FOCUS Enhancements FireStore FS 3 User Manual
DV Video Disk Recorder  
USER GUIDE  
Version 1.2  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
IMPORTANT  
CAUTION  
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK  
DO NOT OPEN  
The exclamation point within an  
equilateral triangle is intended to alert  
the user to the presence of important  
operating and maintenance (servicing)  
instructions in the literature accompanying  
the appliance.  
CAUTION:  
TO PREVENT THE RISK OF  
ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT  
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).  
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS  
INSIDE.REFER SERVICING TO  
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.  
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
LOCATION – The appliance should be installed in  
a stable location.  
NON-USE PERIODS – The power cord of the  
appliance should be unplugged from the outlet  
when left unused for a long period of time.  
GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION –  
OBJECT AND LIQUID ENTRY – Never push  
objects of any kind into this product through  
openings as they may touch dangerous voltage  
points or short-out parts that could result in a fire  
or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind on  
the product.  
SERVICING – Do not attempt to service this  
product yourself as opening or removing covers  
may expose you to dangerous voltage or other  
hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service  
personnel.  
READ INSTRUCTIONS – All the safety and  
operating instructions should be read before the  
product is operated.  
RETAIN INSTRUCTIONS – The safety and  
operating instructions should be retained for  
future reference.  
HEED WARNINGS – All warnings on the product  
and in the operating instructions should be  
adhered to.  
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS – All operating and use  
instructions should be followed.  
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.  
ATTACHMENTS – Do not use attachments not  
recommended by the product manufacturer as  
they may cause hazards.  
WATER AND MOISTURE – Do not use this  
product near water – for example, near a bathtub,  
wash bowl, kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in a wet  
basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.  
ACCESSORIES – Do not place this product on an  
unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket or table. The  
product may fall, causing serious injury to a child  
or an adult, and serious damage to the product.  
Use only with a cart, stand, tripod, bracket or  
table recommended by the manufacturer, or sold  
with the product. Any mounting of the product  
should follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and  
should use a mounting accessory recommended  
by the manufacturer.  
•
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.  
DAMAGE REQUIRING SERVICE – Unplug this  
product from the wall 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 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.  
•
•
If the product has been exposed to rain or water.  
If the product does not operate normally by  
following the operating instructions. Adjust  
only those controls that are covered by the  
operating instructions as an improper  
adjustment of other controls may result in  
damage and will often require extensive work  
by a qualified technician to restore the product  
to its normal operation.  
POWER-CORD PROTECTION – Power supply cords  
should be routed so that they are not likely to be  
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or  
against them, paying particular attention to cords at  
plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where  
they exit the product.  
OUTDOOR ANTENNA GROUNDING – If an outside  
antenna or cable system is connected to the  
product, be sure the antenna or cable system is  
grounded so as to provide some protection against  
voltage surges and built-up static charges. Article  
810 of the National Electric Code, ANSI/NFPA 70,  
provides information with regard to 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. See Fig. A.  
•
•
If the product has been dropped or damaged in  
any way.  
When the product exhibits a distinct change in  
performance – this indicates a need for service.  
REPLACEMENT PARTS – When replacement parts  
are required, be sure the service technician has  
used replacement parts specified by the  
manufacturer or have the same characteristics as  
the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may  
result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.  
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.  
WALL OR CEILING MOUNT – The product should  
not be mounted to a wall or ceiling.  
CART – A product and cart combination should be  
moved with care. Quick stops, excessive force,  
and uneven surfaces may cause the product and  
cart combination to overturn.  
LIGHTNING – For added protection for this product  
during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended  
and unused for long periods of time, unplug it from  
the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable  
system. This will prevent damage to the product due  
to lightning and power-line surges.  
POWER LINES – An outside antenna system  
should not be located in the vicinity of overhead  
power lines or other electric light or power  
circuits, or where it can fall into such power 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.  
HEAT – The product should be situated away from  
heat sources such as radiators, heat, registers,  
stoves or other products (including amplifiers)  
that produce heat.  
VENTILATION – Slots and openings in the cabinet  
are provided for ventilation and to ensure reliable  
operation of the product and to protect it from  
overheating, and these openings must not be  
blocked or covered. The openings should never be  
blocked by placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug,  
or other similar surface. This product should not be  
placed in a built-in installation such as a bookcase  
or rack unless proper ventilation is provided or the  
manufacturer’s instructions have been adhered to.  
POWER SOURCES – This product should be  
operated only form the type of power source  
indicated on the marking label. If you are not sure of  
the type of power supply to your home, consult  
your dealer or local power company.  
ANTENNA  
LEAD IN WIRE  
GROUND  
CLAMP  
ANTENNA  
DISCHARGE UNIT  
(NEC SECTION 810-20)  
ELECTRIC  
SERVICE  
EQUIPMENT  
GROUNDING CONDUCTORS  
(NEC SECTION 810-21)  
GROUND CLAMPS  
POWER SERVICE GROUNDING  
Fig A  
OVERLOADING – Do not overload wall outlets,  
extension cords, or integral convenience  
receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or  
electric shock.  
ELECTRODE SYSTEM  
(NEC ART 250. PART H)  
NEC — NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
PAGE 3  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
For customers within the USA and Canada,  
FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. warrants this  
product against defects in materials or  
workmanship as follows:  
damages, so the above limitations or exclusions  
may not apply to you. This warranty gives you  
specific legal rights. You may also have other  
rights which vary from state to state.  
For a period of TWO years from the date of  
purchase, FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. will  
repair or replace the unit, at our option,  
without charge for parts or labor. After the  
period of TWO years, you must pay all parts  
and labor charges.  
Before requesting warranty or repair service,  
refer to http://www.focusinfo.com/support/, to  
review the Trouble Shooting guidelines and  
the FAQs.  
In the United States or Canada, to obtain  
warranty service, call or write the FOCUS  
Enhancements, Inc. Technical Support Line  
for a Return Material Authorization (RMA)  
number. Technical Support can be reached at:  
The limited warranty is extended only to  
the original purchaser. It does not cover  
damage or failure caused by or attributable  
to Acts of God, abuse, misuse, improper or  
abnormal usage, faulty installation, improper  
maintenance, lightning, or other incidences of  
excessive voltage, or any repairs or tampering  
by other than the FOCUS Enhancements  
repair facility. It does not cover replacement  
of batteries or other consumable parts,  
transportation costs or damage in transit.  
This warranty will become void if the serial  
number or model number identification has  
been wholly or partially removed or erased.  
Repair or replacement under the terms of  
this warranty do not extend the terms of this  
warranty. Repairs or replacement performed  
outside of the warranty period will carry a  
warranty for 60 days from return shipment.  
This warranty can not be modified by an  
agent of FOCUS Enhancements, Inc. unless  
in written and signed by an officer of FOCUS  
Enhancements, Inc.  
Email:  
support@FOCUSinfo. com  
Telephone: 408-370-9963 8AM – Noon  
and 1PM - 5PM (PST), Monday  
to Friday (Hint: Mondays tend to  
be the busiest)  
Fax:  
408-866-4859  
Address:  
FOCUS Enhancements, Inc.  
1370 Dell Ave.  
Campbell, CA. 95008  
Please mark the RMA number clearly on  
the outside of the package. Include a copy  
of your sales receipt, a brief description of  
the symptoms, your name, address within  
the USA or Canada, phone number and any  
special shipping instructions. Then deliver or  
ship the product, postage and shipping costs  
prepaid, to the address above.  
For customers outside the USA or Canada,  
A warranty can only be offered through your  
dealer or distributor and not through FOCUS  
Enhancements directly, for this product.  
Please contact your dealer or distributor  
for repairs or technical support. Refer to  
http://www.focusinfo.com/order-desk  
under, “FOCUS Resellers Worldwide”,  
for a list of International Dealers and  
Authorized Service Centers.  
Should this product prove defective in  
workmanship or material, the consumer’s sole  
remedies shall be such repair or replacement  
provided by the terms of this warranty. Under  
no circumstances shall FOCUS Enhancements,  
Inc. be liable for any loss or damage, direct,  
consequential, or incidental, arising out of the  
use of or inability to use this product. Some  
states do not allow limitations on how long an  
implied warranty lasts or the exclusions or  
limitations of incidental or consequential  
PAGE 4  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PAGE  
Warning and Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1  
Statement of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3  
Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4  
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
PACKAGE CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
WHAT IS A DTE DISK RECORDER? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
WHAT IS FIRESTORE FS-3? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
BASIC APPLICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8  
MOUNTING TO A CAMCORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9  
CONNECTING A FIREWIRE CABLE BETWEEN FS-3 AND CAMCORDER . . . . . . . . . . . . .10  
INSERTING AND REMOVING FIRESTORE FSHDD-1 FIREWIRE DRIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
USING EXTERNAL FIREWIRE DISK DRIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
Physical Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
FRONT PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11  
LCD DISPLAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13  
FRONT PANEL BUTTONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15  
REAR CONNECTOR PANEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17  
FS-3 Menus And Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17  
RECORD MODE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18  
Normal Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18  
Retro Disk Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18  
Retro Cache Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19  
Loop Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20  
Snap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20  
Time Lapse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20  
PLAY MODE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Play Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Loop Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Loop All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Play All . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
PLAY FROM MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Track List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21  
Folder List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22  
CONTROL MODE MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22  
Local . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22  
AV/C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22  
Syncro Slave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22  
HDD BYPASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23  
RECORD FORMAT MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23  
SETUP MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24  
HDD Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24  
Set Date & Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24  
PAGE 5  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Operating System Version No. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25  
Operating System Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25  
Timecode Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26  
Timecode, User Bit & Drop/Non-Drop Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27  
Infrared Sensor Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28  
GPI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28  
LCD Back Light Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28  
Clip Preview Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28  
Audio Correct Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29  
Folder Pref . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29  
UTILITIES MENU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29  
Organize Folder Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30  
Organize OMF Clips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30  
Delete Clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30  
Format Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30  
Partition Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31  
Repair Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32  
File Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32  
Factory Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32  
USING SCENE MARKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33  
Getting FireStore Recorded Clips Onto A Computer System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34  
Mounting Firewire Disk Drives To Windows XP, 2000,  
98SE And ME Computer Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35  
Using FireStore FS-3 Recorded Avid OMF Clips On Avid NLE Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36  
Dismounting Firewire Disk Drives From Windows XP, 2000,  
98SE and ME Computer Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37  
Mounting Firewire Disk Drives To Macintosh Computer Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37  
Dismounting Firewire Disk Drives From Macintosh Computer Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38  
FS-3 Remote Control Commanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38  
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40  
FS-3 LCD Display and Tally Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41  
NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42  
PAGE 6  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
• One (1) NP Adapter Plate w/ (4) four mount  
screws. (FS-3 NP version only)  
INTRODUCTION  
Thank you for purchasing the Focus  
• User Guide  
Enhancements FireStore FS-3 DTE DV Video  
Disk Recorder for full-size DV camcorders. FS-3  
adds a digital disk recorder/player to your  
camorder for a powerful acquisition combination.  
• QuickStart Guide  
If any of these contents are missing, please  
contact Focus Enhancements or your FireStore  
dealer/distributor immediately.  
This User Guide is to be used with software  
version 1.2 or higher. See page 25 of this manual  
for more information to verify which software  
version you are using.  
You may need to purchase cables to connect more  
than one hard disk drive to FireStore FS-3 at a  
time. Your Focus Enhancements dealer can help  
you identify additional cables you may need.  
The purpose of this User Guide is to explain the  
features and operation of the FireStore FS-3. You  
have also received an FS-3 QuickStart guide which  
should be kept for quick future reference. Please  
study the contents of this User Guide before  
attempting to use your FS-3.  
* Depending on the model number that is ordered,  
drive capacity may vary. Please verify that you  
have received the correct FireStore FSHDD-1  
capacity that you ordered.  
WHAT IS A DTE DISK RECORDER?  
Check the Focus Enhancements website regularly  
for updates to software and documentation and if  
you have questions or require further assistance  
with your FireStore FS-3, please visit:  
A DTE DV Disk Recorder is a device that allows  
you to record/playback DV video directly to/from  
a removable FireWire hard disk drive without  
using a computer. Video is input or output as a  
DV Video Stream through FireStore which  
www.focusinfo.com/support  
Alternatively, contact your Focus Enhancements  
FireStore dealer/distributor.  
writes/reads a DV data stream in NLE native file  
formats from/to a FireWire hard disk drive.  
PACKAGE CONTENTS  
WHAT IS FIRESTORE FS-3?  
Please take a moment to study the contents of your  
FireStore FS-3 package. You should have the  
following contents:  
FireStore FS-3 is a DTE DV Disk Recorder that  
mounts directly to full size DV camcorders. With  
FireStore FS-3, it is possible to:  
• One (1) FireStore FS-3 unit w/ your  
selected battery plates (FS-3 V-Mount, FS-3  
Anton/Bauer, FS-3 PAG-Lock or FS-3 NP.  
The NP version also includes a pair of  
captive screws)  
• Input or output DV video from/to DV  
camcorders. It is also possible to use it stand-  
alone with virtually any DV video device  
• One (1) FireStore FSHDD-1 FireWire Hard  
Disk Drive (HDD)*  
• Capture clips to hard disk at the acquisition  
stage - there is no need to capture later.  
• One (1) 6-pin to 4-pin Right Angle  
FireWire cable.  
• Simultaneously record to disk while recording  
to your camcorder’s tape.  
• One (1) 6-pin to 6-pin Right Angle  
FireWire cable.  
• Record clips to disk in DTE Technology  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
based “edit-ready” file formats such as Raw  
DV, AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI,  
Canopus AVI, QuickTime and Avid DV-OMF.  
This means clips are immediately available to  
your NLE system without first having to  
transfer or convert the clips.  
removable FSHDD-1 FireWire hard drive)  
together for extremely long, uninterrupted  
record times.  
BASIC APPLICATIONS  
FireStore FS-3 can be used in the acquisition  
stage of production, the editing/post production  
stage and the presentation stage. FireStore FS-3  
is most useful in the following applications:  
• Connect your FireWire disk directly to your  
computer or connect via FireStore which  
allows mount and dismount of the drives  
without re-cabling or computer re-boots.  
• Record DV video live to disk at the  
• Jump from clip to clip without spooling  
through tape when in playback mode.  
acquisition stage. Not only will you have an  
exact copy of your camcorder’s tape footage  
on disk with the same timecode, audio and  
video information, it will be possible to  
quickly review shot footage back through your  
camcorder without risking damaging the tape  
in your camcorder’s tape transport. This  
“confidence recording” will save time and  
reduce costly re-shoots during production.  
• As well as video, record and playback  
embedded DV audio in either 2-ch (16-bit,  
48kHz) or 4-ch (12-bit, 32kHz) formats.  
• Record source timecode from your  
camcorder or create your own Free Run,  
Regen or Rec Run timecode. It is also possible  
to preset timecode and user-bit values.  
• Clips are recorded in DTE Technology  
based “edit-ready” file formats such as RawDV,  
AVI Type 1, AVI Type 2, Matrox AVI, Canopus  
AVI, QuickTime or Avid DV-OMF. This will  
allow you to get your footage onto a computer  
(Mac or PC) and view or edit it quickly. The  
FireStore FSHDD-1 or external FireWire disk  
drive can either be connected directly to your  
computer (without FireStore) or through  
FireStore which allows you to mount/un-mount  
any connected drives without re-cabling or re-  
booting. This also allows you to capture footage  
to disk without tying up your computer.  
• Record, play and navigate using FireStore  
FS-3’s VTR style controls.  
• Record and recall a single frame of DV  
video. Also record user definable time-lapse  
sequences.  
• Slow playback down or speed it up by 1  
frame per second increments.  
• Use trick playback modes such as up to  
30X/-30X fast-forward and rewind speeds,  
reverse play, loop clip and loop entire disk.  
• Playback DV video clips that were recorded to  
a connected FireWire hard disk drive from  
FireStore FS-3 to any DV video device such as a  
mixer, camcorder or deck. Use FireStore’s  
random access capabilities to navigate quickly  
from clip to clip without having to spool forward  
and backward through tape. Use FireStore FS-3’s  
trick playback modes such as multi-speed fast  
forward, incremental 1 frame per second slow  
motion and reverse play to present DV video in  
industrial, presentation or scientific applications.  
• Control FS-3 remotely via FireWire (for  
triggering record/pause or AV/C) from a DV  
based camcorder GPI port. Alternatively, control  
FS-3 via RS-232C (using the optional 3.5mm to  
DB-9 cable), wired remote or infrared remote  
control, all of which are available as accessories.  
• Daisy-chain up to four FireWire (IEEE-  
1394) hard drives (in addition to the internal  
PAGE 8  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
3) Attach the battery to the rear of the FS-3 unit.  
MOUNTING TO A CAMCORDER  
The FireStore FS-3 is designed to mount directly  
to full size DV camcorders. FireStore FS-3  
features either Anton/Bauer, V-Mount, PAG Lock  
or NP mount plates allowing quick connection to  
most camcorders featuring these battery systems.  
Mounting to Anton/Bauer, V-Mount or PAG-  
Lock Equipped Camcorders  
To mount to camcorder's featuring either an  
Anton/Bauer, V-Mount or PAG Lock battery  
system, do the following:  
Mounting to NP Battery Equipped  
Camcorders  
1) Remove any connected battery from the  
camcorder's battery mount plate.  
To mount to camcorder's featuring NP battery  
systems, do the following:  
1) Remove and disconnect the attached  
battery system from the camcorder. Consult  
either your camcorder's documentation or  
documentation from your battery system for  
more detailed information on removing the  
battery system. Leave any existing rubber  
gasket between the camcorder and battery  
system in place.  
2) Mount the NP adapter plate to the rear of the  
camcorder with the supplied four screws (the  
plate mounts to the rear of the camcorder  
utilizing the same mount holes the NP battery  
case mounts to).  
2) Connect the FS-3 unit to the battery mount  
plate on the rear of the camcorder.  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
3) FS-3 features a two wire connector with  
black and red cables that connects main power  
between the FS-3 and the camcorder. Connect  
this to the equivalent connector on the rear of  
your camcorder.  
6) Re-attach the battery system to the rear of  
the FS-3. Ensure to connect all cables and  
utilize the supplied gasket between FS-3 and  
the battery system. Harness any loose cables  
into the “Hidey-Hole” on the FS-3.  
If you are using a digital battery system that  
passes battery life status to the camcorder, and are  
using a camcorder that is compatible with these  
systems, connect the following cables between  
FS-3 and camcorder (FS-3 NP version only:)  
CONNECTING A FIREWIRE CABLE  
BETWEEN FS-3 AND CAMCORDER  
Connect either the 6-pin to 6-pin or 6-pin to 4-  
pin FireWire cable between the FS-3's “DV I/O”  
port and the camcorder's DV interface.  
Anton/Bauer Digital Battery System  
- Grey and Orange Cable  
IDX Syncron Digital Battery System  
- Blue and Red Cable.  
4) “Hook” the FS-3 to the adapter plate on the  
rear of the camcorder (these hooks are unique  
to the FS-3NP model). Insert the supplied  
gasket between the plate and the FS-3 unit.  
Harness any loose cables into the “Hidey-Hole”  
on the FS-3.  
5) Once mounted, secure the two captive screws  
at the base of the FS-3 to the camcorder. Ensure  
that no cables are “pinched” between the FS-3  
and the camcorder.  
PAGE 10  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
REMOVING THE HDD: Slide the HDD release  
latch on the FS-3 top plate toward the battery  
system. Once slid as far as possible, hold the latch  
while at the same time grasping the FSHDD-1  
drive handle and pulling the HDD out from FS-3.  
INSERTING AND REMOVING  
FIRESTORE FSHDD-1  
FIREWIRE DRIVES  
The best way to get to know the FireStore  
FSHDD-1 FireWire HDD is by studying  
the supplied manual. The manual provides  
detailed instructions and illustrations.  
WARNING: Make sure FS-3 is in STOP mode  
before removing the disk drive from the system.  
Do not attempt to remove when FS-3 is in REC  
or REC-PAUSE mode.  
USING EXTERNAL FIREWIRE  
DISK DRIVES  
In addition to using FireStore FSHDD-1  
FireWire HDDs in the internal slot on FS-3, it  
is also possible to connect any FireWire disk  
drive to the HDD I/O port on FS-3. Power a  
single FireWire disk drive on FS-3 at any  
given time (either internal or external). If  
external drives are being used as additional  
volumes to the inserted FSHDD-1 FireWire  
HDD, it will be necessary to provide external  
power to these drives. It may also be necessary  
to partition and format drives before use with  
FS-3. See page 31 of this user guide for  
instructions on preparing drives before use.  
INSERTING THE HDD: Insert the drive  
into the slot on top of the FS-3 unit. Ensure that  
the power switch on the bottom side of the  
drive is set to “On” before inserting. The drive  
will only insert one way and features a “key”  
on one side to prevent incorrect insertion. Press  
down on the drive handle firmly until the  
handle meets the top of FS-3. If power is on,  
you will observe the power LED light up green.  
NOTE: It is possible to “hot swap” both  
internal and external FireWire HDDs on FS-3.  
Drives can be disconnected and connected from  
the system without the need to power cycle the  
unit. Ensure that FS-3 is in STOP mode before  
removing a disk drive.  
PHYSICAL FEATURES  
Your FireStore FS-3 features two main surfaces,  
the front panel and the rear connector panel.  
FRONT PANEL  
The front panel contains the backlit LCD  
and nine buttons for controlling FireStore’s  
functions. The top row of buttons act as Soft  
PAGE 11  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Keys and provide the function displayed on the  
bottom of the LCD.  
a moment to power down. During this time,  
FS-3 is ensuring that any files that have not  
been closed properly in a record session get  
closed. This prevents errors occurring on  
particular files.  
The front panel also features a tally light,  
infrared remote sensor and power switch.  
3. Infrared Remote Sensor  
1
The FS-3 infrared remote sensor  
is for use with the optional FS-3 infrared  
remote commander. For information on the  
FS-3 infrared remote commander, see “FS-3  
REMOTE CONTROL COMMANDERS on  
page 38 of this User Guide. This port can be  
disabled in infrared noisy environments if  
desired in the FS-3 settings menu.  
2
3
4
5
4. LCD Display Screen  
The FS-3 LCD screen displays status, setup  
and warning/error messages relating to FS-3.  
The LCD backlight is set as default to ON,  
but this can be set to OFF or AUTO-OFF  
mode if desired. See page 28 of this User  
Guide for details.  
6
7
5. Keypad Soft Key Function  
1. Tally Light  
The bottom line of the FS-3 LCD screen  
displays Soft Key functions for the top row  
of buttons. Soft Keys allow the function of  
the top row of buttons to change depending  
on particular modes.  
The FS-3 red tally light is located at the top of  
the FS-3 front panel. In general, this light will  
flash when FS-3 is in REC/PAUSE mode and be  
solid when in RECORD mode. This light is also  
used to warn the user when an error or warning  
message appears on the FS-3 LCD display. See  
the “FS-3 LCD DISPLAY AND TALLY  
6. Keypad Soft Key  
The top row of buttons on the FS-3 front  
panel are dedicated Soft Keys. Soft Key  
functions change depending on what mode  
FS-3 is in. Current Soft Key function is  
displayed on the bottom row of the LCD  
screen. The left key on the top row of buttons  
acts as a Soft Key and as the STOP key during  
record sessions. The right key also acts as a  
SHIFT key which allows Standard Keys to  
have a secondary function.  
MODES” section on page 41 of this User Guide  
for more information on tally light status.  
2. Power Switch  
FireStore FS-3’s power switch is located on the  
top left side of the front panel. This switch,  
although mechanical, is controlled via  
software. When the power switch is set to ON  
and then OFF, in most cases the unit will take  
PAGE 12  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
“No Disk Detected” appears, ensure you have a  
FSHDD-1 FireWire HDD inserted properly. If the  
message “No Format Detected” appears, you will  
first need to partition and format the inserted drive.  
FS-3 will prompt you through the steps required to  
perform a format. WARNING: Formatting will  
erase all data on disk!  
7. Keypad Standard Keys  
The bottom two rows of keys on the FS-3  
keypad have dedicated functions such as fast  
forward/back search, play, record, and index  
forward back. Each key (except record) also  
has a SHIFT mode which allows a secondary  
function to be performed.  
Once ready for use, the FS-3 default Splash  
Screen will appear as follows:  
LCD DISPLAY  
The FS-3 LCD screen displays different FS-3  
modes and states. On boot up, FS-3 will  
display the following screen:  
3
4
5
2
1
6
9
7
8
13  
10  
11  
12  
Depending on the connected disk drive, FS-3 may  
or may not display “Please Wait” during boot up.  
1. Play/Record Status Symbol  
Once booted up, if no disk drive is connected to  
the FS-3 (either through the internal slot or  
externally via the HDD I/O port), the following  
screen will appear:  
This symbol displays a graphical representation  
of the current FS-3 playback, stop, record or  
pause state.  
2. Record/Play Status Indicator  
In this space, FS-3 will display a character that  
notifies the user what record or playback mode  
they are in. The characters displayed and their  
respective modes are listed on page 41 of this  
User Guide.  
3. Current System Status  
Insert a FireStore FSHDD-1 FireWire HDD  
to the internal drive slot or connect a FireWire disk  
drive to the HDD I/O port. If a FSHDD-1  
FireWire HDD comes from the factory, it should  
be configured and ready to use. If the message  
The current status of FS-3 will be displayed in  
this area. For instance, it will display whether  
FS-3 is in record, play, stop, pause, fast search  
or slow motion modes.  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
4. Volume Number  
COUNTER timecode on connected volumes).  
This is mainly used when FS-3 is set to AV/C  
mode and is being controlled by an external  
FireWire device such as a computer.  
The volume or disk number of the current clip  
recording or playback session is displayed in this  
area of the LCD. For example, a display value of  
“2-014” identifies a track as being on volume 2.  
7. Timecode or User Bit Value  
5. Track or Clip Number  
Displays the timecode or user bit value of  
display mode selected.  
This area displays the current clip or track number  
being recorded or played back. For example, a  
display value of “2-014” identifies a track as  
being clip 14 on volume 2. If a track number has  
an “*” immediately following it, that particular  
track has been marker as a “Keeper” track. See  
page 15 of this User Guide for more information.  
8. Current Disk Volume  
Displays the current disk volume in relation to  
available space.  
9. Available Space on Volume  
6. Timecode/User Bit Display Mode  
Displays the space in time available on the  
current volume.  
This identifies the display mode for timecode  
or user bit values. Selections are:  
10. Soft Key One Function Display  
• COUNTER - counts frames during record  
or playback of the current clip only.  
Displays the current function related to Soft  
Key one (left key on the top row of buttons).  
This is typically the main soft key for opening  
the FS-3 MENU and is also used as a STOP  
key during record and playback sessions.  
• REMAINING - counts down the number  
of frames available (time) on a particular disk  
during a record session. In a playback session,  
this display shows the remaining time on the  
current clip.  
11. Soft Key Two Function Display  
Displays current function of Soft Key two  
(middle key on the top row of buttons).  
• DV NTSC (or PAL) - Displays the external  
timecode value being generated by a  
camcorder or other device during a record  
session. Timecode mode has to be set to EXT  
TC for this function to operate (see page 26  
of this User Guide). In playback mode, this  
displays the embedded DV timecode value in  
a particular track.  
12. Soft Key Three Function Display  
Displays current function of Soft Key three  
(right key on the top row of buttons).  
13. Folder Display  
• UB NTSC (or PAL) - Displays the set user  
bit value in a particular clip. A user bit value  
must be added for this to display (see page 27  
of this User Guide).  
Displays folder that current clip is in. If blank,  
clip is not in a folder. If folder appears in  
brackets (e.g. <2SCENE 2> ), the FS-3 PLAY  
FROM menu is set to FOLDER LIST. See  
page 21 of this User's Guide for more details.  
• ABSOLUTE - Displays an absolute timecode  
value for the particular session (sum of all  
PAGE 14  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
FRONT PANEL BUTTONS  
Keeper Clip and Scene Marking Keys  
The FS-3 front panel features nine buttons. The  
three buttons on the top row are “Soft Keys”  
which allow different functions to be controlled  
depending on the mode FS-3 is in. Use the  
bottom line of the LCD display to identify the  
current soft key function. The remaining six  
buttons have a fixed function. Several of them  
also feature a secondary function that can be  
accessed by pressing the SHIFT key (usually  
the right Soft Key).  
FireStore FS-3 features the ability to quickly  
mark clips during record and playback to a  
single “Keeper” folder or multiple, prenamed  
“Scene Marking” folders. It is possible to use  
the front keypad for Scene Marking or Keeper  
Marking but it is necessary to first select either  
Keeper or Scene Marking under FOLDER  
PREFENCES in the SETUP menu as it is not  
possible to use both at once. See page 29 of this  
User Guide for more information.  
If you have selected the KEEP preference, it is  
possible to mark the current clip by pressing  
and holding Soft Key (3) followed by Soft Key  
(2). KEEPER can be marked on the current clip  
during recording, playback or in stop mode.  
The KEEPER label and a relational line  
FS-3 buttons have the following functions:  
between the two keys is silk-screened on the  
FS-3 front panel. It is also possible to mark a  
clip as a KEEPER using the KEEPER button  
on one of the optional remote control units.  
Once a clip has been marked as a KEEPER, an  
asterix (*) will appear next to the track number  
("X-XXX*) on the LCD. To add all clips  
marked as a KEEPER to the Keeper Folder on  
the disk drive, select UTILITIES ->  
Soft Key 1 and STOP Key  
Stops whatever is the selected mode and returns  
FS-3 into Pause. A second press puts FS-3 into  
STOP (standby with splash screen). Splash  
screen is either a gray screen or first frame of  
the selected clip depending on the PREVIEW  
mode (see page 28 for more info.)  
ORGANIZE FOLD from the FS-3 menu.  
If you have selected the SCENE MARK  
preference, pressing and holding Soft Key (3)  
followed by Soft Key (2) allows you to mark  
each clip into particular pre-named folders on  
disk (up to 10 folders can be prenamed. Default  
names for the folders are 0 through 9. See page  
33 of this User Guide to setup Scene Marking  
folders). By holding Soft Key (3) down and  
repeatadly pressing Soft Key (2), it is possible  
to scroll though the available folders. It is also  
possible to SCENE MARK clips to folders  
using the numeric keypad on the optional  
remote control units. SCENE MARK can be  
marked on the current clip during recording,  
Soft Key 2  
Dedicated soft key for triggering mode/function  
that appears immediately above key in the FS-3  
LCD display.  
Soft Key 3 and SHIFT Key  
Dedicated soft key for triggering mode/function  
that appears immediately above key in the FS-3  
LCD display. This key is also commonly used to  
enter the SHIFT mode. To execute a shift function,  
press SHIFT and another key at the same time.  
PAGE 15  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
playback or in stop mode and once selected, the  
clip will be marked for placement into that  
particular folder. To add all SCENE MARKED  
clips to their respective folders on the disk  
drive, select UTILITIES -> ORGANIZE FOLD  
from the FS-3 menu .  
larger number of playback speed choices. This  
mode is the same as Standard Forward Search  
in that it is also bidirex.  
REVERSE: -30X, -25X, -18X, -15X, -12X, -  
10X, -8X, -5X, -4X, -3X, -2X, -1X, -15fps, -  
10fps, -6fps, -5fps, -3fps, -2fps, -1fps, Still  
For more on KEEPER and SCENE MARKING,  
see page 30 and 33 of this User Guide.  
FORWARD: Still, +1fps, +2fps, +3fps, +5fps,  
+6fps, +10fps, +15fps, +1X, +2X, +3X, +4X,  
+5X, +8X, +10X, +12X, +15X, +18X, +25X,  
+30X.  
Backward Search Key  
NOTE: When using the optional FS-3 remote  
control units, holding down the particular button  
will not repeat the function as it does on the FS-  
3 control panel. For repeat sequences, the button  
must be pressed multiple times.  
Pressing the backward search button multiple  
times will result in increases in the search speed  
during playback. This mode is bidirex in  
forward X times normal search speed. A press  
of the Back Search button will result in FF  
speed being slowed down by one step. For  
instance, if user is in 10X FF speed and presses  
the Back Search button once, they will now be  
in 2X FF mode. This applies vice versa for  
backward search speeds. Speed resolution is as  
follows: (NTSC, PAL will have slightly  
different multiples for < 1X):  
Play Key  
Starts playback of the selected clip. By pressing  
and holding the SHIFT key plus the play  
button, FS-3 will immediately go into reverse  
play mode.  
REVERSE : -30X, -10X, -2X, -1X (reverse  
play), -1/2X(-15fps), Still.  
FORWARD: Still, +1/2X (+15fps), +1X (play),  
+2X, +10X, +30X  
Backward Index Key  
Returns to the beginning of the current clip if in  
playback mode. Two presses in sequence will  
return to the previous clip during playback. In  
Stop mode a press will return to the beginning of  
the previous clip.  
Forward Search Key  
Pressing the forward search key multiple times  
will result in increases in the search speed  
during playback. This key has the same  
characteristics and bidirex function as the  
backward search key listed above.  
Forward Index Key  
Skips forward to the next sequential clip for  
playback.  
Standard forward search and reverse search also  
have a “higher resolution” mode where  
more speeds are available. By pressing and  
holding the SHIFT key plus the forward or  
backward search key, the user has access to a  
The forward index and backward index buttons  
also have a SHIFT mode where users can move  
one frame forward or one frame backward.  
PAGE 16  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
When FS-3 is in PLAY or PAUSE mode and  
the user presses and holds the SHIFT key plus  
the forward or backward index keys, it is  
possible to forward one frame or backward one  
frame with each press. If in PLAY mode, FS-3  
will immediately go into PAUSE mode on the  
particular frame.  
FS-3 MENUS AND FUNCTIONS  
FireStore FS-3 features a comprehensive menu  
system which allows a number of features to be  
initiated and setup. To enter the FS-3 MAIN  
MENU, press SOFT KEY (1) while in STOP  
mode. Available items in the MAIN Menu are:  
REC MODE  
PLAY MODE  
PLAY FROM  
CONTROL MODE  
HDD BYPASS  
REC FORMAT  
SETUP  
Record Key  
Pressing this button once puts FS-3 into  
REC-PAUSE mode. A second press starts a  
recording session. If this button is pressed while a  
recording is in progress, FS-3 will create a new  
clip on disk without dropping any frames.  
UTILITIES  
REAR CONNECTOR PANEL  
The following MENU SCREEN will appear:  
The rear connector panel features a 6-pin FireWire  
port for DV video I/O (A), a 6-pin FireWire port  
for connection of external FireWire drives or a  
computer (B), a 4-pin XLR DC power input (C)  
and a 3.5 mm control cable input for RS232C,  
wired remote control or GPI. (D).  
1
2
3
4
5
1. Current Menu Item  
Indicates the currently highlighted menu item.  
(D)  
(B)  
2. Sub-Menu Available  
Indicates a menu item that has a sub-menu  
available. By pressing the SEL Soft Key, it is  
possible to enter the sub-menu.  
3. Exit  
Pressing EXIT will exit the FS-3 MAIN  
MENU screen.  
(A)  
(C)  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
4. Select  
Normal Record  
Pressing SEL will select the current menu item.  
If a sub-menu is available, that will open. If a  
sub-menu is not available, this command simply  
enables or selects the menu item.  
Standard and default record mode. When REC  
is triggered, FS-3 begins standard recording. A  
single press of a STOP trigger will put FS-3  
into REC PAUSE mode. A second press puts  
FS-3 into STOP mode.  
5. Scroll Arrow  
This command allows for scrolling through  
menu items.  
Retro Disk Record Mode  
RECORD MODE MENU  
RETRO DISK Record Constantly buffers video  
in a loop to a determined amount of space on  
the HDD so that when record is triggered, a  
retro time period can be added  
The FS-3 RECORD MODE MENU allows  
different record functions to be enabled. User  
simply selects the mode. Pressing SEL will  
open the sub menu. Pressing EXIT will exit  
back to the menu screen. Once a particular  
mode is selected in the Record Mode menu, the  
unit will remain in that mode until a different  
mode is selected.  
to the beginning of any clip.  
RETRO DISK has the following characteristic.  
Pressing a REC TRIGGER when in RETRO  
DISK mode puts FS-3 into a RETRO DISK  
state (FS-3’s tally light will flash as if in  
PAUSE state). FS-3 is actually recording in this  
state, but until the RECORD TRIGGER  
is pressed a second time, the video recorded  
will record over itself in a continuous loop.  
RETRO DISK always keeps at least the amount  
of time that is selected by the end  
user in a series of one minute clips. For  
instance, if the user sets the RETRO DISK  
value to 3 minutes, they will always have 3  
minutes (made up of three, one (1) minute  
clips) of video saved to disk. As the recording  
goes past the 3 minute point, a fourth clip is  
created. Once that clip reaches one minute,  
the oldest of the previous 3 clips is deleted.  
Another fourth clip is then created.  
Available items in the RECORD MENU are:  
NORMAL REC  
RETRO DISK  
RETRO CACHE  
LOOP RECORD  
SNAP  
TIME LAPSE  
NOTE: When an inserted or attached HDD  
is nearly full, in some record sessions, the HDD  
time remaining may display “001min”  
remaining. If RECORD is triggered, FS-3  
will sometimes display NO SPACE LEFT.  
It is advised that when a disk drive is close  
to being full, other disk drives are readily  
available in order to avoid lost footage.  
If a user selects a RETRO session that is 60  
minutes or greater, instead of one minute clips,  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
FS-3 creates 9 minute, 13 second clips (2GB  
clips on disk). The characteristics of RETRO  
DISK remains the same. The larger file size  
prevents FS-3 reaching its 999 track limitation  
for very long RETRO records. Due to the larger  
files sizes, the maximum amount of drive space  
available is decreased in order to accommodate  
the last recording in a session. For instance, if a  
user has 90 minutes of disk space remaining,  
after the user sets RETRO record to greater than  
60 minutes, the available space changes to 88  
minutes of available disk space. If the user sets  
RETRO time to 88 minutes, the recording will  
be made up of about nine and a half 9 minute,  
13 second clips. There must be space available  
in this situation in order to record the final clip  
which eventually will right over clip 1. This  
ensures that at any given time, at least 88  
minutes of video exists after a compete RETRO  
DISK record loop.  
in standard record mode (the “L” on the display  
will disappear). No frames will be lost across  
tracks during the record session. Once paused,  
the unit will return to RETRO DISK record  
mode again (the “L” will reappear in the LCD  
and viewfinder) for further RETRO recordings  
or until it is disabled n the RETRO DISK  
Menu.  
RETRO DISK can be used in LOCAL and  
SYNCRO SLAVE RECORD control modes.  
WARNING: Make sure FS-3 is in STOP mode  
before removing the disk drive from the system.  
Do not attempt to remove when FS-3 is in REC  
or REC-PAUSE mode.  
Retro Cache Record Mode  
NOTE: FS-3 must always have at least one  
minute of disk space (under 60 minutes) or  
9 minutes, 13 seconds of disk space (when  
RETRO DISK value is set to greater than 60  
minutes) remaining in addition to the RETRO  
DISK value that has been set, in order to  
function correctly. For instance, it is not  
possible to set a RETRO DISK value  
of one minute if only one minute of disk  
space remains.  
RETRO CACHE Record constantly buffers  
video in a loop to a 10 second data buffer to  
cache video so that when record is triggered,  
a retro time period can be added to the beginning  
of any clip.  
Once RETRO DISK time is set, the user can  
exit the Menus and return to the Main Screen.  
An “L” will now appear next to the record  
symbol on FS-3’s display. Pressing the REC  
trigger once will put FS-3 immediately into  
RETRO DISK RECORD. Clips are being  
recorded to disk for X number of minutes in  
one minute increments (each as a separate  
track). The tally light will flash (as if the unit is  
in pause). When the REC trigger is pressed, FS-  
3 will kick out of RETRO DISK mode and go  
into standard record. All one minute tracks in  
the set loop sequence will appear and be saved  
as their own tracks on disk (e.g. 1-001, 1-002,  
1-003 etc.) except for the recording that was in  
progress, which takes on the characteristics of a  
standard track. At this stage, FS-3 is essentially  
NOTE: Retro cache mode utilizes the same  
memory data buffer as used for shock  
protection on FS-3. If Retro Cache mode is not  
being used, all the FS-3 cache is available for  
shock protection. If Retro cache is ON, the  
shock buffer time will be reduced by the  
amount of cache time that is selected and  
therefore performance may vary.  
RETRO CACHE has the following  
characteristic. Pressing a REC TRIGGER when  
in RETRO CACHE mode puts FS-3 into a  
RETRO CACHE state (the TALLY light on FS-  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
3 will flash as if in PAUSE state). FS-3 is  
actually recording in this state, but until the  
RECORD TRIGGER is pressed a second time,  
the video recorded will record over itself in a  
continuous loop. It is much the same as  
Like the RETRO DISK feature, when FS-3 is in  
LOOP RECORD mode, it records sequential  
one minute clips to the disk drive. When only  
one minute remains on the disk drive, FS-3  
loops back to record over the oldest one minute  
clip and so on. It is possible to PAUSE FS-3 in  
this mode and then continue a LOOP RECORD  
by starting record once again. FS-3 will remain  
in LOOP RECORD mode until a recording is  
stopped. Once stopped, the files on disk will  
not be erased if a new LOOP RECORD session  
is begun.  
RETRO DISK recording in theory except that it  
utilizes a data buffer that is separate to the  
disk drive to cache video. RETRO CACHE is  
also accurate down to the frame instead of the 1  
minute clips used in RETRO DISK. Once a  
RETRO CACHE value is set, pressing the REC  
trigger once will put FS-3 immediately into  
RETRO CACHE Record. A “C” will now  
appear next to the record symbol on FS-3’s  
display. Video is being recorded to the FS-3  
cache. The tally light will flash (as if the unit is  
in pause). When the REC trigger is pressed, FS-  
3 will kick out of RETRO CACHE record  
mode and go into standard record (the “C” on  
the display will disappear). Any clip that is  
recorded in this mode will have the contents of  
the cache added to the beginning of the clip.  
Once paused, the unit will return to RETRO  
CACHE record mode again (the “C” will  
reappear in the LCD and viewfinder) for further  
RETRO CACHE recordings or until it is  
If the available time on disk is 60 minutes or  
greater, FS-3 will record sequential 9 minute,  
13 second long clips instead of one minute  
clips. The larger file size prevents FS-3 from  
reaching its 999 track limitation for very long  
LOOP RECORDS.  
Snap  
When SNAP is selected and REC is triggered, a  
single frame is grabbed. SNAP can only be  
used in LOCAL control mode.  
If SNAP is the RECORD MODE when power  
is cut to the unit or it is turned off, on re-boot,  
FS-3 will be in NORMAL REC mode.  
disabled in the RETRO CACHE REC Menu.  
RETRO CACHE RECORD can be used in  
LOCAL and SYNCRO SLAVE RECORD  
control modes.  
Time Lapse  
WARNING: Make sure FS-3 is in STOP mode  
before removing the disk drive from the system.  
Do not attempt to remove when FS-3 is in REC  
or REC-PAUSE mode.  
Loop Record  
The LOOP Record feature allows video to be  
recorded to available disk space on the  
connected disk drive(s) in an endless loop. To  
use LOOP RECORD, simply select in the FS-3  
RECORD MENU. Once highlighted, an “O”  
will appear on the top line of the FS-3 LCD  
next to the PLAY/RECORD STATUS  
SYMBOL. When record is triggered, FS-3 will  
begin recording on available disk drive space.  
It is possible to select a time lapse interval of up  
to twenty-four hours. Interval is the period of  
time between FS-3’s capture of a single frame  
of video (a value of 00:00:01:00 means one  
frame will be recorded every second). REC  
INTERVAL is set by the user pressing the up and  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
down buttons. Time is selectable in seconds (up  
to 59), then minutes up to 59. Buttons can be  
released at any time to slow advance. EXIT will  
exit back to the menu screen.  
Loop All  
In this mode, FS-3 will play the entire contents  
of the disk (all clips from the selected  
clips) in order from start to finish. At the end of  
the last clip, FS-3 will begin to play from the  
beginning of the first clip again without a pause.  
It will stay in this state until stopped.  
PLAY MODE MENU  
Play All  
In this mode, FS-3 will play the entire contents of  
the disk (all clips) in order from start to finish. At  
the end of the last clip, FS-3 will pause.  
NOTE: Play Mode operation varies depending  
on whether Track List or Folder List is selected  
in the PLAY FROM menu. When Track List is  
selected, clips are played back based on the  
entire disk drive. When Folder List is selected,  
clips are only played from the selected folder.”  
The FS-3 PLAY MODE MENU allows  
different playback functions to be enabled. User  
simply selects the mode. Pressing EXIT will  
exit back to the menu screen. Once a particular  
mode is selected in the Play Mode menu, the  
unit will remain in that mode until a different  
mode is selected.  
PLAY FROM MENU  
Available items in the PLAY MODE MENU  
are:  
PLAY CLIP  
LOOP CLIP  
LOOP ALL  
PLAY ALL  
Play Clip  
The FS-3 PLAY FROM MENU allows the user  
to select where clips will be played back from.  
There are two options available:  
In this mode, FS-3 will play the selected clip  
from start to finish when the PLAY button is  
pressed. At the end of the particular clip, FS-3  
will pause.  
Track List  
Loop Clip  
When this setting is selected, all clips on attached  
disk drives will be played back sequentially based  
on the order of their base file name regardless of  
whether they have been marked in the KEEPER  
or SCENE MARKING folders. If Track List is  
selected, all PLAY MODES relate to all clips on  
the connected disk drives.  
In this mode, FS-3 will play the selected clip  
from start to finish. Immediately after  
completing the clip, FS-3 will begin playing the  
clip again without a pause. It will stay in this  
state until stopped.  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Folder List  
Local  
When this setting is selected, it is possible to  
play back clips only from a selected folder.  
Select a particular folder to play clips from.  
Highlighted folder is the selected folder after  
exit. Once set and when PLAY is pressed, only  
clips within that particular folder will playback.  
If Folder List is selected, all PLAY MODES  
relate to clips in the selected folder only.  
In this mode, FS-3 is controlled via the front  
panel buttons only. The camcorder tape  
transport and FS-3 have independent control.  
AV/C  
utilized in PLAYBACK and RECORD  
situations where FS-3 is controlled by an  
external FireWire device (such as a DV NLE  
system), connected to the “DV I/O port” on FS-  
3. For example, you may like to record the  
ouput of your NLE's timeline to FS-3.  
If the FS-3 PLAY MENU is set to  
“TRACKLIST” the name of the SCENE  
MARKED folder will appear without brackets  
on the LCD display (e.g. 2 SCENE 2). If the  
PLAY FROM menu is set to “FOLDERS”, the  
name of the SCENE MARKED folder will  
appear in brackets on the LCD display (e.g. 2  
<SCENE 2>).  
NOTE: AV/C is NOT for use in FS-3  
RECORD MODES.  
Syncro Slaved  
CONTROL MODE MENU  
In SYNCRO SLAVED mode, the camcorder and  
FS-3 share the same REC trigger and FS-3 is  
slaved to the camcorder. Once set and the user  
exits the CONTROL MENU, they will return to  
the default splash screen. FS-3 also immediately  
enters REC PAUSE mode and a “Y” appears  
next to the record symbol on the LCD. All  
triggers of REC and REC PAUSE are controlled  
by the camcorder exclusively. Every time the  
camcorder REC button is pressed, FS-3 goes into  
the particular RECORD MODE that is selected.  
When pressed a second time, FS-3 goes into  
REC PAUSE. Another press of the REC button  
on the camcorder again starts the particular  
RECORD MODE that is selected. At this point,  
a new track is created on disk. Timecode  
The FS-3 CONTROL MODE MENU allows  
different control options to be enabled. User  
simply selects the mode. Pressing EXIT will  
exit back to the menu screen. Once a particular  
mode is selected in the Control Mode menu, the  
unit will remain in that mode until a different  
mode is selected.  
generated by the camcorder is recorded to the  
file when FS-3 is set to EXT TC mode.  
When used with RETRO DISK or RETRO  
CACHE modes, as soon as SYNCRO SLAVE  
is set, the camcorder begins recording to disk.  
A press of the REC trigger on the camcorder  
kicks FS-3 out of RETRO DISK or RETRO  
CACHE and goes into standard REC. When the  
camcorder is triggered back into REC PAUSE  
mode, FS-3 once again goes into RETRO DISK  
or RECORD CACHE mode again.  
Available items in the CONTROL MODE  
MENU are:  
LOCAL  
AV/C  
SYNCRO SLAVE  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
The FS-3 buttons (other than MENU, DISP and  
SHFT) are locked out when in this mode, as is  
wired or infrared remote control units. If in  
VTR mode on the camcorder, all keys work. The  
user is only able to exit SYNCRO SLAVE by  
entering the CONTROL MENU which they can  
do directly by pressing the MENU button when  
on the FS-3 default splash screen. If the  
To set the HDD Port, go to the Main Menu and  
select SETUP -> HDD PORT. Once set, it will  
be possible to set FS-3 to HDD Bypass mode.  
Once in HDD Bypass mode, the following LCD  
display will appear:  
camcorder is set to VTR mode, FS-3’s control  
panel becomes active in order to allow playback.  
HDD BYPASS  
HDD Bypass mode allows the connected  
FireWire HDD to be mounted/dismounted to  
a computer without removing. In this mode, the  
computer connects to the HDD I/O port  
on the FS-3 Rear Connector Panel.  
To Exit this mode, simply press the EXIT key.  
Be sure to properly dismount the FireWire drive  
from the computer system first before exiting  
HDD Bypass mode on FS-3.  
WARNING: Do not connect FS-3 to a  
computer until the HDD port in the set up  
menu has been set to Bypass.  
RECORD FORMAT MENU  
When HDD Bypass is selected, the following  
will display on the FS-3 LCD:  
The RECORD FORMAT menu allows selection  
of particular DTE Technology native NLE file  
formats prior to recording. All files are in the  
DV25 standard.  
If this screen does not appear, the FS-3 HDD  
I/O port is set for use with external drives.  
Available items in the RECORD FORMAT  
MENU are:  
RAW DV  
AVI TYPE 1  
AVI TYPE 2  
CANOPUS AVI  
MATROX AVI  
QUICKTIME  
AVID OMF  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
User simply selects the format. Highlighted  
format is current format after exit. Pressing  
EXIT will exit back to the menu screen.  
Selected format will stay set until user selects a  
different format (even if the power is cycled).  
HDD Port  
SETUP MENU  
The HDD Port setting allows the user to assign  
a function to the FS-3 “HDD I/O” port.  
BYPASS mode is for making the internal disk  
drive available to an external device (such as  
a computer). HDD Mode is used when the  
“HDD I/O” port is used for connecting  
external FireWire disk drives. Pressing  
EXIT will exit back to the menu screen.  
The SETUP MENU allows various functions of  
FS-3 to be set. User simply selects the Setup  
Item. Pressing SEL will open the sub menu.  
Pressing EXIT will exit back to the menu  
screen. Unless mentioned, the particular setup  
menu will stay set until user selects a different  
setting (even if the power is cycled).  
Set Date and Time  
Available items in the SETUP MENU are:  
HDD PORT  
SET DATE&TIME  
OS VERSION NO.  
OS UPGRADE  
TC MODE  
TC SET  
IR  
GPI  
Allows for setting date and time for file naming  
purposes. Date and Time are set in different  
menus. Pressing the SEL button  
BACK LIGHT  
CLIP PREVIEW  
AUDIO CORRECT  
FOLDER PREF  
will open the sub menus.  
PAGE 24  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Operating System Version No.  
Scroll from value to value using the  
FORWARD and BACK INDEX Buttons.  
Press DOWN and UP arrow to scroll though  
digits in value. Pressing EXIT will exit back  
to the menu screen. User simply selects the  
Menu Item. Pressing SEL will open the sub  
menu. Pressing EXIT will exit back to the  
menu screen.  
Displays the current system software version.  
Operating System Upgrade  
To upgrade system software, the user must  
download a new .bin file to a FireWire drive on  
their computer. The latest version of  
FS-3 software can be downloaded from  
http://www.focusinfo.com/support .  
The Date and time form the basis of the FS-3  
file naming structure for use of clips on a  
computer.  
To install new OS software to FS-3,  
do the following:  
1) Download software from the Focus Website  
to your local computer.  
2) Unzip file using WinZip (Windows) or  
Stuffit (Macintosh) on a computer system with  
a FireWire (IEEE-1394) connection.  
3) Rename the unzipped file called  
“XXXX.bin” to “fs3.bin”.  
4) Connect a FireWire disk drive that has been  
used with FS-3 to the computer and copy over  
the file “fs3.bin”.  
On FS-3, files are identified by TRACK and  
VOLUME (disk drive) number on the LCD. For  
instance, a file on the FS-3 LCD identified as  
1-043 is clip number 43 on Volume (disk) 1.  
On a computer, files are identified by their base  
file name made up of DATE and TIME. For  
instance, a clip named 20030615-210943-  
01.mov is a clip that began recording at  
9:09:43PM on June 15th. 2003.  
NOTE: DATE/TIME is used when creating File  
name only. FS-3 does not record this  
information into the stream. FS-3 records  
DATE/TIME which is in the DV stream which  
is sent from the camcorder.  
5) Disconnect FireWire drive from computer  
and connect to FS-3. Power on FS-3 as per  
normal.  
6) Enter the FS-3 menu and select “SETUP”.  
From the SETUP menu, select “OS  
UPGRADE”.  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Timecode Mode  
Allows user to select different timecode options  
for use when FS-3 is recording. User simply  
selects the mode. Highlighted mode is current  
mode after exit. Pressing EXIT will exit back to  
the menu screen.  
EXT TC Mode - Whatever the incoming  
DV timecode, FS-3 records it. If the Camcorder  
TC is not running, and FS-3 is recording, the  
same TC number will be in each frame of DV.  
Choosing EXT TC mode will clear any stored  
number.  
7) When prompted “DO YOU WANT TO  
UPGRADE SYSTEM SOFTWARE?” answer  
YES and YES to the warning messages.  
WARNING: Upgrade will erase current OS!!  
8) After upgrade is complete, power cycle  
FS-3. The new software should now  
be loaded and ready to use.  
NOTE: If FS-3 is set to EXT TC when in  
SYNCRO SLAVE mode, EXT TC will stop  
once tape in camcorder ends. Use different  
TC mode when using SYNCRO SLAVE.  
(TC Preset cannot be changed while in the EXT  
TC mode.)  
REC RUN Mode - In this mode, FS-3 does the  
following:  
(1) the last timecode number recorded + 1 will  
be used as the timecode number for the first  
frame of the next recording.  
If no .bin file is found, the screen  
will display “OS UPGRADE ERROR”. It is  
necessary to restart your system once an OS  
upgrade is complete.  
(2) the number entered by a setting in the TC  
PRESET menu will be used for the first frame  
of the next recording.  
The last number used is stored in the memory,  
so this mode persists across recording sessions.  
NOTE: If you need to restore the factory default  
Operating System, hold down the Forward and  
Backward Index keys during boot up.  
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FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
REGEN Mode - After a disk is mounted  
(at startup, upon manual connect) and  
after the track list has been constructed,  
FS-3 looks at the last track and looks at the  
timecode number of the last frame in that track.  
FS-3 stores that number for use as the TC value  
(+ 1) for the first frame of the next recording.  
If the drive is empty, FS-3 uses the value (+ 1)  
stored in memory.  
Once a timecode value is set and FS-3 is set to  
REC RUN or FREE RUN timecode settings, the  
preset value will be the starting point for  
timecode. Use the forward and back index buttons  
to move from value selection to value selection.  
Press the up and down arrows to set values.  
FREE RUN Mode - When the user  
enables FREE RUN mode, FS-3 begins  
counting from the value stored. If the user uses  
the TC PRESET function, when the number is  
entered and the TC PRESET menu is exited,  
FS-3 begins counting.  
NOTE: When the FS-3 timecode  
mode is set to EXT TC and the camcorder time  
code mode is set to PRST/REC or REGEN, it is  
not possible to record timecode continuously  
when recording to disk only. Set the FS-3  
timecode mode to REGEN, REC RUN or  
FREE RUN (not EXT TC) when recording to  
disk only.  
Allows the user to set a user bit value. Use the  
forward and back index buttons to move from  
value selection to value selection. Press the up  
and down arrows to set values.  
Timecode, UserBit and Drop/Non-Drop  
Preset  
This menu allows the user to set timecode  
and user bit values for various modes. It  
also allows selection of drop or non-drop frame  
(NTSC only) settings. User simply selects the  
Menu Item. Pressing SEL will open the sub  
menu. Pressing EXIT will exit back to the  
menu screen.  
For DROP and NON-DROP, user simply selects  
the mode. Highlighted mode is current mode  
after exit. Pressing EXIT will exit back to the  
menu screen. This item not applicable for PAL  
use. On the FS-3 display, DROP will be  
identified by a (:) symbol and NON-DROP by a  
(;) symbol.  
PAGE 27  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Infrared Sensor Settings  
LCD Backlight Settings  
This menu allows the user to ENABLE or DISABLE  
the IR sensor on FS-3. User simply selects the Menu  
Item. Highlighted mode is current mode after exit.  
Pressing EXIT will exit back to the menu screen.  
This menu allows the user to enable or disable  
the FS-3 LCD back-light. Highlighted state is  
current after exit. Pressing EXIT will exit back  
to the menu screen.  
GPI Settings  
The ON setting will keep the back-light on  
permanently while the OFF setting will keep  
the back-light off permanently. AUTO OFF  
will turn off the back light after one minute.  
Pressing any keypad button on FS-3 will turn  
the back-light back on in AUTO OFF state.  
This setting is advisable in high temperature  
environments and also to reduce power  
consumption.  
Clip Preview Settings  
This menu allows the user to change the setting of  
the GPI port. User simply selects the Mode.  
Highlighted mode is current mode after exit.  
Pressing EXIT will exit back to the menu screen.  
DISABLE allows user to connect the supplied  
3.5mm to DB9 cable to the GPI port and control  
FS-3 via RS232C from an external device.  
The remaining three items allow functions to  
occur from a simple contact closure. Modes are  
PAUSE/UNPAUSE (allows control of pause and  
unpause during a record or playback session),  
INDEX (NEW FILE) (allows a new file to be  
created during a record session without losing any  
frames) and REC SNAPSHOT (allows a single  
frame of video to be recorded to a file. Each  
sequential trigger in this mode will add another  
frame to the same file until stopped).  
This menu allows the user to select CLIP  
PREVIEW ON or OFF. When CLIP PREVIEW  
is ON, the camcorder is in VTR mode and the  
user scrolls from one clip to the next on FS-3  
using the buttons, the first frame of each clip  
will be generated and showed via DV output  
after one second if the user pauses on  
that clip.  
PAGE 28  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
User simply selects the Mode. Highlighted  
mode is current mode after exit. Pressing EXIT  
will exit back to the menu screen.  
Folder Pref  
The FS-3 KEEPER PREFERENCE folder  
allows use of a single KEEPER folder or  
multiple SCENE MARKING folders. The  
highlighted preference is selected on EXIT.  
See SCENE MARKING section on page 33 of  
this User Guide for more details.  
Audio Correction Settings  
This menu allows the user to change the  
AUDIO CORRECTION setting on FS-3. User  
simply selects the Mode. Pressing EXIT will  
exit back to the menu screen.  
UTILITIES MENU  
AUDIO CORRECTION modes is an advanced  
feature of FS-3. It is recommended that the  
customer uses the factory default settings for  
most operations (Factory default  
is MEDIUM). Audio Correction Mode allows  
the user to alter the performance of the audio  
error corrector while recording. It is useful  
when recording to FS-3 from tapes with lots of  
dropouts. Error correction will only effect AVI  
2, Canopus AVI, Matrox AVI, QuickTime and  
AVID OMF. It does not effect RawDV  
or AVI 1. The modes are:  
The UTILITIES MENU allows various utility  
functions of FS-3 to be set. User simply selects  
the Utilities Item. Pressing SEL will open the  
sub menu. Pressing EXIT will exit back to the  
menu screen.  
OFF - No audio correction.  
MEDIUM (default) - For “normal” clean  
tape played back on camcorder or other VTR  
with clean heads. Experiences occasional very  
short audio mutes.  
Available items in the UTILITIES MENU are:  
ORGANIZE FOLD  
ORGANIZE OMF  
DELETE CLIP  
FORMAT  
HIGH - For cases where there are visible  
picture disturbances and likely long audio  
dropouts (1/2 sec and up).  
PARTITION  
REPAIR  
FILE NAME  
FACTORY RESET  
PAGE 29  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Organize Folders  
Delete Clip  
Places all files that were identified as a  
KEEPER or were SCENE MARKED during  
recording into a folder marked KEEPER or the  
prenamed SCENE MARKING folders on the  
disk drive. These folders can be imported  
directly into most DV NLE bins.  
With this function, it is possible to delete the  
selected clip. In the DELETE CLIP X-XXX  
screen, user can select between clips by pressing  
the forward and back index buttons. Pressing  
YES will begin the delete process. Pressing  
EXIT will exit back to the menu screen.  
Organize OMF  
NOTE: FOCUS recommends not deleting clips  
frequently. It may cause fragmentation.  
When files are recorded in the AVID OMF file  
format, this command automatically takes all the  
OMF and AIF audio files at the end of a  
recording session and places them into a folder on  
the disk drive named “OMFI MediaFiles”. When  
the disk is connected to a computer, this folder is  
recognized by Avid’s Media Tool feature enabling  
direct import of files into the Avid timeline.  
Once a clip has been deleted, the FS-3 display  
re-organizes the clip number sequence. For  
instance, if there are three clips on disk (1-001,  
1-002, 1-003) and the user deletes clip  
1-002, after delete is complete, clip 1-003 will  
become clip 1-002. Base file names are not  
affected however.  
NOTE: If you have selected files as a KEEPER or  
they have been SCENE MARKED, it is not  
possible to use this feature and keep files in their  
selected folders. If you would like to use clips in  
KEEPER or SCENE MARKED folders in Avid,  
manually create the “OMFI MediaFiles” folder  
when your disk drive is on your computer and  
drag desired clips into this folder.  
Format Disk  
With this function, it is possible for the user  
to format a disk. It is recommended that this  
is done after each record session to prevent  
fragmentation and other problems with the disk  
drive.  
PAGE 30  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
WARNING: FORMAT ERASES ALL DATA  
ON THE DISK DRIVE!  
After a format is complete, ten file folders are  
added to the disk drive (numbered 0-9). These  
folders are utilized in the SCENE MARKING  
feature (see page 33 of this User's Guide for  
details). Also added to the disk is a LOG folder,  
a DESKTOP folder and two additional files  
called Desktop DB and Desktop DF. Do not  
delete these files as they are required for  
FireStore operation.  
Partition Volume  
When an unknown or blank volume type  
(HDD) is connected to FS-3, the Partition  
process puts a FAT32 format onto the drive. It  
will erase any previous partition and data.  
To exit from format, press either NO or EXIT.  
To continue with format, press the YES key.  
To exit from the warning screen, press either NO  
or EXIT. To begin the format, press the YES key.  
To exit from partition, press either NO or EXIT.  
To continue with partition, press the YES key.  
WARNING: PARTITION ERASES ALL DATA  
ON THE DISK DRIVE!  
FireStore FS-3 utilizes a FAT32 format type. If  
you are using a non-FAT32 formatted drive, see  
the section on Partitioning a volume. Once  
complete, the disk drive is ready for use with  
FS-3. It is advised that the drive be formatted  
before a new record session is begun.  
Once complete, the disk drive is ready for use  
with FS-3.  
PAGE 31  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Repair Disk  
CURRENT CLIP does a similar function, but  
on the selected clip only. If an error is found,  
FS-3 will prompt the user to repair the problem.  
REPAIR allows the user to select either  
CHECK DISK or CURRENT CLIP.  
File Name  
CHECK DISK scans the entire volume for any  
errors (usually, if a disk was corrupted during a  
recording due to sudden power loss, check disk  
will alert the user of this). To exit check disk,  
press either NO or EXIT.  
File Name displays the base file name of the  
selected clip.  
Factory Reset  
If an error is found, the user will be prompted  
to repair the file. File repair only takes a few  
moments to complete in most cases.  
When this function is selected, FS-3 will revert  
all settings and values back to their factory  
default state. Pressing YES will start  
factory reset. Pressing EXIT or NO will exit  
from menu. Warning: Factory Reset is  
not un-doable!!!  
PAGE 32  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
The following screen will display when complete:  
• GPI -> DISABLE  
• BACKLIGHT -> ON  
• CLIP PREVIEW -> PREVIEW ON  
• AUDIO CORRECTION -> MEDIUM  
• FOLDER PREF -> SCENE MARK  
USING SCENE MARKING  
The FireStore FS-3 SCENE MARKING  
feature allows clips to be marked for  
placement in particular folders during  
recording, playback or stop mode. When a  
drive is formatted using FireStore, ten folders  
will be created numbered 0 through 9. After  
format on FireStore, it is possible to connect  
the HDD to a computer and give each of these  
folders a custom name (if you need help  
mounting your FireWire HDD to your  
computer system, see section titled “Getting  
FireStore Recorded Clips onto a Computer”  
on page 34 of this User's Guide). To rename  
each folder, simply click on the folder name  
until it is highlighted, then type in the desired  
name of the folder.  
After factory reset is complete, please restart  
FS-3  
Factory Default States Are as Follows:  
Display:  
• COUNTER  
Rec Mode:  
• DEFAULT REC MODE: NORMAL  
• RETRO DISK – RETRO VALUE -> 000min  
• RETRO CACHE – CACHE ->00 sec  
• TIME LAPSE –> 00:00:00:00  
Play Mode:  
• DEFAULT PLAY MODE: PLAY CLIP  
NOTE: Folder names cannot exceed eleven  
characters.  
Play From:  
• DEFAULT PLAY FROM MODE:  
TRACK LIST  
Control Mode:  
• DEFAULT CONTROL MODE: LOCAL  
Rec Format:  
• DEFAULT REC FORMAT: AVI TYPE 2  
Setup:  
• HDD PORT -> HDD  
• SET DATE&TIME :  
• DATE: 07/24/03  
• TIME: 12:00:00  
Folders will be ordered on FireStore in  
numerical followed by alphabetical order. For  
instance, if folders are named “Scene 1”,  
“Scene 2” and “Auditions”, they will appear  
on FireStore as “1 Auditions”, “2 Scene 1” and  
“2 Scene 2”. The folder number is added in  
front of the folder name on the FS-3 LCD  
display for easy identification when using the  
• OS VERSION NO. -> VARIABLE  
• TC MODE -> EXT TC  
• TC SET:  
• TC PRESET -> 00:00:00:00  
• UB PRESET -> 00 00 00 00  
• DROP/NON-DROP -> NON-DROP  
• IR -> ENABLE  
PAGE 33  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
optional remote control commander keypads.  
If you would like to create a custom order to  
Folders, it is recommended that you change the  
name to change the numerical/alphabetical order.  
access on an NLE system. Do not delete the  
file named “grade” from the disk if you intend  
to use the disk on FireStore again.  
GETTING FIRESTORE RECORDED  
CLIPS ONTO A COMPUTER  
SYSTEM  
To use SCENE MARKING, it is necessary to  
first enable the SCENE MARK setting under  
FOLDER PREFs in the SETUP menu. Once  
you have selected the SCENE MARK  
preference, pressing and holding Soft Key (3)  
followed by Soft Key (2) allows you to mark  
each clip into the selected, prenamed folder on  
disk. By holding Soft Key (3) down and  
repeatedly pressing Soft Key (2), it is possible  
to scroll though the available folders. Each  
SCENE MARK FOLDER is shown on the FS-  
3 LCD display.  
Once you have recorded clips to your  
FireWire disk drive using FireStore, it is  
possible to use those clips in most computer  
based DV NLE systems.  
Traditionally, in order to get footage into  
your NLE system, it was necessary to  
capture or digitize that footage utilizing a  
video capture card. Using FireStore FS-3  
recorded clips, it is possible to skip this  
capture stage by simply connecting the  
FireWire disk drive to your computer via an  
OHCI compliant IEEE-1394 (FireWire) PCI  
card or connection. FireWire disk drives that  
were used with FireStore FS-3 can  
be connected to any computer system that  
will read a FAT 32 volume. This includes  
Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000,  
Windows XP and Mac OS9 and OS10. FAT32  
volumes will not work with Windows NT and  
older Macintosh based operating systems.  
Check the FOCUS Enhancements’ website  
(www.FOCUSinfo.com) for more information.  
If the FS-3 PLAY MENU is set to  
“TRACKLIST” the name of the SCENE  
MARKED folder will appear without brackets  
on the LCD display (e.g. 2 SCENE 2). If the  
PLAY FROM menu is set to “FOLDERS”, the  
name of the SCENE MARKED folder will  
appear in brackets on the LCD display (e.g. 2  
<SCENE 2>.  
In order for you to use FireStore FS-3  
recorded FireWire disk drives on a computer,  
you must have an active IEEE-1394 connection  
on your computer. You also must have loaded  
any required FireWire disk drive drivers onto  
your computer system (Consult your FireWire  
disk drive documentation for more information).  
It is also possible to SCENE MARK clips to  
folders using the numeric keypad on the  
optional remote control units (see page 38 of  
this User Guide for more information). To  
add all SCENE MARKED clips to their  
respective folders on the disk drive, select  
UTILITIES -> ORGANIZE FOLD from the  
FS-3 menu. Once complete, an additional file  
is added to the disk named “grade” and files  
are moved to the selected folder for easy  
Simply connect your FireWire disk drive to  
your computer system utilizing a standard 6-  
pin to 6-pin FireWire cable and connect power  
to the drive if necessary (some FireWire disk  
drives receive power from the computer’s  
FireWire connection. Consult your FireWire  
disk drive documentation for more information).  
PAGE 34  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Mounting FireWire Disk Drives to Windows  
XP, 2000, 98SE and ME Computer Systems  
The FireWire disk drive contains several  
different files. Clips can appear as RawDV  
(.dv), AVI Type 1 (YYYYMMDD-  
On a Windows based computer system, simply  
double click the My Computer icon on the top  
left hand corner of the desktop. You will see  
the following window:  
HHMMSSa01), AVI Type 2 (YYYYMMDD-  
HHMMSSb01), Canopus AVI  
(YYYYMMDD-HHMMSSb01), Matrox AVI  
(YYYYMMDD-HHMMSSm01 with a  
separate .wav audio file per track), QuickTime  
(.mov) and Avid OMF (.omf with two separate  
.aif audio files per track.).The FAT32 file  
system has a limitation where any particular  
file cannot exceed 2GB in size. This equates  
to roughly 9 minutes of recording time.  
When clips are being recorded to FireStore  
that exceed 9 minutes in length, FireStore  
automatically creates a new file without  
dropping any frames. The two clips will  
have the same primary file name, however,  
the last tow digits will be different. The first  
2GB part of the clip will be labeled with  
“-01” after the primary file name. The second  
2GB segment will be labeled with a “-02”.  
Additional 2GB segments will be labeled  
with a “-0X” number.  
Locate your FireWire disk drive. This will  
probably be labeled (E:), (F:), (G:) etc. (drive  
C: is usually your computer’s main disk drive).  
Once located, double click on the FireWire  
disk drive. (If you have trouble locating the  
FireWire disk drive, right mouse click each  
drive and select Properties from the menu.  
Click the Hardware tab which will list the  
drive type). Once opened, you should see the  
following window:  
With most NLE systems on a Windows  
computer, it is possible to utilize clips  
within the timeline simply by selecting the  
clips on the source volume (in this case, the  
connected FireWire disk drive) and importing  
them directly into the NLE’s bin. Clips can  
then be immediately used in the NLE’s  
timeline. With FireWire disk drives such as  
the FireStore FSHDD-1, the drive itself is fast  
enough to directly stream the clips to the NLE  
eliminating the need to copy or transfer the  
clips before use.  
When utilizing the Avid OMF file format, it  
is necessary to follow the following steps to  
import clips.  
PAGE 35  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
select File -> New -> Folder from the pull  
down menu. On Mac, select File -> New  
Folder. It is important that “OMFI MediaFiles”  
is typed correctly in order for Avid to see the  
disk drive. Drag all the OMF and AIF files into  
the new folder (do not drag in the files titled  
Desktop DB or Desktop DF).  
Using FireStore FS-3 recorded Avid OMF  
clips on Avid NLE Systems  
The Avid DV OMF file format was developed  
for use with Avid Xpress DV version 3.0 or  
latter on Windows 2000, Windows XP or Mac  
0S10. FireStore OMF clips are also compatible  
with certain NewsCutter, Xpress Pro and Media  
Composer systems. Check the Focus Website  
for an up to date list. The Avid DV OMF file  
format creates three files simultaneously; an  
OMF video file and two separate AIF audio  
files. On the computer’s desktop, the files will  
look like this...  
NOTE: if you are using the ORGANIZE OMF  
function on FS-3 prior to using the disk on a  
computer, step 2 is not necessary. If you have  
selected files as a KEEPER or they have been  
SCENE MARKED, It is not possible to use this  
feature and keep files in their selected folders.  
If you would like to use clips in KEEPER or  
SCENE MARKED folders in Avid, manually  
create the “OMFI MediaFiles” folder when  
your disk drive is on your computer and drag  
desired clips into this folder.  
3. Launch Avid. Once you have opened the desired  
project or created a new project, select Tools ->  
MediaTool. The following window will appear:  
On the FireStore FS-3, the video file (OMF) and  
the audio files (AIF) appear as one track. If you  
delete an Avid DV OMF file, FireStore will delete  
the audio and video portions at the same time.  
In order to use the FireStore FS-3 recorded  
Avid DV OMF files on your Avid system from  
the external FireWire drive, you must do the  
following…  
1. Locate the external FireWire drive on your  
computer. (If you have trouble, you can locate  
the name of the external drive by selecting My  
Computer on a Windows system. On a Mac, the  
FireWire drive should appear on the desktop).  
4. Locate and select the external FireWire drive  
under Media Drive(s). (NOTE: If the drive does  
not appear, check that you have created the  
OMFI MediaFiles folder correctly with proper  
case and spacing. Also, check to see that the  
drive is properly connected and recognized by  
the computer).  
2. Open the FireWire drive when you  
have found it and create a new folder named  
“OMFI MediaFiles”. To do this on Windows,  
PAGE 36  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Under Project(s), select All Projects (This will  
highlight all items in the Project(s) window).  
Ensure Master Clips is checked then press OK.  
The following Media Tools Window will appear:  
Mounting FireWire Disk Drives to  
Macintosh Computer Systems  
Note: Even if your FireWire disk drive was  
bought for use on a Macintosh, you MUST first  
partition and format the drive as a FAT32 volume  
on FireStore (see page 30) for it to work.  
On a Macintosh, start your computer and  
simply connect your FireWire disk drive  
to the computer utilizing a standard 6-pin to  
6-pin FireWire cable. Consult your FireWire  
disk drive documentation for more information.  
Ensure the required FireWire disk drive drivers  
have also been loaded onto you computer  
system (consult your FireWire disk  
5. Create a new bin (select File -> New Bin) or  
open an existing bin in Avid. Once opened,  
select all items in the Media Tools window  
(select Edit-> Select All). Drag the contents of  
the Media Tools Window into the bin. It is now  
possible to use these clips in the Avid timeline.  
drive’s documentation for more information).  
When mounted, your FireWire disk drive  
should appear on the computer’s desktop:  
Dismounting FireWire Disk Drives  
from Windows XP, 2000, 98SE and ME  
Computer Systems  
Once you have completed working with your  
disk drive on a Windows XP, Windows 2000,  
Windows 98SE or Windows ME computer  
system, you must first dismount the drive  
before unplugging it. To do this, simply click  
on the Stop Device icon at the bottom right side  
of the Windows task bar. See Below:  
The Windows  
“STOP  
DEVICE”  
Icon  
The FireStore formatted disk drive will appear  
as a FAT32 volume and hence have a PC label.  
This is not always the case on OS10 however.  
Once clicked, your computer system will  
prompt you to “STOP” the connected FireWire  
disk drive. This will begin the dismount  
process. Select the message by clicking on it.  
The computer will now dismount the disk drive  
and notify you when it is safe to remove the  
volume.  
PAGE 37  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Once you have located your FireWire disk drive  
on the desktop, double click the disk icon to  
open it up. Once opened, you will see the  
following:  
FS-3 REMOTE CONTROL  
COMMANDERS  
Two remote control commanders are optionally  
available for your FS-3. One is an infrared  
commander made for use with the infrared  
remote sensor on the FS-3 front panel and the  
other features a 3.5mm, 15ft. cable for use  
when infrared is not an option.  
Before using your infrared remote commander,  
ensure you have batteries installed in the unit (2  
x AAA) and that the IR sensor is enabled (see  
page 28 for details).  
Before using the wired remote control  
commander, ensure you have securely inserted  
the 3.5mm mini jack to the CONTROL port on  
the FS-3 rear connector panel. You will also  
require batteries to use this unit (2 x AAA).  
Dismounting FireWire Disk Drives from  
Macintosh Computer Systems  
The FS-3 wired and infrared  
remote commanders have the same  
functionality. Buttons have the same  
functionality as the similar FS-3  
front panel buttons except where noted.  
Remote buttons do not feature a hold to  
repeat function like the front panel. Multiple  
triggers must be repeatedly pressed.  
They both feature the following keys  
Once you have completed working with your  
disk drive on a Macintosh computer system,  
you must first dismount the drive before  
unplugging it. To do this, simply select the disk  
drive on the computer’s desktop. It will  
be marked with a PC symbol. Once selected,  
drag the drive into the trash. This will then  
dismount the particular disk drive. See Below:  
The FS-3 wired and infrared remote  
commanders have the same functionality. They  
both feature the following keys  
STOP  
RECORD  
BACKWARD SEARCH  
FORWARD SEARCH  
PLAY  
BACK INDEX  
FORWARD INDEX  
KEEPER -this is the same as the KEEPER  
function on the FS-3 front panel  
PAGE 38  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
NUMERIC KEYPAD (0-9): when using the  
SCENE MARKING feature, use these keys to  
mark clips to folders 0-9 (these may be  
prenamed folders - see page 33 for details)  
during record, playback or stop modes.  
Wired Remote  
Commander  
Infrared Remote  
Commander  
Keypad Layout  
Keypad Layout  
PAGE 39  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
Compliance and Warranty  
• CE, C-Tick and FCC  
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS  
Input/Outputs  
3.5mm to DB9 Serial Cable  
• DV Video I/O - 25Mb/s  
(1 x 6pin IEEE- 1394a)  
• External HDD I/O - up to 400Mb/s  
(1 x 6pin IEEE-1394a)  
• Slot Internal HDD I/O - up to 400Mb/s  
(1 x 6pin IEEE-1394a)  
DB9 Connector  
3.5MM Jack  
Pin 2  
Pin 5  
Pin 3  
->  
->  
->  
2 (middle)  
3 (barrel or shaft)  
1 (tip)  
NOTE: It is possible to download the latest  
Serial Control Communication Specification  
for FS-3 from:  
• GPI & RS232C Control  
(1 x 3.5mm mini jack)  
http://www.focusinfo.com/support  
Power  
• Battery/Camera Plate Contacts  
• 4-pin XLR DC input  
• 10V to 17V, 7.5W  
Panel Mount 4-pin XLR Power Input  
Physical Specification  
• 2.5lbs (1.1kg) w/ FSHDD-1 Disk Drive  
• 4 1/8" x 3 1/2" x 6 1/4"  
Pin 4  
Pin 1  
(105mm x89mm x 159mm)  
Audio/Video/Timecode Specification  
• 25 Mb/s, 8-bit 4:1:1 (NTSC-DV) or 4:2:0  
(PAL-DV) video (model dependent)  
• SMPTE or DV embedded timecode  
(Drop or Non-Drop for NTSC-DV)  
• 2-ch, 16-bit (48kHz) or 4-ch, 12-bit (32kHz)  
embedded digital audio  
Pin 1  
Pin 4  
BLACK (-)  
RED (+)  
Supported DTE Technology File Formats  
RawDV (.dv), AVI Type 1 (.avi), AVI Type 2  
(.avi), Canopus AVI (.avi), Matrox AVI (.avi),  
QuickTime (.mov) or Avid DV-OMF (.omf)  
Disk Information  
• Internal Disk Type (Slot): FSHDD-1  
FireWire Disk Drive  
• External Disk Type: User Supplied  
IEEE-1394a FireWire  
• Disk Format: FAT32  
• FAT32 FireWire HDD compatible with  
Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and  
Mac OS9 and OS10  
PAGE 40  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
FS-3 LCD DISPLAY AND TALLY MODES  
The table below details the different LCD and tally light characteristics when used with different FS-  
3 control, record, play and stop modes:  
PLAY/REC MODE  
Stop  
FS-3 LCD  
STOP  
TALLY  
Off  
Pause  
Play  
Rec (Pause)  
ll PLAY  
> PLAY  
ll REC  
Off  
Off  
Blink  
On  
Off  
Blink  
Off  
Blink  
Off  
Blink  
On  
Off  
Normal Rec (Rec)  
Retro Disk (Stop)  
Retro Disk (Standby)  
Retro Cache (Stop)  
Retro Cache (Standby)  
Loop Record (Stop)  
Loop Record (Standby)  
Loop Record (Rec)  
Snap (Stop)  
REC  
L STOP  
L REC  
C STOP  
C REC  
O STOP  
O REC  
O REC  
STOP  
Snap (Standby)  
Snap (Rec)  
Time Lapse (Stop)  
Time Lapse (Pause)  
Time Lapse (Rec)  
ll SNAP  
ll SNAP  
STOP  
ll T REC  
T REC  
On  
On  
Off  
Blink  
On  
CONTROL TYPE  
AV/C* (Stop)  
FS-3 LCD  
A STOP  
TALLY  
Off  
AV/C* (Rec Pause)  
AV/C* (Rec)  
AV/C* (Play Pause)  
AV/C* (Play)  
ll A <REC TYPE> REC  
A <REC TYPE> REC  
ll A PLAY  
Blink  
On  
Off  
A ALL  
Off  
Syncro Slave (Pause)  
Syncro Slave (Rec)  
ll Y <REC TYPE>REC  
Y <REC TYPE>REC  
Blink  
On  
* AV/C is only for use when FS-3 is connected to a computer system. To control  
FS-3 from a camcorder, use Syncro Slave Mode.  
PAGE 41  
FireStore FS-3 User Guide  
NOTES:  
PAGE 42  
FOCUS Enhancements, Inc.  
1370 Dell Ave. Campbell, CA. 95008 USA  
MANL-0912-02  
Telephone: 408 866-8300 Fax:408 866-4859 www.FOCUSinfo.com  

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