fs-100 & hvx200 issues

I've been a satisfied user of two FS-4s and for $600 each, it was well worth the price and saved me loads of time. Saying that, I am very hesitant about the FS-100. I wasn't crazy about the FS-4 interface and it sounds like there has been little improvement in that area. ( To tell users they need to get "use to it" is a bit strange because the UI is suppose to be made for the customer...to force the customer to train themselves to the engineer's idea of a UI is like telling us to go back to DOS.)

The FS-100 advertisement says it allows you to edit immediately "without conversion", yet it sounds like you still have to go through a P2 conversion of the MXF files to QT. The PDF makes it sound like this.

So besides the greater length in recording time (and not in all formats)...it doesn't sound like a great deal. I would certainly like to have the same ability as the FS-4 where it cut my production time (no log & capture)...eliminated tape dropouts...and increased my recording time...gave me the ability to have tape archive as well as instant file access.
Unfortunately the FS-100 sounds like it just extends the recording time while giving possibility of "adding drop outs." No instant access.

I am rooting for Focus to fix these things and it sounds like, except for the UI, you are looking into it. Good luck.
 
Hi Bob,

Believe me, we are taking notes about the comments on the UI. Feedback will hopefully allow us to improve it for the future. My point in referencing the FS-4 interface was that we do have many customers who do find the interface acceptable. But we do appreciate everyone's feedback!

We did add three function keys on the front panel of the FS-100 which allow the user to have a quick link to commonly accessed functions rather than diving down into the menu.

Regarding workflow and the importation of FireStore created clips, it really depends on what NLE you are using, hence our claim of being able to use the clips immediately in editing applications. For instance, on Avid (using the MediaTool) and Canopus Edius Broadcast, it is possible to use the MXF P2 files instantly in the timeline (with the clips residing on the FS-100). The exception at present is Final Cut which does not work natively with MXF P2 files...the import step converts the clips to QuickTime clips, the same process as a P2 card. As I am sure you are aware, in DV25 mode, FS-100 does allow you to record in the the native QuickTime DV format using our DTE (Direct To Edit®) Technology.

Hope that helps.

Matt McEwen
 
My emails to Firestore are going unanswered, and I smell trouble.. hope it goes away, im going to be keeping an eye on your guys who own them feedback so we can decide if the product is a go or a no.. so keep me updated.

The thought of droupouts from recording pretty much ruins the entire advantage of both the P2 system and the DVCproHD single gop codec.
 
Jarred Land said:
My emails to Firestore are going unanswered, and I smell trouble.. hope it goes away, im going to be keeping an eye on your guys who own them feedback so we can decide if the product is a go or a no.. so keep me updated.

The thought of droupouts from recording pretty much ruins the entire advantage of both the P2 system and the DVCproHD single gop codec.
Click to expand...

I own the FS-4 and had some problems with recording 24p AVI II with the FS-4 setting. I asked about this to FS-4 support numerous times and received only one cryptic reply but no help. I have seen this same complaint throughout he messages boards ad-nausiam.

I am not a candidate for their newproduct without a lot of convincing that

1: It realy works

2: they decide to provide a much better level of support than I have experienced to date.

BTW the FS-4 records 24p but I use the standard AVI II recording mode as there seems to be pulldown issues with their 24p recording mode. The lack of specific documentation is problematic with the FS-4 and is continuing with the FS-100.

S Cannon
 
Last edited:
Jared and others, what are your questions? Who did you send an email to Jared? I would like to find out why these are not getting answered. I am here to help. I work for Focus, I guess I should have added that to my profile. If anyone has questions and want answers offline, please contact me at mmcewen at focusinfo.com.

As I mentioned on a post elsewhere, we are still investigating the drop out issue. I hope to have answer shortly.

Thanks,

Matt McEwen
Focus Enhancements
 
Last edited:
C. Keiser said:
<SNIP>

Speaking of cables, has anyone found a right angle 1394 cable anywhere? It might reduce the chance of the cable getting budged or pulled out. It would need to be right angle on the 4 pin side.

Glad this forum exists so that I don't feel like I am the only one going crazy.

-Christopher
Click to expand...


Greetings All,

New member here. Decades of film experience / days of HVX200. Director/DP (IATSE 600) / Avid & FCP editor.

An excellent high quality (Motorola OEM) right angle 4-pin Firewire adapter can be found here.

http://www.yourwirelesssource.com/shop/5/accessory/268924?source=Froogle

$4.25 Good retail site owned by Tessco - big OEM distributor. I keep 4 in my camera/PB edit kit. Hope this helps.

Kindest Regards,

Charles
vanderpoolfilms.com
 
no its a firewire right angle.. so you plug that into your camera and it puts the cable alongside the camera instead of sticking out where it can shake around. I think firestore should see about getting right angle cables in the box.
 
Ok, just shot for two days with an HVX200 and the FireStore FS-100. The whole thing strapped to a CineSaddle so I could move around a Powwow and get the dancers.

Three times the HVX200 began flashing a message on the screen that the 1392 connection had been lost. Unplugging and re-plugging the Firewire plug on the FS-100 end re-established the connection.

I find the menu system easy to use. It's not that hard to learn. And I have equipment that is difficult to get through, the FS-100 is a VERY easy menu system to get through, I found.

Booting it up takes FOREVER! And we'd set up our portable edit bay in my van. A 17" Mac Powerbook with an extrenal Firewire hard drive as the media drive. Both FULL P2 cards took 3 and 4 minutes respectively to copy data. The FS-100 ran for an hour and a half and only something like 3.5 Gigs had been copied, our of 25.44 GB.

But then on our G4/2.0 tower, it took a whole 30 minutes. We copy files from drive to drive all the time. Across USB, Firewire, AirPort Extreme, and I've never seen 25 GB take so long to copy. I can only assume there's something on the FS-100 side that makes it copy so gosh darned slow!

Oh, and the only reason we only got half the drive filled up is that the batter went dead. So be aware that the battery only lasts half as long as actual recording time. You'll for sure want to buy and extra battery!

I'll be in touch with Focus in the morning to go over some technical stuff. Nice unit, but it really needs some SERIOUS maturing in the mean time.

It is also very good to see someone from Focus here collecting feedback! Thanks guys!

And oh, get someone who actually knows how to use a Mac to write the Mac specific stuff in the User Guide! It's so off base it's not funny!

Looking forward to changes being made. I'm on the fence as to wether this will be the solution for my documentary staring in a few weeks. I'm using a test model for a review. I'll wait and see what fixes come down the pipe in the next couple of weeks.

Don't plan on fast transfers of P2 data to your local drives!

Check the July Event DV magazine, y'all!!!!
 
Well as of the moment, it looks like the "drop out" is completly gone, hard to say, but the drop out originally occured on a diffrent batch of footage and showed on a final cut system. On an avid system, with the new firewire cable, and new footage, after filling the drive and wipping it 3 times over, it looks like the drop out is gone. at least when i view the footage "in avid" . Problems now, are on the post side, with frame rates, and i cant seem to export the footage at all. the avid release is 5.2.4. so gotta figure this batch of work flow issues out...... getting frustrating to say the least at this point. ive got around 10k tied up between my hvx, fs100, & marshal, and im the one doing R&D..... wtf, at least panasonic and focus are dilegently trying to fix it all.
 
Last edited:
Jarred Land said:
no its a firewire right angle.. so you plug that into your camera and it puts the cable alongside the camera instead of sticking out where it can shake around. I think firestore should see about getting right angle cables in the box.
Click to expand...

Take a hard look at the female slot in the photo at that link, that's a USB connection!
 
I found these right angle FW cables at Markertek.
http://snipurl.com/ql7q
I haven't ordered one yet. Still not sure if I will keep my FS-100, so I don't want to buy any more accessories for it.
BTW. Focus did replace my unit, initial tests show it to be stable. I am just very gun-shy after my first bad experience.
Best,
Christopher
 
Thamks for the thoughtful reply, Matt. My biggest issue with the 100 is the cost. It is way too expensive! Considering the cost of a 100 gb hd is under $100., where is the rest of the expense? If P2 cards were less expensive, I'm sure the 100 would be much less.

In fact, one could buy a MacBook for about $1600. with a 100 gb drive and capture thru FCP. Okay, it's a bit bulkier in the field, but one would get an entire computer as a bonus.
 
Good experience deserves mentioning too...

Good experience deserves mentioning too...

Well after all of my kvetching about the lousy experience with my first FS-100 unit, I must report a good experience.

I shot run and gun style for 4 hours yesterday, and I didn't lose connection/control once. I am now knocking on wood....

I haven't yet purchased one of the Markertek, right angle FW cables. Still everything worked out. Speaking of right angle cables, do you think that the large capacity batteries will get in the way of the plug? It looks like it should clear, but would like to know if anyone has already tried one. http://snipurl.com/ql7q

FWIW, we used the HVX 200 as the A Cam in a two camera shoot, the B Cam was the SDX900. Crazy you say? The subject was difficult to follow, and the size of the HVX made this the preferred solution. Captured in DVCPro 50, and everything matched up nicely.

Happy to have you folks as resource....
Christopher
 
FS-100 and Frame Rate Convertor

FS-100 and Frame Rate Convertor

I know there is a different forum for this, but I'm hoping to catch Mathew's eye on this one. Is there any documention regarding the FS-100 and the Frame Rate Convertor. I've been getting nothing but errors. Any help would be appreciated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top