UPDATE: If you're planning on using an FS100 with a HDV camera, it will NOT work. You'll need to use an FS-4 HD, FS-4Pro HD, DR-HD100 and FS-C. Source: www.dvinfo.net/forum/focus-enhancements-firestore/69999-firestore-fs100-various-topics.html#post518692
Do you guys know if I can record videos with the FS-4 or FS-100 on a camera that has a broken head drum? I have a vx2000 that can't record on tapes... I want to buy a fs-4 to see if it works
Nice to see that young people still loves the VX instead of iPhone video! The VX series are real cameras, although they are standard definition. We own a VX2000 and still use it in some productions.
Nice one mukka for having me in this. Maybe soon we'll see more people donning these devices onto their cameras like some weird Frankenstein ting in the future.
i think a whole section of the vid should have been dedicated to my cursed tape compartment and that alone is a reason everyone should get a tapeless device - great vid mate
I've got a Sony PD150 (very similar to the VX, but with XLR audio) - I've just started mounting the HVR-MRC1 on the back of a rail rig. The recorder sits at the back of the camera on a monitor mount, which is way more balanced than having it on the side, or even on the top
Dude... I’m so stoked I came across this video. I was having trouble with my fs100 and had no idea you could just capture as if it were a camera straight from the harddrive. I thought it was just for connecting to a camera... My firewire port fucked out on me for the drag and drop option on the computer so I’m very fortunate for this workaround. Beware when using the fs100 that way! It can fry your computer parts along with the harddrive itself!
@@BenJonesVideographer When you connect the drive through the computer port and you press dd drive when disconnecting it from the computer it will say "disconnect from computer now" or something along those lines but if you disconnect the cord from the harddrive without following the instructions for some reason it can cause a malfunction in the device and because its connected to your computer can fry the firewire port on there too. Happened to me like 3 months ago and I was cameraless for a while.
This was a great video! I wish i knew you were making this before and much thanks, the more coverage the better. now what we need is how to update the mrc1 video step by step.
I appreciate your effort in creating this video. However, it's quite frustrating that there are excellent recorders available, and none of have a Firewire or Thunderbolt 3 port, which is rather limiting. It's a missed opportunity. It's also unfortunate that HDMI isn't compatible with Firewire or Thunderbolt, as that would have made things simpler with adapter cables. I've contemplated the idea of constructing my own recorder using a Raspberry Pi 4 or a similar device. However, since I lack the technical knowledge to do so, I'll need to dedicate some time to learning more about these technologies. Once again, thank you for sharing your video.
Another worthy mention is the Maxell iVDR VC102. Also, the reason the audio gets corrupted is because the DN-60 requires 48Khz audio at 16-bit; the VX1000 only supports 32Khz audio at 12-bit while recording.
luckily found my dte 5 for 250$ us, they also come with a back bracket so you can mount it from the back with the L mount but as you guys where talking about it its like a brick and shifts the weight cause how heavy it is! amazing vid ben!
God damn that's some luck! I'm sure after a while you'll get used to it but at first it's a right pain in the arse. And thank you dude I appreciate that 👍
now who will be the first one to build one of these units into the vx tape compartiment and connecting all the stuff to use the actual record buttons and stuff
Thats EXACTLY what I tried, I literally dremeled and plastic welded the frame of my VX trying to make this a reality a month or two ago. You can to push the battery compartment further back on the VX somehow in order to fit the Firestore without the casing. Also the best solution is to solder cables from the recorder to the port on the VX but this proves VERYYY hard because there's a chip on the Firestore right under the firewire port and you will destroy it trying to desolder the port. It's possible, but I need a lot more planning to do it right. I also broke an FS-100 trying to mess around too much, so just be careful with the weak ass resistors and chips on them. Hopefully one day I can post a video of it lol
I have a VX2000 and have recently bought a CitiDisk capture card to go tapeless! I can’t quite figure out how to capture to just the card. I have to have a tape in to record. Any idea how to capture to just the card?
It seems according to B&H "Records DV/HDV/DVCProHD from camcorder controlled by camera's REC button (with tape inserted), or by CitiDISK CFR's REC button without tape inserted" that you need to hit the record button on the device itself. If that still doesn't work, it maybe something in the settings you need to adjust!
Gotta find my FS recorders and get some IDE to CF adapters to try some stuff (since CF is basically IDE and both my FS-100 and FS-4 use IDE hard drives). Also, I have two FS-100 recorders because why question decisions? Nothing matters! (actually, the one I purchased in 2017 that has the missing cover on the top finally kicked the bucket and getting another one in much better shape wasn't that much more expensive). Also also, weirdly, you *can* use the FS-100 with Windows 10 with no drivers, but only on some computers (works fine with my Dell Precision M4600, my HP Elitebook from 2011, and my ThinkPad from 2008, but not with my ThinkPad from 2012).
Hey super helpful video! does it matter that the PAL vx1 has only DV out rather than IN/OUT on NTSC? does it mean it can record but couldn't playback on the camera?
For real! Only really discovered that after the video dropped. The plan was that part 2 was gonna cover some of the more obscure recorders like the CitiDisk but unfortunately life got me all fucked up!
@@briancontreras4745 To be honest the only other good option we found for part 2 was the SONY DR60. I would actually go as far as saying the DR60 is maybe the joint best option. It's only drawback is that it has an internal drive which can possibly fail if damaged. Other than that it's a great option. We found a couple of other options but they are super super rare and kinda shitty so not worth mentioning.
@@AlHodgson big ups for the response, I ended up striking a solid deal on a fs-h200 pro for 200$ on eBay and have been in love with it since. Only sucky thing is the scroll wheel which is like a shitty iPod click wheel and can be pretty tedious when working around the menu. But other than that it’s been a great capturing device and works solid for my Sony pd-150 and my hdv school camera
Hey @BenJonesVideographer ! Do you know if I can record videos with the FS-4 or FS-100 on a camera that has a broken drum head? I have a vx2000 that can't record on tapes... I want to buy a fs-4 to see if it works
Since the FS100 has a 2.5 spinning hard drive, I wonder if you could open it up and replace the Hard drive with an SSD. That way you wouldnt have to worry about waiting for it to spin up, or worry about jolting the hard drive as much
You can!!! There is a tutorial if you search it up, doing this there is also space for an extra external battery inside (I found one that fits perfectly of 10000 mah, (15hrs of battery) wich you can connect to the charging port!!
having a hard time connecting my DN60 to premiere. I have all the adapters *firewire 6 pin to 8 pin -> firewire 8 pin to thunderbolt 2 -> thunderbolt 2 to thunderbolt 3 -> 2018 mac running premiere. Won't show up, have tried connecting it while clip already playing, opening program with clip playing, checking settings - found a data video setting in the capture preferences. But still no luck. If I open iMovie, I can see the camera is connected to the computer, I can playback and watch the footage totally fine - but it for some reason won't capture in iMovie. when I hit "import" it just never saves it.. I'm so close to this tapeless vx1mk1... so close! any help is appreciated. thanks fellas
I wonder if it's worth it to spend the ~500 bucks on the MRC1. My cameras have been giving me problems with the head drum glitches, and another issue is my video's quality drops because I have to do some shenanigans with transferring the tapes.
Yo! Quick question for you. I got the DN-60 and everytime i connect it either to my vx1000 or my computer it will freeze and the dial will not do anything. If i turn the dn-60 on while plugged in, it will get stuck at the inital loading screen for both my vx and my computer. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
save Ben Jone i work with datavideo dn 60 conected to a sony vx 2100and cannot capture images on the CF card reader how do succed in this form capture?
hey man thank you for sharing! I got two questions, can mr-hd100 work on vx1000? And is mr-hd100 had the pal and ntsc version? thank you for your time!
Recorders like that will be covered in my part 2! I think for some people the AV quality will be enough but for me I prefer the digital. However I don't know, maybe one of em will change my mind!
So those firestore drives are finnicky things the whole FS series weather it generic or branded always, ALWAYS broke one me when I had them. Eventually I started using an atomos star i think its called. with a component to hdmi cable on the side of my JVC gy hm 200. Thats really the best option besides that sony unit. The professional opinion back in the day was to find some form of external recorder or use tape as a backup in combo with those Focus / FS drives.
Wouldn't outputting through the component be an analog signal? So essentially a worse quality output? Surely outputting via FireWire (thus digitally) is always superior for any DV cameras?
So when I connect the HVR-MRC1 to the VX1000 turn on the MRC1 first and then the camera my MRC1 is going to freeze in the moment the camera is turning on. No matter if Camera or VTR. When I turn the camera off again the MRC1 is not frozen again. Whats the issue there? I have these components: SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash 32GB 160MB/s FireWire Cable IEEE 1394A FireWire Cable IEEE 1394. Both cables give the same result.
@esVideographer just tried it. The MRC lights up and stays in the "welcome" screen. When I turn off the camera the MRC boots up normally again. When I turn off the MRC before, it stays on until I turn off the camera.
Hey Ben, thanks for the video! I bought a FS-100 after watching it! But I have a little problem. I use it with my vx 1000 and every time I zoom in the aspect ratios change a little bit. Do you have any idea what could be causing this?
Hello. Thank you for all information. I have a vx2000 and dn60. Do you know if it has the same issues of vx1000? Like transfer only from firewire and not directly from card? And about using new cfcard , even upgrading de firmware , the problem is the same? What kind of issues should I see using newer cards? I hope you know those questions. Sorry about my english.
You should be able to drag and drop files no problem with any camera that isn't a VX1000! And due to the age of the DN60 even with the latest firmware it either won't work with newer cards, or it won't be stable enough to use (as in, might corrupt footage e.t.c)
Hi ben jones I find pd170 ( its same like VX2100) but have problem with LCD its blank but viewfinder its still good,if still buy and I buy, ImmercionRC so can I not use my LCD blank? Or I try to fixed my LCD and then but ImmercionRC? Or any advice? And i find again Sony PD170 ( same like VX2100) but its also normal with LCD normal Can you give me advice how to make tapeless?? thanks ben jones 🙏🏻
Really depends on price. If the one with the damaged screen is cheaper and you can find a cheap Immersion PowerPlay then do that! But me personally I'd go for the one with the working screen
@@BenJonesVideographer any advice if i want tapeless but cheaper then from this video? But have good Quality Because in my country powerplay immersionRc is out of stock and discontinue
@@tomzkiwahyu25 hmmm, I'd look around for different FPV drone recorders and see what you can find. Some can be decent HD and for a good price. It's beyond my knowledge so I'd ask in fps groups and see what is suggested
I just googled that, I had no idea it existed! We went with these as these tend to show up more often for sale than some others, but good shout! I'll have to mention it in my part 2 👍🏻
is is possible to play a dv tape in the hvx, capture it to the firestore, then back on to the p2 cards of the hvx? i need to transfer a tape to my computer but i don't have firewire!
I just bought an NTSC Focus FS-100 for 80USD the only problem is i didn’t know it was region lock (i live in a pal region). Is there any solution bypass it? Or am I better off buying a ntsc camera
i was wondering if there isn't any like tape design with a built in space to put an sd card? it would be so much easier, i can't find any solution for my canon uc-v300E, if anyone as one, pls just tell me
I don't think there is a specific CF card you have to use, of course one from around the time the MRC1 came out (2008) would be good. Something class 6 or above and with enough storage like 64gb?
Anyone have any insights on using FireStore FS-4 with VX2000? I want to purchase one but want to make sure it will work/I have all the necessary components to make it fully functional/worth it. Thanks!
@@AlHodgsonDo you guys know if I can record videos with the FS-4 or FS-100 on a camera that has a broken head drum? I have a vx2000 that can't record on tapes... I want to buy a fs-4 to see if it works
Thanks for the vid guys! Awesome work, helped a lot. I was wondering if instead of buying an specific CF Card could use a CF to SD adapter on the MRC1. Anyone tried? Thanks
Apparently someone has tried that and it did work! But it also can have the same effect as the UDMA7 CF cards. So it depends. I only know one person who managed it successfully.
Probably? With the right adaptors from the D2 output connection. But honestly it wouldn't be worth it. If you got a HPX and a Atmos SDI recorder then you'd be talking
All the firewire tapeless solutions should work with your TRV900e! If you go the Firestore route you'll wanna make sure you get a PAL device to work with your PAL TRV. If you get an MRC1 or a DN60 you won't have to worry about that.
Dude, I thought they were on! I even turned em on again just now and it's still not showing up. I'll try and sort this out. Thank you for bringing this to my attention mate!
@@BenJonesVideographer thanks man. One more question though, can the D60 playback the footage in the camera? I am not sure if I missed it, but it was not mentioned in the video. Cheers!
Your FS100 probably wont remember the date and time, because it probably uses a small CMOS battery inside the unit to remember the date and time when powered off. And that battery has probably been dead for a LOOONG time haha. Idk if it has one for sure, but I would guess that it does. That is how PC's remember their date and time when powered off and unplugged. If you dont know what a CMOS battery is, just look it up. Probably very simple to replace, but idk I havent opened one of those things up.
yo! i have the mrc1 and a macbook computer.. i filmed with the mrc1 and imported the clips and saw it was .avi files. and cant importing it to imovie or final cut. I have problem to find a converter who keeps the same quality and make it interlaced. do you have any ideas? thanks.
You should be able to change the recording format to .DV on the MRC1. I would always avoid using .avi for VX footage. As for converting, MPEG Streamclip is good if your Mac is old enough to support downloading that.
@@user-cz3fz1hi2mDo you guys know if I can record videos with the FS-4 or FS-100 on a camera that has a broken head drum? I have a vx2000 that can't record on tapes... I want to buy a fs-4 to see if it works
@@BenJonesVideographer yeah I changed every setting I could find to see what would make it work but no luck. Timer won't change from 00:00:00 when I try to record
@@nt2535 Hmmm, have you tried a different cable? The GL2 if anything should work. Is the hard drive actually spinning up or is it making any weird noises?
I have the exact same problem with my canon xm2 and the hvr mrc1 but it works with my VX. So I know it has something to do with the camera not the cable or anything
Also it does recognize that it's connected course there's weird logos showing up and then I get to choose between hdv and DV and I never got to do that with my VX
@@BenJonesVideographer Lol is it because it's not DV? I just got one for my VX1 and I've gotta say the weight and convenience of it are nice. It would be cool if you made a video on it and compared it with your FS. Your vids are always sick though, I like geeking out over this kind of stuff
@@joey69763 Part 2 was supposed to happen but the colabs I had going fell apart, and all I have is an hour long call with Al comparing some rare devices and some of the RCA recorders. I just didn't think it could be help up to part 1
@@BenJonesVideographer Damn I feel you, that would have been a dope video. It still probably would be without all the collabs, you should post what you got. Maybe don’t call it part 2 idk haha
For real. It's been 8 or so months since this came out, and they've either been bought up by Instagram camera pages, or bought up by filmers wanting spares/back ups
@@BenJonesVideographer such a shame might just have to settle with MRC 1 both my Vx's sitting at home gathering dust at the moment makes me sad not to put em to good use
@@BenJonesVideographer welp i ended up losing but better luck next time and i’ll check those vids. Last question, is there anyway i can use a aftermarket battery on a Trv900 without getting the “for info lithium only” error?
@@michaeldennis8258 hmm interesting. I've not heard of that being an error. All I could suggest is using higher quality aftermarket batteries? I don't know much about it sorry, but checking the "Filming & Editing" section of Slap will help!