Focus DR-HD100 and 1080i

[Julian Maytum]

I'm a bit confused after downloading the specs for this item as in the technical documentation .pdf file it says that it can record both 720P (8-bit 19.7 Mbps) and 1080i (8-bit 25 Mbps). Does that mean that if you buy this unit you can then shoot and record 1080i to it? How would that be possible with the JVC's sensors?

I would be using it with a Windows based (likely Premiere CS3) setup so I was also wondering if you can format the thing as NTFS as opposed to Fat32 (which has file size limitations).

Any help greatly appreciated as I get closer and closer to putting one of these packages together!

As an aside I am a bit ticked off at JVC at the moment as I have placed calls to both JVC Canada and also the lady in charge of the current rebates in regards to us Canadians having a chance at the current Anton Bauer rebate and none of them return calls!

Julian

[Julian Maytum]

I think I have this figured out now. Apparently it will record 1080i if you are using the 250 camera and not the 110 or 200.

Julian

[Antony Michael Wilson]

Really?

Can anyone confirm?

[David Parks]

Originally Posted by Julian Maytum

I think I have this figured out now. Apparently it will record 1080i if you are using the 250 camera and not the 110 or 200.

Julian

Ummmm...no. That simply means that the Focus Enhancements Drives
will record HDV1 and HDV2. The JVC 100, 110, 200, 250 use HDV1 at 720p.

Sony and Canon use HDV 2 at 1080i. The JVC only cross converts to 1080i out of the component or HDSDI ports. The Focus Drives record m2t through IEEE 1394 firewire only.

So if you have JVC you can only record 720p through firewire and not 1080i.

Cheers.

[Julian Maytum]

I was talking with a guy at JVC Canada (pro section) who said the 250 could do it? Either way the 250 is out of my league at the moment :)

Julian

[Bill Ravens]

The 250 records in the same format as the 200 and 110, i.e. 1280x720

[Tim Dashwood]

David has the right answer.

The 200 series cameras can output 1080i in a 'live' 1080i mode, but this mode disables the tape transport and 1394 firewire output, leaving only component out at 1080i or (in the case of the HD250) HD-SDI out at 1080i.

1080i50 and 1080i60 are the only 1080i modes available for live 1080i output. The 1080i mode is unavailable if the camera is in 24 fps mode.


Since the DR-HD100 is built upon the core Firestore FS-4 product it can work with more than just the ProHD cameras and decks, just as you 'could' use a FS-4HD with a ProHD product. I've tested it with other DV cameras in the past, but unfortunately no HDV2 1080i cameras so I can't confirm the compatibility with absolute certainty. The DR-HD100 has additional features specific to the ProHD line, like compatibility across all 720P modes and ProHD models and automatic quicktime encapsulation. The only modes that cannot be encapsulated in quicktime are 720P50 and 720P60, but that will likely change shortly after Apple releases the compatibility update to FCP6.

[Julian Maytum]

OK got it.. thanks all!

Seems like a decent option though as I can take this to other cameras if I upgrade or whatever. I'm just about to go for it with B&H.. just pondering which way to go now that the lady from JVC US called me and said as long as I have an American address (friend) I can claim the AB pack that is on right now.

B&H has the camera (demo full warranty) for $4400 and another with an impact case, AB battery kit (including the Dionic 90) plus UL 20 light for another $1600. I'm trying to decide if it is worth spending the extra or just getting the basic camera and waiting for the AB kit. The extra I save would pay for the DR-HD100!

Julian

[Antony Michael Wilson]

As I suspected.