP handles the "delete duplicate frames" function on import but man is this a nightmare for us. It will get better, it has to. Just plan ahead and if you're doing long take stuff make sure and archive the ORIGIINAL Firestore files to get you out of any jam later. We ran out of disk space and weren't able to have the luxury for all nine hours so we're hurtin'.

Cow post follows. This is vindication to those who told me time and again that I was wrong and must be mis-using the device.

Don Wilson
AmericanaMediaInc.com


Name: Christopher Wright
Date: Jun 24, 2006 at 10:19:13 am
Subject: Firestore FS-100 problems with Final Cut Pro


After my glowing report on the FS-100 and the HVX-200 working flawlessly, I did discover a very annoying bug in the workflow interface between the two. It seems upon import of continuous shots (the Firestore breaks the long shots down into 2.18 minute clips), there is a one to two frame gap between clips when you import them into a FCP timeline. Depending on the type of footage you are shooting, and whether or not you are needing audio from the shoot, this causes a very noticeable audio glitch/click between each clip on the timeline, and if there is a lot of movement in your clip, a noticeable stutter caused by the missing frame(s). The tech people at Focus Enhancements have confirmed that this is a problem, and they are supposed to release a firmware upgrade to fix this anomaly soon.
Click to expand...

Reading this in December...Has this been fixed? Thanks.
 
Several firmware upgrades to the FS-100 have fixed the lost frames issues.

There seem to be a variety of issues related to FCP or Apple-- depends upon whom you ask-- with P2 in general regardless of whether it is Firestore or P2 cards.

I consider the Firestore 100% rock solid and getting better with each upgrade.

There do seem to be some issues with Apple's P2 drivers. Do a search here and you can find more specifics. I am finding the problem only in FCP 5.1.2; reverting to 5.1.1 allows me to import all clips which for some reason I could not import in 5.1.2.

But I would not hesitate to recommend the FS-100.

Ned Soltz
 
I have the FS-100 and am very happy with it. I just shot a wedding with it over the weekend and already have my footage transfered into FCP. I recorded at 24p and had to do the "delete duplicate frames" on import. About half of the clips when joined together there is a noticible audio click, but not really a problem for this video , however no dropped frames or anything like that. I also did some overcranking with it and no problems there. Battery life not good, plug it in if you can. I think the click is definately coming from the "delete duplicate frames" and should be an easy fix for focus. Other than that you got to remember HD and how much space it takes up on a harddrive. I could'nt have done it with p2 cards by myself. Although I do have a P2 card I use for steadicam shots. By the way I filled the drive up completely with footage. Can't wait for the upgrade, I just don't think we should have to pay for it. That sucks but oh well.:thumbup:

Oh yea forgot to add, I use the belt clip and haven't had any problems with it, I can just glance down and see the led's to make sure I'm recording, or lean out a little and see it recording.
 
nsoltz said:
Several firmware upgrades to the FS-100 have fixed the lost frames issues.

There seem to be a variety of issues related to FCP or Apple-- depends upon whom you ask-- with P2 in general regardless of whether it is Firestore or P2 cards.

I consider the Firestore 100% rock solid and getting better with each upgrade.

There do seem to be some issues with Apple's P2 drivers. Do a search here and you can find more specifics. I am finding the problem only in FCP 5.1.2; reverting to 5.1.1 allows me to import all clips which for some reason I could not import in 5.1.2.

But I would not hesitate to recommend the FS-100.

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...


Thanks, I just ordered my FS-100 today!
 
pmpworks said:
I have the FS-100 and am very happy with it. I just shot a wedding with it over the weekend and already have my footage transfered into FCP. I recorded at 24p and had to do the "delete duplicate frames" on import. About half of the clips when joined together there is a noticible audio click, but not really a problem for this video , however no dropped frames or anything like that. I also did some overcranking with it and no problems there. Battery life not good, plug it in if you can. I think the click is definately coming from the "delete duplicate frames" and should be an easy fix for focus. Other than that you got to remember HD and how much space it takes up on a harddrive. I could'nt have done it with p2 cards by myself. Although I do have a P2 card I use for steadicam shots. By the way I filled the drive up completely with footage. Can't wait for the upgrade, I just don't think we should have to pay for it. That sucks but oh well.:thumbup:

Oh yea forgot to add, I use the belt clip and haven't had any problems with it, I can just glance down and see the led's to make sure I'm recording, or lean out a little and see it recording.
Click to expand...

Strange, there are two mentions on here about plugging in when possible but
when I ordered my FS-100 today the vendor (usually extremely knowlegeable,
bought my HVX-200 from him) said that he didn't see that the FS-100 can be
A.C. powered. I ordered the battery charger of course. Is there an A.C. connector
that comes with that?

Also, I ordered the long cable for the belt clip (didn't order the camera mount) but
the vendor said he didn't see a belt clip included. This is a reputable company with
whom I've done much business and they are an authorized Panasonic dealer. Is
the belt clip simply not listed but automatically comes with the FS-100?
 
pmp,

I have the firestore as well and love it. I have a question about something you said.

"Can't wait for the upgrade, I just don't think we should have to pay for it. That sucks but oh well."

Do you mean an upgrade in the size of the drive?

Thanks
James
 
I've enjoyed using my Firestore with the HVX200 since this past summer.

My only gripes have to do with exterior usage - my FS100 unit when used outside in 75+ degrees for more than 30 minutes...when powering off then on - powering up can easily take up to 60 seconds, so much for run/gun.

Similarly on the opposite end (here in Northern Ontario), using a fully charged Firestore for a 30 minute shoot at 0 degrees, within 25 minutes the Firestore showed the battery was dead and went into auto-shut down.

The 3.0 upgrade and high-capacity FS100 battery will be under the Christmas tree for me!

- John
 
I ordered the battery charger of course. Is there an A.C. connector
that comes with that?
Click to expand...
The battery charger plugs into the firestore and charges at the same time while providing power.

pmp,

I have the firestore as well and love it. I have a question about something you said.

"Can't wait for the upgrade, I just don't think we should have to pay for it. That sucks but oh well."

Do you mean an upgrade in the size of the drive?
Click to expand...

Well I guess you could call it an upgrade to the size of the drive because recording only the native framerates will double it's size.:)
 
filmtovideo said:
Ben, I hope you'll see this since it's in an old thread (but at least I was
searching rather than asking questions that I know have been asked 1000's
of times even if I haven't read them.) Here though, I found a new question.
Why do you say "I think some folks want to do run and gun in super harsh
environments with the FS-100 and think the belt clip will work. Nope. " ?

Is the problem the running and gunning or whatever "super harsh" is?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I use it in VERY harsh enviroments, I use the belt clip, I use a lot of things to secure it to many other things. It's very durable, light as a feather, dependable. As for a few frames between clips missing, that was fixed with an update recently.
 
filmtovideo said:
Strange, there are two mentions on here about plugging in when possible but
when I ordered my FS-100 today the vendor (usually extremely knowlegeable,
bought my HVX-200 from him) said that he didn't see that the FS-100 can be
A.C. powered. I ordered the battery charger of course. Is there an A.C. connector
that comes with that?

Also, I ordered the long cable for the belt clip (didn't order the camera mount) but
the vendor said he didn't see a belt clip included. This is a reputable company with
whom I've done much business and they are an authorized Panasonic dealer. Is
the belt clip simply not listed but automatically comes with the FS-100?
Click to expand...
The FS-100 comes with an AC plug/battery charger. You don't have to buy the charger seperate. There is an OPTIONAL extended life battery that I'd STRONGLY recommend you invest in. It will power the FS-100 longer than any battery in the HVX will last.
 
Last edited:
3.0 firmware, being beta tested now, working out the hickups, will give you five recording modes:
Raw DV
P2
P2 Native
QuickTime
QuickTime Native
And will cost something cheap like $39, which is worth it, trust me, having QuickTime files already, much less Native mode QuickTime files! If you're an FCP editor (as I) you're going to love this feature. I'm hoping that one day in a future upgrade they'll include clip spanning for the QuickTime files.
 
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