Did you put the FS-4 into what they call DD mode? I think you have to do this so it will be recognized as a (mounted) drive.

Thanks, Jim!

Yep, I did that as the manual shows but it still wouldn't work. However, I used a cable other than the one supplied with the FS-4 and that did the trick. When plugged in with the first cable, it is listed in Device Manager with an exclamation mark and error "Cannot start device". Swapped with second cable and the FS-4 shows up as a drive in My Computer.

My question now is whether or not it's best to use .DV or .AVI Type (1 or 2). When I say "better", I mean in terms of quality.

Thanks!

Frank:

Glad to see you got it working.

Randy

Hi Patric,
I've been having the very same Please Wait problems since the last udate.
I'd hoped the firestore was going to save me time, and when it performed as it should its been just what I wanted but thats becoming very infrequent. I'm now having problems getting the thing to sync at crucial times so I'm leaving the expensive little box off until focus come up with a fix. The only good thing about this is it will be one less battery to keep charged..

fs-4prohd and v1 settings for 1080i 24p
 

anybody using this setup


no time code showing up while recording


will be using FCP

It is my understanding that the FS4-ProHD will not record 24p frame rate QT files even with the latest updgrade.

Only the FS-C will record 24p QT files.

Me again...
The more I use it, the more problems I discover.... But now I am really angry!!
I guess I didn't made such long recordings before just short clips. I was filming a very long event in one "clip".
I opened the clips in Vegas and noticed that the event was divided in 9 minute clips by firestore.
All seemed OK....but... Remember the talk about "no dropped frames when the clips are splitted"?
Well...Frames are really not dropped but AUDIO IS!!! I just couldn't believe when I heard some strange clicks
where the clips are cut by firestore. It happens at every 9min12sec23frames. If I look closely at the cut
and I enlarge the audio waveform I can clearly see that there is some audio information missing where the cut is made.
Out of 10 cuts only one is perfect!! In all the others the audio is "interrupted". Just can't believe.
Hopefully I had my precious TAPE copy and I had to recapture the bad pieces ruined by firestore....
Because of firestore "problems" I always use a tape in my camera!!
Just really really dissapointed with it. How can I be confortable when passing to HDV for example and buying
one of the HDV units that are even more expensive??? Do they work with no problems? As far as I can read on these forums - NO!
Matt?

FS4 HD + GY-HD111E: unable to capture tapeless
 

Hi there! I am sorry if my English is not correct as your, but I never studied it too much (only 3 yrs at school): the rest is self learned on the Web, so please forgive my mistakes (I hope you'll understand me by the same).
It's my 1st post: congratulations to all the friends in this Forum, I found many helps in these years from you. But now... I am not able to find a solution to my problem:

I have a JVC GY-HD111E (PAL) with "(A)" firmware, so the one recommended by Focus. I have also a Focus FS4 HD (firmware 1.1.0) and I am not able to capturing in "tapeless" mode.

It's all ok with the tape, but when I switch it in "tapeless" mode I can capture clips of 2-5 secs and when I stop the recording with REC button the FS4 doesn't stop (or better: it stops and restart recording a new clip=!

FS4 Configuration:
Record: Normal
Hdd Mode: DV Recorder (same problem in HD, but let's use DV mode); Use ext. FS4: no
DV Formats: AVI Type2
Setup: time and date identical to the Camcorder's ones
Functions: FA Tapeless, FB Disp, FC Lock
Utilities: nothing special, I've formatted the HDD several times and restored factory default settings
Play: Play Clip
Control: Tapeless

When I press "Tapeless" (FA) button a black square (Stop Icon)+ "E" appears in the top left corner of the display. I press REC button on the camera and it starts recording (display light blinks blue and pink): it records few seconds, then it stop and restart recording a new clip of 2-max 5 seconds.

Could someone kindly help me?

Thank you all!

Sorry to hear of your troubles. The audio glitch at the clip boundries has been a problem since back in my FS-1 days and now with the FS-4. I've had lots of dialog with Matt about this issue, but have found no solution other than cutting-in a few seconds from the mini-dv tape from my XL-1 for the affected clips. My symptoms match yours -- 1-2 frames of perfect video, but missing audio.

I'm not familiar with the JVC so this might not be helpful, but on my Canon GL-2 I have to set the camera to provide "control" over the firewire in order to get tapeless recording on my FS-4 controlled by the button on the camera.

Have you checked if there is a similar setting on the JVC?

I am sorry but I have no words to describe the anger that I feel towards this device. This thing is driving me nuts. Now I always expect that something will go wrong... OK. What happened?

I was filming an event for an hour and half. Both FS4 and my XL1 were always ON. I only used REC/PAUSE on the camera. Again thanks god I had tape in my camera. I regularly check if the time code is running during recording.... So everything seemed fine when I returned home until I copied the material from FS4 to my PC. I knew I had filmed around 80min of material, but when I opened all the clips in Scenalyzer (which I always do to check for consistency and errors) the counter showed only around 62min. It was very strange so I made a so called scenalyzer cliplist file which essentially makes a text file very similar to an EDL list with file locations, timecodes, durations, errors etc... In that file I quickly saw serious timecode problems. Based on timecode data i saw that some clips were missing. Even one very large of about 15 minutes. There are some obvious timecode problems even in FS4's log. Please take a look at this:

This is the short version of Scenalyzer cliplist export:
(Pay attention to the places where instead of timecode only "-1" is shown -
looks like serious timecode problem.)
So a small clip is missing between 0:00:56:07 and 0:01:13:21. And then the large one between 0:20:30:00 and 0:36:31:23.

Same problems are visible also in FS4's own log.
Example:
See?? - where both timecodes start and end are 00:00:00:00. ????
I have timecode problems from the start because Vegas is not reading the FS4
timecode at all. So.... I had to manually capture the missing clips from the tape.
I also attached both log files if someone wants to analyze them.

Thank you Bohan. I'm sorry for your problems and hope you get them resolved. Your posts saved me $1000 and a world of grief. I will not even consider buying an FS product. Thank you.

To resolve some of the gaps in your files, check out this thread...

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...ight=danny+fye

It's a work around to the gaps problem. We use JVC HD-110 Cameras and record only to the firestores. We have never really had a problem with them other than the gaps. The construction I will admit is less than optimal - Their FS-3 units were MUCH more solid. But we use IDX battery systems and use a powertap connector off the battery mount to go to the firestore that actually powers the units, and it recharges them somewhat when they are plugged in. We never get the alarm problems. We have not recharged the firestore units in 3 months.

I have one as well
 

and I am less than impressed with it. the synchro slave issue is a major
pain. If you forget to set it, you have no footage. Tape is a pain to capture,
but is cheap and reliable. I am GLAD I didn't buy a Firestore for myself.
Work bought one for me. I HATE shooting tethered. Makes it a pain to
have both the FS4 and a Battery pack at the same time. the FAT32
file system sucks. the 2gb limit is a royal pain. Until there is NTFS,
I wont have a DTE. If thenew XDCAM XE is as good as is supposed to
be, I will spend the money and get one of those, and shoot on Express cards.
If you can, return that pos, and buy some cheap $2.00 Sony Premium tapes.

The construction is a bit shoddy but so are many products nowadays. Still,for the price and the small package, I'd expect something darn near indestructable. Focus' pricing strategy is a bit out-of-whack, too--charging nearly $500 more for another 20 or 40 GB when the price differential between two 2.5" drives is negligible, and there is not ANY work on Focus' part to support a larger drive (up to a point, w/FAT32) seems egregious. And the display seems constructed of cheap components--mine is discolored along one side.

Still, the FS-4 has better reliability reports than other portable DTE's, according to articles I've read (one specifically detailed the experiences at The Burning Man thing....). When I called Focus for a replacement disk cable for my out-of-warranty FS-4, they sent me one--free. I've never had a problem with dropped video (when I've remembered to set my camera's 1394 to HDV-out!!), but always use a tape anyhow. Hitting the sync button, followed by lock, is just part of my work flow, and I never thought anything about it until this thread. And I'm able to muck about with the contrast to get the display to remain readable.

This is certainly NOT a product that my detail-oriented-self would have sent to market. But it IS still best of breed, for now, and for me does what I need it to do. No tape dropped frames, and easy start on editing (although converting M2T to Cineform takes at least as long as a tape capture...but no dropped frames!).

[edit]Oh, and one more thing--a decent external laptop batter functions well as a power source. I got one at Fry's with interchangeable tips and use an old laptop cord to charge it up. Works great & no alarms, lasts MUCH MUCH longer than Focus' expanded battery (although they may change the power adapter form factor if they are spiteful). I get several hours of constant run time (haven't actually run the battery down yet--longest time was 4 hours and the external read as almost full still...)
[/edit]
Thanks,
Matt

Thank you all and thanks to Kit Hannah for the link.
Unfortunately the post describes problems with Vegas and *.m2t HDV files which is not my case. I have regular DV avi files.
Anyway... I don't really understand how can such a product find its way into companies like JVC, CANON or PANASONIC which sell these DTE recorders along with their cameras.
It seems that SONY is the only one which is "refusing" to follow that pattern. I think it would be great if this companies make their own disk recorders, they would certainly make a better job.

Firestore FS-4 workflow?
 

Hi, I'm fairly new to DVInfo, and have been reading up on the FS-4 and the many problems people have had with HDV. We're shooting on the XL-H1 at HDV 1080/60i and recording onto the FS-4ProHD with .m2t format.

This DOS command works well for combining the files together and makes editing much easier. However, we have quite a few producers who would not know or even want to do something like this when they have to shoot with the FS-4ProHD and our HDV cameras. My question is therefore, what kind of workflow do people follow when using the FS-4 and recording in HDV? So far, I haven't read anything to that here or anywhere else.

Thanks!

Quite honestly, even though I push the workaround all the time, I really don't use it. In Vegas, there is always a 6 frame drop. If you're using one camera, I can see the problem, but we use multiple cameras, so I usually just cut to another one when the drop occurs.

Need some basic info on FS4
 

Hope you guys can shed some light on this.
In researching the possible purchase of FS4 I have found 2 units that I have been told are the same thing, supposedly just older and neweer part numbers. An ASYF 1158-01LF and an ASYF-0919-01. They are supposedly the same unit BUT I can get the first one for about $650 and the second one for almost $1000. Doesn't sound like the same unit to me. Does anyone know if there is a difference between the two??? As far as I can tell they both come with the same accessories (firewire cord, battery, belt clip etc.) These are 40G units - not the Pro model. Any help?

I want them for use with the PD150, any problems?
Thanks

No One Out there to help??

85 views and no one with an answer? This is a focus enhancement forum, right?

You're going to find disparities in model numbers and in pricing with the FireStore FS-4 line as there are a number of different FS-4 models; some are HD and some are SD, there are different storage capacities and so on. The Focus Enhancements parts numbers beginning "ASYF" have changed over time as well. Prices are all over the map when you consider how many grey-market dealers are out there. So the different part numbers and prices are not at all uncommon.

Here's what you need to do if you're looking for an FS-4 to use with your Sony PD150.

First, disregard these part numbers and prices.

Second, contact one of our trusted DV Info Net Sponsors such as Abel Cine, Zotz, B&H, ZGC, TapeWorks, Videoguys. Any of them will assist you with finding the right FS-4 for your particular needs. Their prices are competitive and they are all completely trustworthy. They are the only FireStore dealers we recommend here at DV Info Net. Hope this helps,

the ASYF-1158-01LF is this - so if you have th other, maybe youcan tell
 

Manufacturer. Manufacturer Part Number Universal Product Code (UPC) Weight. (lbs.)
FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS ASYF-1158-01LF 095357011588 3.3

FS-4 Portable DTE Recorders - 40GB - Black



EMJ Sku:4133813
FS-4HD 40GB ( BLACK) Featuring a comprehensive backlit display, an easy-to-use menu system, a hard drive, and a removable, rechargeable battery, the Focus FS-4 is the perfect DTE companion for DV and HDV handheld shoots. Designed for use in even the roughest conditions, the FS-4 includes a six- or ten-second (model-dependent) electronic shock cache to ensure that you never lose footage. Audio, video, timecode, and control information is passed through a single FireWire cable, allowing you to record to disk and tape simultaneously. FS-4 Portable DTE Recorders are compatible with a wide range of nonlinear editing systems.

Damon and Chris,
Thanks for the replys!

Damon, I do not have one at this point. I am looking to obtain one. The description you gave sounds like the way they are all described, except for the color silver or black.

Chris, you are probably right. I am probably going to have to contact B&H with whom I have done a ton of business. I was hoping I could find a used one for less money - don't we all!.

JVC HD110 & FS-4ProHD HDV24P?
 

Is anybody using the FS-4ProHD (60 gig) and recording HDV720p @ 24fps not 30?

I'm recording 24p on an FS-4HD, not the pro version.

FS-4 vs VD tape
 

http://www.digitaljuice.com/djtv/seg...how=all_videos

In this segment its stated that a Firestore recorder apparently can capture uncompressed footage from your camera, where the DV tape compresses the signal 5:1 . Is that the case in any format you capture in on the FS-4 HD, whether you use Raw, AVI2 or HD?

FS-4 vs VD tape
 

I looked at the Digital Juice video, interesting, and informative in general, but I believe you were mislead by that reference to capture showing a Firestore unit. They capture DV or HDV, which are both compressed formats. Uncompressed outputs are available on the Canon XL H1 and XH G1 cameras, but not recordable by any Firestore unit that I have seen so far, but maybe they can tell you what plans they have for that.

The data rates of SD DV and HDV 1080i are the same (25Mb/s) due to the fact that HDV uses MPEG-2 compression even though it's a larger higher res image, thereby allowing you to use the same tape format with the same running times. HD-SDI has a data rate of 1.485 gigabit/second along with 4:2:2 color sampling. Big difference there. There are recorders for uncompressed HD, but not in that price range.

Coach needs a little help(FS-4 question)
 

My school is using a Firestore 4.

My school is using a Firestore 4.

The individual who used this system last is no longer with the program and is not around to help me with using this program.

I was wondering if anyone could help me.

I am looking for what file type to record as. I have tried a few and the conversion is going to take ours to get it onto the server where we post the pictures.

We do not need the audio. I have tried AVI type one. Tonight we tried AVI type two. We can not use quicktime. I was just looking for some help and any help would be nice. I am looking for a little smaller consuming of space as that will help the transcode process. I think that it needs to be an .avi. I just don’t know the difference between the two. I know that the transcoder is switching it to .WMV file. Please let me know. I am a little lost with the options, I have tried reading up with all the different types of files that are available but couldn’t find anything that would help me out.

Please any of your experience can help,

.avi is the most common Windows format for standard definition from a miniDV digital camcorder. I assume your camcorder uses tape and not DVD or hard drive. Is that correct? What make and model is it?

The .avi type really effects the editor. What editor are you using? AVI Type 2 is used by Premiere, Vegas and most others.

Each hour of .avi video is about 13GB. When you connect the FS-4 to the computer and set it to act like a hard drive, Windows should show is as just another hard drive on your system. You can then drag the files to the hard drive in you computer. That shouldn't take more than 10 minutes for an hour of video.

Buddy

We i dont not know the names of the camcoreders we are using.

I am currently trying to code it over with Type 2 avi.

It takes about 10 mins to code over then we need to use a special Game Manager program that will allow us to upload and share with other teams.

That is where the length comes into affect(or effect). I thought that Type 2 might be a smaller file. So i tried that today...seems to be about the same.

Last year one of the coaches said that they used to have the files come out in an audio and video. Two separte streams. They would delete the audio and just use the video for uploading.

I am going to try to stick with one of the two formats. We have a scrimmage this Sat. I just dont know which one to go with. At this point I will take the audio included.

I think the camera's we are using are mostly the mini DV based cameras.

About the video editor.. I think as long as it is an .avi it will read it. I just dont know which one is better to go with.

Thanks again for any more help you can provide.

Thanks,
Ryan Fiereck

Hey there - The firestore itself isn't ever going to manipulate the video, so the filesize is the same no matter what format you choose. Each of those options is just a different wrapper - the actual video data is the same, and the filesize will be the same (plus or minus a few bytes of wrapper I suppose). Type-2 is more standard for video editing software on Windows, and if your transcoding software is supporting it, I'd stick with that.

is there no way
 

to have the audio and the video in two different files?

Not straight off the Firestore

FS-4 Pro HD to Quicktime
 

Is anyone able to playback an HD Quicktime file generated by the FS-4 Pro HD on a Windows PC?

I have QuickTime Pro, but must be missing a codec or something. (M2T files do playback with a variety of editors and viewers on my PC.)

Buddy

HD Quicktime files are only for editing in Mac FCPro users.

Computers cannot recognize my FS-4
 

Itest several computers, none of them can recognize my FS-4, even they can recognize it previously. But when I record video to FS-4, everything looks fine. Does anybody know how to fix this problem? THX!

This is generally because you are just plugging it in and not MOUNTING it to the computer. Once it is attached to the computer, you have to go into the menu on the FS-4 and mount it to the computer. This procedure is not very well explained in the manual and I don't have mine any longer.

By the way, I forgot to do this many times! :)

Mike

Mike, I did that, and the LCD of FS-4 even showed "succeed", then the FS-4 got stucked, and there were no any response when I push any button on FS-4. So finally I had to unplug the Firewire cable and then I got response from FS-4 again.

Sounds like it could be a problem with the unit then. You may have to send it for repair. You might try a reset on it first, but you will probably loose your video. I always backed mine up with tape. Sorry!

Mike