George Burbano

Hi Ben, Im new to using the HVX just bought one recently. Now I could be wrong, I have experimented quite a bit with the camera, and have done an unseen amount of research and reading. The firestore, with the new update will allow you to capture, 720p24 native. Now the only reason for this is to save space by not recording duplicate frames, as would normally happen, when shooting in 720p24 at 30fps. The other reason, is to preview, the footage immediately in-camera, or on an external monitor, through the camera, I use the component out to a JVC monitor with component inputs. This can be done in real time without importing/capturing or ingesting the footage into a computer. In final cut pro, you would check the box, to remove duplicate frames on ingest/capture. The new final cut ver. 5.1 update, greatly improves capture/ingest, and also provides you with a full size preview window to play the clip, select all clips, name and index it all in one place, similiar to capturing from tape. I currently dont own a firestore, as I have purchased several P2 cards, and the Pana 60gb drive unit. My workflow, is shoot, download the footage to the 60gb drive, back it up, preview it, and then continue shooting. I have friends that do own the unit, and they are thrilled with it, and have not reported any failures. Ver 3.0 update is available and my friend has done it and is quite happy with it. I have given him the info , to read and join this forum. Hopefully when he does, he can elaborate more on the unit. I will be purchase a couple of these units soon though, as Im going away in June. However, even though I know its more money, and trust me I have not hit the lottery lately, I think the few P2 Cards (3) the Panasonic 60gb drive, and the firestore are Ideal to have together. By the way Im still waiting for my P2 Card with the HVX book and DVD, which I dont need anymore from Panasonic. It has been 3 mos, and have still not received the rebate. Which reminds me to call them again tomorrow. so I hope I have been some help. George