FS-1 and FS-4 problems at DVinfo.net

Jeff Bettendorf · July 23rd, 2006, 10:49 PM

I recently shot a wedding using 2 Canon XL1s - one with aFireStore FS-1 and the other with and FS-4.

I have used the FS-4 many times without any problems but a few times on this shoot it would be in record mode and the counter would not move - A couple of times it restarted on me in the middle of recording. Once I had to pull the power to the unit just to get it to turn off because it locked up and would not turn off with the "off" button.

This is the first time I used the FS-1. Alot of artifacting! Also about 30% of the files it saved have a file size of 0kb. And I get errors that say something about the wrong codec being used or something like that.

Anyone know what is going on with these FireStores of mine?

Thanks,
Jeff

Matt McEwen · July 24th, 2006, 12:11 PM

Jeff,

These issues do not seem normal. Have you contacted Focus tech support? If not, you can reach them at 763-398-1658 or at support@focusinfo.com.

Matt

Jeff Bettendorf · July 24th, 2006, 12:18 PM

I have not been able to get ahold of tech support yet. To be more clear... the errors about the codec are when I try to open the files in windows media player. If I try to open the files in Premiere Pro the program shuts down with no errors.

Is there a way to repair those files? What does "repair file" and "repair disk" do on the FireStore?

Thanks,
Jeff

Matt McEwen · July 24th, 2006, 01:00 PM

Sounds like your FS-1 is set to AVI Type 1, which is not compatible with Premiere (and in some cases Windows Media Player). Try using the AVI Type 2 setting. If you need to convert files, we do off the DV File Converter app that allows conversion between file formats. See more information at: http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=8

Hope that helps,

Matt McEwen

Jeff Bettendorf · July 24th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Everything was recorded in AVI2... I just double checked.

Any other suggestions? I thought I read about the problem with the 0kb file size but now cannot find it.

Thanks again,
Jeff

Matt McEwen · July 24th, 2006, 02:34 PM

Hi Jeff,

I will have someone from tech support contact you. The symptoms you are reporting sound identical to what occurs with an AVI Type 1 recording, so I think the best bet is for tech support to contact you. What phone number can they reach you at?...I will have someone call you.

Thanks,

Matt

Jeff Bettendorf · July 24th, 2006, 05:43 PM

Thanks!

I emailed you with my phone number.

Jeff

Matt McEwen · July 25th, 2006, 11:53 AM

Our tech support staff will be calling you shortly.

Thanks,

Matt

Arnaldo Paixao · July 26th, 2006, 10:31 AM

"I have used the FS-4 many times without any problems but a few times on this shoot it would be in record mode and the counter would not move - A couple of times it restarted on me in the middle of recording. Once I had to pull the power to the unit just to get it to turn off because it locked up and would not turn off with the "off" button."

Hi Jeff.

I use the same setup: XL1-s + FS4, and encontered on occasion the same problem. I found out that it was due to a poor connection between the firewire cable and the XL1-s. Make shure that the firewire plug is firmly attached to the camera, if it dangles the FS4 loses connection and starts the erractic beaviour. This could be your problem.

Hope it helps,

Arnaldo

July 23rd, 2006, 10:49 PM	#1
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	FS-1 and FS-4 problems I recently shot a wedding using 2 Canon XL1s - one with aFireStore FS-1 and the other with and FS-4. I have used the FS-4 many times without any problems but a few times on this shoot it would be in record mode and the counter would not move - A couple of times it restarted on me in the middle of recording. Once I had to pull the power to the unit just to get it to turn off because it locked up and would not turn off with the "off" button. This is the first time I used the FS-1. Alot of artifacting! Also about 30% of the files it saved have a file size of 0kb. And I get errors that say something about the wrong codec being used or something like that. Anyone know what is going on with these FireStores of mine? Thanks, Jeff

July 24th, 2006, 12:11 PM	#2
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Jeff, These issues do not seem normal. Have you contacted Focus tech support? If not, you can reach them at 763-398-1658 or at support@focusinfo.com. Matt

July 24th, 2006, 12:18 PM	#3
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	I have not been able to get ahold of tech support yet. To be more clear... the errors about the codec are when I try to open the files in windows media player. If I try to open the files in Premiere Pro the program shuts down with no errors. Is there a way to repair those files? What does "repair file" and "repair disk" do on the FireStore? Thanks, Jeff

July 24th, 2006, 01:00 PM	#4
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Sounds like your FS-1 is set to AVI Type 1, which is not compatible with Premiere (and in some cases Windows Media Player). Try using the AVI Type 2 setting. If you need to convert files, we do off the DV File Converter app that allows conversion between file formats. See more information at: http://www.focusinfo.com/solutions/catalog.asp?id=8 Hope that helps, Matt McEwen

July 24th, 2006, 01:39 PM	#5
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	Everything was recorded in AVI2... I just double checked. Any other suggestions? I thought I read about the problem with the 0kb file size but now cannot find it. Thanks again, Jeff

July 24th, 2006, 02:34 PM	#6
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Hi Jeff, I will have someone from tech support contact you. The symptoms you are reporting sound identical to what occurs with an AVI Type 1 recording, so I think the best bet is for tech support to contact you. What phone number can they reach you at?...I will have someone call you. Thanks, Matt

July 24th, 2006, 05:43 PM	#7
Jeff Bettendorf New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	Thanks! I emailed you with my phone number. Jeff

July 25th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#8
Matt McEwen Focus Enhancements Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Campbell, CA. Posts: 508	Our tech support staff will be calling you shortly. Thanks, Matt

July 26th, 2006, 10:31 AM	#9
Arnaldo Paixao Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vimeiro - Portugal Posts: 255	"I have used the FS-4 many times without any problems but a few times on this shoot it would be in record mode and the counter would not move - A couple of times it restarted on me in the middle of recording. Once I had to pull the power to the unit just to get it to turn off because it locked up and would not turn off with the "off" button." Hi Jeff. I use the same setup: XL1-s + FS4, and encontered on occasion the same problem. I found out that it was due to a poor connection between the firewire cable and the XL1-s. Make shure that the firewire plug is firmly attached to the camera, if it dangles the FS4 loses connection and starts the erractic beaviour. This could be your problem. Hope it helps, Arnaldo