Firestore FS-C various topics
 

Hello,

I have pre-ordered a Canon A1 and am very interested in a tapeless solution for it. I called Focus Enhancements and they said that the FS-C would be compatable.

My problem is, I can't seem to find a vendor for it. FE says they only shipped to Canon. I called Canon and they said they would not be carrying it. B&H doesn't carry it. A google returned no retailers.

Is this thing on the market yet? I have read a post about somebody already having theirs. Where can I buy it? Is it buggy?

check with Gary from Videoguys.com yet?

I have not spoken with Gary, but videoguys.com does not have any listing for this product.

I have asked my contact at Canon...should be able to get you an answer shortly. The FS-4Pro HD will also work with the new Canon camcorders.

Hope that helps,

Matt

whats the benefits of the FS-C then? why did you make one especialy for canon if the other models can do it?

The FS-c versions of FireStore are only avasilable through Canon dealers who carry the high end cams.

The FS-4 HD is the same product. Canaon has been given a 10GB versioin which we do not have access to yet. Unlike the firestores for JVC ProHD & Pan HVX200 cams, the Canon units are the same guts as the FS-4 HD we have in stock.

Which BTW, we are offering a free HD upgrade witht eh standard FS-4, so that's a pretty hot deal http://www.videoguys.com/FireStore.html

Gary

The big difference between the models is that the FS-C is available with a 60 or 100GB HDD (the FS-4Pro HD is available with a 40 or 80GB HDD) and the FS-C ships with a mounting kit for the XL-H1.

Matt

Thanks for the info. With all the trouble people are having with the FS-4 and HDV, I am a bit disappointed that this is the same unit not a new piece of gear. Does the mounting bracket work on the A1?

So when will it be available for purchase? And from who?

FS-C is shipping now. I would check the list of authorized Canon XL-H1 dealers on the Canon website in order to find a dealer. http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...orize_Dealers\

You can mount the FS-C to the hot shoe on the A1 using the Focus camera mount kit.

Hope that helps,

Matt

Thanks. That does help. I really appreciate you taking the time. Cheers!

I heard back from Canon. Dealers that are selling FS-C include Audio Video Corp, Band Pro, Bel Air Camera, Calumet Photographic, The Camera Company, Industrial Audio Video, Professional Video and Tape, ProMax, Samy's Camera, Showcase Photographic, TV Specialists, Video Service of America and VMI. Of course, as Gary Bettan mentioned, if you decide to go with the FS-4Pro HD, Videoguys has a great HD special going on.

Hope that helps,

Matt

hi, can you sugest anywhere in london, UK where i can get my hands on a FS-C to try out / buy. and what is the uk price for it?

Can you tell me if the FS-C will also work with the Sony cameras? (ie, does it have all the functionality of the FS-4 HD with extra drive space and mounting brackets?)

Hi Eric,

Yes, FS-C will work with other DV and HDV camcorders.

Matt

Good deal - I just purchased 3 of them.

Perhaps you could answer this for me. We purchased them overnight delivery and Bandpro helped us out, but they all came w/ v1 software and we need v2 for our shoot tomorrow. I plan on calling Focus in the morning at 8am, but is there anything you could suggest? Please feel free to PM me.

Thanks.

Unfortunately, the 2.0 upgrade is only available from the Focus webstore at the moment.

Matt

FS-C & 24f
 

I have been trying to discover if the FS-c, supposedly designed specifically for the Canon XL-H1, supports 24f. I need to shoot several commercials in 24 in less than 2 weeks, and need a good sollution for getting the clips into my computer (without buying Canon's little consumer camera).. Does anyone know?

It is possible to record the 1080i/24F standard on FS-C in the M2T file format. It is not currently supported for QuickTime HDV support, but we are working on it. I am not aware of an NLE application that supports M2T 1080i/24F, but you may like to check with Canon.

Matt

Well, darn.. any ETA on 24f support? I am currently about to shoot a series of commercials and the client wants a 24p look, I had hoped this would solve the issue for me... I don't like to use my camera as a deck and a "tapeless" option would sure have been nice to have...

I will probably go ahead and order an FS-C from ZGC anyway just to have it. I assume that this unit will be upgradeable when the 24f option is available, yes?

With the addition of small preset files that one can download from the Adobe site, PPro 2.0 captures and edits Canon 24F, 25F, and 30F. PPro cannot currently export 24F to tape.

We are working on 1080i/24F support now. I do not have an ETA as yet. As long as it is possible for us to support it (assuming there is no gotchas that prevent us from supporting it), we will offer an update to FS-C.

hey matt,
do u have a link to the videoguys site?

I don't know who they are or how to reach out to them.

Thanks,
Jay

Don't know who they are? VideoGuys is a DV Info Net site sponsor.

Don't know how to reach out to them? Click on our Sponsors link in the right corner of the blue bar at the top of every page (maybe I need to make that text bigger) -- full contact info, phone, location, web address etc. on that page. Or click on their banner, it cycles through at the top of any page here.

oh cool, thanks chris.

Took the plunge...
 

Well, I just ordered a FS-C 60GB for my A1. Boy this was a gut wrenching decision since it costs as mush as a great new Macbook. I am still writhing in pain, but I NEED a tapeless solution.

I am concerend about the 5400 speed drives and the FAT32 file structure. Pretty low specs, but might save battery life. Not to mention that horrible audio problems that have been reported with the cooling fan.

Since there was no way to try it out before the purchase, I have my fingers crossed. Thank the gods that B&H allows returns.

I also had to buy the 2.0 upgrade from Focus Enhancements. Pretty sad that you buy a brand new piece of equipment and you already have to buy the upgrade. But, QT HDV is paramount.

I will let you guys know how it goes.

UK FS-C Availability
 

Anyone know if it is available in the UK?

Thanks

I believe it is available in the UK...or will be shortly. I would recommend you contact the Focus distributor in the UK who is Holdan... http://www.holdan.co.uk/ . I believe they have been working with Canon UK.

Hope that helps,
Matt

HDV Upgrade
 

I agree, its sad to have to pay for a firmware upgrade on a brand new product. To make it even worse, I need it right away and Focus Enhancement's quickest available option is $24 for overnight shipping of a CD that won't be shipped for 2 business days = $24 for 3 day shippping! Outrageous!

Is there no way to get this quicker? I'm willing to pay if it were actually shipped right away.

Hi Cody and Ivan,

If your FS-C was purchased on or after October 4, 2006, the 2.0 upgrade should have been included. I assume there was some units in the field that may have not had the upgrade. PM me and I will take care of this for you. You will also need a dated copy of your FS-C receipt.

Thanks,

Matt

That is news to me.

I should be getting my FS-C from B&H tomorrow and the 2.0 disk was also ordered on the same day - Nov 25th.

Your site (FE) does not say that the new units ship with the HDV, only that if you want QT HDV that you need to buy it. Very confusing consumer experience. So I guess I blew $50? Can I get a refund on the disk?

Hi Cody,

PM me offline and I will take care of this for you.

The website is being corrected.

Matt

I saw the change to the website. Excellent and speedy response to customer needs. Thanks Matt!

FS-C, Retro Cache problem
 

I shoot a lot of sports highlights, so the retro cache on my FS-4 w/ a Canon XL-1s has been invaluable to streamline my workflow. I've used this setup since the FS-4 was released with now problems.

Yesterday I tried out my new FS-C w/ Canon XL-H1 shooting HDV in retro-cache mode with a 10 second cache. On several occasions, after having started recording, upon trying to stop the recording via camera controls the FS-C locks up. The indicator in the viewfinder temporarily switches to stop, then back to record. The display on the FS-C says "Please Wait" with a progress bar that continuously scrolls from empty to full. The FS-C doesn't respond to any key pushes, including holding down the select to reset the display. The only solution was to hold down stop to power off the device and the clip that had been recording disappears.

Has anyone else seen this problem? Here were my settings:

FSC v1.0.0
HDV .m2t format
Control mode: Tapeless
Record mode: retro cache = 10 sec

XL-H1 has DV control enabled.

I just upgraded the firmware to v2.0. I hoping this will solve this problem. I'll post feedback after using it tonight.

Problem still exists with firmware v2.0
 

I just confirmed that I can reproduce this problem after upgrading to v2.0. The only change in my settings posted above are the firmware version and the use of quicktime format instead of .m2t.

Call Tapeworks Texas and speak to Scott, he's very friendly and helpful. They do carry the Focus FS-C.

I just ordered the Focus FS-C 60GB for my Canon XH-A1, bought it at Tapeworks Texas (ask for Scott).

how much did it total?

The Focus FS-C 60GB cost me $1174.95

XH-A1 and FS-C Truth
 

I am trying to get answers from someone that has done this.
1) Does the Firestore FS-C work without a hitch with the Canon XH-A1. Has anyone actually used it with the 2.0 firmware upgrade in the 1080/60i HDV mode and it be reliable.
2) Does the FS-C (or any firestore) record the 24f or 30f of the XH-A1. The booklet on the FS-C says it records avi 24p and Quicktime 24p ad it will record 1080/24 fps as a .mt2 file. Does this actually work?
I really need a tapeless solution and just would like to avoid the hassle of getting one and returning it if it doesn't work.
Thanks,
Ryan Flesher
XH-A1
FCP 5.1.2
Fig rig

Hi Ryan,

We have beta software in test right now to support 1080i/24F, 25F and 30F modes with the XH-A1/G1 and XL-H1. We have not tested an A1 as yet, but have done extensive testing with the XL-H1. I understand Canon has tested the A1 with FS-C.

Hope that helps,
Matt