Just purchased a Sony Z1U and would like to know two things:

1) Is it possible to get the LCD to stop displaying the "NO TAPE" message?
2) Is it possible to shoot the Z1U with a Firestore WITHOUT using a cassette?

So far, using my DR-HD100 (yes I realize it is designed for the JVC) I have only been able to make it RECORD in SYNCRO mode if I insert a cassette.
(I do have a JVC GY-HD110 but may be selling it)
I also own a FS-4HD but have not yet had a chance to use it yet with the Z1U, so the answers can apply specifically to the FS-4HD if necessary.

PS: I've only been trying this out in HDV mode as I have no desire to shoot standard def anything at all.

Much appreciate any help!

Jeffery Haas
Deep Freeze Films
Mansfield TX

BUMP!!!
It is starting to look as if I have two choices:

1) Use tape all the time WITH the Firestore, which sort of negates the whole idea of having the damn thing, as I have no desire to rack up drum hours when I don't need to thus using up the value of the camera even more and wasting money on tapes I don't want or need.

2) Reach back and press the RECORD button manually, double checking to make sure the bloody thing is spinning.

I don't blame Focus Enhancements, they can only do so much, I blame Sony. They probably want me to buy THEIR unit, which I might have to do.

I am already the happy owner of TWO very trouble free Firestores anyway.
But this is my first Z1U, and it is a great camera. I was just hoping to expand my easy to use Firestore+JVC110 experience to Sony.

What's really crazy is that my old VX-2000 used to interface PERFECTLY in tapeless mode with my ORIGINAL FS-4, even after I upgraded it to FS-4HD.

Since no one is replying to my post anyway, I am sort of talking to myself...gee whiz, hope there is a firmware update for the Z1U which might fix this anomaly! :-)

A few comments:

1. Tape backup is a good thing. Just wait until something goes wrong with your FS. Try explaining to a client/boss why you don't have the footage you were paid to capture. My F5 screwed up in the middle of recording last week. It takes thousands of hrs to wear out heads. what are you saving them for?

2. Don't want to buy tapes then reuse the same tape.

3. If you turn off sync on the FS and press the record on the FS it will capture whether the camera is recording or not to tape.