FS-5 vs. JVC HD100 at DVinfo.net

Carlos San Roman · December 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM

Looking to buy a DTE recorder and was looking for opinions on either the FS-5 or the JVC HD100. Price favors the FS-5 but didn't notice to much difference between both of them. Also it appears that neither one of them can record in 720/60. Is that right? Not to big of a deal as I don't use that setting often except when I film sports.

Also mounting options. Looking to buy one for my HD100 and HD 200.

Hate to change subjects but has anyone found a good "on camera" monitor (around 7") that is as clear as the camera's LCD display. Bought a $450 monitor a year ago and not even close.

Thanks in advance.

Carlos

Carlos San Roman · December 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM

Forgot to add I use FCP.

Carlos

Tim Dashwood · December 1st, 2009, 07:30 PM

Carlos

Do you mean the DR-HD100 (equivalent in design to Focus FS-4) or the MR-HD100 (equivalent in design to the Focus FS-5) ?

Either way the "ProHD" branded version will give you more compatibility with the JVC cameras, including EVF readouts of the DTE status and remaining record time. I think this is a must when you are shooting handheld.

Carlos San Roman · December 2nd, 2009, 11:29 AM

Hi Tim,

I was originally comparing the MR-HD100 to the Focus FS-5. I forgot about the DR-HD100. For obvious reasons I respect your opinion so if Pro HD gets your vote then OK. But I'm looking to buy two of them and it looks like I could get into the DR's for $1200 less then if I buy two MR's. Is there a big enough difference to move up to the MR.

In regards to the monitor a few posts steered me to that Small HD DP1 monitor. Have you by chance seen it in action? Or do you have any suggestion on camera mounted monitors?

Thanks

Carlos

Brian Luce · December 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM

If you use FCP then I think the DRHD100 is better because you record in QT and can go straight to your timeline. If you have a PC, save yourself the money and get the generic version.

Tim Dashwood · December 2nd, 2009, 05:43 PM

That's also a good point Brian. I'm not sure how far Focus supports pulldown removal within HDV Quicktime streams on the vanilla versions (FS-4 or FS-5)

However, if Carlos went with the cheaper Focus FS-4HD or FS5 and recorded in m2t then he could simply use the inexpensive ClipWrap to wrap the m2t into Quicktime MOV during the copy process from DTE to computer hard drive.

Ed Dooley · December 3rd, 2009, 12:15 PM

Just to add more options, the FSH-200 also works with those cameras, and records to QT. I'm editing a 2 camera shoot right now with clips from the FSH-200. No hard drive, it uses CF cards (I have 3 32 gig cards and can record all day). No moving parts and the clips load directly into FCP without log & capture. I still put a tape in the camera for backup.
Ed

Tim Dashwood · December 3rd, 2009, 06:58 PM

Ed, on a side note, does the FSH-200 split the files the same way as the DR-HD100, with "d01.MOV","d02.MOV", etc ?

Thanks for your help. Tim

Ed Dooley · December 3rd, 2009, 11:07 PM

Not sure how the HD-100 does it (not sure if you mean that files are labeled sequentially,
or if you mean that a constant recorded stream is broken up into multiple clips).
On the shoot I just did, the cameras rolled for about an hour at a time. The .mov clips had long names like P130054801.mov, then P17395008.mov (meaning that the numbering wasn't sequential). I format the CF cards as UDF rather than Fat32, so I was getting something like 20 gig files (I'm not at that computer, so I'm remembering the best I can, and the file numbers are made up, but give you the idea of how they're named).
Ed

Tim Dashwood · December 4th, 2009, 03:22 PM

That makes sense if you are allowed to use UDF and not forced to use FAT-32 like on the DR-HD100. I was curious because I just wrote a piece of software that will string a bunch of split MOV files back together.

Carlos San Roman · December 9th, 2009, 01:09 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Ed, I think you've convinced me to go with the FSH200. I have an HD 100 and 200. Does the mount that comes with the FSH 200 mount to those cameras? Not sure which camera you have. Is there a better mount?

It appears it uses the Scan Disk Extreme III CF card. Do you use a regular card reader to copy them to your hard drive then drag them into your FCP browser?

Carlos

Ed Dooley · December 10th, 2009, 11:45 AM

I have the 110U. The mount that comes with the unit is for the camera handle (which gets in the way of carrying the camera), but I have an IDX battery system, and its mounting plate includes a side bracket with holes drilled that I attached the unit to. The bracket also includes a powertap for the FS-H200, but the plug I have was in the way of the unit mounting, so I cut a little off the FS-H200 mounting plate and it works fine now. There's probably a different powertap plug that doesn't get in the way, but my solution works fine.
I have a CF card reader (USB), but I usually use the unit itself, which comes with a USB connector for off-loading to a computer.
Ed

Carlos San Roman · December 13th, 2009, 12:26 PM

Thanks Ed,

I'll try your suggestions on mounting.

I have my 200's now so just a couple of questions about setup.

For the record and DTE format do you recommend the HDV and Quicktime format. I edit on FCP.
And for the UDF FS Perm setup did you go with the read-only setting or the read-write setting. They seem to recommend the read-write for Mac, but then say it takes a long time to mount the drive in this setting.

Thanks,

Carlos

Ed Dooley · December 14th, 2009, 08:59 AM

Yes, I use HDV and QT (MOV).
I set it to Read/Write. Mounting hasn't been an issue. I haven't timed it,
but I haven't ever felt it took too long to mount.

Carlos San Roman · December 16th, 2009, 05:14 AM

Hi Ed,

Having some problems. The FSH 200 doesn't seem to respond to the camera in External mode. I saw one of your other post and switched it to Syncro. When I press play on the camera the 200 seems to be recording but the TC doesn't seem to move. Also in External the display reads 720/30P TC (which is what the camera is set to) but when I switch it to Syncro the display goes to 1080/60i TC.

Am I missing something here?

Carlos

December 1st, 2009, 01:06 PM	#1
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	FS-5 vs. JVC HD100 Looking to buy a DTE recorder and was looking for opinions on either the FS-5 or the JVC HD100. Price favors the FS-5 but didn't notice to much difference between both of them. Also it appears that neither one of them can record in 720/60. Is that right? Not to big of a deal as I don't use that setting often except when I film sports. Also mounting options. Looking to buy one for my HD100 and HD 200. Hate to change subjects but has anyone found a good "on camera" monitor (around 7") that is as clear as the camera's LCD display. Bought a $450 monitor a year ago and not even close. Thanks in advance. Carlos

December 1st, 2009, 07:30 PM	#3
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	Carlos Do you mean the DR-HD100 (equivalent in design to Focus FS-4) or the MR-HD100 (equivalent in design to the Focus FS-5) ? Either way the "ProHD" branded version will give you more compatibility with the JVC cameras, including EVF readouts of the DTE status and remaining record time. I think this is a must when you are shooting handheld. __________________ Tim Dashwood

December 2nd, 2009, 05:43 PM	#6
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	That's also a good point Brian. I'm not sure how far Focus supports pulldown removal within HDV Quicktime streams on the vanilla versions (FS-4 or FS-5) However, if Carlos went with the cheaper Focus FS-4HD or FS5 and recorded in m2t then he could simply use the inexpensive ClipWrap to wrap the m2t into Quicktime MOV during the copy process from DTE to computer hard drive. __________________ Tim Dashwood

December 3rd, 2009, 06:58 PM	#8
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	Ed, on a side note, does the FSH-200 split the files the same way as the DR-HD100, with "d01.MOV","d02.MOV", etc ? Thanks for your help. Tim __________________ Tim Dashwood

December 4th, 2009, 03:22 PM	#10
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	That makes sense if you are allowed to use UDF and not forced to use FAT-32 like on the DR-HD100. I was curious because I just wrote a piece of software that will string a bunch of split MOV files back together. __________________ Tim Dashwood

December 1st, 2009, 01:08 PM	#2
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	Forgot to add I use FCP. Carlos

December 2nd, 2009, 11:29 AM	#4
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	Hi Tim, I was originally comparing the MR-HD100 to the Focus FS-5. I forgot about the DR-HD100. For obvious reasons I respect your opinion so if Pro HD gets your vote then OK. But I'm looking to buy two of them and it looks like I could get into the DR's for $1200 less then if I buy two MR's. Is there a big enough difference to move up to the MR. In regards to the monitor a few posts steered me to that Small HD DP1 monitor. Have you by chance seen it in action? Or do you have any suggestion on camera mounted monitors? Thanks Carlos

December 2nd, 2009, 05:00 PM	#5
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	If you use FCP then I think the DRHD100 is better because you record in QT and can go straight to your timeline. If you have a PC, save yourself the money and get the generic version.

December 3rd, 2009, 12:15 PM	#7
Ed Dooley Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warren Vermont Posts: 73	Just to add more options, the FSH-200 also works with those cameras, and records to QT. I'm editing a 2 camera shoot right now with clips from the FSH-200. No hard drive, it uses CF cards (I have 3 32 gig cards and can record all day). No moving parts and the clips load directly into FCP without log & capture. I still put a tape in the camera for backup. Ed

December 3rd, 2009, 11:07 PM	#9
Ed Dooley Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warren Vermont Posts: 73	Not sure how the HD-100 does it (not sure if you mean that files are labeled sequentially, or if you mean that a constant recorded stream is broken up into multiple clips). On the shoot I just did, the cameras rolled for about an hour at a time. The .mov clips had long names like P130054801.mov, then P17395008.mov (meaning that the numbering wasn't sequential). I format the CF cards as UDF rather than Fat32, so I was getting something like 20 gig files (I'm not at that computer, so I'm remembering the best I can, and the file numbers are made up, but give you the idea of how they're named). Ed

December 9th, 2009, 01:09 PM	#11
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	Thanks for all the suggestions! Ed, I think you've convinced me to go with the FSH200. I have an HD 100 and 200. Does the mount that comes with the FSH 200 mount to those cameras? Not sure which camera you have. Is there a better mount? It appears it uses the Scan Disk Extreme III CF card. Do you use a regular card reader to copy them to your hard drive then drag them into your FCP browser? Carlos

December 10th, 2009, 11:45 AM	#12
Ed Dooley Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warren Vermont Posts: 73	I have the 110U. The mount that comes with the unit is for the camera handle (which gets in the way of carrying the camera), but I have an IDX battery system, and its mounting plate includes a side bracket with holes drilled that I attached the unit to. The bracket also includes a powertap for the FS-H200, but the plug I have was in the way of the unit mounting, so I cut a little off the FS-H200 mounting plate and it works fine now. There's probably a different powertap plug that doesn't get in the way, but my solution works fine. I have a CF card reader (USB), but I usually use the unit itself, which comes with a USB connector for off-loading to a computer. Ed

December 13th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#13
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	Thanks Ed, I'll try your suggestions on mounting. I have my 200's now so just a couple of questions about setup. For the record and DTE format do you recommend the HDV and Quicktime format. I edit on FCP. And for the UDF FS Perm setup did you go with the read-only setting or the read-write setting. They seem to recommend the read-write for Mac, but then say it takes a long time to mount the drive in this setting. Thanks, Carlos

December 14th, 2009, 08:59 AM	#14
Ed Dooley Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warren Vermont Posts: 73	Yes, I use HDV and QT (MOV). I set it to Read/Write. Mounting hasn't been an issue. I haven't timed it, but I haven't ever felt it took too long to mount.

December 16th, 2009, 05:14 AM	#15
Carlos San Roman Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 46	Hi Ed, Having some problems. The FSH 200 doesn't seem to respond to the camera in External mode. I saw one of your other post and switched it to Syncro. When I press play on the camera the 200 seems to be recording but the TC doesn't seem to move. Also in External the display reads 720/30P TC (which is what the camera is set to) but when I switch it to Syncro the display goes to 1080/60i TC. Am I missing something here? Carlos