A few Firestore/XH-A1 questions at DVinfo.net

Clay K. Carson · October 16th, 2007, 08:27 AM

I am hoping for a quick clarification. If I buy the current version of the FS-C
and use it with my XH-A1, will I be able to use the files in FCP 6 in all HD modes (60i,30F,24F) by dropping them straight in with no extra conversions?

How long does the battery really last?

Anyone have a photo of the FS-C mounted to an XH-A1.

Thanks for your help?

Clay

David W. Jones · October 16th, 2007, 09:01 PM

Clay, if the firestore has the latest version of software, it should shoot in quicktime mode and you can use the files in FCP. Or you can shoot in transport stream mode and use something like MPEG Streamclip to convert the files. The battery is the weak link, not lasting very long at all.

As much as I would like to purchase a firestore for my XH-A1, I have had nothing but bad luck with any of the HD units I have demo'd.
We purchased something like 23 of the Firestore FS-3 DV models and had to send them all back for repair, as a hard drive shielding problem let a high pitch wine into any audio recorded by the camera.
The other problem we have had with them is sometimes the hard drive will reach it's thermal barrier and shut down during a shoot.

By the way, didn't our sons used to hang out together?

Clay K. Carson · October 16th, 2007, 09:10 PM

Thanks for the info, and yes, they did hang together. How is he doing?

Clay

Ryan Flesher · October 16th, 2007, 09:34 PM

I have a FS-C and I have used it with the XH-A1. The battery that comes with it only last about 90 minutes. I did buy a Powerbag Jr and it works well as a powersource.
It works well dropping into the FCP timeline.
Major issue is size and portability, especially with the PowerBag. Good for set interviews.

Ryan

Jeremiah Rickert · October 31st, 2007, 05:37 PM

Is the battery soldered into the machine, or can you buy an extra LIon battery for it?

I suppose if you're "in the field" you can just shoot to tape.

JR

Jerry Mennenga · November 1st, 2007, 08:14 PM

Clay, The Firestore, when I purchased it, gave me the option of buying a second battery through the video guys. It is a larger battery and easily lasts me 90 minutes to 2 hours, maybe more. It is slightly larger than the one that came with the unit. I can get through an entire highschool football game with interviews afterward as well as plenty of power to later donwload. During the entire time I am not justing it off. I have the FS-4 Pro HD 60 gig, and have had no problems. From what I understand from the Focus enhancement people, the FS-C was designed with the Canon XHA1's in mind. Send a query to their support group. I have found them very open and getting back to me within a day's time....

jerry
sioux city, iowa

October 16th, 2007, 08:27 AM	#1
Clay K. Carson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Little Rock, Ar Posts: 49	A few Firestore/XH-A1 questions I am hoping for a quick clarification. If I buy the current version of the FS-C and use it with my XH-A1, will I be able to use the files in FCP 6 in all HD modes (60i,30F,24F) by dropping them straight in with no extra conversions? How long does the battery really last? Anyone have a photo of the FS-C mounted to an XH-A1. Thanks for your help? Clay

October 31st, 2007, 05:37 PM	#5
Jeremiah Rickert Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newberg, Oregon Posts: 494	battery Is the battery soldered into the machine, or can you buy an extra LIon battery for it? I suppose if you're "in the field" you can just shoot to tape. JR

November 1st, 2007, 08:14 PM	#6
Jerry Mennenga Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sioux City, Iowa Posts: 98	firestore Clay, The Firestore, when I purchased it, gave me the option of buying a second battery through the video guys. It is a larger battery and easily lasts me 90 minutes to 2 hours, maybe more. It is slightly larger than the one that came with the unit. I can get through an entire highschool football game with interviews afterward as well as plenty of power to later donwload. During the entire time I am not justing it off. I have the FS-4 Pro HD 60 gig, and have had no problems. From what I understand from the Focus enhancement people, the FS-C was designed with the Canon XHA1's in mind. Send a query to their support group. I have found them very open and getting back to me within a day's time.... jerry sioux city, iowa

October 16th, 2007, 09:01 PM	#2
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	Clay, if the firestore has the latest version of software, it should shoot in quicktime mode and you can use the files in FCP. Or you can shoot in transport stream mode and use something like MPEG Streamclip to convert the files. The battery is the weak link, not lasting very long at all. As much as I would like to purchase a firestore for my XH-A1, I have had nothing but bad luck with any of the HD units I have demo'd. We purchased something like 23 of the Firestore FS-3 DV models and had to send them all back for repair, as a hard drive shielding problem let a high pitch wine into any audio recorded by the camera. The other problem we have had with them is sometimes the hard drive will reach it's thermal barrier and shut down during a shoot. By the way, didn't our sons used to hang out together?

October 16th, 2007, 09:10 PM	#3
Clay K. Carson Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Little Rock, Ar Posts: 49	Thanks for the info, and yes, they did hang together. How is he doing? Clay

October 16th, 2007, 09:34 PM	#4
Ryan Flesher Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: United States Posts: 56	I have a FS-C and I have used it with the XH-A1. The battery that comes with it only last about 90 minutes. I did buy a Powerbag Jr and it works well as a powersource. It works well dropping into the FCP timeline. Major issue is size and portability, especially with the PowerBag. Good for set interviews. Ryan