Firestore

[chanxj]

Hi there, anyone familiar with the firestore fs-100 here? Intending to purchase one for my school to use with the panasonic dvx102.

How is the reliability of it and how long does the battery last? Read online that the battery can last only 90 min?

[roofies]

the battery can last 3hrs to 3 1/2hrs on the one i have.

I got a FS-C..which is similar to the FS-100 but for canon cameras.

=D

[DXNMedia]

I think I've used all the Focus range plus a couple of other 'DTE' systems.
Unless you need fast turnaround of footage, these units may even be a bit more of a pain to use in practical situations.

Either you run outta juice half-way thru a shoot before your camera does, or that the DTE freezes halfway thru a capture and end up needing to pick up the tapes to capture the stragglers, or you'll find yourself frustrated with so many added things mounted or attached to your camera.

More often than not, in a non-time critical production, I've done away with the DTE and stick to good old tape during the acquisition stage, then spend a couple of relaxing/brainless hours to let the tapes be captured, or watch thru and mentally log the footage in preparation for the post production. This will teach your students how to save time by doing proper pre-production planning and reduce their shooting ratio to save time in post.

Of course for academic use, practicality may often be secondary when it comes to spending for new toys to let students learn and use the new technology. Unfortunately, I do not have this luxury of spending other people's money, but I had my fair share of investing my own funds to buy and learn about the pros & cons of DTE systems.

There is no doubt that in a time-critical production that require fast turnaround of footage for post work, the DTE systems are excellent solution for a current tape-based camera, but if budget allows, just propose to change to a tapeless camera system.

[engr]

how about considering the sony CF card solution.

[DXNMedia]

Originally Posted by engr how about considering the sony CF card solution.

yeah, the HVR-MRC1 is a good option and I liked it because my existing gears are Sony based.
But for the school in Chan's case, they may need to spend money to buy Sony batteries, plus CF cards, etc...
Then the poor TSOs have to charge so many different batteries, and the poor students have to lug so many equipment out in the field....and you know students...they'll start to lose this or spoil that.

Doesn't that sound too familiar?

A typical DTE may cost in the range of S$1500, plus extra batt options may even hit the $1800 range.....the cheapest range of card-based camera from Panny should be in the $2500 range...not much more for a complete new camera system.

[chanxj]

Thanks to all for the input. It is of great help!

The primary intended use is for coverage of events rather than educational use. The equipment will be maintained by the students(poly students) themselves in this case as it is for videography club use. The reason for exploring the option is due to the faster turn around time for some editing requested recently.

For the Sony HVR-MRC1 how is the compatibility like with the panasonic dvx102? did hear of it, but i thought it was meant only for newer sony camcorder's to directly interface to. Frankly speaking I'm quite new to the tapeless world.

Currently a new camera system has not been considered, due to the fact that media production department in the school which the club collaborates a lot with is still on a standard definition tape based workflow and they foresee it to stay as it is as for at least another year or 2 as many projection system within are still on SD.

[jaegersing]

I tried out my Sony HVR-MRC1 with a friend's PD150 which is even older than the DVX102 generation. It works fine and he ended up buying an MRC-1 for himself. I think there are some modes like Cache recording that are not supported with the older cams, but straight video recording, with auto start and stop from the camera button, should work OK.

If you want to test out a DVX with my MRC-1 sometime let me know.

[Jemhadar]

I've tested the Sony MRC1K unit with a friend's DVX 100, and it works fine.
There is a 1 to 2 sec delay after you hit the red button on the camera and it will continue recording for another 1 to 2 sec after you stop the camera.

[chanxj]

Hi jaegersing, thanks for the offer. Will first try to get vendor to loan us a set to try. Seriously considering to get the HVR-MRC1 now it now since some of you have tested that it works fine and I would trust solid state drives more.

[trucatus]

My clients are happy with the Sony DR60. Single NP970 batteries can last 4 hours recording. 60G hard disc.

[chanxj]

Hi Dan,

By any chance u have both set for rent? Will be a better way for me to make the decision.

[jhansolo]

DR60 is old technology ... it adds a lot of weight to you camera and throw the CG off.
if the budget is not issue go for HVR-MRC1.

As for testing, if HVR-MRC1 works so will DR60.

[DXNMedia]

Pricing wise, DR60 should be more expensive by about $200-300 or so compared to the MRC1....In the end, should be about the same for both if you get an additional 32gb 133x CF card for the MRC1.

[jaegersing]

I'd agree with jhansolo. In fact I was in a similar position to chanxj and was contemplating buying the DR-60. Then when the MRC-1 came out I decided that I'd much prefer to have solid state flash cards than a spinning hard disk. I could be wrong but CF seems more reliable and better for the longer term.

There is also the flexibility of adding more storage by buying new CF cards. If you have a few shoots back to back with no time to transfer footage, this is very useful. And Transcend 32GB cards are only S$100 which is amazing really. With the DR-60, you would be stuck with shooting to tape again.

[chanxj]

Hi All, have decided to go with the mrc1.
Thanks for all the help! Proposal submitted for 2 sets

[tanvideo]

Hi, Everyone who use Firestore , you can get third party high cap battery from here.
http://worcell.com/product_info.php?...ducts_id=74563
From singapore seller.
thanks

[DXNMedia]

Originally Posted by jaegersing And Transcend 32GB cards are only S$100 which is amazing really.

Hi Richard, care to share where you got S$100 Transcend 32GB 133x cards? I paid S$165 for them abt one or months back.
Just shopped at Sim Lim the other day and the prices are still lingering at that range..

Kingston 133x 16GB CF cards are around $60-80 range...difficult to find stock for the 32GB versions.

[jaegersing]

Hi Dixon. They were $99 at the last 2 IT shows. I think it was a SLS shop running the booth that was selling them but can't remember the shop name.

[DXNMedia]

Originally Posted by jaegersing Hi Dixon. They were $99 at the last 2 IT shows. I think it was a SLS shop running the booth that was selling them but can't remember the shop name.

Guess I missed the offer coz I hated going to PC shows.
Anyways, didn't have good experience with my Transcend card on the MRC1.
Better stick to Sandisks...

[jaegersing]

I just noticed that Best Bargain, #05-02 at SLS, are advertising Kingston 32GB 133x Elite Pro II S2 for $97.20. I have 2 of these and so far no problems with them. But if you are more comfortable with Sandisk then they also have Sandisk Extreme III 32GB for $215.60. Not sure if that's a good price or not because it is out of my range.