Which Firestore to use with an HVX ?

C

CarpeDiemFilms

New member
Question about using the Firestore with a HVX200 -

which one to use ? - there seems to be 40GB / 60 / 80 / 100 / 150GB models

will they all work with a HVX200 or just the Firestore FS-100 ?

according to the Panasonic website it lists the FS-100 as 100% compatible with the HVX but the manufactures website for the Firestore lists all Firestore models as being compatible with Panasonic devices ... I'm confused.

advice please -

Thanx
 
Only the FS-100 will record DVCPRO HD.

The others will record DV from the HVX200, so technically, they are compatible, but only the FS-100 will do what you really want it to do.
 
Let's try to make this clear:

Let's try to make this clear:

Look at it this way:
the HVX can record and put out 4 "kinds" of "signals":
1) DV
2) DVCPro
3) DVCPro50
4) DVCProHD (aka DVCPro100)

Unless something newer has hit the market, (and I thought something had, or is forthcoming), the FS-100 is the only FireStor model that will accept a DVCPROHD signal and record it as DVCPROHD.
I believe it can/will also accept any of the other 3 "kinds" of signals, and record them in the same "kind" as the camera is outputting, i.e.
if cam signal out = DV, then it will record DV
if cam signal out = DVCPro, then it will record DVCPro
if cam signal out = DVCPro50, then it will record DVCPro50.

So, the FS-100 "works properly" with all 4 "signals"; it depends on what "signal" the cam is recording as/putting out, and, I believe, the settings on the FS-100 itself.

The FS-4 will not record a DVCPROHD signal, no matter what you do. "It ain't built to take it", i.e. chips and firmware inside the FS models determine what the device is capable of. The chips and firmware inside the FS-4 do not know how/aren't "smart enough" to deal with all the data (the 1's an 0's) that comprise DVCPROHD footage.

Hope this helps.

x
 
CarpeDiemFilms said:
Thanx for the info - cheers
Click to expand...

Before jumping head over heals into the Firestore FS100, you owe it to yourself to do some chatting with those of us who have had them and had horrible nightmares including some recent posts about how shabby and unstable the batteries are, the cable connections, the no report to the camera issues, and about 14 other reasons that say that P2 is waaaaaaaaaaay better/safer.

If you can reshoot over and over no problem but otherwise you're going to write a new meaning for the word "heartache" :o(
 
The batteries do go through like water. Although, i have to say they are getting better. There is a website, where someone has made a battery for the Firestore 100

http://powerbagjunior.com/powerbagjunior/product1.htm

It will get you more bang for your buck juice wise. My only other problem with the Firestore is that the firewire tends to pop out when doing hand held quick action type of work. I shot a pro wrestling shoot last year, and it drove me nuts - even with a mount. I definetely prefer p2 cards for quick action hand held shoots. I have been shooting with a Firestore for over 2 years and i think it is great for editing, workflow and just getting a lot of footage on the drive. Particularly when Focus increased storage from 100 gigs (a little too small for a days shoot) to 160 gigs. Annnnnnnnd this year the 250 gig model will be released. All in all a good price and rental (same expense to rent a p2 card and firestore at many rental houses). But rent both first and see what you need for your project or professional needs.
 
First of all, there have issues with the FS-100, but it appears that Focus has addressed them, while adding features, in a series of firmware updates.

Second, you aren't going see many, if any, "success stories" reported in this type of board. People just don't post saying they aren't experiencing problems.

I know of two people who use the FS-100 in heavy humidity conditions and in the Middle East - hot and dry and have been doing it for a couple of years. No issues.

Not to say you won't have any, because of the nature of the device.
 
I think the reason the FireStore is so attractive is the size for the price. I mean, 160Gb for about 2Gs is still much cheaper than 5 P2 32Gb cards.
So I guess it's time to do some renting to see what will work best for what we need. Thanks for all the advice.
 
Yeah, I think there is too much Firestore bashing. All the different medias have their draw backs and unforseen problems, like the P2 beeping problem. I have used both P2 and Firestore and have never had any problems with either, guess i'm just lucky. The two have strengths and weaknesses, so it is up to you to decide which one fits your budget, and workflow. Right now I am shooting to firestore because the majority of my clients ask for it. P2 is quick and easy to shoot with but after the shoot then comes time for you to transfer, which you need either a P2 store or a laptop, two more devices that require batteries and have their own inherent problems. So it really isn't a perfect world either way, good luck.
 
We've had very few issues with the Firestore, and pretty much, the issues we had were related to early firmware and seem to have gone away with the update.

I know there are weirdnesses and people have had disastrous stories, but I've also heard of disasters with P2, so as another poster said, I think that any emerging technology is going to have issues.

I really, really wish that Spec-comm had continued through to release with their hard drive-based product; the notion of high-capacity storage with removable drives and RAID is something I can't believe wouldn't have found an adequate market... but perhaps someday someone will come out with something similar.
 
I bought the FS-100 with my HVX and I LOVE IT! I have had no problems but I use it, drag and drop the files and then format it every time. I have noticed the battery life is not as good as it used to be but its still ok.. I love having 100 gigs and not 4 or 8 or even 16.. just less work...
 
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