Focus Enhancements FireStore FS-100 Portable DTE Review (page 2)

A Direct To Edit can save your production a ton of time at the edit stage. With a DTE, there's no time spent sitting and transferring your tape to your computer. When you're ready to edit, connect the FireStore to your computer via FireWire, change the FS-100's menu option to HDD mode and your video is ready to edit right out of the device. The FS-100 acts as an external hard drive allowing you to edit straight from the device, or you can quickly transfer your video at a faster-than-real-time pace. The Focus FS-100 records video in the FAT32 storage system, which means that long clips are broken up into 2GB chunks. Thankfully, Focus allows you to organize these. The P2 (MXF format) files may look daunting, and they require you to copy all the many parts with care. So don't forget to transfer that LASTCLIP.TXT file!

If you own or are looking to rent an HVX200, there isn't a reason not to try the FS-100. It will certainly make for more creative shooting if you need the extra recording time, or don't have an assistant who can hand you empty P2 cards every 10 minutes. The overall functionality of the Focus FS-100 has added value to the Panasonic HVX200 camcorder.

Format: DVD
Platform: PC or Mac
OS: Win 98SE/2000/XP, Mac OS9/X
Default Format: FAT32
Interface: FireWire
Dimensions (mm): 40 x 142 x 95
Weight: 1.0 lb.
Capacity: 100GB
Speed: 5400 rpm
Cache: 8MB
Recording Time: HD, 90-100 minutes

• Records DVCPRO HD format
• User interface
• Replaceable battery

• Confusing user manual

The FireStore people have been consistent with quality and innovation which hasn't stopped at the FS-100.

Andrew Burke is a world-traveling video producer and a member of AIVF.

$1,800
Focus Enhancements, Inc.
1370 Dell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
www.focusinfo.com

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