Firestores...Who's using what?

K

Kellen Dengler

Member
Hi everyone,

So I am planning on purchasing a hard disc recorder for the A1 within a month and I'm really starting to weigh in all of my options and wanted to gather some feedback before I invest.

So for those of you who are using a Firestore device which one are you using and how do you like it?

This one just came out and it looks like it could be promising:

http://mcetech.com/quickstreamdv-hdv/index.html
 
I am using a firestore. I like it. I lost a clip once (corrupted) but it has performed well outside that.

I would seriously consider how you will mount your device. I eneded up buying a bebob box (which is expensive) becuase I needed my camera to be ready to go out of the case.
 
Michael, what brand/model of a Firestore do you have?

I too really like to be able to go right out of the bag, that is why I am looking into the Bebob. However, this Quickstream design would eliminate the need for a Bebob altogether...

I'm just wondering how compatible it is with the Canon frame types? I know people have experienced problems witht he different models of Focus Enhancements and Canons.
 
I think I have the FS-C 60. I am not near my gear at the moment. I have the smaller drive which is more than adequate. I shoot 24f all of the time. I had one glitch shooting 60i once, but I have not spent time troubleshooting it. I am happy with my purchase - given that I already owned an A1. If I had to start over I would probably have bought a tapeless camera because once I added the firestore and bebob it put me into another price class. With everything mounted, my camera is bulky and I had to buy an new camera bag. It all adds up.
 
Yeah I saw that. I'm wondering specifically about Firestore devices that people are using with a Canon XH A1 though. The Canon 30F/24F frame rates don't work with all models of Firestore only specific ones...
 
Yeah you are absolutely right. The C is for Canon. The FSC Firestores are the most expensive and still would require a mounting bracket of some type which is also a fairly expensive set up...

That is why I'm wondering if anyone is using any different types of Firestores out there (even the FS4 with firmware updates) and what their experiences are in the Canon formats.
 
Hi guys, i think you can help me with this question that i have, do you know or anyone knows if the BT-LH1700W could show the wave form from RGB inputs YPbPr?, or is it just composite? or SDI only?
many thanks
 
OK, so back to my original question. I found out through the dvinfo board from a guy who talked to the MCE people and according to them the QuickStreamHDV will record the format/frame rate of ANY HDV stream. Basically whatever you are recording in, it reads.

He said it is fully functional with the Canon 24F/30F which is amazing to me considering the price of this unit and not having to purchase a holster such as a Bebob for it. Pretty sweet.
 
If you're a FCP user, the problem is .m2t recording of HDV. Only the FS-C actually records the HDV stream to a FCP-friendly QT HDV file---meaning you can just plug the drive into your mac, import the clips and immediately edit.

I believe the other firestore's will record HDV as m2t, but that will only work with Vegas, Premiere Pro etc.
 
Yeah you are exactly right. That is why i was so interested in this new QuickstreamHDV unit. And according to their sales rep it does EXACTLY what the FS-C does for FCP ready files.
 
Kellen Dengler said:
And according to their sales rep it does EXACTLY what the FS-C does for FCP ready files.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, good-old sales reps. :)

I looked on the web site and it didn't mention HDV stream recording as anything other than m2t. You should check and make sure that there's a QT *HDV* recording option, not m2t.
 
I was wondering. If I use a Firestore with my Canon A-1 and also run the tape as a backup, when I am finished downloading and editing from the Firestore and don't need the tape any longer, is it ok to rewind the tape and re-use it for the next job. Or, is this not recommended?
 
I have used the Firestore FS-C with the XH A1 for about 7 months now. Works like a champ, no issues. Goes into FCP without issue, no render needed vs. capture with tape. I have used tape over tape because I generally copy my FS-C footage ASAP so I have 2 copies. However having the tape backup DID just save my *ss for a job I just shot. I have never needed a backup before that moment. But I am glad I had the tape, now I will be ever more mindful of the footage on the FS-C. I was flirting with the FS4 but with the .m2t files it just did not make sense. The FS-C works without any kind of work around and to me that is worth the extra $$$. I avoid as many troubles and workarounds as possible.
For mouting, I bought a $29.00 clamp off BH Photo that goes into the shoe on top of the camera and then screws into the supplied plastic holder that you get when yo buy the FS-C. This holder provided is for the XL H1, but it works just fine this way as well. Unless you used the shoe this is a great method. I have used the supplied belt clamp as well and it is pretty solid, a little nerve wracking at first but that wears off.
 
I have been using the FS-4 HD. I bought it for my DVX actually, then aquired the xh a1 and it works great. Yes only m2t files from this one. I use both premier and vegas. I bought the field kit which comes with an extra battery (they are only 1.5hours) the hotshoe mount and some firewire cables. 24f was made to work with tape recording adding pulldown much like the DVX, so with the m2t file system, 60i 30f and 24f all work with it.

Also I took out the 40gig, and put a 120gig hard drive in it. 10hours available record time.

Sounds like your best bet may be the FS-C though.

And jokerswild, reusing tapes would not be recomended, however many people do once maybe twice. If the footage is extremely important, use new tapes. The probability of having dropouts goes up with each use. There are many threads on tapes in here, probably in the DVX section, that go into more detail.
 
If you're using an XHA1, the *only* hard disc recorder that properly/fully supports it is the FS-C. Not the FS-4, not the FS-4 HD, not the FS-100, not any other. Only the FS-C. If you intend to shoot 24F or 30F, you need the FS-C.

Did I mention that the only FireStore that fully supports the XHA1 is the FS-C? :thumbsup:
 
Barry--Your message about the FS-C is clear. I just bought an XH A1 camera and I work in Final Cut Express 4. We have two firestores here at our studio but alas neither is FS-C. The latest is FS-4 HD. Yes, I know the FS-C is ideal, but might I get by with m2t files converting them somehow for use in FCE 4?

Would it be more trouble than it is worth? I don't mind trouble. My middle name is Charles, but I could change it to Trouble if necessary...
 
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