HVX200 and FireStore
 

Will the FS-4 HD work with the HVX200 or do I need the FS100?

YOu need the FS-100. It was designed to work with the HVX. These units are more than hard drives, they have software that interfaces with the cameras.

Will,

The FS-100 is the Panasonic-branded version of the FS-4 HD with specific firmware to talk to the P2 cameras. The lastest version is 3.0.

Although designed to work with the Panasonic HVX200, the FS-100 is made by Focus Enhancements.

That's right David, it's manufacturer is Focus who "branded" it for Panasonic as a DVCPRO-HD device, just as the DR-HD100 was designed and branded for JVC.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understood that the FS4 would work with the JVC HD cameras, but missing some of the functionality that the DR-HD100 adds? Is it the same with the FS4 and the HVX200 - it will work, but lacking some functions?

I wasn't arguing with Robert; just pointing out that it wasn't a Panasonic product in the event others were looking at Panasonic web site for the item.

Yes or No
 

I purchased a FS4HD and am leaning towards the HVX200 over the XHA1. Will the FS4 work with the HVX, even if it's capabilities are limited, will it be able to record footage?

The FS-4HD will not record DVCProHD footage from the HVX200.

The FS4-HD will be able to record DV (and only DV) from an HVX200. No HD from the HVX. The only FS that can record the HVX's HD is the FS-100.

I used to have one FS-4 which was used for my Canon XL2 (in SD). Unfortunately, the reliability of the unit is pretty poor. It can't operate consistently in 5 - 10 deg C air temperature and on the move. The Canon XL2 tape recording is much better - surprisingly. And I have one instance where the FS-4 appears to be recording (in 25 deg C), but, after I gone back to look at the clips, there was only rubbish recorded. Luckily, I still have tape to fallback upon.

I have a friend who took his HVX202 to Bali to film a project up G Agung. He was filming in SD that time - so, his FS-4 still works. But he encountered so much hardware problems with the FS-4 ... says "no more!". After being burnt - he got a P2Store instead.

Fast forward to today - I don't think I will use another FS-100 on my HVX202. I have doubts it will be as reliable as the P2 card in cold weather and also, on the move. The problem with FS-4 or FS-100 as the case may be - is the unit is meant to move around with the camera. I don't think there are any read-write head mechanisms that can cope with all the bouncing here and there and still provide reliable recording on a hard-disk.