New FireStore FS-4 - DTE for Hand Held Camcorders

Paul Colt · November 2nd, 2004, 02:06 AM

I think just like many of the others on this thread have pointed out what is the difference between the PAL and NTSC models? I'm sure if I shot some clips with a PAL camera the hard drive would for NTSC would record it. I am a Yank Videographer working in Asia and I use both formats frequently why not make one unit compatable for both? I'll probably buy the US unit ( cheaper ) and buy third party adaptors to power it. Like many others in Europe tired of getting ripped just because we use PAL which is a superior format anyhow.

Dan Wiencek · November 29th, 2004, 09:49 AM

Matt (or someone), can you confirm that the FS-4 will ship before the end of December? I've got a big project scheduled for early January and have the go-ahead to order a DTD drive, but I can't order the FS-4 unless I know it will be in my hands before Christmas. Thanks!

Jim Sofranko · November 29th, 2004, 09:46 PM

Another question on the PAL setup.

If I buy an NTSC US model FS-4 for a Canon XL2 NTSC camera will it be compatible for my Canon XL1 PAL?

Thanks.

Barry Green · November 30th, 2004, 11:37 PM

Will the FS-4 support HDV? I don't see it listed on the specs, so I'm assuming it won't, but FocusInfo did say back in April that they intended to develop HDV products, so I'm hoping that maybe the as-yet-unreleased FS-4 will support it?

Mike Harvey · December 12th, 2004, 10:34 PM

I saw that the FS-4 is formated in FAT32. Given the FAT32's file size limit of 4gb, how does the the FS-4 overcome this? I might have a gig this spring that requires me to shoot a 2 hour event nonstop. Would this be possible using the FS-4?

Vic Owen · December 13th, 2004, 11:49 AM

The Firestore breaks up continuous video streams into 2GB segments. The typically splice together seamlessly.

Mike Harvey · December 13th, 2004, 12:33 PM

Groovy, thanks!

<<<-- Originally posted by Vic Owen : The Firestore breaks up continuous video streams into 2GB segments. The typically splice together seamlessly. -->>>

Chris Kamilar · December 14th, 2004, 02:53 PM

There is some difference between the PAL and NTSC unit, or they would be interchangeable. I would guess that there are most likely some differences in the software, not the hardware.

I have a guess you might consider: If one version of software was used it would mean that the code would have to be more complex, more costly to maintain, and the hardware would be more expensive. If there are two versions of the software, then the cost for development and maintaining them can be combined and everyone pays more, or each kept separate and you pay based on sales volume and market for the version you use.

Along with issue in distribution, marketing, order fulfillment, and production. I wonder if my guess has anything to do with the price difference.

Either way, I have four on order.

Brad Richmond · December 16th, 2004, 06:34 PM

Hi Matt,

A quick question regarding user defined time lapse.
The spec sheet says that the FS-4 does not offer this, but the FS-4 Pro does.

Can you give more information on time lapse and those specific differences between the FS-4 & FS-4 Pro.

Thanks!

Matt McEwen · December 20th, 2004, 09:29 AM

Hi Brad,

You are correct, the basic FS-4 does not support timelapse. FS-4Pro does however.

The basic differences between FS-4 and FS-4Pro can be found on the back page of the spec sheet at:
http://www.focusinfo.com/products/firestore/FS4features.htm

Hope that helps,
Matt McEwen

Giroud Francois · December 20th, 2004, 11:40 AM

thanks for the info, but what about a date for the release of the device. December was announced and it hardly looks like this will be impossible. new deadline ?
It is not just to kick you about a touchy question, it is because i got project waiting for this.

Matt McEwen · December 28th, 2004, 02:54 PM

Hi Giroud,

The first beta units are now with customers. Depending on how the beta test phase continues to pan out, I would expect volume shipments for FS-4 some time in January.

So, please be prepared to roll tape for at least a little while longer.

I will post to this board when I have a better idea. Thanks for your patience.

Matt McEwen

Ronnie William · December 29th, 2004, 11:35 AM

HEY MATT
LET ME SEE IF I UNDERSTAND THIS - [NEW TO VIDEO] WITH THE FS-4 THERE IS NO NEED FOR A TAPE TO BE INSERTED INTO THE CAM ALL FEED IS GOIN TO THE FS-4?

OR

CAN A TAPE BE STILL USED I GUESS AS A BACK-UP

Chris Hurd · December 29th, 2004, 04:18 PM

Ronnie

It seems that your Caps Lock key is stuck -- please turn it off!

Whether or not you need a DV cassette in the camera just depends on which camera in particular that you're talking about. Some do. Others don't. At any rate, you can always have a DV tape inserted and recording for backup (which is called "confidence recording" in this business).

Ronnie William · December 29th, 2004, 08:43 PM

oh ok -- thanks chris
and sorry bout the caps [my bad]
i am shooting with a canon xl2

November 2nd, 2004, 02:06 AM	#31
Paul Colt Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 35	Does it matter I think just like many of the others on this thread have pointed out what is the difference between the PAL and NTSC models? I'm sure if I shot some clips with a PAL camera the hard drive would for NTSC would record it. I am a Yank Videographer working in Asia and I use both formats frequently why not make one unit compatable for both? I'll probably buy the US unit ( cheaper ) and buy third party adaptors to power it. Like many others in Europe tired of getting ripped just because we use PAL which is a superior format anyhow. __________________ Paul Anthony Videography Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

November 29th, 2004, 09:49 AM	#32
Dan Wiencek New Boot Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 12	Any update on FS-4 street date? Matt (or someone), can you confirm that the FS-4 will ship before the end of December? I've got a big project scheduled for early January and have the go-ahead to order a DTD drive, but I can't order the FS-4 unless I know it will be in my hands before Christmas. Thanks!

December 12th, 2004, 10:34 PM	#35
Mike Harvey Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 43	FAT32 file size I saw that the FS-4 is formated in FAT32. Given the FAT32's file size limit of 4gb, how does the the FS-4 overcome this? I might have a gig this spring that requires me to shoot a 2 hour event nonstop. Would this be possible using the FS-4?

December 13th, 2004, 11:49 AM	#36
Vic Owen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 540	The Firestore breaks up continuous video streams into 2GB segments. The typically splice together seamlessly. __________________ -- Vic Owen --

December 16th, 2004, 06:34 PM	#39
Brad Richmond Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 81	Hi Matt, A quick question regarding user defined time lapse. The spec sheet says that the FS-4 does not offer this, but the FS-4 Pro does. Can you give more information on time lapse and those specific differences between the FS-4 & FS-4 Pro. Thanks! __________________ Brad Richmond Doubledogs Video Overland Park, KS www.doubledogsvideo.com video@doubledogs.com

November 29th, 2004, 09:46 PM	#33
Jim Sofranko Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: West Shokan, NY Posts: 217	Another question on the PAL setup. If I buy an NTSC US model FS-4 for a Canon XL2 NTSC camera will it be compatible for my Canon XL1 PAL? Thanks.

November 30th, 2004, 11:37 PM	#34
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	Will the FS-4 support HDV? I don't see it listed on the specs, so I'm assuming it won't, but FocusInfo did say back in April that they intended to develop HDV products, so I'm hoping that maybe the as-yet-unreleased FS-4 will support it?

December 13th, 2004, 12:33 PM	#37
Mike Harvey Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 43	Groovy, thanks! <<<-- Originally posted by Vic Owen : The Firestore breaks up continuous video streams into 2GB segments. The typically splice together seamlessly. -->>>

December 14th, 2004, 02:53 PM	#38
Chris Kamilar New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas,TX Posts: 6	There is some difference between the PAL and NTSC unit, or they would be interchangeable. I would guess that there are most likely some differences in the software, not the hardware. I have a guess you might consider: If one version of software was used it would mean that the code would have to be more complex, more costly to maintain, and the hardware would be more expensive. If there are two versions of the software, then the cost for development and maintaining them can be combined and everyone pays more, or each kept separate and you pay based on sales volume and market for the version you use. Along with issue in distribution, marketing, order fulfillment, and production. I wonder if my guess has anything to do with the price difference. Either way, I have four on order.

December 20th, 2004, 09:29 AM	#40
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Brad, You are correct, the basic FS-4 does not support timelapse. FS-4Pro does however. The basic differences between FS-4 and FS-4Pro can be found on the back page of the spec sheet at: http://www.focusinfo.com/products/firestore/FS4features.htm Hope that helps, Matt McEwen

December 20th, 2004, 11:40 AM	#41
Giroud Francois Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: switzerland Posts: 2,133	thanks for the info, but what about a date for the release of the device. December was announced and it hardly looks like this will be impossible. new deadline ? It is not just to kick you about a touchy question, it is because i got project waiting for this.

December 28th, 2004, 02:54 PM	#42
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Giroud, The first beta units are now with customers. Depending on how the beta test phase continues to pan out, I would expect volume shipments for FS-4 some time in January. So, please be prepared to roll tape for at least a little while longer. I will post to this board when I have a better idea. Thanks for your patience. Matt McEwen

December 29th, 2004, 11:35 AM	#43
Ronnie William Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 26	HEY MATT LET ME SEE IF I UNDERSTAND THIS - [NEW TO VIDEO] WITH THE FS-4 THERE IS NO NEED FOR A TAPE TO BE INSERTED INTO THE CAM ALL FEED IS GOIN TO THE FS-4? OR CAN A TAPE BE STILL USED I GUESS AS A BACK-UP

December 29th, 2004, 04:18 PM	#44
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Ronnie It seems that your Caps Lock key is stuck -- please turn it off! Whether or not you need a DV cassette in the camera just depends on which camera in particular that you're talking about. Some do. Others don't. At any rate, you can always have a DV tape inserted and recording for backup (which is called "confidence recording" in this business). __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 29th, 2004, 08:43 PM	#45
Ronnie William Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 26	oh ok -- thanks chris and sorry bout the caps [my bad] i am shooting with a canon xl2