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FS-4, FS-4 HD, FS-4 Pro, FS-4 Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders User Guide Release 2.0 Part Number: MANL-0954-02...
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FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS. FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS cannot be responsible for unauthorized use of equipment and will not make allowance or credit for unauthorized use or access.
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Regulations and Safety Focus Enhancements, Inc. 1370 Dell Avenue Campbell, CA. 95008 Model Numbers: FS-4, FS-4 Pro, FS-4 HD, FS-4 Pro HD Date of Manufacture: Reference the Serial Number label attached to the unit.
Information About Specific FS-4 Models Throughout this manual, FS-4 indicates information that pertains to all models of the FS-4 family. FS-4 Pro indicates data specific to the FS- 4 Pro. The acronyms DV and HD refer to the recorder’s video recording format, digital or high definition, respectively.
AVI Type 2 and QuickTime are available in NTSC mode. • Fast and Efficient Editing When shooting is finished, mount the FS-4 to a Mac or PC editing system like a typical FireWire hard disk drive. Transfer clips to your NLE's media drive at up to 400 Mbps or edit instantly in real-time using the FS-4 as your media source.
1.5" thick. You can mount the FS-4 directly to your camcorder using the optional camera mount kit, or clip the FS-4 directly to your belt. The FS-4 is designed to withstand the rigors of field shooting. The six second electronic shock cache ensures your video is always recorded even in the roughest of conditions.
3 and 6 hours respectively. • Free Run and Regen timecode modes HD Features FS-4 and FS-4 Pro recorders equipped with HD provide: • Support for cutting edge HDV camcorders with 720p and 1080i MPEG-2 capabilities equipped with a FireWire 1394...
The FS-4 Menu System ............13 Connecting the FS-4 to AC Power ........16 Installing / Removing the Battery Pack ........ 17 Connecting a FS-4 to a DV/HD Camcorder ......19 Record and Playback with the FS-4 ........20 Power On the FS-4 .............. 20 Select HDD Recorder Mode ..........
This is a backlit, 14 character by 7 line dot matrix display. Function buttons (A, B, C) Below the FS-4 LCD display are three user-defined function buttons: A (left), B (center), and C (right). Use them as short-cut keys for the most frequently selected functions at the bottom of the LCD screen.
• Power OFF Hold down the button for three (3) seconds. During power off, the FS-4 beeps, indicating that it is turning off. Navigation Buttons Use these buttons to navigate through the FS-4 menus. The navigation buttons are , and...
For instance, if you are in 10X FF speed and you press the Back Search button once, the FS-4 is now in 2X FF mode. This applies as well to backward search speeds. The default speed resolution is as follows (NTSC and PAL have slightly different multiples for <...
Quickstart Top Panel The top panel contains the following connectors and LEDs: Camera Remote Control (FireWire Connector) (Serial Connector) Computer (FireWire Connector) Status LED Charge LED Table 1: Charge LED States Indicates No Charger Connected Green Charging Cycle Completed Amber / Green Floating Charge Mode (Charging almost completed.) Amber...
Quickstart Computer FireWire Connector • In/Out: 6-pin IEEE-1394a port x 1 • Asynchronous Data I/O Remote Control, Serial Connector • GPI / RS232C; 3.5mm TRS mini jack. (3.5mm to DB-9 cable accessory available). • Change to act as a simple contact closure or RS-232C port. •...
Quickstart Rear Panel The rear panel contains the following important items: Belt Clip Post Fan Intake Vent Battery Compartment Do Not Block Latch Battery Compartment Side Panel The side panel contains cooling vents as illustrated below. Cooling Vents Do Not Block...
Quickstart Bottom Panel The FS-4 bottom panel features a single 2-pin DC power connector. Connect the supplied AC power adapter here. Power Internal Connector Speaker Cooling Vent Cooling Vent Do Not Block Do Not Block Internal Speaker An internal speaker provides alarms and audible feedback.
Quickstart The FS-4 Menu System The FS-4 menu system provides access to all the functions available in the unit. Each of the screens below (except the Welcome and Home screens which come up automatically when the unit starts) are accessed by pressing the navigation buttons.
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Function button is identical to changing the setting in its corresponding menu. Refer to “Functions Screen” on page 64 for more information. • Setup Contains the controls for setting and reviewing the FS-4 configuration: • Set Date (XX/XX/XX) •...
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DV Recorder • HD Recorder • DD Drive • Use Ext. FS-4 • DV or HD Formats Following HDD mode is a menu of formats available for the type recorder selected in HDD. was selected the following formats are shown: DV Recorder •...
To do this, connect the AC power as follows: DC Power Port DC Cable Battery Pack Step 1: Plug the cord from the power supply into the bottom of the FS-4. Step 2: Connect the line cord to the rectangular power supply (International models only). Step 3:...
Quickstart Installing / Removing the Battery Pack Installing a Battery Battery Gently press down Latch Hook Slide battery pack forward Latch Slot Latch Battery Pack Guides Step 1: Place the unit, so that the battery compartment is up. Step 2: Position the battery pack, as shown above, so that the latch hook is almost in the latch slot, and touching the floor of the battery compartment.
Focus Enhancements. Using FireWire to Charge FS-4 It is possible to charge the FS-4 battery through the 1394 port on a computer provided that the computer outputs at least 15V through the port. To determine if this is possible, consult the computer’s specifications.
17. Step 1: Connect the supplied Firewire cable to the “DV I/O” connector on the top of the FS-4. (Only one end will match the plug in the FS-4.) Step 2: Locate the FireWire/DV/iLink (or similar) connector on your video camera.
Quickstart Record and Playback with the FS-4 Before using the FS-4, set up the unit as outlined in the following sections: Power On the FS-4 .............. 20 Select HDD Recorder Mode ..........21 Select a DV/HD File Format ..........22 Set Time and Date ..............
Quickstart Step 2: screen appears and displays while the Welcome FS-4 initializes. Each FS-4 model has a unique welcome screen. FIRESTORE FS-4 FireStore PORTABLE Model DTE RECORDER Step 3: When the Home screen appears, proceed, see “Home Screen” on page 43 for more details.
Quickstart Select a DV/HD File Format The formats displayed depend on the recorder mode selected in the previous step, for example results in the following: DV RECORDER DV FORMATS RAW DV -AVI TYPE1 AVI TYPE2 CANOPUS AVI Step 1: Use the navigation buttons to select the DV file Down format that supports the preferred NLE system.
Quickstart Set Time and Date Date and Time Must Be Set The date and time must be set because they are used in the FS-4 file naming function. Step 1: Press the navigation button several times until the Setup Right...
Quickstart Step 5: Use the navigation button to select the time and press the Down navigation button. The following screen appears: Right SET TIME : 21 : 13 HH : MM : SS BACK Step 6: Use the navigation buttons to change the Down highlighted value.
Before beginning recording, verify that: 1. Time and date are set. 2. Recording format is set. 3. The FS-4 is connected to the video camera according to the explanation in “Connecting a FS-4 to a DV/HD Camcorder” on page 19.
FS-4 and the camera. • Verify that the FS-4 1394 DV I/O and the camera connections are secure. It may be necessary to unplug and then reconnect them. When a good connection is made, the Counter will increment and recording...
Quickstart Syncro Slave Recording Syncro slave recording allows the FS-4 to mimic camcorder operations by monitoring the state of the camcorder’s tape recorder controls. Step 1: Verify that the FS-4 is in mode. STOP Step 2: From the FS-4 Home screen, press the...
Quickstart Playback on the FS-4 Verify that both the video camera and the FS-4 are powered on and that they are connected together with the FireWire cable from the FS- 4 DV/IO port to the camcorder 1394 port. Feature Availability on PAL Cameras This feature is not available on some PAL cameras.
In the past, to get footage into an NLE system, it was necessary to capture / digitize the footage using a video capture card. The FS-4’s DTE functionality eliminates the capture stage. All that is necessary is the moving of the video files from the FS-4 to a computer. To do this: •...
Initial Setup Step 1: Enter HDD mode and enable DD Drive. This step is required before mounting the FS-4 to a computer. • On the FS-4 go to the HDD screen. • Select DD Drive and Right arrow to Connect screen.
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Using the FS-4 with a Computer Step 4: Open the folder with the most recent date code. This folder may contain several different files. The video clips. can appear as: • RawDV (.dv) • AVI Type 1 - (YYYYMMDDHHMMSSa01) • AVI Type 2 or 24p AVI Type 2 - (YYYYMMDDHHMMSSb01) •...
OMF has two separate .aif audio files per track. FS-4 Pro Video Clips in Reel Folder FS-4 Pro, permits the storing of video clips in either the standard file folder or a Reel folder. If video clips have been assigned to a Reel folder, it is necessary to run Organize Reels before attaching the FS-4 to a computer.
OMF video file and two separate AIF audio files. On the computer's desktop, the files appear similar to those shown below. On the FS-4, the video file (OMF) and the audio files (AIF) appear as one track. When an Avid DV OMF file is deleted, the FS-4 deletes the audio and...
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Using the FS-4 with a Computer To use a FS-4 recorded Avid DV OMF file on an Avid NLE system, use the following procedure. ORGANIZE OMF Function If using the ORGANIZE OMF function on the FS-4 before connecting it to a...
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Using the FS-4 with a Computer Step 9: Locate and select the FS-4 under Media Drive(s). If Drive Does Not Appear If the drive does not appear, check to make sure that the OMFI MediaFiles folder was created correctly with proper case and spacing.In addition, verify that the drive is properly...
Using the FS-4 with a Computer Dismounting the FS-4 (Windows) When finished working with the FS-4 and the computer, it is necessary to dismount FS-4 from the system Dismount FS-4 Before Powering Off It is important to dismount the FS-4 from the Windows system BEFORE powering down the unit.
When mounted, the FS-4 should appear on the computer's desktop as shown below: The FS-4 appears as a FAT32 volume with a PC label. This is not always the case on Mac OSX however. Step 2: Locate the FS-4 on the desktop and open it up.
BEFORE powering down the FS-4. To dismount the FS-4 from a Mac: Step 1: Select the FS-4 on the computer's desktop. It is marked with a PC symbol. Step 2: Drag the drive into the trash or use the eject button. This dismounts the particular disk drive.
A belt mount clip is included with the FS-4. This mount is similar to those used with cellular telephones. Attach the belt mount to the belt clip post on the rear of the FS-4 and push it down to lock it in position.
General Screen Information ..........42 Record Screens ..............46 HDD Mode Screen .............. 51 Format Screen ..............54 HD Format Screen FS-4 HD and FS4 Pro HD only .... 55 Setup Screens ..............56 Functions Screen ..............64 Utilities Screen ..............68 Control Screen ..............
Welcome Screen The Welcome screen appears briefly after boot-up, and automatically switches to the Home screen when the FS-4 is ready for operation. FIRESTORE FS-4 Varies PORTABLE depending on...
1. Current Function: Symbol and Description Refer to “LCD Display Symbols and Text” on page 85. 2. Volume Disk Number The volume number is always unless multiple FS-4’s are connected. 3. Clip Number Number of the current video clip, i.e. 001 for clip 1.
Playback: displays the embedded DV timecode value in a particular track. UB NTSC Displays the set user bit value in a particular clip. A user bit value must be added for this to display, refer to “UB SET FS-4 Pro only” on page 62.
HD RECORDER Line 11 displays the HD resolution of the current track which depends on the camcorder in use with the FS-4 HD unit. Possible values are: • HD 1080/50i TC • HD 1080/60i TC • HD 720/30p TC •...
FireStore Functions Record Screens RECORD NORMAL -RETRO DISK RETRO CACHE LOOP RECORD The Record screen permits setting the FS-4 to various recording modes, depending on the model: • NORMAL • RETRO DISK FS-4 Pro only • RETRO CACHE • LOOP RECORD FS-4 Pro only •...
For more about LCD display symbols and text, see “LCD Display Symbols and Text” on page 85. Normal Record This is the standard recording mode. • All control is from the FS-4 front panel. Initially, the Home screen displays STOP • Pressing Record puts the FS-4 into mode.
When looping less than one hour, Retro Disk records the loop in a series of 1 minute clips. • Retro Disk is available in Normal, Syncro Slave and Tapeless control modes. • When Retro Disk is set, the symbols (Record and L) appear in the FS-4 Pro display.
Local, Syncro Slave Tapeless • Removing power from the FS-4 Pro in the midst of a Snap recording session causes the FS-4 Pro to return to Normal recording mode when it powers back up. Another Method to Capture Single Frames An alternative to Snap is EXT CTL FRAME.
FireStore Functions Timelapse Record FS-4 Pro, DV modes only TIME LAPSE 00:00:00:00 HH:MM:SS:FF This line is not active: reference only. BACK Timelapse provides the ability to record a single frame at specific time intervals, for example one frame per minute, 00:01:00:00.
Depending on the product, this screen displays the following items: • DV RECORDER This sets the FS-4 as a DV recorder. Connect the camera to the FS-4 DV I/O port using a FireWire cable. • HD RECORDER FS-4 HD AND FS-4 Pro HD only This sets the FS-4 as an HD recorder.
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Identifying Master/Slave Volumes During Record/Playback When two FS-4s are in combined via USE EXT FS-4 and in either Record or Playback mode, the volume on the Home screen will display 1-xxx when the master unit is recording or playing back and 2- xx if it is the slave.
Begin recording or playback using the master FS-4. Use DD Drive Mode when Connecting to a PC It is important to take the master FS-4 out of USE EXT FS-4 mode before attempting to connect to a computer. To do this, select DD DRIVE from the HDD Mode screen.
Screen” on page 68. Formats for 25P Applications Use standard file formats for all 25P applications except AVID OMF. OMF is not compatible with 25P DV streams. The latest DTE supported applications and file formats are listed on the Focus Enhancements website: www.focusinfo.com.
FireStore Functions HD Format Screen FS-4 HD and FS4 Pro HD only HD FORMATS -M2T The latest DTE supported applications and file formats are listed on the Focus Enhancements website: www.focusinfo.com. Check regularly for updates.
FireStore Functions Setup Screens SETUP 10 / 10 / 05 21 : 10: 50 V 1. 0. 0 -LCDLIGHT ON The items on the Setup Screen are grouped by function. Within the function the items act like radio buttons, i.e. when one is active the others are not.
Default, NTSC only • LCD CONTRAST Date and Time Must Be Set The date and time must be set. They are used in the FS-4 file naming function. Refer to “Set Time and Date” on page 23. Date SET DATE...
Keeps the backlight off permanently. • LCDLIGHT AUTO Turns off the backlight after one minute. On the FS-4, pressing any button pad button turns the backlight back Any information screen turns the backlight on. Alarm ON, OFF Default is •...
STOP NO VIDEO Video output is EXT CTL OFF, Pause, Frame, File These options permit the use of an external device to control the FS-4 through the optional RS-232 cable. RS-232 Cable Available from Focus Online Store The RS-232 cable required to connect the FS-4 to an external control device is Focus part number CBLA-0114-01.
The FS-4 stores the last recorded timecode in its non-volatile memory, so it can persist across recording sessions. • TC FREE RUN FS-4 Pro only This function causes the FS-4 Pro to begin counting from the value stored by TC SET • A number entered through...
FS-4 Pros’s non-volatile memory. This value is available for use by the FS-4 Pro immediately after exiting TC SET • TC FREE RUN FS-4 Pro only The FS-4 Pro uses this value on the next recording after it is set in TC SET • TC REGEN FS-4 Pro only This is the starting value when using an empty hard disk drive for recording.
Professional applications employ user bits to add metadata to recordings to assist in post production. For example, multiple cameras are used during a shoot. Each FS-4 Pro has a unique UB setting that identifies it and the camera it serves. Later, the user bits are used to determine from which camera station the footage was recorded.
FireStore Functions TC DROP, NON-DROP NTSC only These parameters are only available for NTSC and only one may be enabled at a time. Drop and non-drop enable and disable the drop- frame function that modifies how the timecode is calculated during recording.
FireStore Functions Functions Screen The Functions buttons FA, FB, and FC provide convenient Home screen shortcuts by acting as toggle switches for specific system settings. The Home screen below is an example of the information displayed. STOP 1- COUNTER 00 : 00 : 20 : 15 DISK 1 168 min Reel receiving...
FA BLANK No Function. FB DISP DISP (Toggles the different TC display modes) (Default) FB ALARM Turns the FS-4 alarm on or off. FB FILE FILE (Toggles between normal and display of the file name) FB REELS Increments current reel number,...
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No Function. FC LOCK Locks the buttonpad (Default) - toggles between LOCK and UNLC <Unlock> FC DV/HDD Toggles FS-4 between DV/HD and HDD Modes FC REELS Increments current reel number, FS-4 Pro only FC R0-0 Marks Clip 0 to Reel 0,...
FA function reel selection. above • FB R2-2 Setting a function button to this type of marker, instructs the FS-4 Pro to mark the current clip as belonging to the REEL Blank Functions identified as Blank are inactive.
FireStore Functions Utilities Screen UTILITIES ORGANIZE REEL ORGANIZE OMF ORGANIZE PINNACLE DELETE CLIP The Utilities available are: • ORGANIZE REEL FS-4 Pro only • ORGANIZE OMF FS-4 Pro only • ORGANIZE PINNACLE FS-4 Pro only • DELETE CLIP • FORMAT •...
OMFI MediaFiles. When the disk is connected to a computer, this folder is recognized by Avid Xpress DV's Media Tool enabling direct import of files into the Avid timeline. Refer to the section, “Using Avid OMF Clips FS-4 Pro only” on page 33 for more information. Organize Pinnacle...
BACK Utility When a clip is deleted, the FS-4 re-organizes and displays the remaining clips in sequence. For instance, if there are three clips on the disk: 1-001, 1-002, 1-003. If clip 1-002 is deleted, the remaining clips are reorganized and clip 1-003 becomes clip 1-002. However the...
FORMAT DISK PRESS YES TO ERASE ALL DATA BACK Prevent lost frames due to file fragmentation by formatting the FS-4 before each recording session. Save Files Before Formatting The formatting process erases all data on the disk and is not reversible.
Use this function if a recording session does not complete properly and there is a question that the file may be damaged. For example, recording terminates due to a loss of power to the FS-4. Repair Disk scans the entire disk drive checking for and repairing file errors and incomplete files.
Use this function to repair a specific file that may be damaged or incomplete. For example, recording terminates due to a loss of power to the FS-4 and a specific file may be damaged. Repair Clip scans the specified file checking for and repairing file errors and incomplete files.
FireStore Functions Filename FILE NAME CLIP 001 20041101 - 165423 BACK This function a filename but does not permit changing it. Displays Step 1: From the Utilities screen, go to FILE NAME Step 2: Enter the file’s clip number using the navigation Down buttons.
Step 2: On your computer, rename the XXX.bin file as FS4.bin Step 3: Copy or drag the FS4.bin file to the FS-4 while it is in HDD mode. Step 4: Exit the FS-4 from HDD mode and navigate to the Utilities screen.
FS-4 hard drive’s root directory. Step 2: Verify that the upgrade is for the model of FS-4 it is being installed on. An upgrade is not cross-platform and must be installed on the model for which it is intended.
CONTINUE TO RESET SYSTEM? BACK The System Reset feature restores the factory default settings for the FS-4 unit. This feature is useful for diagnosing problems with the unit. System Reset A System Reset can not be reversed. Diagnostic DO NOT CHANGE THE SETTINGS OF THIS FUNCTION This function is included to assist Focus Enhancement Technical Support diagnose problems that may occur with the FS-4.
3.27V SUPPLY3: 4.89V BATTERY: 12.56V TEMP BACK The FS-4 Status screen provides details of the systems power state as well as internal temperature. This screen may assist Focus Enhancements Technical Support in determining power and thermal problems with your unit.
R2 2 R3 3 When a disk is formatted, the FS-4 Pro creates 10 folders, numbered 0-9, on the disk. During recording or playback of a clip, it is possible to place it into folders or play it from up to 10 different reels.
REEL’s name on the left side of the second to the last line of the screen, refer to “LOCAL” on page 83. Optional Wired Remote Control (p/n ACSS-0019-01) To order the Wired Remote Control, go to Focus Enhancements website, www.focusinfo.com/sales/store/.
LOOP CLIP LOOP ALL PLAY ALL • Play Clip In this mode, the FS-4 plays the selected clip from start to finish when you press the PLAY button. At the end of the particular clip, the FS-4 pauses. • Loop Clip In this mode, the FS-4 plays the selected clip from start to finish.
FireStore Functions Play From Screen FS-4 Pro only PLAY FROM TRACK LIST REEL LIST This screen permits the selection of from where clips playback. There are two choices: • Tracklist Clips playback in the order in which they were recorded.
CONTROL LOCAL AV/C -SYNCRO SLAVE TAPELESS The Control screen provides the capability of enabling the FS-4 to operate in four different control modes during record and playback. • LOCAL Local control mode ignores record triggers from the camcorder and is controlled exclusively from the FS-4 front panel or the optional wired remote control unit.
FS-4 is controlled by an external FireWire device such as a NLE system that is not supported by Direct To Edit Technology. In these cases, the FS-4 can be used in a manner similar to a camcorder to capture footage to the NLE.
LCD Display Symbols and Text The table below shows the different symbols and states displayed on the top line of the LCD when used with different FS-4 control, record, play and stop modes: PLAY/REC MODE FS-4 LCD Stop STOP Pause...
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AV/C* (Play) A ALL Syncro Slave (Pause) Y <REC TYPE>REC Syncro Slave (Rec) Y <REC TYPE>REC Tapeless (Pause) E <REC TYPE>REC Tapeless (Rec) E <REC TYPE>REC * AV/C is only for use when the FS-4 is connected to a computer system.
Technical Specifications Specifications are subject to change. Physical Description • Dimensions: 1.59" x 5.6" x 3.74" (40mm x 142mm x 95mm) (with normal 90 minute Battery) • Weight: 1 lb. (.45 kg) Input/Outputs • DV Video I/O - 25Mb/s (1x 6-pin IEEE-1394) On HD units this port can accept 720P and 1080i MPEG video from specially equipped camcorders.
FS-4 compatible with Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and Mac OS9/10. Log Files With each recording of a particular clip on a disk, the FS-4 creates a text log file to identify information about the recorded clip and the recording session. Information includes: •...
Technical Specifications Error Messages Error messages may appear on the FS-4 LCD display from time to time. The purpose of these messages is to alert you to action that may effect your FS-4 operation. Below is a list of error messages and...
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