foc.us FOCUS FireStore FS-4 Pro User manual

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD
Portable DTE Recorders
User Guide
MANL-0954-04

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders i
LEGAL NOTICES
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL AND TRADE SECRET
INFORMATION OF FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS AND ITS RECEIPT OR
POSSESSION DOES NOT CONVEY ANY RIGHTS TO REPRODUCE
OR DISCLOSE ITS CONTENTS, OR TO MANUFACTURE, USE, OR
SELL ANYTHING THAT IT MAY DESCRIBE. USE IN WHOLE OR IN
PART WITHOUT THE SPECIFIC WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF
FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE
INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT IS COMPLETE AND ACCURATE
AT THE TIME OF PRINTING; HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Copyright 2006 Focus Enhancements
All Rights Reserved
The material contained in this document is also protected by
copyright laws of the United States of America and other
countries. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any form by
any means, altered in any fashion, or stored in a data base or
retrieval system, without express written permission of FOCUS
ENHANCEMENTS.
FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS cannot be responsible for
unauthorized use of equipment and will not make allowance or
credit for unauthorized use or access.

ii FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Contacting FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS:
USA
Office Hours: Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 5:00PM (Central Time)
Email: [e-mail]
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Address: Focus Enhancements, Inc.
1370 Dell Avenue
Campbell, CA. 95008
www.focusinfo.com
EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa)
Office Hours: Monday through Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00PM
Email: techsuppor[email protected]
Telephone: +49 4307 - 83 58 58
Fax: +49 4307 - 83 58 99
Address: COMO Computer & Motion GmbHA
A Focus Enhancements Company
Lise-Meitner-Str. 15
24223 Raisdorf / Germany
www.focusinfo.com

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders iii
Regulations and Safety
Serial Number
The serial number for this equipment is located on the back of the
unit. Please write this serial number on the enclosed warranty
card and keep it in a secure area.
FCC Class A
This product satisfies FCC regulations when shielded cables and
connectors are used to connect the unit to other equipment. To
prevent electromagnetic interference with electric appliances
such as radios and televisions, use shielded cables and
connectors.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply within the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, correct the interference by one or more of the following:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different
from that used by the receiver.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
Focus Enhancements, Inc.
1370 Dell Avenue
Campbell, CA. 95008
Model Number: FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD
Date of Manufacture:
Reference the Serial Number label attached to
the unit.

iv FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Symbol Used In the FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Unit
This symbol indicates the presence of an uninsulated
Dangerous Voltage within the product’s enclosure
that may constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
Symbols Used in This Documentation
Documentation
Read, Retain, and Follow Instructions
All the safety and operating instructions should be read before
the product is operated.
•Retain Documentation
Place documentation in a secure place for future reference
on operating and safety instructions.
•Follow All Operating and Safety Instructions
•Pay Attention to All Warnings
Warnings are provided to protect the operator, the
equipment, and content.
Important Information the User Should Read
This symbol indicates information about conditions or
actions that could result in damage to the device or
data.
Information of Interest to the User
This symbol indicates supplemenatry information about fea-
tures, functions, or operations that may be of interest to the user.

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders v
Electrical Precautions
Do Not Expose to Moisture
Do not use this product near water or in an environment where it
is exposed to dampness or there is the possibility of it getting
wet.
Do Not Remove Cover
There are No User Serviceable Parts inside this unit. Servicing
should be done by qualified service personnel.
ON / OFF Switch in Stand-By Position
The On/Off switch Does Not Separate the Unit From the Main Power
when it is in the stand-by position.
Power Sources
Use only power sources that match those indicated on the
marking label. If unsure sure of the type of power supply that is
available, consult your dealer or local power company.
Do Not Overload Power Outlets
Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or integral
convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or
electric shock.
Verify Power Plugs are Fully Inserted
To prevent potential electrical shock to personnel, verify that the
FS-4 HD/Pro HD power cord plug is fully inserted in to a
grounded receptor and that the plug blades are not exposed.
ATTENTION
POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES NE PAS UTILISER
CETTE FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE
DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES
LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN LAISSER
AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.
Power-Cord Protection
•Routing Power-Cords
Route power supply cords so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them.
Avoid sharp angles in the cord, particularly at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit the
product.

vi FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
•Non-Use Period
During extended periods when the device is not used,
unplug it from the power source and retract the power-cord.
Grounding or Polarization
•Polarized
If this product is equipped with a polarized alternating
current line plug (a plug having one blade wider than the
other), it will fit into the outlet only one way. This is a safety
feature. If you are unable to insert the plug fully into the
outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should still fail to
fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet.
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized plug.
•Grounded
If this product is equipped with a three-wire grounding type
plug, a plug having a third (grounding) pin, it will only fit
into a grounding type power outlet. This is a safety feature.
If you are unable to insert the plug into the outlet, contact
your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not
defeat the safety purpose of the grounding type plug.
Outdoor Antenna Grounding
If an outside antenna or
cable system is connected
to the FS-4 HD/Pro HD,
verify that the antenna or
cable system is
grounded. This provides
some protection against
voltage surges and built-
up static charges.
Refer to Article 810 of the
National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, for information about
the proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure,
grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, size
of grounding connectors, location of antenna discharge unit,
connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the
grounding electrode.
Lightning and Power Surges
During electrical storms or when left unattended and unused for
long periods of time, unplug the FS-4 HD or FS-4Pro HD from
the power source and disconnect the antenna or cable system.

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders vii
Power Lines
Do not locate an outside antenna system in the vicinity of
overhead power lines, electric light or power circuits, or where it
can fall onto such lines or circuits.
When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should
be taken to keep from touching such power lines or circuits as
contact with them might be fatal.
Optical Precaution
The use of optical instruments with this device will increase
hazards to the eyes hazard.
Maintenance and Moving
Cleaning
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. The
product should be cleaned only with a polishing cloth or a soft
dry cloth. Never clean with furniture wax, benzine, insecticides
or other volatile liquids since they may corrode the cabinet.
Servicing
Unplug the device from the power outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
• When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
• If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the
product.
• If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
• If the product does not operate normally when following the
operating instructions. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions. The incorrect
adjustment of other controls can result in damage and often
requires extensive work by a qualified technician to restore
the product to its normal operation.
• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
• When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.

viii FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Accessories and Replacement Parts
Use only attachments and accessories recommended by Focus
Enhancements.
Use only replacement parts specified by the Focus Enhancements
or of comparable quality and characteristics as the original parts.
Unauthorized substitution of parts can result in fire, electrical
shock, other hazards, and loss of warranty.
Safety Check
Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the
product is in proper operating condition.
Operating Environment
Location
Any mounting of this device should follow its instructions, and
should use only mounting accessories recommended by Focus
Enhancements.
• Install this device on a sturdy, level surface, away from
moisture and dust.
•Heat
Locate this device away from heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves or other electrical devices (including
amplifiers) that generate heat.
Ventilation
Do not block the ventilation openings in the FS-4 HD/Pro HD
body. Overheating can occur and damage the device. Do not
place this device in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or
rack, unless proper ventilation is provided.

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders ix
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
DTE Eliminates Pre-edit Processing 1
Unpacking 2
Features 3
FS-4 HD Features 3
FS-4Pro HD Features 4
Quickstart 7
Physical Description and Basic Controls 8
Front Panel Controls 8
LCD Display 8
Function buttons (A, B, C) 8
Power On Button 9
Navigation Buttons 9
Transport Control Buttons 9
Record 10
Back Search 10
Play 10
Forward Search 10
Back Index 10
Pause, Stop and Power OFF 11
Forward Index 11
Top Panel 11
Computer FireWire Connector 12
Remote Control, Serial Connector 12
Camera FireWire Connector 12
Rear Panel 13
Side Panel 13
Bottom Panel 14
Internal Speaker 14
The FS-4 HD Menu System 15
Powering the FS-4 HD 19
Connecting the FS-4 HD to AC Power 19
Installing / Removing the Battery Pack 20

Table of Contents
x FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Installing a Battery 20
Removing a Battery 20
Charging the Battery 21
Connecting a FS-4 HD to a DV/HD Camcorder 22
Record and Playback with the FS-4 HD 23
Power On the FS-4 HD 23
Select HDD Recorder Mode 24
Select a DV/HD File Format 25
Set Time and Date 26
Record With the FS-4 HD 28
Manual Recording 29
Creating a New File without Dropping Frames 29
Syncro Slave Recording 30
Recording Timecode in the File 30
Playback on the FS-4 HD 31
Using the FS-4 HD with a Computer 33
Initial Setup 34
Mounting the FS-4 HD in Windows 34
FS-4 HD and FAT 32 37
Using Avid OMF Clips 38
Dismounting the FS-4 HD (Windows) 41
Mounting the FS-4 HD (Macintosh) 42
Dismounting the FS-4 HD (Macintosh) 43
Mounting Hardware 44
Mounting FS-4 HD to a Camcorder 44
Clipping to a Belt 45
FS Functions 47
General Screen Information 48
Welcome Screen 48
Home Screen 49
DISP (display) Information Fields 50
FS-4 HD System Information Screens 51
Record Screens 52
Normal Record 53
Retro Cache Record Mode 53
Retro Disk Record Mode 54
Loop Record 54
Saving Loop Record Clips 55
Snap Record 55

Table of Contents
FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders xi
Time Lapse Record 56
HDD Mode Screen 57
Setting Up Master and Slave FS-4 HD 59
Format Screen 60
DV Formats 60
HD Format Screen 61
Setup Screens 62
Date 63
Time 64
Version 64
LCD Light ON, OFF, AUTO 65
Alarm ON, OFF 65
Stop Frame, Gray, No Video 65
EXT CTL OFF, Pause, Frame, File 66
TIME CODE EXT, REC RUN, FREE RUN, REGEN 67
TC SET 68
UB SET 69
TC DROP, NON-DROP 70
HDV TC TYPE 70
LCD CONTRAST 71
Functions Screen 72
Functions List 73
LOCK/UNLK: 75
Assigning Clips to Reels 76
Blank 76
Utilities Screen 77
Organize Reel 78
Organize OMF 78
Organize MXF 78
Organize Pinn 79
Delete Clip 80
Format Disk 81
Repair Disk 82
Repair Clip 83
File Name 84
Upgrade 85
Upgrade Error 87
System Reset 88
Diagnostic 88
Status 89
Reels Screen 90
Placing a Clip in a Reel 90

Table of Contents
xii FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Using a Wired Remote Control 91
Play Screen 92
Play From Screen 93
Control Screen 94
LCD Display Symbols and Text 97
Technical Specifications 99
Physical Description 99
Input/Outputs 99
Power 99
Audio/Video/Timecode Specification 100
DTE File Formats 100
Disk Information 100
Log Files 101
Error Messages 101
Warranty 102
Temperature 102
Compatible Camcorders and Accessories 102

FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders 1
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Focus Enhancements portable direct-
to-edit (DTE) disk recorder. The FS-4 HD and the professional version
FS-4Pro HD are the first portable DV/HD disk recorders with DTE
technology designed for hand held camcorders in a small, rugged
and shock proof chassis.
If you edit with applications from Adobe, Apple, Avid,
Canopus, Matrox, Pinnacle, Sony, Ulead, and many others,
Focus Enhancements’ DTE Technology is the only solution that
can save you hundreds of hours a year by recording clips to
disk in your non-linear editor’s (NLE) native file format.
DTE Eliminates Pre-edit Processing
The FS-4 HD DTE disk recorder eliminates the need to capture,
transfer or convert video clips before editing. The FS-4 HD is a
stand-alone device that records DV25, HD 720p, and HD 1080i
video to its disk drive as a NLE native file. The HD versions
add the capability of capturing to disk HD 720p and 1080i
video from HDV camcorders equipped with a 1394 interface.
For most DV and many HDV compatible NLE systems, when
the disk drive is connected to a computer the clips are
immediately available for editing.
Shoot, connect, and edit: it is now that easy.
Information About Specific FS-4 HD Models
Throughout this manual, FS-4 HD indicates information that pertains to all
models of the FS-4 HD family.
The acronyms DV and HD refer to the recorder’s video recording format,
digital or high definition, respectively. By default, both the FS-4 HD and
FS-4Pro HD employ DV and HD recording.

Introduction
2 FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
Unpacking
Verify that the FS-4 HD has the following items:
1. FS-4 HD unit
2. Belt Clip
3. User Guide
4. Two Firewire cables, a one foot and a four foot long, 6-
pin to 4-pin
5. Power cable (international only)
6. Power supply with cable and connector to the FS-4 HD
7. Removable Li-Ion battery pack
Missing or Damaged Components
If there are missing or damaged items, contact Focus Enhancements
Support for assistance.
USA Email: [e-mail]
USA Telephone: [phone]
EMEA Email: [email protected]
EMEA Telephone: +49 4307 - 83 58 58
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Introduction
FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders 3
Features
FS-4 HD Features
All FS-4 HD models offer the following features:
• Tapeless acquisition
Especially equipped camcorders permit the use of
Direct To Edit (DTE) Technology to record directly
from a camcorder while shooting and without the need
of a tape.
• True DTE Technology
When shooting is finished, connect the FS-4 HD to a
computer and instantly be ready to edit in the timeline.
Files are recorded to disk as RawDV, AVI Type1, AVI
Type2, Matrox AVI, Canopus AVI, or QuickTime. In
addition, 24p AVI Type2 and QuickTime are available
in NTSC mode.
Support for cutting edge HDV camcorders with 720p
and 1080i MPEG-2 capabilities equipped with a
FireWire 1394 connection
• Fast and Efficient Editing
When shooting is finished, mount the FS-4 HD 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
HD as your media source.
• Confidence in Recording
Simultaneously record to disk and tape while you
shoot, providing an immediately available, drop out
free, edit source and an archive and backup on tape.

Introduction
4 FS-4 HD and FS-4Pro HD Portable DTE Recorders
• Compact, Lightweight, Rugged Design
The FS-4 HD weighs about a pound including the
battery and is only 1.5" thick. You can mount the FS-4
HD directly to your camcorder using the optional
camera mount kit, or clip the FS-4 HD directly to your
belt. The FS-4 HD 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.
• Flexible Capacities and Power
The FS-4 HD comes with a 40GB (about 3 hours) hard
drive. Extend record times by linking two FS-4 HD
units together. Power the FS-4 HD using slim,
removable battery packs or power it using the supplied
AC adapter.
• Easy to Use, Control and Update
The FS-4 HD interfaces with your camcorder using a
single FireWire cable that passes audio, video, timecode
and control information. When a tape is present, each
press of start and stop on your camcorder's record
button creates an individual clip on disk. The FS-4 HD
features a comprehensive backlit display, menu system
and buttons allowing easy control and management. In
addition, these units are upgradeable in the field.
• Never Miss A Shot
The FS-4 HD's six second retro record mode means you
are always recording. When action happens, you know
up to six seconds prior to the event occurring is saved
in your clip.
FS-4Pro HD Features
The FS-4Pro HD offers these additional professional features:
• Retro Disk and Loop Record modes
•SceneMarking
This allows categorizing video clips into pre-named
folders on the disk during a shoot.
• User definable 10-second retro cache record feature
• User definable time lapse and loop playback modes