FireStore makes Mac optional for DV storage

If you have a need to capture digital video to disk in the field and don’t want to travel with a PowerBook or iBook, you may be interested in a new offering from FOCUS Enhancements. The company announced today the release of the Videonics FireStore. It’s designed to enable you to drop video to a FireWire-based hard disk straightaway, without needing a Mac or PC. The FireStore works with DV-based camcorders, video tape recorders or mixers that support the IEEE 1394 interface, known to Mac users as FireWire.

FOCUS said that the Videonics FireStore records the video to disk as edit-ready files compatible with most DV based non-linear editing systems. The FireStore supports various flavors of Windows and Mac OS 9, as well. The FireStore can also slave to most FireWire based DV camcorders, so users can utilize the camcorder’s built in record and pause modes effectively to create new clips on the drive. Play, reverse play, stop, multi-speed fast-forward and rewind, and other operational functions are also supported.

FireStore also stores embedded 2 channel 16-bit audio at 48kHz or 4-channel 12-bit audio at 32kHz. The device supports input and output of up to 25 megabits per second.

Ultimately, FireStore users can edit their video clips by attaching the FireWire hard disk directly to their Macs, or through a “bypass” mode that enables the hard drive to work by connecting through the FireStore instead.

FOCUS Enhancements’ Videonics FireStore should be available immediately through FOCUS’ resellers and distributors; it carries a suggested retail price of US$995.