P2 vs Firestore FS-100

C

CarpeDiemFilms

New member
I'm trying to get my head around why more HVX users aren't using the FS100 or 160

Good used units are in the $1k to $1500 for 100 gigs ? for 7 hrs of full HD recording ?

Why on earth use 16gb or 32gb P2 cards which cost loads more and have less capacity ?

Are there issues with the Firestore drives which I don't know about ?

Reason for asking is I have just bought a new HVX camera but now need a means to store my HD footage -

P2 or Firestore ......

I'm strongly leaning towards a FS100 - just way more bang for my buck ....

unless someone can set me straight here... thanx for any input.

cheers


James
 
This has been discussed ad infinitum, so search around and you'll find lots of opinions on it. Some people are diehard firestore fans, whereas the rest of us are very happy with our P2 cards.
 
p2 and firestore each have their own "personalities" as you will read if you search the forum. there are some situations where a firestore simply isnt a good idea.

just search "firestore" you will get all the info you'll ever need to draw your own conclusion.
 
Many users swear by the FS-100 and others swear at it.

I never had an issue, but others have.

Solid state = p2 cards

Moving parts/mechanisms = FS100.

As BG opines, there are a lot of threads that analyze the cost/benefit ratio of each of the devices.
 
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FS-100 Just doesn't have the reliability of P2 cards, plus one major thing for me is no playback out to an HD monitor with the FS-100. Plus, if you do a lot of handheld or any at all really, the FS-100 sucks. Sure you can get a mount for it, but those Firewire cables come loose so easily. And if it does come loose, there is a 50/50 chance your clip was corrupted. And if you are doing live events, no second takes. P2 is much more expensive yes, but way more worth it IMHO.
 
I use both the Firestore and P2 cards, for different purposes. I do a good deal of nicely lit sit down interviews in both corporate and documentary settings. I find the firestore is great for that (albeit a bit noisy in a very quiet room - we have a belt pack for it with padding that helps, but I prefer P2 for hand held - and use Varizoom media rig pro and zoom control - great set up.

I hate the firestore mounts on top of camera - I attach it in belt pack to side of tripod in interviews and its great - I can look right at it for confidence right below my viewfinder and can do quick playback for client on set - then transfer files to clients firewire drive at end of day of shooting - generally the transfer is done by the time we strike the set.

Hope this helps.
Trace
 
I am currently using the FS-100 exclusively. I use to do long form only but most of my work now is TV commercial and I still use the FS-100.

I used to have a backup to a P2 card but even a solid-state card died on me.
I specially like that with FCP I don't have to transfer my files to QT because the unit does it for me.
 
Having worked with FS-100's for a couple months now, and with some live event shooting that had me actually "running and gunning" pretty heavily in some pretty rough environments, I can say that they have performed well.

Both units I have were purchased used. The first with very low miles and has been perfect. The second, with apparently lots of use, froze up in the middle of a shoot from the heat. It was in the direct sunlight, mounted on top of the camera in 90+ degree weather. I later found out that its fan wasn't spinning and therefore it could not have been cooling correctly. I'm replacing the fan myself as it's a $10 part and Focus would only do a "flat rate" repair for $245. I'd buy the part from them but they don't do that so digikey to the rescue. The low mile firestore has not given a wink of problems.

While the firestores have been great, they're not fool proof as the P2 cards must be. I've had a couple instances where the FS would not record so you have to pay special attention and be sure they are ready before things go live. You also have to worry about accidentally pulling the firewire cable. I haven't done that yet but the 4-pin connector on the HVX is, well, a piece of crap (not panny's fault; blame sony for bringing that socket into existence).

For running and gunning, a handfull of P2 cards would be the ultimate solution. No cables to disconnect, no mounting/weight worries and no extra batteries to worry about. Unfortunately, until P2's are more affordable (or I start making lots of money) they're not a real option.
 
andy mace said:
Having worked with FS-100's for a couple months now, and with some live event shooting that had me actually "running and gunning" pretty heavily in some pretty rough environments, I can say that they have performed well.

Both units I have were purchased used. The first with very low miles and has been perfect. The second, with apparently lots of use, froze up in the middle of a shoot from the heat. It was in the direct sunlight, mounted on top of the camera in 90+ degree weather. I later found out that its fan wasn't spinning and therefore it could not have been cooling correctly. I'm replacing the fan myself as it's a $10 part and Focus would only do a "flat rate" repair for $245. I'd buy the part from them but they don't do that so digikey to the rescue. The low mile firestore has not given a wink of problems.

While the firestores have been great, they're not fool proof as the P2 cards must be. I've had a couple instances where the FS would not record so you have to pay special attention and be sure they are ready before things go live. You also have to worry about accidentally pulling the firewire cable. I haven't done that yet but the 4-pin connector on the HVX is, well, a piece of crap (not panny's fault; blame sony for bringing that socket into existence).

For running and gunning, a handfull of P2 cards would be the ultimate solution. No cables to disconnect, no mounting/weight worries and no extra batteries to worry about. Unfortunately, until P2's are more affordable (or I start making lots of money) they're not a real option.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the great info and personal experiences andy mace!
 
I just shot with P2 cards for the first time (always have shot FS-100). Every bit of video is out of sync. It looks like the video is at a different frame rate (under cranked). Not sure if it was the P2 cards, or some setting on the camera I still can't find but magically it's working fine with my FS-100 and I haven't changed the settings.

Everyone has what works for them, i'm sticking with the Fs100. I shoot documentary, reality, studio, etc and haven't had any problems. I wish the firewire connection on the camera was better but that's panny's fault.
 
firestore vs P2 vs HDVRack with laptop

firestore vs P2 vs HDVRack with laptop

Hey all- Good discussion. I ordered an HVX for a dual shoot for a TV pilot gig this weekend. Getting the 200a tomorrow from B&H, which comes with a 16GB P2, but had this question:

I am doing studio type shoot, with the luxury of a night before setup. I have done multi DVX shoots in past with firewire out to Laptop using DVRack.

I have ordered HDVrack upgrade with new HVX cam... is a combo laptop/HDVrack software with grabs via firewire to a 1TB external drive a suitable way to go? I'll also have a 1920x1080 res, 19 inch LCD screen on set in video village too. This way, client can see shots after takes.

This workflow always worked great for me with DVX- just not sure as I am new to HD (although my DP and B cam op both have HVX experience, and are bringing P2s). How many minutes of HD footage can I store on the 1 TB drive. Also, using a P4 dual core laptop, is the capture/grab playback instant like it was with DV rack? Or is there lag time/processing due to HD?

I had also heard about issues of audio buzz or noise with FS devices. Any one hear of this?

Any thoughts?

Thanks from O-Town
 
I just shot with P2 cards for the first time (always have shot FS-100). Every bit of video is out of sync. It looks like the video is at a different frame rate (under cranked). Not sure
Click to expand...
sounds like possible operator error to me. is this happening in camera review? does your timeline setting match your camera setting? have you rebooted your machine? (macs do this crap ALL THE TIME! a simple restart/reboot will usually fix it

actually NO. its NOT "pannys" fault. they didnt invent that connection. it came (AFAIK) from sony. though i agree that it blows, that 4 pin connection wasnt ever designed to be a mobile port. the larger firewire port isnt a world better either

- viva le BNC!
 
Just a follow up on the FS-100 performance.

Yesterday I shot an event, midday, in the s. georgia sun. It had to be 100 degrees out there! My first firestore was mounted on my camera face up! After a few hours in the blaring sun, it registered "Over temp" on the display so I zip tied a white hand towel over the face and gave it a few minutes to cool. That was all it needed as it worked flawlessly for a few hours more while I completed the shoot. On my second firestore, the one that had the bad fan (now replaced), worked without incident mounted on the back of a DVMultiRig Pro; not facing the sun.

On the other hand, I nearly died from the heat! :grin:
 
CarpeDiemFilms said:
I'm trying to get my head around why more HVX users aren't using the FS100 or 160

Good used units are in the $1k to $1500 for 100 gigs ? for 7 hrs of full HD recording ?

Why on earth use 16gb or 32gb P2 cards which cost loads more and have less capacity ?

Are there issues with the Firestore drives which I don't know about ?

Reason for asking is I have just bought a new HVX camera but now need a means to store my HD footage -

P2 or Firestore ......

I'm strongly leaning towards a FS100 - just way more bang for my buck ....

unless someone can set me straight here... thanx for any input.

cheers


James
Click to expand...

Ok, I use both. I have 2 200's, a 160 GB firestore and a 100 GB firestore. I use the firestores in situations where the camera is mounted on a tripod only. I have found the firestore is akward in run and gun situations, and also takes more time to set up than just throwing in a card and recording. I could not be without the firestores for event recording, but for most of the commercial stuff I do, its P2 cards all the way. When the 64GB cards are out, my company will be purchasing 2 of them which should make sure there is plenty of storage for the future. At the moment we really arent having too much trouble with the 8 and 16GB cards we have, but there is a lot of offloading that happens when doing some things. we are hoping the higher capacity cards will remedy that.

As to what I prefer, I prefer P2, but the firestore is a godsend for long event recording, which we do quite a bit of.
 
andy mace said:
You also have to worry about accidentally pulling the firewire cable. I haven't done that yet but the 4-pin connector on the HVX is, well, a piece of crap (not panny's fault; blame sony for bringing that socket into existence).
Click to expand...

yeah, that is one thing i absolutely hate :furious3: : the crappy 4 pin (1394) input/output. whoever invented that, was not thinking quality. such a shoddy mechanism!

just wanted to get that out...if that guy is reading this.
 
if anyone's interested i just put my firestore up for sale on the marketplace forum

like you'll read in my ad. im one of the folks who's had ZERO problems with the firestore.
 
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