Hi, and thank you both for your replies!
In the meanwhile I went to my dealer's place, and they had an HD100 with the drhd100, so i checked it out.
They had a very nice accessory for mounting it, which places the disk after the battery, in a bracket pretty much like this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=329776&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

It seemed to be a nice solution, even though I have to agree that your (Mark) solution is very good - we want to be checking if things are working while we're shooting.
They also had that D-tap splitter for the led light and for fedding the disk too. The whole system actually looked pretty good and i think I'm gonna go for it.

Again, thank you both.

I'm using the DR-HD100 with the GY-HD100E, latest firmware (2.1). Thanks to the upgrade it records QuickTimes 750p25. Until now I've never had any problems with the firestore. But now it starts writing files that have the estimated size, but they seem to be broken. I can't access them, not via QuickTime Player (I'm on a MAC), the preview doesn't show up in the finder, nor in ADOBE Bridge, nor in mpegStreamClip or anywhere else. Tried everything. The "funny" thing is, that this issue appears randomly. I can take 30 clips on a long shoot (without powering the unit down) and 3 of the files are corrupt. Next time everything's just fine and two hours later 3 of 5 files are broken. Tried formatting and the build-in disk repair (under UTILITIES), but no luck. Any help?

Thanks in advance! (As you noticed: English isn't my first language...)

RE: JVC DR-HD100-80 FireStore Hard Disk Recorder with 80 GB Storage Capacity for JVC ProHD GY-HD100 Camcorder

I am days away from a JVC GY-HD200U and am contemplaing the HD100 as well, but according to a DR-HD100 also records 720p 24/25/30 .M2T for HDTV non-linear systems (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=7097&A=details&Q=&sku=401416&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)
This leads me to conclude that is only does 30 and not the new 60; and also ask 2 questions:

1) Does the HD100 record 720p60
2) Is there an FS that does?

Thanks...

hay Mark im having a problrm getting the 100 to mount to my mac.
I have mounted it before so this is out of the blue. I have upgraded to the
new firmware, have any ideas why it might be doing this? Ive also tryed
different cable no success. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks shawn

Reverse sort emails w/ Focus regarding 60p.:
--
Negative! The firestore must have the same recording mode as the camera. Otherwise it will not work.

Phil
Technical Support
Focus Enhancements
---
Final question then - can the camera record 60p to tape and the DR record 30p at the same time? I plan on shooting 60p a lot - but I could be wrong...especially if I can't record it to disk....

Thanks for the prompt reply.
---
On Feb 22, 2007, at 5:50 PM, Support wrote:
The only current firestore that records "720/60p" is the "FS-100. But this unit is not compatible with JVC --DV or HD-- cameras. Other firestore models do not support this mode.
---
I am interested in the DR-HD100 for the "new" GYHD200 from JVC - and I'm trying to determine if it can record 720p60; and if not, if you have anything current product that does.
---

sorry; forum timeouts made me think i had not posted it...so i did. a few extra times...

Hi guys, I finally purches the HD100 drive. Inside of the package there is a paper from Focus that says my HD100 is the 2.0 version and therefore now supports 720/30p, but when I go into the HD FORMATS screen I only get M2T showing, there is no quicktime. I still need to get a firmware upgrade for the HD24P but I dont want to pay extra money to get a the 30p one as well when it already says in my product box that 30p is supported. So any idea why I'm only getting M2T as an option and not Quicktime 30p as well??

can't delete. duplicate.

Hi guys, I finally purches the HD100 drive. Inside of the package there is a paper from Focus that says my HD100 is the 2.0 version and therefore now supports 720/30p, but when I go into the HD FORMATS screen I only get M2T showing, there is no quicktime. I still need to get a firmware upgrade for the HD24P but I dont want to pay extra money to get a the 30p one as well when it already says in my product box that 30p is supported. So any idea why I'm only getting M2T as an option and not Quicktime 30p as well??

I think the quicktime update is available for $39 for your drive, but if you just bought it, it should have probably come with, but I may be wrong. Might try giving Focus a call on Monday to see if new drives include the update.

The .m2t format will record 30p and 24p. The quicktime update I believe was intended for mac users to easily integrate footage to Final cut pro.

Call Focus I had the same problem. They will have to send you the $39 update (mine was free because i just bought the drive) and special instructions on how to update the drive. You can try this update first...

http://www.focusinfo.com/rfi/confirmation.asp?id=86

but that didn't work for me.

Marc

Martin,

I've been looking forward for a solution to avoid the dv capturing process and since you've already got a FS4 I thought you could help me with some doubts I have.

I work with SD cameras (pd 170 and HZ1 on Dv mode) in a FCP 5.1 Macbook plataform. I believe FS4HD would be a good choice for me, right?

As I edit while I'm on location, I intend to shoot the whole day and, as soon as the HD is full, deliver it to my Macbook Pro so I can edit the material immediately.

What I would like to know is how "immediately" this workflow (DV videocamera capturing in FS4 - Mac with FCP 5.1) actually is? How long does the transfer process of 4,5 hours Dv footage take? Is there any compression (encoding /decoding) necessary so the FCP can "read" the material?

And last, how does the FS4 mount on the camera? Do you feel a big difference operating and holding the camera with the HD mounted (is is too heavy or too unconfortable)?

Best regards, Juliana.

I am about to get the FS-4 HD for mmy HD110 and just want to be clear about a couple of things.
1. How does the timecode work with the FS-4, does it sync with the HD110, or create it's own timecode when you hit record on the FS-4HD? Does it sync symultaneously when you are recording to tape?

2. I want to avoid working in HDV, and convert the footage from the FS-4 HD to DVCPRO HD. Do I need to to log and capture from the FS-4HD in Final Cut Pro first, or Can I just Drag and drop the files from the FS-4HD onto my desktop, open them up in MPEG Streamclip and convert to DVCPRO HD?

I recently received a replacement DR-HD100 drive, as my "old" drive (purchased in August) had failed and was on its second time in for repairs. Focus sent me a new drive and replacement battery, however, they did not send me a new cradle or AC power supply. This didn't seem like a big deal until I put the drive into the old cradle - the peg on the drive that locks into the cradle does not align because the peg on the drive is too short. With the smaller battery I can bend the cradle into place, but with the extended life battery, it won't work.

It would seem that the newer DR-HD100 drives therefore have a different peg (at the very least) - would a replacement FS-4 High Capacity cradle (there is no replacement cradle for the DR-HD100) work with the new DR-HD100 peg? I'd like a solution that isn't "gaffer's tape," since the ability to "click" it on and off the camera mount is really handy.

I've been using the Firestore FS-4Pro HD 80 gig with the JVC HD100Ua for about a year and have the latest QT update for 720p/30 but now i'm getting into a string of projects that require 720p/24 and I get the feeling (based on discussions in this forum) that Firestore is not releasing a 720p/24 QT update for my system. It's my understanding that format is only going to be supported in the DR-HD100 made specifically for the JVC cameras. So I was wondering if anyone knows of an exchange/upgrade program for users of the FS-4 who purchased prior to knowing the DR-HD100 was going to be released. And if not, does anyone have thoughts on where best to sell the FS-4 and where best to purchase the DR-HD100. And what a reasonable price difference between the two should be.

PS - I know I can convert the mt2 files from the FS-4 at 24p but I'm getting ready for some longer format projects and therefore i must have the time code that's lost during that conversion.

Thanks.

I cannot seem to get a definitive answer, on which of these drives is compatable with the JVCHD 100, Focus Enhancements web site says only the DR-HD100 is compatable, but on reading through this site and others I see different information.
can anybody give me the a definitive answer
thanks

sr

I have an FS-4 that I upgraded to an FS-4HD with firmware from Focus Enhancements. It functions perfectly, no complaints, with my HD100.

Hi:

I have a basic question regarding the suggested initial startup of an DR HD-100 (Ver 2.2) and its host HD-250U or 200 series camera.

I have noticed that since my recent upgrade to the ver. 2.2 OS, that unless the DR HD-100 is turned on before the camera's power is initiated, there is a long delay before the Hard Drive will synch to trigger and the counter begins moving. On the other hand, if the drive is turned on first, synchronization to trigger is accomplished with only the expected short delay as described in the operator's manual.

Although it may seem that I have answered my own question, I wonder if others have had a similar experience?

I have several DR-HD100's and several Macs we use for editing. In the last several weeks I've been having a problem with one of the new Mac Pro's not letting me connect the DR-HD100 as DD. When I connect firewire to front I/O and Enable Bypass, the DR will reset itself after about 5 secs...and reboot - goes to blue screen and restarts. It Never appears on the mac desktop, but a "Device Removal" Warning does appear. This same mac would mount the DR-HD100 before. I have OSX 10.4.9 with the latest everything software from Apple.

Strange as that is, if I take the unit to another Mac, A G5 with 10.4.8 and try, it works absolutely fine. I've tried 3 different DR-HD100's all do the same thing.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

I've noticed this as well.

Dave

I think I have this figured out. Apparently, when I have the BR-HD50 deck plugged in the back firewire port and powered up, there is a conflict with the DR-HD100 on the front port. Unplugging the BR-HD50 allows the drive to connect properly.

Dave,

I am considering the DRHD100 for my HD100A.

Have you been happy with yours?

I have had some bad tape problems and when I get my unit back from JVC I am planning on purchasing the DRHD100 to avoid further tape problems.

I have read of some people having problems with corrupted footage. I have several big projects coming up where I will be on location and reshooting in the case of either a tape or hard drive recorder problem is not an option.

I guess that after what I have experienced with the JVC for the past 2 weeks, I am a little gun shy.

I would appreciate any feedback you might have.

Thanks,

Dan Weber

hello im looking into a firestore unit ive done some homework on them but what some people are saying on here and what the focus website is saying are two different things

focus... DR HD 100 is what they claim to be the only model that will work with this camera

on here.... FS 4HD many people mention using it...

can i use both units the exact same way or are people who are using the fs4 having to rig something different to make it compatible.

the drhd100 are hard to find to purchase.
the fs4 seems very easy to buy and at much better prices. i can get a second hand 80g. for less than a new 40g.

please clarify this for me

thanks

MEKHAEL

I'm using a FIrestore FS4HD on my HD110. Straight plugin, nothing special done. I should tell you that the Firestore DTE drives are unreliable, with random dropped footage. This is true for all models, including the FS100.

Hi Mekhael

As you can see on this forum... people have chosen both models for various reasons, the biggest is probably down to budget.

We chose the DRHD100 Focus/JVC drives because they have been set up to talk to the JVC cameras, and with the number of problems there is with this type of technology (HDV) we need to try and keep technical issues down to a minimum. Or at least, it gives us a better argument with JVC technical when things are not working as they should.

Despite waiting to purchase the newer 60GB version2 software models (the one with the Quick Time wrapper) we have also experienced dropped frames.

The chaps at Focus were very helpful when we had some teething problems.

We continue to use Tape as a back up to the drives depending on what we are doing - all the best with your purchase, as with anything second hand - be careful.

Stu
www.studioscotland.co.uk

I bought a FS4HD 40 gb model earlier this year. All my teathing problems so far have been down to finger trouble at my end. To date (touch wood) I have had none of the problems others have. But I still use tape as a back up in case.

I made a power tap connector and power from my switt batteries. I can get through to the reception on one battery powering both cam and firestore

I had a theory based on posts that lost files were possibly attributed to an intermittent loss of firewire data so.... Watch the firewire connector on the cam, its not that tight a fit, I squeezed the outer shield in a little - it tightened the connector enough that it is less of a worry. I havent had any lost files to date!

One gripe I had was the length of the included fire wire cable with the right angled connector - 6 inches wont reach any where!!!

Cheers n beers

Ian

I just got my first firestore from b&h this morning and I was shocked that the face was half glued on.

Is this normal?

I don't mind gluing it back together again but I just paid 1400 dollars for this piece of plastic that is far from professionally built. It reminds me of my old game boy except not as robust, lol.


So I am trying to decide whether I should return it or just glue it. The only issue I have about gluing it is that it might not hold very well.

It's not normal.

That's probably not much of a help to you, though.

Your choices are obvious - send it back and wait for a replacement, or fix it yourself and swallow the bitter pill of having spent your money on a less than perfect unit.

If it were I, I would check to see that nothing else is wrong with the unit. If the plastic face is really the only flaw, and I could fix it easily, I would just fix it, and use it. Maybe you should document the flaw with a digital camera before you modify the unit, in case you have to send it back on guarantee later. It is a bummer to get flawed merchandise, especially when it is expensive. But it may not be worth the fuss to get a cosmetically better unit.

good luck.

cheers,

DK

Thanks for your input. Since this is not normal, I am going to get a replacement.

Just my luck I guess but I am glad I bought it from b&h so it should be easy to get a new one.

I have something similar with my DR-HD100 V1.1 and HD100.
I'm loosing sync from time-to-time, while everything is set and connected properly.
When it happens the DR-HD100 is detected by the camera showing the dedicated DR-HD1000 Icon in the viewfinder. So this means there is physical contact.
When I press REC, it shows in my viewfinder 'Triggering ...', but the DR-HD100 does nothing, and the Icon in my viewfinder doesn't become RED. Unless I press Record on the DR-HD100 itself, it starts recording. So I started double checking the synchronization settings...

In the "Control" menu it has the JVC GY-HD selected while it doesn't do what it should do. When it happens I put it to something else like 'Local' and when I put it back to JVC GY-HD it suddenly works again, as if it forgot the setting.

It looks like I start to trace down when it happens. Looks like a bug.
It happens frequently after I used the DR-HD100 as HardDrive to my computer and then put it back on my camera the first time.
It freaks me out on-site with no tapes in my camera anymore. The customer is then looking like: what, is your camera broken? It doesn't want to record?
Anyone else having this same issue? Any ideas Focus?
Is there a battery I need to change inside the unit for example which remembers the settings?

It may not be normal, but my unit exhibits similar poor manufacture. I noticed the face of my unit does not quite align with the body.

It does not affect the function however.

I wonder if Focus Enhancements needs to look at their QC?

When we import OMF's into our Avids of the DR-HD100 we occasionally get a problem where the clips do not properly attach themselves to the project. We end up with a bunch of projects in the media tool labelled with the clip name (usually a long date).

If we have an MXF project, strangely audio 2 gets correctly attached to the project and audio 1 and the mxf video file do not.

I'm wondering if this comes down to a user rights issue and if Focus Enhancements have a recommended setting for security on the drive itself (not even sure if this can be set)? All Avids are run with XP permissions set and simple file sharing turned off. Users must be members of the Administrator's group.

Just a note to others who are experiencing problems getting their unit to recognise. This is the frustrating process I have been through quite a few times.

Attach DR-HD100 to computer via F/W (I start with the unit off to avoid damaging the port). Make sure you attach it to the right port.

Go to enable PC menu. I get a SUCCESS at this point.

XP does not recognise unit.

We use the unit every day and the bottom line is it works everytime with the short firewire cable provided with the unit. We have tried with numerous other cables (known good ones, brand new ones etc) and on many different PC's and nothing works. This was not always the case.

I can't give you a technical explanation except to say that if you are having problems with PC connectivity, try a short cable (it's about 6 inches long).

It might have been normal...

I got my new firestore last monday and it is in slightly better shape then the first one. Looking at it though, I noticed that the clear plastic screen is missing some paint in some areas which is noticeable when the lcd light is on. Also, there is a few plastic parts that are "squishy" and far from solid.

I just find the quality of the FS-4 to be way under par of other professional electronics around the same price range. This thing is built cheaper then your average consumer electronics. I would be embarrassed if I was focus.

I had no idea they were made this cheap, I mean, this thing is cheap! I bought blind on this one so I am more mad at myself for not checking one out before hand.

I emailed focus about it a few weeks ago but it is apparent they could care less since they never sent me a reply.

I don't see myself buying focus products again.

Jonathan,
Sorry to hear about your run with the Focus drive.

I'm about to buy a drive and that just convinced me to NOT buy from Focus.
These things are ridiculously expensive, they better be of decent quality.

I am trying to determine why our DR-HD100's are not recording the correct timecode from our HD250's. I am not sure if the settings on the DR's are correct, but it is set to use HDV TC.

On the camera, we read the correct TC, on the DR display when recording the DR shows the correct TC, yet on the DR clips the TC is way off. A 1:00:00:00 tape clip will have a file clip TC of 22:00:00:00.

Can anyone just double check the settings that works with their unit?

Thanks

Dave Beaty

I have a random problem with my DR-HD100 that during startup it resets sometimes to factory defaults screwing my recording as it doesn't default to HDV.
How are the settings stored in the unit? Does it have a small battery which needs to be replaced for example?
This is very annoying as I need to make sure it performs 100% reliable as I don't use tapes anymore.

My unit will also "reset" to default settings. It happenes whenever I mistakenly touch the "power on" button after the system is already powered on. I had to put a small piece of tape over the Power On button to keep from hitting it by mistake.

This could be the case for me too as I in a quick run and shoot moment want to be sure that the unit is on.
It could happen that I then press the Power button again while it is already on.
Looks like a bug then? I try it out if I can repeat it.

Edit: When I press the power button again (while the unit is on), it does reboot the unit indeed.
That doesn't look right? The manual doesn't mention anything about this.
I suspect if I press the Power button while it is already booting that there could be a glitch erasing my non-volatile memory?
Is there anyone from Focus who could jump in please?

I can't begin to tell you the frustration and lost footage I've experienced over this little "feature". Hope you get some response from Focus, but, I doubt it.

I've searched this forum about my upgrading problems but only find out-dated threads from 06, and can't find any ultimate solutions. So, sorry if you guys have been over this a thousand times already.

In my DR-HD100 settings menu (which I purchased new three months ago) it says I have version 1.0.0.04031006

I have downloaded off both this site, and the Focus Enhancements site, various DR-HD100 firmware updates which all give me a "dr-hd.bin" file and a "readme" file with instructions about how to install. I've followed the instructions exactly and tried each upgrade independently of the other. I can get none of them to work, however. I just keep getting the "Upgrade Error - WRONG PRODUCT ID" message.

I've read on this forum that others are using the "v2.2.1.04 update released April 25, 2007" while I'm still driving Fred Flintstone's car with boulders for wheels.

Can anyone help? Focus Enhancements is closed till Monday...

Thanks

Matt (from Focus Enhancement), can you help us with this one please?

Vers. 2 is a major update you have to pay for. You can order online, but the update comes on a disk. Only minor updates are downloadable for free.

V2.0 was released in October 2006. So your DR-HD100 (purchased in June?) should already have the update. Refer to this: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost.php?p=593552&postcount=67 and let your dealer pay the update...

Thank you Andreas, that helps me a lot.

Will this cable work(Ptap-ZPRT+-XX) for power form my anton bauer 120 brick? has anyone
tried this.



http://www.thebroadcastshop.com/sales/show.asp?key=powertap&page=3


thanks Guys
Shawn

Although having bought it only 3 months ago he should be entitled to a free upgrade surely?

Shawn, I'm pretty sure you need the 2.5mm right angle jack, centre pin positive.

I needed a 2.1mm to 2.5mm out of my battery and I can't remember which end was which, but I'm fairly certain the FS had the larger diameter centre pin.

Would pay to check first - I just bought the gear from my local electronics store.

Thanks a lot for your help guys. Focus Enhancements is taking care of everything - no charge. I just sent them my receipt which confirmed when I purchased it and they're sending me the upgrade files now.

Thanks again, Eric

I'm having the same problem. I'm using the DR-HD100 with a JVC HD250.
In our case, we've determined that when hitting the "STOP" button on the Firestore after recording a clip causes that clip to have time code that is 22 hrs. and something. However, if we record a clip and simply hit the REC button again on the JVC, which pauses the tape and also puts the Firestore in "Pause" mode (with the LCD screen flashing red), the time code is correct when ingested to our Mac Pro.

Had a scary experience with one of our DR-HD100 drives today...some of the files would not copy off the drive - ! This was the first time we had any scare from these wonderful, wonderful Focus Enhancement drives.

After the shoot I dragged the whole clip-containing folder on the DR-HD100 over to our storage drive as usual, but the copying just stopped at a certain point. It just would not copy the last 10 or 12 clips at the bottom of the folder list.

The "repair" function did not fix the problem. I had to drag the remaining files one-by-one, and watch them copy at approximately 1/60th normal speed. V-e-r-y, v-e-r-y, s-l-o-w-l-y. Got all the clips off the drive in the end but that was pretty scary. The copy was so slow that for a long time, I did not even see it happening. I thought the files were totally stuck on the DR-HD100. But actually the would copy: Just incredibly slowly.

What caused this to occur? The DR-HD100s are FAT-32s and we are 100% Mac shop here so I am not familiar with the behavior of this type of drive. We had no Disk Warrior type program to deal with this problem. Of course we always re-format the DR-HD100 prior to every use...have no idea what caused this.

It happened the day of the shoot, when we copied off the drive on returning to the office...and it happened again two weeks later when I tried to copy off the DR-HD100 again to make a second back-up (that's when I actually discovered the problem!) -- so it surely was not about the DR-HD100's battery (it was plugged in) or some sort of momentary overheating. Those files just refused to copy in the normal way both times, and I don't know why.

The big lesson here is to ALWAYS CHECK the copied file list against the list on the DR-HD100 to make sure that all the files have copied-over.

If I had not done a file-by-file comparison of the two drives after the copying, I might have re-formatted the DR-HD100 for the next shoot and lost the material.

My experience with the FS4HD unit(which is for all intents and purposes, the same as the dr-hd100)is that the firewire connector is extremely delicate. if you bump the connector while recording you may or may not suffer a dropout. even if you don't suffer a dropout, you get a corrupted file....hence the very long and shaky download. for some reason, it seems to be recoverable...sometimes, depending on the nature of the corruption. I've had to quit doing DTE recording and always use a backup tape because of the unreliability. very discouraging.