View Full Version : How are you mounting your FS-4 HD?


Bill Edmunds
August 22nd, 2007, 10:34 AM
What are you using to mount the FS-4 HD to your JVC 100/110?

Bill Ravens
August 22nd, 2007, 02:43 PM
Jvc makes a mount.
Firestore makes a mount.
IDX and AB both make mounts.

Somewhere in there are all the parts for a perfect solution.

Glen Vandermolen
August 22nd, 2007, 02:53 PM
I thought only the DR-HD100 would work with JVC HDV cameras.

Tim Dashwood
August 22nd, 2007, 03:34 PM
If you have the Anton Bauer mount I have a step-by-step tutorial in the works that I'll publish on the web as soon as I have the time.

In the meantime I've attached some of the photos I've taken for the tutorial.

You will need to purchase ABWMK-HD100 Kit from Anton Bauer as well as PowerTap FS4 14" power cable. (pictured below)

Edit: There is apparently a kit called the ABFSKIT1 that includes all of the above.

Bill Edmunds
August 22nd, 2007, 03:35 PM
If you have the Anton Bauer mount I have a step-by-step tutorial in the works that I'll publish on the web as soon as I have the time.

In the meantime I've attached some of the photos I've taken for the tutorial.

You will need to purchase ABWMK-HD100 Kit from Anton Bauer as well as PowerTap FS4 14" power cable. (pictured below)
Great pix Tim, thanks. Alas I'm using an IDX mounting system.

Tim Dashwood
August 22nd, 2007, 03:36 PM
I thought only the DR-HD100 would work with JVC HDV cameras.

The DR-HD100 is the only DTE solution that will provide on-screen status display in the viewfinder, and encapsulate 720p24, 25, & 30 into Quicktime HDV, as well as m2t or DV capture options.

m2t capture is possible with other products.

Tim Dashwood
August 22nd, 2007, 03:39 PM
Great pix Tim, thanks. Alas I'm using an IDX mounting system.

I can't offer any first hand experience then. Sorry. I've played with the JVC demo models that featured the IDX FS-4/DR-HD100 mount, but I have no idea what the model numbers are. I believe there is another thread from about 3 or 4 months ago that did have this info.

Bill Ravens
August 22nd, 2007, 04:02 PM
Two things:
1-I use a firestore FS4HD; and it works great with my HD110. The red/green LED on top of the unit is all the indication I need to know whether the unit is recording. IMHO the DR-HD100 is overpriced for what you get in the viewfinder. Tru, as Tim said, the FS4 won't record to .mov, but, with Cineform, who cares. Both units suffer from a weakly designed firewire connector, resulting in quite common dropouts whilst recording. I'm NOT impressed with this feature.

2-The IDX mount will put the FS4 on the starboard side of the HD110, resulting in a tendency to make the unit want to tip outboard, making shoulder holding tiring. I've combined the IDX mount with the AB aft mount to allow mounting the FS4 behind the battery compartment. You will need to drill one hole and tap it with a fine thread tap. Works like a champ.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472183-REG/JVC_HWRHD100KIT_HWRHD100KIT_Accessory_Bracket.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/472152-REG/JVC_ABFSKIT1_ABFSKIT1_Accessory_Bracket.html

Marc Colemont
August 23rd, 2007, 03:24 AM
I use 3 wide strips of Velcro to put it on the back of my Swit Battery.
Works fine and safe as it really sticks on.

Alan Ortiz
August 23rd, 2007, 11:36 AM
velcro all the way! ive NEVER had a problem in any situation with it coming loose and the FS4 lies flat against my IDX batteries.

BT Corwin
August 23rd, 2007, 05:40 PM
I use the A/B bracket for my own camera, and also have wide heavy duty velcro on them as well (its actually on the battery pack) for other cameras w/o the A/B bracket.
Actually, the velcro is more secure! The A/B bracket has quite a bit of wiggle to it.

regards,

Bill Edmunds
August 24th, 2007, 07:34 AM
velcro all the way! ive NEVER had a problem in any situation with it coming loose and the FS4 lies flat against my IDX batteries.
How does it lie flat against the IDX batteries? My IDX batts aren't flat -- they have a v-mount on the back for stacking batteries.

Alan Ortiz
August 28th, 2007, 12:49 AM
ahh, well thats simple actually- i bought the cheaper ones (s series) that dont have the stackable v connector. if you can get it off then you simply place the heavy duty velcro on the FS4-HD and match it up (it should already have velcro on its back and battery pack) and then place it on the battery. Let it sit for a few hours to ensure the glue has set. Ive been using it like this for the past eight months without it ever falling off, even with the constant removing and reattaching of the FS4 to the IDX batt. Its a good combo with the anton power tap feeding it juice.

Scott Keyworth
August 31st, 2007, 10:50 AM
Anton/Bauer will have a new mount available in September. I would like to post pictures if someone would tell how. And if the moderators will let me. I know that this board is about information and not sales....

Scott Keyworth
Anton/Bauer, Inc

Tim Dashwood
August 31st, 2007, 01:49 PM
Anton/Bauer will have a new mount available in September. I would like to post pictures if someone would tell how. And if the moderators will let me. I know that this board is about information and not sales....

Scott Keyworth
Anton/Bauer, Inc

You can attach photos to a post by clicking "Manage Attachments" as you are composing your reply. It is found below the text window in 'Additional Options.' You can upload 8 photos at a time.

Jad Meouchy
September 2nd, 2007, 01:27 PM
I have the AB mount as well, but I found it threw off the balance of the camera more than I wanted, so I got out the power tools and made a new one. Also, I needed something a little more rigid for flying on a sled. This one is made out of aluminum, bolts in three places, and works very well, though it's not as pretty.

Alan Ortiz
September 2nd, 2007, 02:24 PM
awesome! battle damage!

Adam Grunseth
September 2nd, 2007, 06:05 PM
I just got a couple drywall brakets from my local hardware store, used the screw holes on the side of the IDX battery plate to mount them to my camera, then mounted the firestore to that.... total cost less than $10.

Julian Maytum
September 2nd, 2007, 07:12 PM
Velcro on the back of my AB Dionic 90 :P

Works a treat and is cheap!

Julian

Nick Kesler
September 3rd, 2007, 09:05 PM
I use this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352081-REG/Noga_NF1105SA_NF1105SA_Articulated_Mounting_Arm.html

It's a fully articulate arm that allows you to place it on the top (and favor the front or back) or side of the camera. Since I use different batteries, lights, lenses, etc. I can reposition the DR-HD100 to get the proper balance. It mounts in the screw hole on the top handle of the 250's. Not sure if the other cameras have this mount.

Scott Keyworth
September 4th, 2007, 02:28 PM
Hope this worked

Scott Keyworth

Bill Edmunds
September 4th, 2007, 02:29 PM
I just got a couple drywall brakets from my local hardware store, used the screw holes on the side of the IDX battery plate to mount them to my camera, then mounted the firestore to that.... total cost less than $10.
Any chance you could post some images of this?

Scott Keyworth
September 4th, 2007, 02:41 PM
Sorry could only get the Press release to up load.

Scott Keyworth

Julian Maytum
September 7th, 2007, 01:54 AM
Sorry could only get the Press release to up load.

Scott Keyworth

I don`t see this on the AB web site Scott.. is it available yet as I would like to get it!

Julian

Scott Keyworth
September 7th, 2007, 07:02 AM
Julian, Yes it is available. Call me at the office. 203.929.1100

Scott Keyworth

Heath Vinyard
September 16th, 2007, 10:33 PM
I built my own that mounts right behind the IDX battery. I didn't like the side mount and wanted something that sat behind the battery, so I just made my own.

Joseph A. Benoit
September 16th, 2007, 11:22 PM
Hi HEATH
Can you post a picture of mount you built.
I 'm using a IDX side mount
thanks
Joe

Heath Vinyard
September 20th, 2007, 12:14 PM
Hi HEATH
Can you post a picture of mount you built.
I 'm using a IDX side mount
thanks
Joe

Sorry this took so long.

Phil Bloom
November 12th, 2007, 04:16 PM
with the idx mount is it a d-tap connector and if so how long is the lead?

William Hohauser
November 12th, 2007, 04:52 PM
Realizing that this is a discussion of how to mount the FS4 to the camera, however it might be informative to add my simple tripod mounting technique.

I take a large locking cable tie, loosely wrap it around the base of the tripod head and lock it loose. Now I have a convenient place to hang the FS4 with it's belt clip. The firewire is dangling but it's workable for most situations.