The Panasonic FireStore FS-100 by Focus Enhancements is a direct-to-edit digital video recorder designed specifically for the Panasonic AG-HVX200 P2 camcorder. The FS-100 is armed with a 100 GB hard drive which can record up to 100 minutes of DVCPRO HD 1080p footage. The short run times associated with P2 cards are a thing of the past!
The device records all DVCPRO50/HD footage to Panasonic's standard MXF file and can be hooked up directly into your non linear editing system via FireWire. The benefit of direct-to-edit recording is limitless. After recording your footage, simply hook the drive to your computer and you are ready to start cutting. This type of acquisition can be very helpful for news gathering, where broadcast ready footage is time critical.
| Video System | NTSC, DVCPRO HD, DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO, DV |
| Configuration | Portable |
| Technology | DTE Technology (Direct To Edit) |
| Audio |
DVCPRO HD: Embedded 4-channel (48 kHz, 16-bit) DVCPRO: Embedded 4-channel (48 kHz, 16-bit) DV: Embedded 2-channel (48 kHz, 16-bit) or 4-channel (32 kHz, 12-bit) 1 Please Note:4-channel (12-bit, 32 kHz) Audio is Supported Only in DTE Technology with RawDV File Format close |
| Video |
DVCPRO HD: 4:2:2, 8-bit, 6.7:1 Compression, 100 Mb/s; 1080 60i (30P, 24P, 24PA); 720 60P (30P, 24P, 24pN) DVCPRO 50: 4:2:2, 8-bit, 3.3:1 Compression, 50 Mb/s; 480 60i (30P, 24P, 24PA) DV/DVCPRO: 4:1:1, 8-bit, 5:1 Compression, 25 Mb/s 480 60i (30P, 24P, 24PA) |
| Recording |
DV/DVCPRO: RawDV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, AVI Type 2 24p, Matrox
AVI, Canopus AVI, QuickTime, QuickTime 24p, Avid OMF, Pinnacle AVI, P2 MXF DVCPRO 50 and DVCPRO HD: P2 MXF |
| Playback |
Play Pause Stop Forward Index Back Index Multi-Speed Fast Forward Rewind |
| Hard Drive |
Internal Disk Type: 100GB, 8MB Cache Disk Format: FAT32; FS-100 |
| File Transfer Method | FireWire |
| Interface | Panel: Back Lit LCD Display, Buttons Front Mounted |
| Controls | Buttons to Control Playback and Recording, as well as Fast Forward and Rewind |
| Input and Output Connectors |
FireWire: Video, Computer GPI and Remote |
| Time Code | Embedded SMPTE or DV Drop Frame or Non-Drop Frame |
| Mounting | Optional Cradle with Camera Mount |
| Compatible Camcorders |
Panasonic: AG-HVX200 (JAPAN NTSC), AG-HVX200P (US NTSC) AG-DVC7 AG-DVC30 AG-DVC60 AG-DVX100 AJ-SDC905 |
| Power Requirements | 15 VDC |
| Power Consumption | 7.5W |
| Environmental Requirements | 14-104°F (-10-40°C) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 1.6 x 5.6 x 3.7" (4 x 14.2 x 9.5 cm) |
| Weight | 1 lb (0.5 kg) |
Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic Focus Enhancements FS100 FireStore:
We bought 2 units FS 100 (100 gig)Our camera men are having a hard time from recording to playback. and back to recording again.You have to press a lot of buttons.Secondly, The firewire cable connecting to the HVX 100 is very accident prone. Several times we had a bad experience with it wherein we accidentally detach it from the camera. And our video recording for the segment was unrecovered.I sold the other unit to my friend.when he used it for an mtv shoot, everything went great. Unluckily while he was checking it in his computer, the power of the fs 100 went out. The whole footage were lost[...]
Comments about Panasonic Focus Enhancements FS100 FireStore:
I wish I could have back all of the time and energy I put into trying to get a hold of a couple 16 gig P2 cards for my HVX200. After several days of searching, emailing and calling everybody in the country including our friends at B and H, trying to find two 16 gig P2 cards to no avail, I decided to settle on purchasing the Firestore FS-100. I'm so glad I did. Not only can it store 3 times the amount of media that two 16 gig P2 cards can store, but it is ultimately better for FCP users. You can record Quicktime .moves directly to the FS-100, then copy them to your RAID, therefore skipping the task of converting the P2 MXF files into Quicktime files for use with FCP. Also, it costs a couple hundred dollars less than two 16 gig P2 cards. This unit was designed for users of the Panasonic HVX200 (though you can use it with a multitude of cameras) so if you have an HVX200, the step by step instructions make it all the more user friendly. Not only did it save the day for me, but it turned out to be the more sensible solution. Hands down. I highly recommend it.
Expertise: 10 yrs professional editor and videography
Problems Encountered: I have not encountered any problems, but I have read in some user groups that the firewire connection can be a little spotty. That is the only advantage I can think of that P2 cards have over the FS-100. I intend to watch that carefully and not jostle the cable too much.
Items I Recommend: Panasonic HVX200, Final Cut Pro
Displaying reviews 1-2