Posted by William Davis on 12/21/05 02:40

In article <-bOdnUmdQptEhTXenZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com>,
Rick Merrill <rickZERODOTmerrill@NOSPAMgmail.com> wrote:

> doc wrote:
> > we like the firestore FS-4 and FS-4 Pro. work nice :o)
> >
> > drd
>
> I like what the FS-4 does and the user interface, but I would not
> get another one because of the FAN noise and the slow off-load speed.


I just finished an article for Videomaker featuring direct to disc
recording and I had both the Citidisk DV and nNovia QuickCapture A2D
units in the studio and out on field shoots for a month.

For all HDD units, the key is how much money you want to trade for
eliminating parts of log and capture in your production flow. I say
"parts" because used properly they allow you to move your clips directly
into your timeline after shooting - but remember you still need to watch
and judge each "take" so what you're really saving is the mostly
automated batch capture step.

If your workflow schedule is tight and you have projects backed up - or
you're spending a lot of time in digitization that you could use more
productively elsewhere - they make great sense.

OTOH, you're tying up $1k to $3k in capital to gain that efficiency.
And you can buy a LOT of tapestock or even a second camera for that!

Bottom line - IMO, smart investment for some practitioners, not so much
for others.

YMMV.

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