- On Special
Vitec Multimedia FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC
The FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder from Focus Enhancements is a hard drive based tapeless recorder that is designed to work with DV and HDV camcorders. The FS-4Pro HD weighs about a pound and is only 1.6" thick, making it very easy to mount on your camera or clipped on a belt. The DTE recorder is fully compatible with both Macintosh and PC based editing systems, making it a great solution for anyone who is tired of the hassles associated with logging and capturing tapes.
- Tapeless Acquisition
- The FS-4 allows you to record directly from your camcorder while you shoot using Direct To Edit (DTE) Technology. When you are finished shooting, simply connect the FS-4 to your computer and you are instantly ready to edit in the timeline.
- True DTE Technology
- The recorder gives you a variety of file format options including RawDV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, 24P AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, Avid DV-OMF, MXF OPatom DV, QuickTime or QuickTime 24P. It is also compatible with HDV camcorders that feature 720p and 1080i MPEG-2 and QuickTime HD recording.
- Fast & Efficient Editing
- Once you have finished shooting, you can mount the FS-4 to your Mac or PC editing system like a normal FireWire hard disk drive. This allows you to transfer clips to your NLE's media drive at up to 50 MB/sec or edit instantly in real-time using the FS-4 as your media source.
- Confidence in Recording
- You have the option of simultaneously recording to disk and tape while you shoot, providing an immediately available, drop out free, edit source and an archive and backup on tape.
- Compact, Lightweight, Rugged Design
- The FS-4 weighs less than one pound including the battery and is only 1.6" thick. You can mount the FS-4 directly to your camcorder using the optional camera mount kit or clip the FS-4 directly to your belt. The FS-4 can withstand the rigors of field shooting. The six second electronic shock cache ensures your video is always recorded even in the roughest of conditions.
- Flexible Capacities and Power
- The recorder comes with a 100GB hard drive which can hold approximately 7.5 hours of footage. You can extend record times by linking 2 FS-4 units together. The FS-4 is powered by slim, removable battery packs or via the supplied AC adapter.
- Easy to Use, Control and Update
- The FS-4 interfaces with your camcorder using a single FireWire cable that passes audio, video, timecode and control information. When a tape is present, each press of start and stop on your camcorder's record button creates an individual clip on disk. The FS-4 features a comprehensive backlit display, menu system and buttons allowing easy control and management.
- Never Miss A Shot
- The recorder's 6-second retro record mode means you are always recording. When action happens, you have up to 6-seconds to hit "record" and capture the moment.
- FS4Pro HD Features
- The FS4Pro HD boasts several features not found in the standard model. These include retro disk and loop record modes, scene marking support, a user definable 10-second retro cache record feature, user definable time lapse and user definable loop playback modes. It also supports free run and regen timecode modes, HD TC display and re-stripe capabilities.
| Video System | NTSC |
| Configuration | Portable |
| Technology | DTE Disk Recorder |
| Audio |
2-Channel (16-bit, 48 kHz) 4-Channel (12-bit, 32 kHz) (RawDV Only) |
| Video |
DV: 480i/p, 8-bit 4:1:1 (NTSC-DV) HDV: 720p 24/25/30fps, 1080i 50/60fps DTE File Formats: RawDV, AVI Type1, AVI Type2, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, QuickTime, AVI Type 2 24p, QuickTime 24p, M2T HD, Pinnacle DV, Avid OMF DV, MXF OPAtom DV, QuickTime HD |
| Recording | Dedicated VTR Record Buttons, Retro Recording, Scene Marking |
| Playback | Play, Stop, Forward Index, Back Index, Forward, Rewind, Loop Playback Modes |
| Hard Drive | 100GB |
| File Transfer Method | FireWire 400 |
| Interface | Front Panel Keys with LCD Screen |
| Controls | Dedicated VTR Play/Record and Mode Buttons |
| Input and Output Connectors |
1x 6-Pin FireWire-400 DV Video I/O 1x 6-Pin FireWire-400 Computer I/O 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) minijack for GPI and RS-232C control |
| Time Code | DV Embedded Timecode (Drop or Non-Drop) |
| Mounting | Belt Mount or On-Camera |
| Compatible Camcorders |
Mini DV (DV25 Camcorders), Canon XL-H1, Sony HDR-FX1, Sony HVR-Z1
1
Please Note:Refer to manufacturer's website for most current compatibility information. close |
| Compatible NLE Systems |
Adobe Premiere Adobe Premiere Pro 2.0 Adobe Premiere Elements Apple Final Cut Express Apple Final Cut Pro Apple iMovie Avid Media Composer Adrenaline Avid Xpress Pro Avid Newscutter Adrenaline Canopus Edius Pro Canopus Edius Broadcast Matrox RT/RTX Matrox Axio Sony Vegas Ulead Media Studio Pro |
| Power Requirements | 15 VDC |
| Power Consumption | 7.5W |
| Environmental Requirements |
Operating Temperature: 32-104°F (0-40°C) Humidity: 30-90% Storage Temperature: -40-140°F (-20-60°C) Humidity: <85% |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 1.6 x 5.6 x 3.75" (4 x 14.2 x 9.5 cm) |
| Weight | 1 lb (0.45 kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (3)
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 5 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
- Compact Design
- Easy To Use
- Highly Compatible
- Improves Performance
- Professional Quality
Cons
- Costly
Best Uses
- Complex Projects
- Independent Films
- In The Studio
Comments about Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC:
Great product. Streamlines post-production.
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Easy to use
- Fast
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Reliable
Cons
Best Uses
- Video
Comments about Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC:
This unit has cut our production time in half. I would recommend everyone get one.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Easy to use
- Fast
- High Capacity
- Portable
Cons
- Indiscrete
- May pull cable loose
Best Uses
- Backup
- File Transfer
- Recording HD
- Video
Comments about Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC:
I am a Wedding Videographer and I own an HDR-FX1 and a PD-170 and the hassle of capuring video from tape to digital is so annoying! I record to my Firestore FS4 Pro HD 80G as the Primary source and use tape as backup and believe me its the best Investment Ive made after purchasing the video cameras.
I had dropped frames on different points within the video recorded on Tape and lost that cassette footage...bummer!
My Firestore saved me from losing precious footage during the vows. Its super easy to use and you can use it without having to spend on tape...Especially those of us who record HD footage, we dont have to purchase those $10 tapes!
Again, If your in the professional video recording business, I highly recommend recording to the Firestore and tape. Its very cool because you can sync record on the FS-4(when you press the record button on your camera, video is recorded simultaneously to tape and to the FS-4).
Yes, it is noticeable if you hang it from your belt. Be careful if you use it on your belt and keep an eye on cable length, I already stretched the cable by accident and it disconnected during recording. Thank goodness I backup to tape!
I would love this product even more if Focus Enhancements could reduce its overall size and make it more discrete.
To give you an idea, about 4 hours of footage downloads from the FS-4 via firewire to my PC in about 15 minutes....cutting 3.75 hours (of capturing video) from my workflow and about $12 more bucks on tape if you dont use them as a backup. Time is money!
- Primary use:
- Business
Comments about Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC:
I originally purchased two 80 GB FS-4's. I gave one to eachof my videographers to use as the PRIMARY source for myvideo, using videotapes as backup. The problem with thetapes is that they only go for an hour. Shooting depositionsand other talking head, or even other types of litigationsupport related video, you could shoot all day long. The 80GB drives are not large enough for an all day shoot, soevery now and then, the videographer would bring backadditional tapes - those take forever to copy into theeditor at one hour per tape. I added the FS-4 Pro 100GBdrive to my stock to see if it would work very well - allday long, and thus far, the 100GB unit will cover us all daylong. Dumping the drive to a laptop editor using Sony Vegas7 (also purchased from B&H), and an external My Book 500GB hard drive takes only about an hour (for 7.5 hours ofvideo!). I am now looking to purchase another three FS-4Pro100GB units (as soon as they are back in stock!) to add toour production kits. For local video, we dump the drive tothe system (we use several Sony Vegas packages and laptops),then edit and burn the DVD's for the clients right away. Thealternative that we are looking for is the ability to simplyedit and burn right from the disk - thus saving that dumptime too! Having enough of these pricey little drives willallow us to do just that. Another note. One of ourcamcorders began to have problems with the video tape awhile ago, but kept shooting. Recently, it had a lot ofdifficulty with the tape, and we would have lost the shothad it not been for the FS-4 Pro drive! We use the drivevideo as the Primary source - the tapes had just been forbackup - now, we are using the camcorders as just cameras,and feeding the video to the FS-4 Pro unit. (This has theside effect of us being able to shoot longer before breaks -the tapes required us to stop at around 57 minutes, where wecan now shoot for - if they really wanted to - the whole 7.5hours without a break!).
Expertise: Professional Videographer / Owner, VDO1
Problems Encountered: Once you get used to the screens and setup - it is very easyto use. You will likely discover that you only use a few(two or three) screens every day. KEEP THE BOOK to be ableto know everything it can do, for that one time you need tochange a feature, or function of the unit - it is veryflexible. I have had ZERO problems with this unit and I useit almost every single day!
Previous Equivalent Item Owned: FS-4ProHD80GB
Items I Recommend: I like the camcorder mounting kit!
Comments about Focus Enhancements FS-4Pro HD 100GB Portable DTE Recorder - NTSC:
I would have to say if you can justify the cost of having such a product then do it. I love the 7.5 hour seamless recording (DV). Attached to the main output of a live mixer or right on top of your DV camera. Either way it works well. I use it with a Bi Directional Digital/Analog I/O. Saves tons of time in editing or just transferring straight to tape. It also saves having to use the camera deck.
Problems Encountered: It does add a little bulk to the top of your camera but the belt clip is useful. The only problem with that is the firewire cable attached to you and the camera. You have to remember to unhook on or the other when separating yourself from the camera.
Previous Equivalent Items Owned: N/A
Items I Recommend: The camera mount and a Bi-Directional Digital/Analog IO
Displaying reviews 1-5
- Belt Clip
- User Guide
- 4' (1.2 m) 6-pin to 4-pin FireWire Cable
- Power Supply with Cable and Connector
- Removable Li-Ion Battery Pack
- 2-Year Limited Warranty on DTE
- 90-Day Limited Warranty on Accessories (Including Battery)
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
