My understanding, and please correct me if I'm wrong, is that the FS-C records m2t files that need to be converted for editing (in FCP).. so, whether it's 1080i or 24f, the files will need to be converted before editing... which in my opinion pretty much negates the time-frame advantage of tapeless acquisition...

I have not heard if doing this software conversion in any way sacrifices image quality, but I would assume that any time HDV is re-compressed you're going to lose something...

In my case, I bought an HV10 on sale at Circuit City and use it whenever I need to load 24f material (it also works as a nice little HDV helmet camera). Okay, it's not a "tapeless sollution" and probably shouldn't be mentioned in this forum. But it cost less than the Firestore, it works, and it has other uses...

Hi Steve,

The new 2.0 firmware for FS-C added QuickTime HDV record capabilities for 1080i50/60 when used with the XL-H1. HDV QT clips recorded with FS-C 2.0 allowed files to drop into the FCP timeline without conversion. The 2.1 upgrade (which is in beta now), will add the ability to record 1080i/24F/25F/30F as QuickTime HDV files which can be used instantly in FCP.

All models still have M2T capability for other NLEs.

Hope that clears it up.

Matt

Matt, that's good to know... I will get one from ZGC then...

What's the difference bewteen FS-C & FS-4 HD?
 

After a lengthly conversation on the phone I ordered a 60GB unit but it appears I got the wrong item. I use a Canon A1 and apparently I should have a FS-C but I was sent a FS-4 HD.

Is there something wrong here?

Sounds like you need to check with your dealer. There is quite a difference between the FS-C and the FS-4HD. What does the screen say when you boot the unit up..."welcome to...".

Matt

Hi Matt,
I spoke with Joe, a tech at Focus Enhanc., even this morning and he told me there's no difference between the two products. I mentioned your name and he knew you, said you're the guy who trained them. lol This is pretty lame as it appears that you're the only one who knows anything about this product, even the tech support is confused.

I'm not home but will be in a few hrs, I'll boot it up and let you know what it says.

Also, I just hung up with someone from Video Guys and he was kind enough offering to take it back. The problem is, even he said they were the same products and that the FS-4 HD Pro supports QT 1080i/24F.

So, Matt do you know where I can get the FS-C from? Video Guys do not carry it.

Jay

Where to buy FS-C?
 

I'm returning my FS-4 to the video guys but they don't carry the FS-C.

Who sells the FS-C for a great price these days?

Thanks,
Jay

I bought my FS-C from B&H. They have the 100GB model for $1799 and the 60GB model for $1249.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

I they have them both in stock. I ordered mine and had it within a week. So far I've been really happy with it!

FS-C FCP Workflow
 

This has probably been addressed but I couldn't find it.

Can someone give me the workflow if I capture from my Canon XH-A1 on my firestore FS-C in 1080/24f mt2 and then getting it into Final Cut Pro 5.1.2

How long does it take to convert and what kind of compression or image quality change/loss do you get?
What is the best program? Can you take 20 files and convert them together (batch convert)?

I don't want to do the conversion, but since we are going to be waiting a while on the 2.1 firestore 24f upgrade. I have to decide between doing this or just buy a Hv-10 and use it as a capture deck for 24f.

Thanks,
Ryan

Ryan, check out this thread at dvxuser. Juan Diaz takes you through his workaround step-by-step:
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=83040

Fs-c 2.1?
 

Any update on the FS-C firestore 2.1 release. Anyone beta testing it? Still looking for 24f support recorded as quicktime.
Also any idea about using it with the new HV20. Will the update let you record 24p?

Thanks
Ryan

Still Waiting....
 

I've been waiting over 2 weeks for B&H to get these in stock and no luck. Anyone have any idea what the holdup is on the FS-C 60GB unit? Is it software issues?

Tom

On this site we refer *all* where-to-buy questions to our site sponsors:

http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors

The FS-C HD60.....
 

Does anybody have it yet and if so, where the hell did you buy it?

When Is The Fs-c 60gb Model Going To Ship?
 

Can someone from with either Focus or Canon answer this question? I've been waiting WEEKS for a 60GB model to ship and no one from either Focus or Canon can tell me anything about when it's going to happen. Focus says it's Canons fault but now looking at B&H it looks like they are completely sold out of all of their current line of Focus products. Is Focus going out of business? What is going on here???

I'm real close to canceling my order and moving to another platform. I feel like I’m getting ripped off anyway (Battery Life, 8 min files) and the shipping delay is just adding insult to injury.

[I feel like I’m getting ripped off anyway (Battery Life, 8 min files) and the shipping delay is just adding insult to injury.]

Tom, what do you mean with "battery life and 8 min files"? Are the FS batteries short life? How short?

And about the files, do they have at max 8 minutes? Dou you know how they are organized into the FS (folder/clip/... by numbers)?

Thanks. Juliana.

Done waiting!
 

Just cancelled my order with B&H. Waited over 30 days and no word/response from either Canon or Focus. I'll be looking for another option other than Focus.

Mid May
 

Just got a message from B&H regarding this, since we have one on
back order. Said Mid May would be shipping. Great.

FS-C Firmware Update
 

Release notes:

version 2.1.0.04032307 (for 60HZ systems only):
- Fixed QUICKTIME 1080/24F, 1080/30F, 1080/25F, and 720/25P
- Fixes to handle distruptions in recorded MPEG stream
NOTE: A new track will be created at the point of discontinuity.
- Upon System Reset, the default HD FORMAT is QUICKTIME
- Stores HD/DV FORMAT when switching between HD RECORDER and DV RECORDER mode
- Corrected several Disk Full errors
- Removed FC DV/HD from FUNCTION menu

Here is a link for the update:
http://www.focusinfo.com/dynassets/d...te_wManual.zip

Haven't tried it yet, but wanted to pass it along.

See Barlow Elton's review of it here: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=90587

Does anyone know if this update or another will correct the FS4-HDPro that was sold as a package deal with the XLH1 during the time of last year's NAB?

This update won't work on an FS4-ProHD, just tried it.

:(

HV20 and FS-C
 

Anyone know if the FS-c would work with the Canon HV-20?
With the new update can you record the 24p mode? I guess you would record it at 1080/60i right?
Ryan

Thanks for trying anyway.

It's a shame as we were led to believe the FS4-ProHD was THE unit for the XLH1.

We can not use the unit when shooting HD for a FCP editor. And it's a real problem as several of our client stations have gone to FCP as their editor. So instead of handing off a a Firestore to them for editing, we have to either go thru the extra steps of capturing and converting the m2t files to QT or hand off HDV tapes for them to capture - an extra step for them. ..Or just stick with 60i.

Can someone from Firestore explain why there is no patch for the FS4-ProHD?

Agreed, I feel the same. I've got three of them and am not particularly interested in tossing them out to buy FS-Cs.

If Focus would come out and say "Yeah, there's X Y Z special chip in the FS-C that allows it to do 24p HDV, so we can't port it to the FS4ProHD" I'd understand, but up until now it's seemed very arbitrary. Poking through a hex dump of the FS-C update, one gets a similar impression ...

I downloaded the update and it works like magic with my FS-C, XH-A1 and FCP.
Now if I could just get it to work with my HV20.
Ryan

FS-C 100 Shipping.....
 

Word from ZGC.com is that the FS-C 100 are shipping from Canon/Focus and should be in their hands by the end of this week. I've asked but didn't get word yet if and when the FS-C 60 will be shipping.

Ryan, do you really own the FS-C? Where/when did you buy it?

Yes I own the 60BG version FS-C. I bought it off of a very unhappy customer that bought it for his XL-H1 and when it didn't work great he sold it to me for $500! He didn't wait for version 2.0 and the new 2.1. I have been using it as a paperweight for 4 months while I waited for the 2.1. Now I am happy, and he is...

I just got mine shipped from zgc.com on Thursday. You just gotta hunt around.

Thanks James but you'll notice my original post was from almost a month ago and there weren’t any available back then.

Well I got mine today but I also got an e-mail from B&H saying that they're in stock. I totally recommend it. Very cool and worked right outta the box.

New FS-C problem
 

I recently received the 60 gig FS-C's for our A1 cameras and have been working with them before our next shoot. The problem is that when set up for Quicktime, the only file that is recorded is the audio portion. I'm capturing default frame rate in HDV. When set to Mt2, all works as expected with both video and audio captured. Am I overlooking something in either the FS-C setup or the XH-A1 configuration?

Thank you for any thoughts you may have.

Jan-Arden Peteren

Do you have the newest update. 2.1? I think only in the last few weeks have they shipped with it built in.
Are you shooting 24F? or 60i? The 2.0 won't record 24f as QT. 2.1 will work fine.
Make sure have the camera hooked up when you turn on the Firestore. Sometimes that helps.
Ryan

FS-C for A1 and HV20?
 

I know the FS-C is designed to work with Canon cameras and I have an A1, but I also have an HV20. Will it work with both these?

Thanks for the help.

Fs-c
 

I too have a XH-a1 and a HV-20. The FS-C works great with the Xh-A1 in all modes (if you have version 2.1). It also works with the HV-20 if you shoot straight HDV 60i. I could not get it to work with the 24p option however.
Ryan

Thanks for the info. I am trying to find a single solution for both cameras.

Of course I like to shoot the HV20 in 24p... hmmm. Seems they should do a firmware update? It's a popular enough camera.

I like Canon's CONSOLE too, but it doesn't work with the HV20 at all to my knowledge.

Late reply
 

Sorry for the late reply, we've been out of the studio extensivly during the recital season. I do have the 2.1 version, and I am shooting at 60i. I will try your tip of making sure the firestore is hooked up and on before turning the camera on. Sometimes the smallest detail makes the biggest difference.
Thank you for your thoughts.

Can't get FS-C to appear on Mac desktop.
 

I've tried plugging the FS-C into various different firewire ports, have rebooted etc but can't seem to get the firestore to show up on my Mac desktop.

Any ideas from you guys?

Thanks,

Harry

Firestore FS-C Questions
 

Looking to buy the FS-C, but can't exactly tell what it comes with? Does it include a battery? On B&H it doesn't say it includes this.

Also, will the FS-C record HDV 24F footage in it's true 23.98fps? It states it will record .M2T files in a 1080i stream. But 24F doesn't add pulldown...

Thanks,
Blake

Blake:

Ours came with a battery, an AC adapter/charger, a short firewire cable, and some mounting hardware. Extra batteries can be bought.

Mark