External Disk Recorder

Hi Everyone,

I've been lurking around this forum for quite some time. Invaluable. Finally I have a question.

I recently had a small disaster when a tape went bad after the event. Luckily I was taping with two cameras, but the editing was seriously restricted as a result. Consequently, I am considering purchasing an external hard-disk recorder. I am looking at the (expensive) Sony DSR-DU1, and the (not as expensive) Videonics FS-1 Firestore. Has anyone used either of these items, and what is your opinion of them?

I also use 12-bit 4-channel audio, through the MA-200, and was wondering if the 12-bit, 4-channel audio goes out the DV port, and consequently to the disk recorder, or if it is only the Audio 1 channels that are output via DV port. Thanks folks.

Andrew Smith

[Rob Lohman]

That has been much discussed already here, especially the
firestore.

Firestore review here on the site

And the following threads I found doing a quick search:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=3091
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=10041
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=11052
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=6693
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=7497

[Don Berube]

Andrew,

Here are some questions to think about when making your decision:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...5&pagenumber=2

Do let us know what you think,

- don

[Matt McEwen]

Andrew Smith wrote...

"I also use 12-bit 4-channel audio, through the MA-200, and was wondering if the 12-bit, 4-channel audio goes out the DV port, and consequently to the disk recorder, or if it is only the Audio 1 channels that are output via DV port. Thanks folks."

Andrew,

I will let others post experiences with disk recorders, but to partly answer your question, if you can set your camcorder to 32k (12-bit, 4-ch) audio mode, it is possible to output this over FireWire during a shoot. It is of course also possible to record 48k (16-bit, 2-ch). It is not necessary to change any setting on FireStore, it just records what is input.

What I do not know is how the MA-200 inputs 4-ch. to the XL1...as 12-bit or 16-bit. Don Berube probably knows.

Matt McEwen
Focus Enhancements

[Don Berube]

Hello Andrew,

>>>>>>>>I am looking at the (expensive) Sony DSR-DU1, and the (not as expensive) Videonics FS-1 Firestore. Has anyone used either of these items, and what is your opinion of them?

- Both are equally-tangible solutions for you to consider. In the end, you will find the FireStore interface menu structure easier to understand and easier to navigate than the Sony unit. That should be a big deal for most anyone, especially if you want to setup quickly in the field. If you are looking at the price point if the DSR-DU1, you really should be looking at the new FireStore FS-3 which is the most flexible and well designed system as far as I am concerned. I use one with my XL1s, as well as higher-end professional broadcast cameras such as the SONY DSR-500. I will keep this short and simply say that I was sold on the FireStore FS-3 design early this year, long before it became officially available. The FS-1 was truely the first system that set the gold standard in interface design and performance. You may be surprised to know that today, even the tried and true FS-1 is selling more now than it ever was. People seem to be finally realizing that THE most important aspect of a DV recorder is the *interface* - above anything else. Think of an 'interface' as the window through which you will communicate with the device. If there is little or no interface which offers little or no feedback, how is the device going to work for you and not against you? The FireStore FS-3 interface is so robust and user friendly that I didn't even have to read the manual! Here is a list of questions I created which I think anyone should ask prior to making their decision - it also helps to define why I chose FireStore: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...5&pagenumber=2 and I have compared all of the systems out there - as you may know, I go to all of the DV trade shows so I am always able to see what is new. I chose the FS-3 because it is simple to use, yet it offers the most features and added-value hands-down http://noisybrain.com/firestore/woods_hole_FS3_ad.pdf

This is how I now have the FS-3 set up on my XL1S http://noisybrain.com/firestore/donberube_concept2

There are many different ways to set up the FS-3 on the XL1S, such as this way too http://noisybrain.com/firestore/donberube_concept1

Alex Dolgin offers some excellent and very beefy mounting adaptor solutions for the XL1 platform http://dolgin.net and http://dolgin.net/PowerBrace_Gold.htm


>>>>>>>>I also use 12-bit 4-channel audio, through the MA-200, and was wondering if the 12-bit, 4-channel audio goes out the DV port, and consequently to the disk recorder, or if it is only the Audio 1 channels that are output via DV port.

- Yes, it not only goes to tape, but is also 'mirrored' through the DV out. To answer your question, you should have no problem capturing standard DV with 12-bit 4-channel audio with the FireStore. I cannot say that for sure for the other systems out there, but it works rock solid with the FireStore.

Andrew, please do let us know if you have any other questions.

- don