CenterStage CS1
Difference Between CS-1 CS-2 CS-HD		CS-2 has these added features: Built in TBC {time base corrector} SDI input option CS-1 and CS-2 can be upgraded with a PC, new resolutions can be added CS-HD does not have any of the above-mentioned features CS-HD has DVI out but not DVI in.

What is CenterStage?		CenterStage is a Professional Video Processor that functions as a resolution multiplier and up scales video to the full native resolutions required by today's CRT/LCD monitors, LCD/DLP/D-ILA projectors, and high-resolution plasma display panels. Visible scan lines and flicker are eliminated, and the result is a picture with improved detail and color quality that is perfect for professional presentations and home theater applications. CenterStage accepts interlaced, progressive and digital inputs. Its output is pure, flicker-free, progressive video that is fine-tuned to your standard or high-definition display.

Can I use CS with any TV, Projection or Plasma display?		The TV, Projection or Plasma display must have an analog component (YPrPb or RGB) or DVI digital input connection. Most standard TVs and projection TVs will most likely have analog connections, and many newer plasmas and LCD displays have DVI digital.

Does CenterStage have a wireless remote?		Yes, both CenterStage models come with a Remote Control and On Screen menu Display. You can use a Universal Remote Control that has a self learning mode such as Yamaha RAV-2000 or an RS-232 programmable unit such as the Philips Pronto Remote.

What cables come with the CenterStage? Will I need more?		Both CenterStage models come with a HD15 VGA pass through cable. Depending on your sources and display you will need additional cables such as Composite, S-Video, Component and RGB. These cables are available at most AV retailers.

What does YPrPb mean?		This is the technical term for a common form of Component Video. For more information on connection schemes visit the following web site at http://electronics.cnet.com/electronics/0-6342366-8-7008129-1.html

Is there an application note for creating custom resolutions		Here is the download for the software. Center Stage SW The user guide to use this software is located in user manual(see page 24) Software User Manual Here is some other resolutions we have set up that can be added to the Centerstage. List of resolutions

Everything is connected correctly but I get no picture, why?		Make sure your video connection is selected as the input for CenterStage. Make sure your TV, Projection or Plasma display can display the resolution you have selected on CenterStage. Make sure your display device is using the correct input and that CenterStage output matches the connection type (RBG, YPrPb). Even with no input source selected you should be able to see the CenterStage "menu" over a gray screen.

What output resolution (scan rate) should I select?		Center Stage output resolution should match the native resolution of your display device. This is the resolution of the "Display Element" in a projector or the display pixel count" in a plasma display. By choosing the native resolution of the display, this allows the display to pass through the video unscaled. You do not want to have the video scaled in the CenterStage and the display as well. This will introduce undesired scaling artifacts. When using YPrPb as output, you will choose between 480P, 720P 1080I, 1080P. When you choose 720P, 1080i or 1080P, you will be forced to YPrPb output. When you choose VGA, SVGA XGA WXGA, DILA and 540P resolutions they default to RGB, and can be changed to YPrPb.

What aspect ratios should I select?		Output aspect ratio should match the aspect ratio of your display device. If you are using a projector, you should match the aspect ratio of the screen (4:3 or 16:9). Input Aspect should match the ratio of the source, VHS and video games are always 4x3. Most DVD movies allow you to select the aspect ratio.

How do I connect component out from CenterStage?		YPrPb or VGA use the same HD15 female connector. You will need a HD15 to YPrPb " Break Out cable" which is available at most A/V retailers.

The picture does not fit the screen, why?		Check your input and output aspect ratio. Input Aspect should match the ratio of the source. Output aspect ratio should match the aspect ratio of your display device. Make sure you have the right resolution selected for your display device. Don't forget to use the CenterStage menu size sliders for fine adjustments.

Why does my AV reciever change my picture shape?		Each CenterStage input has its own memory settings, so each of your video sources should have its own dedicated input into CenterStage and not routed through the AV Receiver.

Extreme red or green tint		Full Question: I input a progressive component (YPrPb) from my DVD player and that produces an extreme red tint. However, if I press the progressive button again on the remote after the progressive input is selected, the front panel changes to "Progressive RGB" and the screen turns green, why? A: Go into the Miscellaneous menu and calibrate your progressive (YPrPb) input. This should only have to be done on your initial setup. (This is in the manual under Miscellaneous menu.)

Why does my display show a green hue?		You may have YPrPb selected as your output format from CenterStage while your display is looking for RGB. To check this, go to CenterStage main menu in the output selections menu. Find the output format. Select RGB or YPrPb out by pressing the < > buttons on the CenterStage remote control. This should match the input format selected on your display. Also make sure you are using the proper Sync signals for your display. Sync-on-green may be on when it's not suppose to.

Why don't I recieve a picture using a VGA/RGB pass-through?		When using Pass-through, the output format must match the input format, so when inputting RGB into pass-through you must use RGB as output format .

When I use a VHS VCR I don't get any video, why?		Most standard VCRs have unstable timing (aka poor time base) which causes this problem. The remedy is to purchase a VCR with a Time Base Corrector built in, add an external Time Base Corrector or use the CenterStage 2 model which has a built in Time Base Corrector.

What is DVI and DVI HDCP?		DVI (Digital Video Interface) is a new connection scheme which keeps the signal from your DVI equipped Set Top Box (Cable or Satelite Box) , computer, or PVR completely digital. DVI HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is a content copy protection encryption scheme used with DVI to prevent unauthorized copying and redistribution of digitally perfect content. Original content via computer display cards or game consoles, and video from standard definition DVD players will not likely be content protected. CS-1 has standard DVI In and Out, and CS-2 has Standard DVI/HDCP support. Computers with DVI graphics cards have been on the market for some time, and several manufactures have announced products that will have DVI HDCP. CS-2 is future-proof since it will accept both DVI content from computers and DVI HDCP content from set top boxes.

Where can I obtain DVI cables?		DVI cables are still pretty new, so they have limited availability. Here are some sources: Inline DVIM-DVIM-3 3' Male to Male Inline IN97XX-2 Male to Male DVI-D cables (up to 75' lengths) Gefen Inc. manufactures many DVI products such as cables, extenders, converters, and Adapters Digital Connection DVIDDL6 and DVIDDL-10 Male to Male Ram Electronics Cables online Prices range from $33 for 3' lengths to $975 for extended length high performance solutions.

Are there different types of DVI cables?		Yes, DVI cables are available as single link and double link cables. CenterStage's DVI input and output only uses one link (160 Megapixels/second). Focus, like many other manufacturers have chosen to use double link DVI receptacle connectors so that either single or double link DVI cabling can be used. When you order a DVI cable, and it is unspecified, you will probably receive a double link cable.

Why don't i see any output with my DVI source?		The CenterStage DVI input only accepts the following resolutions at 60Hz: 640 x 480 480p 720 x 576 800 x 600 720p 1024 x 768 1280 x 960 1280 x 1024 1366 x 768 If your signal is coming from a computer, make sure that the computer's display settings are set to 60Hz output rate.

What are common DVI or DVI HDCPsources?		The DVI connector is now firmly established on Computer video cards, and many laptops have DVI out. This means that CenterStage can process and scale your desktop for the purpose of big screen PowerPoint presentations, computer gaming, Internet Browsing, or general application use. DVI HDCP is becoming popular for HDTV sources, and can already be found on set top boxes ( sa tellite, cable, or terrestrial receivers) such as, Pace Micro 550HD, Zenith HD-SAT520, and Samsung SIR-T165.

Do I have to use DVI out if I use DVI in?		Yes and No. These are the different modes of operation: 1. For analog in, CenterStage will output component analog and DVI simultaneously. 2. For DVI in, CenterStage will output component analog and DVI simultaneously. The DVI out is user selectable to be either DVI, or DVI HDCP. 3. For DVI HDCP in, CenterStage will only output DVI HDCP out. In this case, the component analog outputs are turned off.

Windows 2000 gives me an error message during installation		To install CenterStage Remote, Windows 2000 must be updated to service pack 2. This is a free update to registered Windows 2000 users available from Microsoft.

Why do I get the message 'Connection Failed'?		Make sure your using a valid serial port (COM1, COM 2). Double-check your connection and make certainthat Windows Device Manager doesn't report any problems. If you recently installed the CSR, try restarting your computer and try again.

Why is the CSR download option grayed out?		If you were using CSR to make adjustments you must disconnect CSR using the disconnection menu option. Once this is done ensure that you have CenterStage set for Program mode (the LCD backlight and button lights will go out indicating program mode). Now select Download from the CSR menu.

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FireFly MC
How much video content can be stored on my Firefly?		Currently Firefly servers are shipped with 120GB hard disks. Prior to that date, they could be ordered in 40GB, 80GB, or 120GB sizes. 40G hard drive (aprox 37G actual storage space) 8Mbps files = 10 hours aprox 6Mbps files = 13.5 hours aprox 4Mbps files = 20 hours aprox 120G hard drive (aprox 113G actual storage space) 8Mbps files = 31 hours aprox 6Mbps files = 41 hours aprox 4Mbps files = 62 hours aprox To determine storage requirements for a specific application use the following formula: Where x = Mbps (bit rate of encoding) -- (x * .45) = GB of storage per hour of playback. Example: Using 8 Mbps as a data rate for the MPEG videos -- (8 * .45) = 3.6 GB/hour of encoding. Therefore, for every hour of 8 Mbps MPEG videos 3.6 GB of storage is required. Please consider future sizes of media content libraries required for your application, when determining storage options.

I see Firefly MC has a smart card. How is a smart card used?		Beginning with Firefly version 3.1, the smart card is used in two ways. First, for “Configuration backup”, Firefly MC settings can be saved to the smart card OR the settings can be loaded from the Smart Card to the Firefly MC. This is very handy for field service calls or installations when multiple Firefly players are used. Second, the smart card is used to enable Firefly MC options, a) Dolby Digital Decode audio, b) Enable multicast client software (Kencast or Skystream) c) External A/V Switch. d) For Firefly V3.20.4 or higher the Smart Card enables channels 3 and 4. Making a Firefly MC 2 channel into a Firefly MC 4 channel player requires this smart card option.

Will Firefly MC playback a DVD video file?		Yes. You can use the same process you use to create DVD videos, to create videos for Firefly MC. A Video Object or a ".vob" video is the file format used by DVD. These .vob videos are comprised of MPEG 2 video (bit rate/data rate of 5-7 Mbps) and usually have a corresponding audio track from MPEG 2 stereo to different types of digital audio. Menu and chapter options are not required to control playback on Firefly. Firefly Playback is controlled as a centrally managed function of a player network, and doesn't require these options. Playback instructions for Firefly come in a script format. Playlist (or scripts) for Firefly can be delivered via WebView, auto update disk, Media Messenger or network connection. Firefly also has a remote control (IR) interface that allows a local user to make immediate programming changes if required. Firefly however will not playback commercial movie DVDs. Most commercial DVD movies are encrypted so that only DVD players licensed for decryption can play them back. DVD players are manufactured to support commercial or "Hollywood" movie playback. Firefly is designed to support digital business communication solutions in retail, finance and health care and does not support recreational playback of commercial movie DVDs.

What graphic overlays are supported on Firefly MC?		Firefly 3.x will support the following graphic file formats: .tga .tif .gif .jpg (.jpeg) .png as well as .bmp (Bitmap). The graphic overlay playback capabilities of Firefly 3.x supports 8 bit, 256 colors. While copying .jpg, .gif, .tif, .tga, .png or non 256 -color .bmp image files, Firefly converts those files to a standard 8-bit, 256-color bitmap format and reduces the image sizes, if necessary, to the system maximum of 720 x 480 for NTSC. This is necessary to ensure that all image files used for graphic overlays are consistent in appearance and functionality. As a result, all image files listed under “Loaded Media” will appear with “.bmp” as their extension. If you do not want your images to be converted by Firefly, create them according to the parameters outlined above before transferring.

I just upgraded my Firefly and scrolling text does not work.		If the upgrade was from 3.20.x to 3.30.2 for Firefly MC, the scrolling text fonts have changed between these versions. Make sure that you are using the updated Media Messenger to create your playlist’s. These new fonts are supported in Media Messenger version 4.41.16 or higher.

What is Firefly?		Firefly is an easy-to-use digital video playback device. In its standard configuration, Firefly will simultaneously display up to 4 channels of extremely high quality video from MPEG-2 files. Firefly is easily controlled with a standard TV remote to create and modify scripted playback of MPEG-2 files. Firefly is also easily attached to a standard ethernet network for updating files and playback scripts.

Can I use the IR remote control for player control (Stop, Pause, Skip Forward, Skip Reverse)?		After version 3.30.x (Firefly MC), the player control by the IR remote was removed. Please use the Web View interface for player control.

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Focus DR-DV5000
The difference between the Focus DR-DV5000 and FS-3		Focus DR-DV5000 was designed specifically for the JVC full size DV camcorders, and in particular, the GY-DV5000 series camcorder. Unique features to the DR-DV5000 when used with a GY-DV5000 camcorder include:Dump to Disk and Dump to Tape – allows video to be automatically transferred between camcorder tape transport and DR-DV5000 disk drive.Series Record – When the camcorder’s tape runs out, DR-DV5000 automatically begins recording to disk.Split Slave Mode – Allows control of DR-DV5000 from camcorder but separate to the camcorders tape transport.Unique 52-pin “Cable-less” Connection – DR-DV5000 connects to the GY-DV5000 series camcorder via a unique and integrated 52-pin connector. Audio, video, power, control and status are passed via this connector eliminating the need for any external cables.Camcorder Viewfinder/LCD Status – Complete disk recorder status information is displayed in the GY-DV5000 viewfinder.Combined Power Management – Power management of DR-DV5000 is handled by the camcorder preventing accidental shut down during recordings.Additionally, DR-DV5000 features the wired and wireless remote controllers as standard as well as a plate for mounting to JVC GY-DV500/-500/-700 series camcorders.FS-3 comes configured for direct mount to Anton/Bauer, V-Mount (Sony/IDX) or NP battery systems.

Why doesn't Focus FS record my drop frame timecode?		On older JVC GY-DV500 camcorders, it is not possible to output drop frame timecode via the camcorder's DV port even if the camcorder is set to drop frame mode. Later versions of the GY-DV500 were able to output both drop and non drop frame timecode via the DV port. Contact JVC Professional for more details.

What is a disk recorder?		A disk recorder allows the videographers the ability to record on a hard disk just as if it was a tape. In more sophisticated disk recorders such as those with DTE like all Focus FS models, you can record on tape and disk at the same time. These models will even record in a file format that most NLE systems require thereby eliminating hours of capturing, improving workflow tremendously. The Focus FS family is designed to co-exist with tape as many professionals make the transition from tape to disk recording.

What is DR-DV5000?		DR-DV5000 is a camera mounted disk recorder. It uses a removable hard drive for cost effectiveness and flexibility. Incorporating DTE technology workflow at the NLE station speeds up the process by eliminating all capturing. Capitalizing on JVC’s GY-DV5000 unique rear connection port the DR-DV5000 communicates without the need for any external cables. This connection allows for greater visibility of information in the viewfinder plus with both 232 and AV/C control many exclusive functions are available.

What disk drives will work with the DR-DV5000?		The FS-HDD1 is the only approved drive for the DR-DV5000. This drive is available from JVC or directly from Focus Enhancements online store. This drive has been specifically designed to work with the demands of both video transfer speeds as well being able to match the performance of today’s high performance computers.

Why do I want removable hard drives?		Simply put this is to your advantage for both cost and flexibility. Disk recorders with built in Hard drives require the entire unit be used together. With the DR-DV5000 the drive is removed from the core unit and connected to the computer for the editor to use. Another drive can be inserted into the DR-DV5000 so the videographers can continue to shoot. You can also choose the size of drive that suits your needs. There will be 20-40-60- & 80 gig drives available. As drive performance standards improve and cost goes down DR-DV5000 users can take advantage

What is retro disk recording?		This is perfect for remote cameras that can be left recording continuously for security scientific or sports uses. Once an event happens, there is ample time for the operator to get to the camera Same as retro record except now the DR-DV5000 uses the hard disk to buffer longer record times.

What about MXF format or other new formats that may evolve		One extremely powerful feature of the DR-DV5000 over other systems is that it is field upgradeable. MXF or other future looking formats can be placed on the Focus Enhancements’ web site for any who need to download. The DR-DV5000 is protected against obsolescence because of its ability to be upgraded easily in the field.

What is retro loop recording?		This is perfect for waiting for an event to happen. Never miss something sudden DR-DV5000 can be set up to be always recording. It records 10 seconds to cache memory. Hit the record buttons and the 10 seconds is added to the beginning.

What stops the disk drive from skipping?		The DR-DV5000 has a built in cache recording mechanism. This allows for the DR-DV5000 to handle both low and high frequency jolts without dropping a frame.

What shock protection does DR-DV5000 feature?		The DR-DV5000 has a number of features to prevent disk errors or file errors when used in high shock environments. The removable FSHDD-1 FireWire disk drive was designed to mount directly into the DR-DV5000 device. The actual hard drive inside of the FSHDD-1 is a 2 1/2” IDE drive featuring an 8MB cache and a rotational speed of 5400RPM. This drive is the same as that used in high performance laptop computers and is of a robust design. This drive also features a sorbethane shock strip that acts to reduce the effects of high and low frequency shock on the drive itself. Additionally, DR-DV5000 features a 10 second RAM based cache (which is shared with DR-DV5000’s RETRO CACHE feature), that allows up to 10 seconds of video to be cached or buffered to DR-DV5000 in the unlikely event of an interrupt in recording to disk. After disk drive recovery (which is usually a matter of milliseconds), the cached video will be recorded to the drive without interruption or damage to the existing clip. This sequence is done without any effort from the user. In the unlikely event that an interruption in recording does occur, DR-DV5000 features a check disk and clip repair function which allows the user to search for and repair problems with the disk or any recorded clips. This insures the highest level of data integrity.

What's the difference between Focus DR-DV5000 and FS-3		Focus DR-DV5000 was designed specifically for the JVC full size DV camcorders, and in particular, the GY-DV5000 series camcorder. Unique features to the DR-DV5000 when used with a GY-DV5000 camcorder include: Dump to Disk and Dump to Tape – allows video to be automatically transferred between camcorder tape transport and DR-DV5000 disk drive. Series Record – When the camcorder’s tape runs out, DR-DV5000 automatically begins recording to disk. Split Slave Mode – Allows control of DR-DV5000 from camcorder but separate to the camcorders tape transport. Unique 52-pin “Cable-less” Connection – DR-DV5000 connects to the GY-DV5000 series camcorder via a unique and integrated 52-pin connector. Audio, video, power, control and status are passed via this connector eliminating the need for any external cables. Camcorder Viewfinder/LCD Status – Complete disk recorder status information is displayed in the GY-DV5000 viewfinder. Combined Power Management – Power management of DR-DV5000 is handled by the camcorder preventing accidental shut down during recordings. Additionally, DR-DV5000 features the wired and wireless remote controllers as standard as well as a plate for mounting to JVC GY-DV500/-500/-700 series camcorders. FS-3 comes configured for direct mount to Anton/Bauer, V-Mount (Sony/IDX) or NP battery systems.

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Focus DR-HD100
Frames are missing at the start of files recorded from my JVC GY-HD100. JVC firmware Revision "A" needed.		Please ensure that your JVC GY-HD100 camera has firmware revision "A" installed for correct functionality with FS-4 HD, FS-4 Pro HD, and DR-HD100. If your GY-HD100 has an “(A)” symbol next to the serial number label on the unit as well as the ID label on the box (next to the model number), your camcorder does not require a firmware update. If you do not see the “(A)” symbol, please contact JVC Professional Customer Support for further details.

What file format are HD files encoded to?		HD files are encoded in MPEG-2 format.

What file formats can standard definition files be encoded to?		The DR-HD100 can encode standard definition video files from a DV25 source, into any of the following selectable file formats: Raw DV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2 24P, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, Quicktime, Quicktime 24P, Avid OMF, or Pinnacle AVI.

JVC GY-HD2xx camera compatibility with HDV Quicktime format		The DR-HD100 HDV QUICKTIME format is currently not compatible with the JVC GY-HD2XX cameras. This expected to be resolved in a future version of the firmware.

How much recording time is available on the DR-HD100?		The JVC DR-HD100 comes standard with a 40GB hard drive for three hours of recording time and is available with a 80GB hard drive for six hours of recording time.

Is it possible to buy DR-HD100 with the High Capacity battery installed, in place of the standard battery?		The DR-HD100 comes with a standard capacity battery. The high capacity battery is sold separately. The standard capacity battery provides power to the DR-HD100 unit for about 90 minutes of operation. The high capacity battery provides power to the DR-HD100 unit for about 180 minutes of operation.

Which firewire output streams will DR-HD100 record from the JVC GY-HD100 camera?		In standard definition mode, the DR-HD100 will record DV ouput. In high definition mode, the DR-HD100 will record 19.7 Mbps HD MPEG-2 transport stream.

Can the DR-HD100 do time lapse recording?		Yes, the DR-HD100 can do time lapse recording, but in DV (Standard definition) recording mode only. It does not have an option for time lapse when doing high definition recording.

NO VIDEO SIGNAL on GY-HD10X camera when recording from the DR_HD100		When the DR-HD100 is in DV RECORDER mode and the GY-HD10X camera is not in DV mode the counter on the DR-HD100 will not increment during recording. The EVF and viewfinder LCD on the GY-HD10x will display NO VIDEO SIGNAL in this case. Please, change the settings on either the DT-HD100 or the GY-HD10X.

Can the DR-HD100 record in tapeless mode from the GY-HD100 camera?		Yes the DR-HD100 can encode in tapeless mode from the GY-HD100 camera. Please see page 26 of the user manual for a description of tapeless recording from GY-HD100 while in Synchro Slave Mode recording.

Can the DR-HD100 play back HD files through its Firewire port?		Yes. The FS-100 will play back a file to the same firewire output format that it was encoded from. For example, an HD file that was recorded from a MPEG-2 transport stream input will be played back out in MPEG-2 transport stream format. A standard definition file that was recorded from a DV source, will be played back in DV format.

When recording HDV from JVC GY-HD100 camera, frames are lost at beginning of recorded file.		Please ensure that your JVC GY-HD100 camera has firmware revision "A" installed for correct functionality with FS-4 HD, FS-4 Pro HD, and DR-HD100. If your GY-HD100 has an “(A)” symbol next to the serial number label on the unit as well as the ID label on the box (next to the model number), your camcorder does not require a firmware update. If you do not see the “(A)” symbol, please contact JVC Professional Customer Support for further details.

How fast will a recorded file transfer to my PC?		Transfer speed is dependent on many things, including the PC Type (PC or Mac), the length of actual clip, and various other issues. But a general rule of thumb is that the transfer time will be between 2X and 4X faster than the real time of the recorded file. So for example, a 1 hour file would take from about 15 to 30 minutes to transfer.

Why is the FS not charging the battery? What are the DC power requirements?		DR-HD100: The FS products have the following DC power requirements for the DC port on the bottom. --12V DC min to 20V DC max = Voltage Range --12V DC = Voltage will run the FS --14V DC = will charge the battery as well as power. (So it is preferred) --The input DC connector is Tip Positive.

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Focus FS-1
How do i enable Windows "Stop Device" icon?		If the Windows ‘Stop Device" button does not appear on your computer system, you can download the driver from Microsoft. The driver is available from: http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/contents/WUCritical/1394/Default.asp This component updates your system files and requires you to restart your computer to complete the installation. Please save your work and quit all programs before installing. This update installs the Safe Removal tool that allows you to safely stop a Plug and Play storage device prior to physically unplugging the device. This component also includes an update for 1394 drivers to resolve issues that are related to the "surprise" removal of peripheral devices. Large performance improvements (approximately 300 percent) have been made over the implementation of 1394 storage drivers in Windows 98 Second Edition.

What does "Unsafe Removal of Device" mean?		During the Focus FS DTE Recorder’s boot-up sequence, there is a brief period where the disk drive is able to mount to the computer before being mounted to the Focus FS DTE Recorder. On most Windows based computer systems, it is necessary to first "eject" (using the Windows STOP DEVICE function) before unplugging a FireWire disk drive. In this case where the disk drive briefly mounts to the computer, this software controlled ejection of hardware does not occur and hence the message. Simply press OK to restore your computer.

Connected drive to Focus FS DTE Recorder but says "No Disk"		What is probably happening here is that you are working with a non-FAT32 disk volume. Focus FS DTE Recorder will not work with FireWire disk drives that were intended for use on Macintosh, Windows NT or other volume types. It must be a FAT32 volume to be recognized even if you plan to use that disk later on a Macintosh based computer system (version 2.2 or later). It is possible to create a FAT32 volume on virtually any FireWire disk drive. Consult the Focus FS DTE Recorder manual for more information on converting a FireWire disk drive into a FAT32 volume, if you are not using version 2.2 or later. It could also mean a connection problem, ensure that the drive power switch is on, turn the unit on and off after the drive is connected to the Focus FS. If it still reads no disk call Technical Support.

What "trick" play modes are available with my Focus FS DTE Recorder		Several trick play modes are available with the Focus FS DTE Recorder. These include fast forward and fast rewind search (forward and reverse 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, 8X, 10X, 12X, 15X, 18X, 21X, 25X and 30X of normal play speeds), slow playback (15,10, 6, 5, 3, and 2 frame per second playback speeds), reverse play, loop clip, loop all and play all.

Is there any special requirements for Sony DVCAM users?		If you are using a Sony DVCAM camcorder and editing with Avid applications, ensure to use the DVCAM format on the camcorder, not the DV SP format. There is a risk of audio errors when the clips are used within Avid. If you are using a Sony DSR-370, DSR-390 or DSR-570 camcorder, be sure to do the following on the camcorder before use: 1. Set the VTR Trigger to INT Only 2. In the Advanced menu (page 3) set the iLink CTL item to OFF 3. In the Advanced menu set the menu item REMOTE 2 to Record To get the advanced menu, you have to turn the camera off, then press and hold the rotary wheel while powering up the camera.

Does the Focus FS DTE Recorder work with the Panasonic DVCPro25 format?		This format is only supported in NTSC mode since this format adheres to the 4:1:1 NTSC video specification for DV. Unfortunately, PAL DVCPro25 will not work since it does not adhere to the 4:2:0 PAL DV video specification.

Is there any chance there will soon be a UFS or NTFS drive?		FAT32 was the chosen file format for Focus FS DTE Recorder as it worked with the greatest number of operating systems including Mac OS8.6 - 9.2, Mac OS 10.2 (currently limited to 120GB), Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows ME and Windows 98SE. A user can record clips to disk using the Focus FS DTE Recorder and edit on DV applications on Windows or Mac computers. The Focus line of FS DTE Recorders are a continually evolving product. *Note: This may change as new versions of Mac OS X are released.

Why do new drives become drive #1?		The way that the FireWire bus is managed means that there is no pattern to the ordering of drives as they appear on the FireWire bus. Therefore, it is possible that a drive may loose its Focus FS volume number when additional drives are added. It is therefore advised that you do not add/remove drive during a production session to avoid confusion.

Can I change the record format during a recording?		No. It is not possible to change the record format type during a record session. The Focus FS-1 must first be put into Stop mode before the format is changed.

How do I save stills as single files?		The Focus FS-1’s default action for recording stills is that when you are in REC STILL mode, every time the REC button is pressed, a single frame is captured to a file. Each sequential press of the button records another frame to the same file. If you would like to have one frame per file, simply press the stop button in between each press of Rec Still.

What format do I make clips to use them?		In order to play a clip that was created on your computer through the Focus FS-1, it must be in Raw DV (.dv or DV Stream) format. If the particular file is not in Raw DV format, it is possible in a number of programs to export it as a Raw DV file. Some NLE programs allow you to do this. Check your user manual for details. Using Apple QuickTime Player Pro, it is possible to export a variety of different file formats to a DV Stream file. QuickTime Player Pro is available for Macintosh and Windows based computer systems. In most DV NLE systems, you can transfer a segment to the Focus FS-1 using the "print-to-tape" feature, just like transferring back to tape.

Can I capture from the FS-1 to my NLE system?		Yes, the Focus FS-1 allows you to get your footage into a DV NLE system quickly and easily. While it is necessary to capture from camcorder to NLE (a time consuming process) in traditional editing, the Focus FS-1 allows you to simply connect the hard disk drive directly to the computer and access the clips from there. So there is no need to "capture" the video from the Focus FS-1 as if it were a camcorder. With the Focus FS-1, you can capture to your NLE system just like you would a camcorder, if necessary.

Focus FS-1 with a DV camera set to Progressive Scan Mode		It is possible to set your DV camcorder to progressive scan mode and record to the Focus FS-1. The result will be identical to what is recorded to tape.

How do I Activate the Focus FS-1 Boot Options Mode?		It is possible to boot and operate your Focus FS-1 unit with the specific operating software and application on a connected disk drive (in the event of an internal Firmware failure or other problem). In this case, the Focus FS-1 will boot and operate using the software that is downloaded to the connected disk drive. In order to activate this setting, simply hold down the MODE key on the Focus FS-1 during a normal boot-up. Once complete, simply hold down the MODE key to access the Setup menu. Two additional choices will now be in the menu; Diagnostics and Boot Options. Select Boot Options and then use the FORWARD INDEX and BACKWARD INDEX keys to toggle between the choices which are NORMAL, HD NOW and HD ALWAYS. It is generally recommended that you use the internal Firmware for normal operation.

How do I activate the Focus FS-1 Diagnostics Mode?		FS-1 has a special mode that allows diagnostic information to be passed through the GPI port. In order to activate this setting, simply hold down the MODE key on the Focus FS-1 during a normal boot-up. Once complete, simply hold down the MODE key to access the Setup menu. Two additional choices will now be in the menu; Diagnostics and Boot Options. Select Diagnostics and then use the FORWARD INDEX and BACKWARD INDEX keys to toggle between the choices. The purpose of the diagnostic mode is for Focus FS-1 test, debug and development with computer software. There is no operational use for the diagnostic mode and it should not be turned on during normal Focus FS-1 operation.

What happens when Focus FS-1 reaches the end of a disk?		When recording footage to disk from the Focus FS-1 and you reach the end of that disk, the FS-1 will automatically end the current clip and display a "No Space Left" message on the disk. If no other disk is connected, the FS-1 will go into Stop mode. If another disk is connected, the FS-1 will end the current clip and automatically create a new clip on the next connected disk. It is possible that several frames may be lost during this process, but this is completely hard drive dependent. On some drives, the transfer from one to another will result in no frames lost. Others may take up to a second.

What type of FireWire connections are available on the Focus FS-1		The Focus FS-1 features three separate FireWire (IEEE-1394) connectors. Each is different. DV In/Out Connector (4-pin): This connector is used to communicate with DV video equipment such as camcorders, decks and mixers. This is an "isochronous" or real-time FireWire connection. It is not possible to connect FireWire disk drives to this port. It is for DV video I/O only. HDD Connector (6-pin): This is for communication between the FS-1 and a FireWire hard disk drive. This is an "asynchronous" FireWire connection. It is not possible to connect DV video devices to this port. It is for FireWire disk drive connection only. Computer Connection (6-pin): This is a unique connector to the Focus FS-1. This connector is used when the FS-1 is in HDD Bypass mode. This connector basically allows the FireWire disk drive connected to the FS-1 to mount / unmount to a computer without re-cabling. It is not possible to connect a disk drive or DV video device to this connector.

Time loss from recording across disks		This is totally disk drive dependent. The transition from some FireWire disk drives to others can result in no loss of frames while with some others, it can be about 1 second long. The less fragmented the drive, the better. We also suggest that you keep to a single drive type when using the Focus FS-1's multi-drive feature.

What does the GPI port allow me to do?		The Focus FS-1 GPI port allows you to trigger various functions of the FS-1 using a simple contact closure. For instance, you can pause and un-pause the FS-1 while in record or play mode.

Does FS lose any video signal between these files?		No

What is the maximum file size created by the Focus FS-1?		Due to the fact that the FS-1 utilizes a FAT32 volume, individual files or clips are limited to 2GB in size which is just over 9 minutes of DV video. If a recording session exceeds 9 minutes in length, the FS-1 will automatically create a new clip with a related file name and without the loss of any frames. For instance, if the file name for the first 2GB of the clip was "20010808-102345-01.avi", the second 2GBs would be called "20010808-102345-02.avi". Any additional 2GB segments would be called, -03, 04 etc. On the FS-1 itself, any single recording will always appear as a single track, it is only when the files are brought to a computer that the files are split into 2GB segments.

What file system does the Focus FS-1 utilize?		The Focus FS-1 utilizes the FAT32 file system. This is the same as the file system used by Windows 98. The FS-1 will not work with drives that are configured as a Macintosh, NTFS, FAT or other volume type (even if disk drives are to be later utilized with computer systems that conform to these volume types). FAT32 volumes are recognized by Macintosh OS8.6 through OS9.2, MacOS X 10.2 (current limit 120GB), Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Does the Focus FS-1 record single frames or still images?		Yes. the Focus FS-1 will record a single frame of DV video. It is limited to the size and resolution of DV video (DV NTSC 720x480 or DV-PAL 720x586). The file format is either Raw DV (.dv), AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2 or AVI Type 2C, Matrix AVI, QuickTime or AVID DV OMF, just like DV video streams. To export frames as graphics files, you can use a program such as Apple QuickTime Player Pro (available for Mac and PC). In this program, you can export single frames as BMP files. Other programs such as Adobe Premiere and Apple Final Cut Pro allow you to export a single frame as a graphics file.

Does the Focus FS-1 record incoming timecode?		Yes. If timecode is being generated at the source and included as part of the DV Stream, it is recorded to disk via the FS-1 as part of the DV file. The Focus FS-1 records all information that is in the DV stream coming from the source. As long as the NLE system knows where to look for the timecode information, it will be available as part of the clip.

How does the Focus FS-1 name and manage clips or files?		The Focus FS-1 works with two different file or clip IDs; clip numbers and base file names. Track numbers basically list the track number in sequential order as it appears on the particular disk drive. For instance, the first recorded clip will be called "1-001". Its base file name maybe "20010808-102345-01.avi". Clip two would be called "1-002" and its base file name may be called "20010808-103515-01.avi". The first track on a second connected disk drive would be called 2-001 and have a similar base file name as above. The base file name is determined by an internal clock on the FS-1 that is set by the end user. For instance, the file "20010808-102345-01.avi" means that recording on the file began August 8th, 2001 at 10:23:45 AM. Every time a new recording begins, the FS-1 will grab the current time and date and create the file name. This ensures that every file has a unique file name.

What makes Focus FS DTE Recorders different from others?		There are many different products available that will record video direct to a disk drive, DVD or CD-ROM. What differentiates most of these products from the Focus FS DTE Recorders is that the Focus FS DTE Recorders maintain the DV stream as it would be on videotape. In other words, Focus FS DTE Recorders maintain the DV format and doesn’t add any additional compression or other modifications to the original stream. The only modification that occurs is when the Focus FS DTE Recorder "packages" that DV stream in a format that popular NLE systems will understand, such as .avi and .mov.

How many FireWire disk drives can I connect to my Focus FS DTE Recorder?		It is possible to daisy chain up to four FireWire drives to the Focus FS DTE Recorder simultaneously. Drives can be unplugged or plugged in at any time. All drives are accessible from teh Focus FS DTE Recorder. It is possible to power one drive via the Focus FS DTE Recorder’s FireWire bus (if the drive as able to receive bus power – check your drive owner’s manual for more information). Additional external power may be required in order to power additional drives.

Can I use analog devices with my Focus FS DTE Recorder?		Focus FS DTE Recorderd are a completely digital product. It does not feature analog I/O. However, the Focus FS DTE Recorder is intended for use with DV devices that feature DV-to analog and analog-to-DV converters such as camcorders, decks, mixers and character generators. It is therefore possible to input or output video as an analog signal through these devices.

What DV products can I use with my Focus FS DTE Recorder?		It is possible to use Focus FS DTE Recorders with DV devices that feature a 25MB/s FireWire/IEEE-1394/DV/i.Link input/output. This means DV camcorders, VTRs, DV NLE systems, and mixers and character generators. Compatible DV camcorder and VTR formats include DV, miniDV, DVCam, DVCPro, Digital 8 and Professional DV. It is also possible to use Focus FS DTE Recorders with DV mixers (such as the Videonics MXProDV), character generators and long distance DV cables (such as Videonics Distance DV). Check our compatibility guide for a complete list of qualified DV devices. Focus FS DTE Recorders can also be used with higher end digital formats that feature SDI I/O such as DVCPro50, Digital Betacam, Betacam SX, Betacam IMX, D-1 and D-9 (Digital S) when combined with a converter box (such as the Miranda DV-Bridge).

Limit on drive files in conjunction with the Focus FS DTE Recorder		Focus FS DTE Recorders limit the file quantities per drive partition to 999 files (clips).

How much video can I record with my Focus FS DTE Recorder?		Focus FS DTE Recorder files use about 13GB of hard drive space per hour (about 1GB every 4 1/2 minutes). It is also possible to daisy chain up to four drives from Focus FS DTE Recorder simultaneously which allows for extremely long record times. Some popular drive sizes and their video storage capacity using Focus FS DTE Recorders are listed below: 10GB about 46 minutes 12GB about 55 minutes 20GB about 1 hour, 32 minutes 30GB about 2 hours, 18 minutes 40GB about 3 hours, 4 minutes 80GB about 6 hours, 8 minutes. 100GB about 7 hours, 42 minutes 120GB about 9 hours, 13 minutes

Can I use the Focus FS DTE Recorder with FireWire (IEEE-1394) drive kits?		Yes. The Focus FS DTE Recorder will work with IEEE-1394 drive kits that put an IEEE-1394 interface on standard IDE disk drives. It is however necessary to ensure that the selected disk drive is capable of reading/writing DV streams in real time. Generally, that would mean a disk drive that is capable of read/write of at least 7MB/s and access times no greater than 10-12 milliseconds).

What file formats does DTE support?		DTE supports the most popular NLE file formats in today’s market. These include; AVI type 1 & 2, QuickTime, Raw DV and OMF for Avid. There are also special versions of AVI that support Canopus and Matrox. What the Focus FS DTE Recorder basically does, is take a raw stream of DV video from a source and packages it into a file format that a DV NLE system can understand. The streams are packaged into individual files with header information that can be used in various DV NLE systems. The file formats are user selectable and can be either Raw DV (.dv), AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2 or AVI Type 2C (specifically for Canopus DVStorm and DV Raptor users), Matrox AVI, QuickTime (.mov) or Avid DV OMF. Consult the Focus FS DTE Recorder compatibility guide for the latest list of compatible devices and suggested file formats.

What are the main advantages of a Focus FS DTE Recorder?		1. Saves You Time! If you edit with Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple iMovie, Adobe Premiere, Canopus DVStorm, Canopus DVRaptor, Pinnacle DV500, Ulead Media Studio Pro, MatroxRT2000/2500, Matrox DigiSuite DTV, Matrox LX, Sonic Foundry Vegas Video and more, only Focus FS DTE Recorder products featuring DTE Technology record clips in native Raw DV (.dv), AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, Canopus AVI, Matrox AVI, QuickTime (.mov) or Avid OMF (.omf) file formats. 2. Shoot Confidently Optionally record video and audio to both a hard disk and to the camcorder's tape. Finish shooting the production with the confidence of having two identical digital copies, a tape for archive, and a disk drive for editing. 3. Flexible Control Record, play and navigate using the Focus FS DTE Recorder’s VTR-type controls. Navigate from clip to clip with the push of a button. No cueing of tapes is required. The Focus FS DTE Recorder clearly displays mode, timecode and status. Multiple speed forward/backward search (including single frame) and loop playback (single clip or entire disk) are standard features. All Focus FS DTE Recorder models can be slaved to most DV camcorder's Record/Pause modes or controlled via AV/C commands from NLE systems and other DV devices via the FireWire connection. The Focus FS-3 is designed to mount to and be controlled by virtually any full-sized DV camcorder. 4. Ultra Long Record Times A single 40 GB FireWire drive can store approximately three hours of DV video, and up to four FireWire disk drives can be daisy chained to all Focus FS DTE Recorder products! Various combinations of disk drives and capacities can be chosen to continuously record almost any length event. Use a combination of HDD sizes to tailor record times to your particular needs.

Why Native File Formats?		These are the file extensions that NLE systems use to recognize the video file, these include .omf for Avid, .avi for premiere, .mov for QuickTime. The file remains as native DV with all the inherent quality, it is now accessible by the computer. Any video professional knows not all NLE systems use the same DV based file format. The unique ability of DTE Technology to record in NLE native file format such as DV OMF for Avid Xpress DV, QuickTime for Apple Final Cut and AVI 2 for Adobe Premiere, means footage is identical to the format your NLE captures in. This means clips can be used directly in the NLE's timeline without having to transfer or convert files before use. When connected to a Mac or PC-based DV NLE system, a drive with DTE recorded clips will appear on the desktop, and the clips can be dragged straight to the NLE's timeline. No capturing, no file transfer, no file conversion, no connection hassles. You'll be editing seconds after you have finished shooting.

How do I partition/format a drive larger than 32 GB in size?		One of the limitations of creating a FAT32 partition on Windows 2000 or Windows XP, is that you are limited to 32GB partitions. If you have access to a Windows ME or Windows 98SE computer, it will be possible to create a single partition as big as the drives volume. If you only have access to a Windows 2000 or XP system, you can make multiple 32GB partitions and use the Focus FS DTE Recorder that way. Version 2.2 can directly create a FAT32.

The Focus FS DTE Recorder doesn't see multiple partitions, why?		If you cannot recognize the other partitions on the Focus FS DTE Recorder (it will show up as a second volume...e.g. volume one tracks will read "1-XXXX" in the display and volume two tracks will read "2-XXXX" in the Focus FS DTE Recorder display. To navigate between the two use SHIFT + FF INDEX or SHIFT + RW INDEX). If you still cannot recognize the two volumes, connect your FireWire drive to a computer and and ensure that each partition is given its own letter drive label...e.g. volume E: and F: for example. If not, you may need to create your partitions again. Follow the instructions in the Focus FS DTE Recorder manual under "Creating an Unknown Volume Type - Win2K" (page 37) to open Computer Management. With your FireWire drive connected, do the following, Delete any partitions by: ACTION-> ALL TASKS ->DELETE PARTITION. ALL DATA WILL BE DESTROYED, so back up any files you want to keep. Once deleted, select ACTION -> ALL TASKS -> CREATE PARTITIONS The Disk Wizard will appear. Select a primary partition and select volume size of something less than 32GB. Assign a drive letter (e.g. F: for instance). Win 2K will create the partition. Once complete, you will have two partitions under Disk 1 in Computer Management. select the other unallocated partition and create a new partition on that as well with the remaining disk space and assign a different drive letter (e.g. G: for instance). Ensure that both partitions show up in My Computer once complete. Then mount to the Focus FS DTE Recorder and you should see both partitions.

Sony laptop doesn't recognize drives in FS bypass mode.		We recommend that users use a 6-pin FireWire connection for using the HDD Bypass mode (as stated on page 15 of the manual). We recommend that users of Sony VAIO laptop computers obtain an OHCI compliant FireWire cardbus to utilize the Focus FS DTE Recorder in HDD Bypass mode.

Matrox Digisuite/RT2500 can't import files from hard drive		Unfortunately Matrox only supports 16 bit (48KHz) audio. If you captured your footage with the camera set for 12 bit (32KHz) audio then you won't be able to import these files. The remedy would be to playback the files from the Focus FS DTE Recorder via Movie Capture so that the file can be re-rendered via the Matrox codec. In the future always ensure that the camera or source device is set for 16 bit (48KHz) audio.

Mac with no access to Windows PC, what can I do?		The latest Focus FS DTE Recorder firmware incorporates fresh disk Partitioning with default cluster size FAT32 formatting. If you have version 1.x visit our web site at http://www.focusinfo.com/support/downloads.asp for upgrade information. If you have version 2.0 and need to obtain the latest version, call 1-763-571-7588 to make these arrangements.

What does 'A FireWire Disk has Stopped Responding...' mean?		During the Focus FS DTE Recorder’s boot-up sequence, there is a brief period where the disk drive is able to mount to the computer before being mounted to your Focus FS DTE Recorder. On most Mac based computer systems, it is necessary to first "eject" the attached FireWire disk drive by putting into the Trash. In this case where the disk drive briefly mounts to the computer, this software controlled ejection of hardware does not occur and hence the message. Once the Focus FS has booted up, simply press Focus FS DTE Recorder's HDD button and answer "Y" (press the "PLAY" button once) to "Goto HDD Mode?". The drive should then mount and the error message will disappear. Then drag the drive to the Trash and press the FS DTE Recorder’s "HDD" button again. To avoid this problem in the future, ensure that the Focus FS DTE Recorder is not plugged into the Mac during boot up.

Interleave specifications of the avi type 2		Our avi type 2 file contains 2 streams. One stream contains the raw dv data; the other stream contains just the audio data. Interleave (as in Audio Video Interleaved) refers to the organization of the audio and video data in the actual file. The avi file contains some amount of video data, then some amount of audio data, then video, then audio etc. The amount of video data and audio data is expressed as interleave. The Focus FS DTE Recorder writes 16 video frames to the file, then the Focus FS writes 16 frames worth of audio, then 16 more video frames, 16 audio etc.

Does Mac OS X support FireWire drives formatted as a FAT32?		First we recommend Mac OS X version 10.2 (or greater) which fixes Windows file structure issues with earlier versions. Currently Mac OS X only supports FAT32 drive size Partitions up to *120GB. However if using Mac OS X version 10.1.5 in some cases will have trouble mounting a Windows volume due to a Unix legacy file for MS DOS support. This can easily be fixed by moving the file outside of the root directory in Unix which is the underlying kernal for Mac OS X. You can either move the file manually or use our automatic script application. You can download the automatic script by clicking here . To move the file manually you will need to launch the Netinfo Manager application (Applications/Utilities folder). Under Domain/Security menu, enable root user and give yourself a password (note: You will need to know the Admin password that's logged on to Enable root user under that menu). To move the offending file launch the Terminal application. The terminal application can be found in the same Utilities folder. When the application opens do the following: 1. Change to the root user by typing su root at the prompt and press the Return key. You will now be prompted for the password you entered in Netinfo Manager. 2. Make a temporary directory by typing mkdir /Users/temp at the prompt and press the Return key. 3. Now move the offending program outside of the sbin directory by typing mv /sbin/fsck_msdos /Users/temp and press the Return key. The file is now moved to a temporary directory on your local drive in case you need to move it back.

What items do I need to record video to disk with FS?		A: In order to record video to your Focus FS DTE Recorder, you will need the following… 1. A DV based (miniDV, DVCam, Digital 8, DVCPro 25 or Professional DV) device with IEEE-1394 (FireWire/i.Link) input/output. 2. A 4-pin to 4-pin IEEE-1394 cable (Connects the device, or camcorder to FS DTE Recorder) 3. A DV capable IEEE-1394 (FireWire) hard disk drive 4. A 6-pin to 6-pin IEEE-1394 cable (Connects the hard drive to FS DTE Recorder – supplied in with the unit). With these pieces, it is possible to record/playback DV video to/from the FS DTE Recorder.

What current hard drives can be used as external drives on FS-1?		FS FS-1 DRIVE COMPATIBILITY TESTING Focus Enhancements learned in mid 2005 that many newly manufactured drives were not compatible with the FS-1: they either could not be formatted by the FS-1, or if they did format, they did not correctly record video and audio from the FS-1. We tested four new drive enclosures from Wiebetech. Weibetech is a manufacturer whose drives we have OEMed for FS-3 disk enclosures, and for FS-2 enclosures as well. They make quite a few general purpose external DV25 hard disk drives too, and they agreed to send us 4 new models for our testing. We found that three of the drive enclosures worked with the FS-1, and one drive model did not. ADDED NOTE: APRIL 2006 FOR DRIVE ORDERS FROM WEIBETECH FOR FS-1, PLEASE SPECIFY THAT YOUR ORDER IS FOR FS-1 EXTERNAL DRIVE. WEIBETECH WILL ASSIST BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE HARD DRIVE FIRMWARE FOR YOUR ORDER. Drives that worked with FS-1 with no modification: 1. ToughTech 400 – Model TT4-160 There are several ToughTech 400 models, with different size drives, available from Wiebetech. All of the drives have 400 Mbps Firewire ports. We tested the TT4-160, and found it to be compatible with no changes needed. Inserted below is ToughTech model and pricing information from Wiebetech’s website. We do not recommend drives larger than 250GB for FS-1. Pricing and availability (ToughTech 400) Product Product Code Price Availability ToughTech 400, 0GB -- Empty (user expandable) TT4-0 79.95 In stock ToughTech 400, 120GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache TT4-120 189.95 In stock ToughTech 400, 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache TT4-160 199.95 In stock ToughTech 400, 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache TT4-250 269.95 In stock ToughTech 400, 400GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache TT4-400 499.95 In stock ToughTech 400, 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB cache TT4-500 669.95 In stock 2. ComboGB – GB-60 (DISCONTINED) There are several ComboGB models, each with both 400 and 800 Mbps Firewire ports. We tested the GB-60, and found it to be compatible with no changes needed. Inserted below is ToughTech model and pricing information from Wiebetech’s website. We do not recommend drives larger than 250GB for FS-1. Pricing and availability Product Product Code Price Availability ComboGB, empty CGB-0 Discontinued ComboGB with 60GB/5400RPM CGB-60-5400 Discontinued ComboGB with 80GB/5400RPM CGB-80-5400 Discontinued ComboGB with 60GB/7200RPM CGB-60-7200 Discontinued ComboGB with 100GB/4200RPM CGB-100-4200 Discontinued ComboGB with 100GB/5400RPM CGB-100-5400 Discontinued 3. UltraGB+ – UPL-160 (DISCONTINED) We tested the UPL-160, but found that as provided, the drive would not communicate with the FS-1 through its 400 to 800 converter cable. We obtained a firmware upgrade from Wiebetech which allowed us to change the firmware on the drive. After installation of this firmware update, the UPL-160 worked well with the FS-1. Pleae note that we do not recommend drives larger than 250GB for FS-1. 4. A fourth drive system with removable hard drives and a 400 to 800 Mbps Firewire converter cable did not work properly with the FS-1, even with a firmware update. FINAL RESULTS OF WIEBETECH DRIVE TEST Three drives worked with FS-1. One drive was not compatible. We will be testing more drives, and soliciting information from FS-1 users on which drives are compatible with their systems. If you do obtain other drive enclosures that work with the FS-1, please share that information with us so that we in turn can share it with other users. Please note that Wiebetech can be contacted at www.wiebetech.com Phone is 866.744.8722 You can also email their sales group at: sales@wiebetech.com Shown below are instructions for updating firmware on the UltraGB+ unit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Windows firmware upgrade requires the Java Runtime Environment to be installed on your computer. If you do not already have this, you can download it from www.java.com. Proceed with caution. Updating the firmware can be a dangerous process that can leave your product non-functional if done improperly. Please follow the instructions below for the product indicated: _UltraGB+_ 1) Remove all FireWire devices from your computer except for the UltraGB+. 2) Unmount any drives that show up by dragging them to the trash (on a Mac) or clicking the Safely Remove Hardware button (on a PC). 3) For a Mac, double-click the "uploadergui.jar" file expanded from the .zip file attached to this email. On a PC install from Win_Uploader_Install_1_64.exe and then double-click the Oxsemi Uploader icon either in the Start Menu or on the Desktop. 4) Note what firmware version it tells you you are currently running. If it says you are currently running 1.06, continue with the firmware upgrade instructions. 5) Click on "Upload/Upgrade firmware." 6) Find and open the file "922Standard_v1.06.bin" that is attached to this email. 7) You should see a progress bar indicating when the upload is complete. 8) In a few moments, the new firmware version should be shown. Make sure it says version 1.06. 9) Click "Exit" to exit the uploader. Thank you for your patience as we tested these disk enclosures. Please contact us if you have any further inquiries.

How do I make FS-1 recognize my Lacie FireWire Drive?		Some Lacie FireWire Drives (purchased after 6/03) have firmware that is not compatible with the Focus FS-1. It is possible to "back-rev" the firmware using the Lacie Silverlining software. A Silverlining update is available at: ftp://ftp.videonics.com/Pub/FireStore/LaCie/ . Once loaded, follow the flash firmware instructions. By down rev-ing the drive firmware to version 1.36, the Lacie drive will be recognized by FS-1. NOTE: By down rev-ing this software, your drive may not operate properly with Mac OS10.3. *PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF APR 2006, NEW LACIE DRIVES CANNOT BE DOWNGRADED TO THE REFERENCED FIRMWARE. PLEASE SEE NEXT DOCUMENT ABOVE, CURRENT DRIVES TESTED ON FS-1.*

Can I use the Focus FS DTE Recorder with any FireWire (IEEE-1394) drive?		Yes. You can use a Focus FS DTE Recorder with virtually any DV (read/write) capable FireWire hard disk drive. As a rule of thumb, the drive should be capable of reading/writing at least 7MB/s and relatively fast access time (at most 10-12 milliseconds). The drive MUST be first partitioned as a FAT32 volume to work with the FS DTE Recorder (even if you intend to use the drive on a Macintosh or other computer system later). If your drive is formatted in a format other than FAT32, it is possible to partition and format the drive on FS DTE Recorder itself as long as you have version 2.2 or later.

Can I control my Focus FS DTE Recorder from my DV camcorder?		Yes. the FS DTE Recorder has a mode known as "FireWire Slave". In this mode, the FS DTE Recorder goes into a "record standby" mode where it prepares the disk to start recording. Over the same FireWire connection between the FS DTE Recorder and camcorder, control commands for record and record standby can be sent by the camcorder to the FS DTE Recorder. Therefore, every time that the standard REC button is pressed on the camcorder, the FS DTE Recorder will begin recording as well. When you press the REC button again to put your camcorder into record standby, the FS DTE Recorder will also pause the recording. When record is pressed again, the FS DTE Recorder will also begin recording again, BUT it also starts a new file on disk. Therefore, all your footage is broken up into separate files on the disk which allows you better flexibility and efficiency when editing.

Can I use my Focus FS DTE Recorder with a battery?		Yes. The Focus FS DTE Recorder requires 7-15V DC (min. 500mA, max 9A when no drive is connected or min 2A, max 9A when one drive is connected) for operation. Consult the FS DTE Recorder compatibility guide for the latest list of qualified battery packs for use with the FS DTE Recorder. The FS DTE Recorder fieldkit is available from Focus in order to easily use FS DTE Recorder with NP series batteries.

Can I do time lapse recording using my Focus FS DTE Recorder?		The FS DTE Recorder allows you to capture single frames at a time and collect a sequence together as part of one clip or save them as individual clips. Using either the FS DTE Recorder’s front panel or the GPI trigger, it is possible to grab individual frames. Using a simple periodic contact closure on the GPI port on the back of the FS DTE Recorder, it would be possible to create a time lapse sequence.

Can I use a drive large than 250Gb with my FS-1?		If you have access to a PC with Windows 98 Second Edition, you may partition and format the drive to a maximum of 250 GB. Make sure that your drive is in the list of recommended drives for your FS-1 unit. Recommended Drives: Maxtor One Touch Series I (not series II), ComboGB (pocket drive), Fire 800, Acom Data Firewire Drive Series or Avid Media Drive RS

How fast will a recorded file transfer to my PC?		Transfer speed is dependent on many things, including the PC Type (PC or Mac), the length of actual clip, and various other issues. But a general rule of thumb is that the transfer time will be between 2X and 4X faster than the real time of the recorded file. So for example, a 1 hour file would take from about 15 to 30 minutes to transfer.

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Focus FS-100
What FireWire cables should be used with FS-100?		AG-HVX200 camera we suggest CBLA-0151-01LF (48" 6pin-4pin90). This is the cable that comes with the FS-100. Can also be purchaced here Any FireWire cable can be used. A high quality and good shielding cable is recommended for best performance of data throughput. The 4-pin 1394 connectors on cameras are often easily damaged when in a mobile environment. Positioning of the cable and orientation of the connector on the cable is important to minimal strain on the cable. Here are some tips. a) Select the best length appropriate to the positioning of the FS-100 and the camera. b) Choose the best orientation of the connector. FireWire cables can have a 90 degree right angle connector or straight angle connector. c) Some have added a FireWire "6-Pin female to 4-Pin male Adapter" to connect to the camera side. This way the 4 to 6 pin cable can be more permanently connected.

FS-100 - SETUP / CAPTURE		SETUP / CAPTURE

How to record in PN mode on FS-100.		To get the FS-100 to record in PN mode of "720/24PN" or "720/30PN": 1) Set the camera RECORDING SETUP>REC FORMAT setting is 720/24p or 720/30p. 2) Verify camera OTHER FUNCTIONS>1394 Control is set to BOTH. 3) Verify camera RECORDING SETUP>UB MODE setting is “FRM. RATE”. 4) Set the FS-100 to DV FORMAT>P2 PN". 5) Set the FS-100 in "TAPELESS" mode from the CONTROL menu. To get the FS-100 to record in "QUICKTIME PN": 1) Set the camera RECORDING SETUP>REC FORMAT setting is 720/24p or 720/30p. 2) Verify camera OTHER FUNCTIONS>1394 Control is set to BOTH. 3) Verify camera RECORDING SETUP>UB MODE setting is “FRM. RATE”. 4) Set the FS-100 to DV FORMAT>"QuickTime PN". 5) Set the FS-100 in "TAPELESS" mode from the CONTROL menu. NOTE: FS-100 V3.x is required. NOTE: NEVER set the Panasonic camera to 720/24 PN or 720/30 PN, 720/25 PN. Instead, set the FS-100 to P2 PN or Quicktime PN mode and leave the camera set to 720/24/30/25. NOTE: Footage will not IMPORT into Final Cut if there is two (2) different formats recorded on the FS-100. Meaning, I can only record "P" or "PN" mode. I must format the drive after each mode, regardless of the mode used.

AG-HVX200 How to reset camera to known state		Use this process to get the camera into a known state, so you know that the camera settings are not causing an issue. AG-HVX200_FactoryReset.pdf

How do I set up my FS-100 to record from the Panasonic camera?		Please view our Focus FS-100 Quickstart Guide. It is available from our Support-->Downloads-->Product User Manuals page. This is a very short guide designed to get you recording from your camera to your FS-100 in just a few minutes' time. FS-100_QuickStart.pdf

HDX900 PN mode support.		This PDF describes the proper steps to setup the HDX900 camera for PN Mode. Note: FS-100 V3.x is required FS-100_AJ-HDX900_PNSetup.pdf

I have my P2 camera set to 1394 EXT mode, and my FS-100 to TC EXT, Pre-Cache mode and Syncro-Slave. When the REC trigger is pressed on the camera, the recording begins, then a PLEASE WAIT message appears and the recording stops. Why?		Camera should be set to 1394 “BOTH”.

What Panasonic DVCProHD camera outputs will the FS-100 accept? Will it accept PN outputs?		The FS-100 records DVCProHD from either 1080i/60i, or 720P/60P, output settings on the Panasonic camera. The FS-100 will not record from any of the PN output settings on the Panasonic camera. However, our software can now mimic these settings with the FS-100 v3.0 release. The FS-100 v3.0 software adds native DVCPRO HD 720/24p, 25p and 30p recording.

Will the FS-100 record DVCPROHD output from my camera?		Yes. In addition to the normal FS-4 recording capabilities of DV for standard definition, the FS-100 will also record from both DVCProHD and DVCPro50 sources. When recording in DVCProHD, you will need to set the camera's output to either 1080 60i, or 720 60P.

How do I use snap mode?		There are 2 BUTTON PRESSES involved with the SNAP function. 1. Press the REC button once to put FS-100 in PAUSE mode 2. Press the REC button again to RECORD a single frame 3. Press the REC button again to RECORD another frame (repeat as necessary)

How much recording time is available on the FS-100?		The FS-100 hard disk will store about 90 minutes of DVCPRO HD quality encoded video. In DVCPro50, it will record about 180 minutes of video. In DVC, it will record about 360 minutes of video.

Will the FS-100 record DVCPro50 output from my camera?		Yes. In addition to the normal FS-4 recording capabilities of DV for standard definition, the FS-100 will also rec