Firestore v3.0 and VFR

Stephen Mick

Stephen Mick

Totally Usable
Now, I know there have been a lot of topics/questions about using the Firestore and shooting variable frame rates. With the new software version, and the ability to shoot to P2, P2PN, QT and QTPN modes, which offers the best/most flexibility and easiest workflow to create good-looking slow-motion shots?

I'm shooting 720p on a current project, and want to make sure that when I want overcranked 60fps footage, I'm using the best method to get it.

--Steve

(Oh, and for anyone who wants to know how durable/robust the Firestore is, mine came disengaged from the belt clip and tumbled down five or six granite steps. Battery popped off, the black plastic piece that covers the FW terminals popped off, and I just about threw up. Put all the pieces back together and it still works like a charm. Just don't trust the belt clip.)
 
My understanding is that you can't use the PN-equivalent recording mode for VFR. I guess the remaining options depend on your preferences.
 
So, I'd really want to use the QT setting. If I used the P2 setting, I'd have to use the P2 Organize and P2 Import workflow, which isn't something I want to do, if I don't have to.
 
Yes, you can do VFR in regular QT or P2 on the FS-100. VFR is not supported in the Native modes at this time, due to how Panasonic handles the metadata on the Firewire signal for the FS-100 to read.
 
I knew I could depend on Mr. Balser to answer the question. (And Ben, is your FS-100 tutorial/manual available now?)

--Steve
 
Ben, it seems like you want to blame Panasonic for everything that's wrong with the FireStore. I would certainly disagree.

VFR is only partially possible with the FireStore right now, for reasons that have nothing to do with Panasonic. First, you can only do it in NTSC mode, because the Apple Frame Rate Converter utility doesn't work with 720/50P PAL files. If you want to do VFR you have to import the files into the FCP frame rate converter, because Focus hasn't properly implemented duplicate-frame-removal in the FS-100 the way that they should.

Second, the idea that the metadata is flawed is completely inaccurate. It's putting out the same metadata that the VariCam uses, and the VariCam is a highly successful variable frame rate camcorder. DV Rack uses the same firewire stream and manages to do VFR just fine. EDIUS uses the same firewire stream and manages to do VFR just fine. And neither of those companies has a close-cooperation/partnership development relationship with Panasonic, the way that Focus does.

Focus just has to implement it properly. The data is all there.
 
Barry, don't put words in my mouth. I'm just stating technical facts as they've been presented to me. I know you hate the FS, and that's fine. But Focus is working on getting VFR to work in Native mode, and says it's a trick with the way Panasonic sends the signal down the wire. I didn't BLAME anyone for anything, just stated a technical fact, chill out buddy! I never said metadata was flawed anywhere! I just said it's a trick for Focus to do with the unit they're working with. The NLE's you mention have much larger CPUs and much more complex OS's to work with. That's comparing apples to onions.

Again, I'm not BLAMING anyone for anything. I'm just stating that Focus has to do more engineering to get VFR in Native modes, that's a fact, and they are working on it. It is not as easy to do with their hardware as it is in non-native modes.

Calm down, buddy. The only problem I have with Panasonic is the lack of forethought about how to handle the Firewire port. From it being very flimsy, even for a 4-pin, to not allowing HD playback, etc. I just personally think a "tapeless" camera would have a more robust Firewire implimentation. That's my opinion, and I'm not BLAMING anyone for anything.

I NEVER said the metadata was flawed, please don't put words in my mouth. I simply stated a technical hurdle the Focus engineers are having to deal with, as they told it to me.
 
Sorry, actually in that message you didn't blame anything and I shouldn't have said that. I was more reacting to prior messages I guess, where you've said things like they "crippled the hell" out of the FW port. But again, that wasn't what you said here, so I overreacted; sorry.

Point is: the metadata is all there, if there's a problem with implementing VFR it has nothing to do with the firewire signal, it's all in Focus' hands (and hardware) as to whether they'll be able to implement it.

And there's nothing limited about the firewire port as far as HD goes, it does input and output just fine. The problem is between receiving the FW input, and outputting an HD signal. They say it's a "heat issue".

And I don't "hate" the FireStore (at least, not anymore; when it first came out it was a terrible product, but it's much much better now, they've really improved it with the various firmware updates). I believe it is now a competent product that serves a purpose and does its core job just fine. I don't think it's anywhere near as useful or valuable or well-rounded as the cards are, nor will it ever be. And I think that as the cards grow larger the FS-100 will become less and less relevant. But it does its job, and it serves a purpose, and it works (which is not something I'd say about the CitiDisk). And it does things that you simply cannot do on the cards right now (such as record 4 hours of 720/24p continuously without card swaps, or 8 hours continuously if you daisy-chained two together, or record in direct Quicktime format). And the cards do things that the FS-100 doesn't and can't (such as play back via thumbnails, play back in HD, etc). Different products for different purposes.
 
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One thing I would like Panasonic to explain is the 4-pin FW port on the HVX200 when so much of what the HVX does is related to FW connections.

I think it is a clear case of penny foolish and dollar wise.

I wish Panasonic would offer a retrofit to the 6 pin connection with two pins for power disabled.

I'd pay for it
 
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