I just received an e-mail message from Focus Enhancements notifying me that the FS-100 is now available through Panasonic resellers (I had signed up months ago for early notification).

After reading a number of very cranky posts about other Focus products here, however, I have serious doubts about the reliability of this product. I hope that those who have experience with other previous versions can offer opinions about this product.

I don't know what the list or street prices are, unfortunately.

What problems have people had with other FireStore products? This product seems great, but I'm also a bit concerned about its reliability.

I finally found a site selling the FS-100... looks like the price is $2579.

If it costs that much, I'd rather just go with 2 4GB P2 cards and Panasonic's PCS060G. I don't know how reputable that site is, but I emailed a FireStore representative about the price and never got a response. Why isn't B&H selling this thing?

Hi Will,

I'm sorry but I had to remove your link... out of fairness to our site sponsors, we give them exclusivity on all "where to buy" posts. I'm sure if someone really wants to buy right now they can send you an email. Meanwhile expect all of our authorized Panasonic dealers who support this site to carry the FS-100 in stock very soon. Thanks,

Bill,

This version of the FS-4 Pro HD is just a re-branding of the same hardware from Focus. It may have some menu options not on the "normal" version just like the JVC version does but it's still creating muxed files and not QT files for Final Cut.

If you're on a Windows system and use the Firestore it will be an easier workflow, if you're on a Mac don't even consider it. In an old post (I'd have to search for it myself) I listed several weaknesses and design flubs the Focus has yet to address even with this newest iteration.

If you want long record times and dont' want to be tethered to a Powerbook or other laptop your best bet is the Cineporter which should be released at NAB.

Cineporter may be announced, but delivery is still a few months away, they say that they're aiming for Summer.

If someone was trying to sell a FireStore for $2579, that's just wacky. MSRP on it is $2195, so someone was trying to jack the price up almost $400 over retail!

That was the Canadian price Barry.

DOH! Americentricism strikes again! Sorry 'bout that...

Bill,


If you're on a Windows system and use the Firestore it will be an easier workflow, if you're on a Mac don't even consider it. In an old post (I'd have to search for it myself) I listed several weaknesses and design flubs the Focus has yet to address even with this newest iteration.
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it is my understanding that the FS-100 records P2 MXF files, and that these files drop right into FCP Universal.

true? no?

Alan,

When we looked into testing that version we were told it recorded M2T files just as the HDV compatible version did. If they in fact do record native MXF files then chalk it up to yet more misinformation directly from Focus.

That being the case (and I'm going to research this) it *might* make the Firestore more appealing but there are still other non-file-type related issues that I'd like to see taken care of, like having the camera-cradle be able to fit the larger long-run time battery.

From the Focus website:

Nonlinear Editing System Compatibility
No matter which nonlinear editing (NLE) system you have, the FireStore FS-100 has you covered.

When in DVCPRO HD or DVCPRO 50 mode, files are recorded to disk in P2 MXF format.

When in DVCPRO/DV mode, files are recorded as RawDV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, AVI Type 2 24p, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, QuickTime, QuickTime 24p, Avid OMF, Pinnacle AVI, or P2 MXF file formats.

Simply connect the FireStore FS-100 to your Mac or PC editing system like a normal FireWire hard disk drive and you are instantly ready to edit—no capturing, file transfer, or file conversion is required. Just shoot and edit.

http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=150

The only issue I've heard about it is that there is no PN mode (no native frame rate).

Just spoke with Focus (again); they still do not have a solution for using the larger, long-run time battery and a camera-cradle mount together and don't seem to have any plans to make one.

Tech support was also not clear as to whether or not the HVX acts as a direct controller to the Firestore, meaning when you press "START/STOP" on the camera that the Firestore responds accordingly, instead of having to manually use the Firestore's start/stop button.

I still don't think Focus has really gotten their act together. Something as simple (and obvious) as not being able to use the cradle with the bigger battery and other usability issues still haven't been addressed. The FS-100 may in fact create real P2 files that don't require de-muxing but I don't have enough confidence in the rest of the system to try one.

it was my understanding that the FS-100 acts as a true P2 device, and is therefore controlled by the start/stop function of the camera.


Not having you tech support fully versed on a product that hasnt gotten into the hands of comsumers yet aint THAT big of sin in my book. Although they should have a product specialist they can direct questions to.

I dont know if that qualifies as "not having their act together"....

seems like you dont like Focus, no matter what.

Personally I'll wait until there are a few out there and people report back on quicks and good features.

Until then, its a not a huge deal to shoot on P2 cards and just dump off to a remote HD in host mode.

it was my understanding that the FS-100 acts as a true P2 device, and is therefore controlled by the start/stop function of the camera.
The FS-100 connects to the firewire port on the camera, so it's not a P2 device. The Cineporter connects through one of the P2 slots, so it is a true P2 device.

That's one thing that I've never liked about the firestores: they connect via firewire. Not there's anything wrong with firewire itself, but the connectors were not designed for "field" use. Things can happen while shooting- camera gets bumped, FW cable gets snagged, etc, etc. It woudl be great if all firewire AKS for cameras had locking mechanisms on the connectors, like BNC.

Alan,

It's not that I don't like Focus just on principle or unproven bias, they've had plenty of opportunity since last summer to prove to me and my testing staff that they have a solid product and, have solid support. Both have been proven to have major weaknesses which is why we unanimously decided not to use any Focus products.

With all other companies we deal with that produce "pro" level products they have technical staff that knows every in and out about their products, they have detailed info about unit operation readily available (Jan with Panny and the long-available HVX manual online is a perfect example) and accessories designed for each unit play well with each other.

Focus on the other hand, has less-than-detailed info about unit operation available to the consumer, their own tech staff - including the "product specialist" isn't 100% certain about how all the functions work and they still haven't fully thought through accessory compatibility within their own line of products. The larger battery not being able to fit in their own cradle - and no optional cradle being offered - is a perfect example of 70%-style thinking, not 100%.

So do I just not like Focus? No, I simply chosen not to do business with a company that doesn't provide a 100% pro-ready product and information.

When a company or product does a good job I sing it's praises and offer as much helpful info to others as time permits. If a product and/or company isn't providing quality, reliable offerings and have my own time and testing results to prove it then I relate that info too.

Amen brother!