Fire Stores? FS-3 & FS-4
 

Hi

I am thinking of buying a FireStore for my XL2.

Is it a good device?

Which one is better FS-3 or the newer version FS-4

Could the Image quality be better with them?


thank you

Your recording (storing) medium will not improve or degrade the image quality, it's nothing but zeros and ones. You have to "master" the tools themselves, in this case, the camera.

Jay

We're working up a review on the FS-4. For a review of the FS-3, see:

http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article88.php

As Jay says, within the digital domain of DV there is no difference in "quality." The differences between the FS-3 and FS-4 have to do with feature sets.

I have the FS-4 Pro. I have three complaints about it.

(1) File system is FAT32 only. You cannot change it to NTFS.

(2) Battery is a miserly 90 minutes, but the hard drive can record for six hours.

(3) You have to order a separate $200 kit to be able to mount it on the computer -- it should come with the kit!

Other than those complaints it performs it's function well.

Dave M.

"mount it on the computer"

I think you meant to say "mount it on the camcorder."

You're correct Chris. Thanks.
Dave M.

The FS-3 has the following disadvantages:

(1) File system is FAT32 only. You cannot change it to NTFS.

(2) Requires an expensive, and compared to the FS-4, heavy battery system.

(3) Mounting it to your camcorder can be a real challenge, and will increase the overall weight of your set up considerably.

(4) The menu navigation, compared to the FS-4, is not as advanced (unless Focus has changed that in newer models of the FS-3.

(5) Costs a lot more than the FS-4.

The FS-3 has the following advantages:

(1) It is just about silent (no cooling fan)

(2) Has easily swappable HDDs

(3) It is made out of metal and is very solid.

(4) Accepts an assortment of professional battery systems.

Hello,

Keep in mind though that FS-3 was designed for full-size, shoulder mount DV camcorders (Sony, JVC, Ikegami, Panasonic) and FS-4 for hand-held DV camcorders...hence that FS-3 uses the camcorder's battery which you already own (Anton, IDX, PAG, NP etc....). If you own one of the larger camcorders, mounting is a breeze. It can be tough to mount it to a hand-held camcorder as Daniel has pointed out. If you do own a hand-held camcorder, FS-4 is the way to go.

Hope that helps,

Matt