Firestore units for a dvx specifically.

kidwoo

kidwoo

Well-known member
Did a search but there are only one or two threads where I found any reference to dvx use with one of these.........and 'firestore' just appears in too many random mentions.

I lost about an hour of footage this weekend because of a tape with timecode issues. The tape was unused, heads were clean, and the camera is about a month old. An issue that needs to be addressed for sure because this isn't the fist time it's happened........but I still would like to get away from tapes.

It looks like this is a good option.

I've got some questions for any of you who may have gone this route. It looks like there at least a few options available, including the panasonic rebranded fs-100. I don't need to drop dvcpro footage so a cheaper version would be fine I think.

The FS4 claims it can store as RAW but this is still subject to the same inherent compression from the camera right? There's no secret andromeda-like stuff going on here I assume?

How much jarring should I allow or prevent with the spinning hard drive? I shoot sports almost exclusively and there's quite a bit of moving the camera around at times so I'd be worried about bumping and damaging the thing.....especially on my cable setup.

Also, I'd like to be able to mount the unit to the camera itself so setup and shooting isn't limited by a cable running off the camera. I like the manufactured box beneath the camera option but $300-400 seems a little steep for what it is. What have you done or seen done to accomplish this in another way....specifically with a dvx?

Any other comments on problems or praise......or even other options besides firestore appreciated.
 
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i used to have a dvx100a and shot with a fs4prohd a lot, but an fs4 will do just fine. but you can't do 24p unless you atleast get the fs4pro. there are a couple of ways of mounting it close to cam. there is a cold shoe mount and the bebo box or whatever its called. or get some rails and go that route. firestore's are very very nice to work with, but they can cause issues, tho few and far between, it can happen.
 
Good to know about the 24p output.



manglerBMX said:
but they can cause issues, tho few and far between, it can happen.
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Come on man....that's why I started this thread.


Do tell :D


Judging by your username, I think we use our cameras for similar things. (the bmx part, not the mangler part)
 
I haven't gone back to tape since I got mine some time ago. I've shot 24p(a), 30p, 60i, etc. I've shot with it mounted to the camera, and with it mounted to my body. I've shot indoors and outdoors. I've shot raw DV and am about to try out quicktime wrappers.

I've not had one second of trouble with mine. Period. The ONLY issue as far as I am concerned is that it's a bit noisy if you are shooting with an on-camera mic. My long shotgun doesn't pick it up, but the built in mics will. The unit comes with a belt clip, and a cold shoe mount. I've used both, but I'd want something more substantial than the plastic belt clip if I was shooting action.

For my money, I'd look into the rails if I was shooting action regularly.
 
PerroneFord said:
I haven't gone back to tape since I got mine some time ago. I've shot 24p(a), 30p, 60i, etc. I've shot with it mounted to the camera, and with it mounted to my body. I've shot indoors and outdoors. I've shot raw DV and am about to try out quicktime wrappers.

I've not had one second of trouble with mine. Period. The ONLY issue as far as I am concerned is that it's a bit noisy if you are shooting with an on-camera mic. My long shotgun doesn't pick it up, but the built in mics will. The unit comes with a belt clip, and a cold shoe mount. I've used both, but I'd want something more substantial than the plastic belt clip if I was shooting action.

For my money, I'd look into the rails if I was shooting action regularly.
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Do you have the fs4 pro or just the standard cheaper one?

According to the focus enhancements site, the regular fs4 supports type 2 AVI 24p, and quicktime 24p.
 
i bought an FS-4 HD on the forums here, it works great and i'm pretty sure i can shoot 24p, if i can't i'm gonna be rather upset :( i haven't looked into that much as i've been waiting for my SGpro to arrive (and i've been editing other stuff).

But i'm pretty sure i can shoot 24PA without a problem, its great, i plan on mounting it on the back of a shoulder pad that i add to my rails. For now i use the belt clip but i agree that its not a great solution.

Also i read an article about swapping out the harddrive as it only comes with a 40 gig, i plan on throwing a larger one in and getting a couple extra batteries.
 
I have the Pro unit. I needed the larger hard drive. I've recorded in type 2 AVI 24p, but not quicktime. I'll try it tomorrow and see.

kidwoo said:
Do you have the fs4 pro or just the standard cheaper one?

According to the focus enhancements site, the regular fs4 supports type 2 AVI 24p, and quicktime 24p.
Click to expand...
 
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