Issues with the FS4 and DVX100a

stonelock

stonelock

New member
Ok, I apologize if this has been covered but a forum search didn't seem to turn up any resolution on the Firestore FS4 and it's inability to take reliable record cues from the DVX100a. I am currently living this particular a'situation, have an email in to Focus support asking for thoughts on how the settings should be, but didn't know if anyone else has found a workaround?

The FS4 seems to start recording alright (sometimes) when set in "Tapeless" mode, I have a tape in the DVX (since it's the only way to ensure I get consistent vid) but the FS4 goes into freak out mode when you hit the DVX record button to stop recording - flashing "please wait" numerous times and then not resetting for a new clip.

This in addition to random button lockups on the FS4 ... anyway. cut the post short and see if anyone else has dealt with this?

Thankee
Db
 
Yeah i have the same problem. The guy at Focus ( I called) said it doesn't work with the camera that way. So the best way for you to record is to hook up the FS4, and just hit record on the FS4 and not on the camera. That's what I do to ensure that I'm recording. If you don't have a tape in there, the "no tape" icon will flash... That's okay. Other than that, it's an awesome device... I recorded 20 minutes of the sunset.. without wasting a tape. Just throw it on my computer hard drive and delete it from the FS. Oh and if you want to watch a take back, u have to have a tape in the camera otherwise you can't click into VCR mode, so bring a tape anyway just to watch a take or to watch what you just recorded.

Any other questions, just ask.
-Paul D.V.
 
stonelock said:
Ok, I apologize if this has been covered but a forum search didn't seem to turn up any resolution on the Firestore FS4 and it's inability to take reliable record cues from the DVX100a. I am currently living this particular a'situation, have an email in to Focus support asking for thoughts on how the settings should be, but didn't know if anyone else has found a workaround?
Click to expand...
For some reason, manufacturers seem to have a hard time making a system that reliably handles the record cues. I don't know why, because the DVX isn't at fault -- it can reliably, 100% of the time control an external tape deck. I don't know why FireStore and Serious Magic's DV Rack don't read the record cues properly, but they currently both have problems doing so.

If you have a tape in the camera, both products (DV Rack and FS4) will always record reliably. But if you take the tape out, neither DV Rack nor FS4 will reliably recognize the record button. However, an external tape deck does -- which shows that the signals are being sent, one way or the other. Hopefully SM and Focus will find a way to update their products so that they can reliably work in a fully tapeless environment.

As it stands right now, if you want to go tapeless, you cannot use the camera's record button to trigger recording -- you'll have to start/stop the recording on the FS-4 or DV Rack.

I don't know about the stop-recording thing though...[/QUOTE]
 
Daygola814 said:
Oh and if you want to watch a take back, u have to have a tape in the camera otherwise you can't click into VCR mode
Click to expand...
? Sure you can. The camera goes into VCR mode whether there's a tape in it or not...
 
Strange

Strange

Hey Barry, I'm trying it right now with no tape.... with the Firestore DISCONNECTED... the camera goes into VCR mode... with the Firestore CONNECTED... it does not go into VCR mode.... If I throw a tape in while the firestore IS CONNECTED... VCR mode WORKS! I hope this is not just my camera! :huh:
 
wtflip... ok now i'm majorly confused... i just took the tape out.... and kept the Firestore connected.... i can now switch between VCR and CAMERA modes without trouble... what the hell? i hope nothing is wrong with my camera!
 
Figured it out

Figured it out

I dunno... maybe my camera is just strange.... either that or I don't know what the hell I'm doing... it works now so whatever.... I'll just pretend like it didn't even happen.... :happy:

Oh... I just tested it... It has nothing to do with putting a tape in.... Here's what I did... I powered on the camera after about 3 hours or so of it not being on.... i had the FS4 connected and turned on.... i hit the button to switch the camera to VCR mode... it didn't work... so what I did was I opened the tape compartment and then closed it (without putting a tape in)...then I hit the VCR button and it switched. I don't know what's up with that but that seems to get it working. Whatever... it doesn't really matter....at least now I know the trick... Kinda strange but whatever....
And for anyone wondering, this is JUST FOR MY CAMERA. I'm not sure what happens with other cameras or other DVXs.

Thanks,
-Paul DV
 
Thanks all for the input! It's weird, I can't seem to get reliable record cues (at least a stop-record cue) from the DVX to the FS4 even WITH a tape in the cam, that's where the flashing "please wait" issues come up. Still waiting to hear back from Focus. I wish they had an auto responder at least that said your email was in queue to be addressed.

Then again, it could just be me :) I'll keep messin' with it ...

Barry_Green said:
For some reason, manufacturers seem to have a hard time making a system that reliably handles the record cues. I don't know why, because the DVX isn't at fault -- it can reliably, 100% of the time control an external tape deck. I don't know why FireStore and Serious Magic's DV Rack don't read the record cues properly, but they currently both have problems doing so.

If you have a tape in the camera, both products (DV Rack and FS4) will always record reliably. But if you take the tape out, neither DV Rack nor FS4 will reliably recognize the record button. However, an external tape deck does -- which shows that the signals are being sent, one way or the other. Hopefully SM and Focus will find a way to update their products so that they can reliably work in a fully tapeless environment.

As it stands right now, if you want to go tapeless, you cannot use the camera's record button to trigger recording -- you'll have to start/stop the recording on the FS-4 or DV Rack.

I don't know about the stop-recording thing though...
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]
 
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