FS-3 versus Laptop for Capture at DVinfo.net

Will Kennedy · February 5th, 2004, 01:36 PM

I am an Glidecam user evaluating Disk Recorders for the field. I am impressed by the functionality of the FS-3. But for the pricetag, what are the advantages of the FS-3 over using a laptop to capture directly? The laptop would be a decent processor (1.5+), high RAM (1gig), decent hard drive (60 gig) dell with XP Pro with more than one battery attached through a long firewire cable to the camera (cost ~$1700).

Some advantages I can think of for the FS-3 are:

1. power feed direct from camera battery
2. true portability; no cables between the camera and the FS-3
3. slave to camera for recording
4. straightforward VTR interface

Some advantages I can think of for a laptop are:

1. large playback monitor
2. weight savings for a steadicam/glidecam system as it can be detached from the camera
3. in field editing

Thanks in advance to any advice,
Will

JVC gy dv500u
Glidecam V-20
Anton-Bauer
Avid DV Xpress

Rob Lohman · February 5th, 2004, 03:19 PM

Normally you are moving the camera around quite a lot on a days
work and that didn't work too good for me when I was recording
on my laptop (was recording on tape at the same time as well).

It has some advantages, but you just cannot beat the harddisk
recorders at portability.

February 5th, 2004, 01:36 PM	#1
Will Kennedy New Boot Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 24	FS-3 versus Laptop for Capture I am an Glidecam user evaluating Disk Recorders for the field. I am impressed by the functionality of the FS-3. But for the pricetag, what are the advantages of the FS-3 over using a laptop to capture directly? The laptop would be a decent processor (1.5+), high RAM (1gig), decent hard drive (60 gig) dell with XP Pro with more than one battery attached through a long firewire cable to the camera (cost ~$1700). Some advantages I can think of for the FS-3 are: 1. power feed direct from camera battery 2. true portability; no cables between the camera and the FS-3 3. slave to camera for recording 4. straightforward VTR interface Some advantages I can think of for a laptop are: 1. large playback monitor 2. weight savings for a steadicam/glidecam system as it can be detached from the camera 3. in field editing Thanks in advance to any advice, Will JVC gy dv500u Glidecam V-20 Anton-Bauer Avid DV Xpress

February 5th, 2004, 03:19 PM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Normally you are moving the camera around quite a lot on a days work and that didn't work too good for me when I was recording on my laptop (was recording on tape at the same time as well). It has some advantages, but you just cannot beat the harddisk recorders at portability. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors