FS-4 and DVX100A workflow

kryptics

kryptics

Active member
Ok so i manage to upgrade my FS-4 40gb drive to 120gb (without paying $1000, lol) - the only issue I'm having now is - workflow I just don't get it - I capture film to the drive, when I import it to FCP and drop it on the timeline it asks me to render - I'm capturing at 24PA to the FS-4. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong...

Just in case this is how i upgrade the drive...
Note that it will VOID the warranty (under 1 year), but it's worth it. No files are kept on the hard drive except for video files - the OS is probably on some kind of Eprom chip.

A couple things to remember:
Must be 120 GB or less
Must be an IDE 2.5" 5400 RPM Drive (4200's are too slow, 7200's run too hot)
Must have 8Mb of cache (not 2Mb)

The FS-4 uses the Hitachi Travelstar, but I tried the Segate Momentus 2.5" 120Gb Hard Drive and that work perfectly - - just remember be VERY VERY carefully the ribbon it looks kinda fragile - and enjoy
 
Just in case anyone cared....lol

I managed to get everything working, works like a charm!

First you need to go into the DVX menu system and find the DV REMOTE menu and pick EXT, this way you won't need a tape in the camera in order to record with the FS-4. Second in the FS-4 you'll need to pick Quicktime 24P (if recording 24P or 24PA), next go to the sync menu (in FS-4) and pick TAPELESS function - turn the camera on THEN the FS-4 press record and WALA!

in FCP - set your timeline as you would if you recorded 24P and COPY the files from the FS-4 to your local drive (if you don't do this FCP goes nuts looking for the files later on) once you copy the files tehn you can import them. When you place them on the timeline they shouldn't need any rendering - anf that's it! enjoy
 
Kryptics,

Thanks for sharing that info. I just ordered a FS-4 a few days ago.

Thanks.Rob
 
Rob you gonna love it! I'm never looking back, i did have some issues with the recording settings, I'm gonna try and post up my settings, some how i figure out how to; make sure the camera doesn't turn off and to make it tapeless recording - i must say it's worth every penny -
 
themagickite said:
do you get better quality than tapes?

how big/heavy is it?
Click to expand...

It weights about 2 pounds maybe less, I carry it seperate (not on the hotshoe) I have a 6 feet firewire cable, as far as the quality - i think it looks better than tape, and as far as time comsuption - I'm saving at least an hour everytime, since I don't need to capture to FCP anymore I can just copy the files direct to disk - again i highly recommend it! good luck...
 
cheers

although i'm still not quite past the "get a camera" stage

but when i am i'll be sure to look into it

btw, do they work on any miniDV camera with a firewire out, or does the cam have to be designed to work with ext recorders?

i'd so love to able to dump footage straight to the timeline
 
its gonna be the same quality as tape. you dealing with 1's and 0's here. the advantage would be no tape drop outs. i fi were shooting something important or couldnt be re shot i would be shooting on both a tape and the FS-4 just in case something decides to crap out on me. THinking about picking up a FS-4 soon :)
 
Good point matt -

magick- as fas i know it works with any miniDV camera that supports IE1334 - but double check the site...
 
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