The CitiDISK DV is a portable, self-powered and controlled by camera unit; it captures DV streams at the time as shooting to tape, stores video as user-selectable, RawDV, AVI’s or QuickTime MOV in a FAT32 file system.
The CitiDISK HDV is backward compatible and works just like the CitiDISK DV if the incoming FireWire signal is DV; additionally, it automatically sense the incoming HDV FireWire signal and store it as M2T extension file.
The CitiDISK HDV tested to be compatible with Sony HVRZ1U, HDRFX1, HVRA1U, HDRHC1, HDRHC3 &
Canon XLH1, X1H1, XH-A1 & JVC GYHD100U, GYHD110, GR-HD1US, but NOT the Panasonic HVX200 DV100 camera.
Note: HDV camera can shot HiDef video too but the video is compressed MPEG2( long GOP ), totally different as what Panasonic HVX200 produced( HD/DV ).
When: 1. Manafacturer suggests that user always keep the hard disk in a non-fragmented, clean and continueously way of recording. Remember to back up the video clips before re-formating the hard disk. 2. Start the recording, the REC light turns on but ends up no footage. The number of clips can be used reaches the maxmium due to "Drag-to-trash" marked the clip name to "not-used" instead of clean, reusable.
Why: The CitiDISK HDV/DV MUST be formatted in 1). FAT32 file system, include 2). a "Movie" folder, 3). a "Media" folder and 4). a "Project" text file within the "Movie" folder. The CitiDISK HDV/DV would not peform the video capturing correctly if one on the objects described above does not exisit.
How to re-format the CitiDiSK HDV/DV in a. In PC/XP: Download the "Shining Utility Suite" v77r510.zip" from "www.shining.com", "Driver & Update" page or install it from the CD included in the package, Install it first. Connect the CitiDISK HDV/DV to PC/XP system and power it on. Wait till GREEN light be solid. Start the "Shining Utility Suite" program, choose "Hard Drive Setup", select "DV Disk", the program will show each operating hard disk in the system, choose the one has the size close to the CitiDISK HDV/DV, click on "Create DVDisk" to start the operation. Once the process is done, the unit is re-formatted in FAT32 and above three objects are automatically created by the utility program. Exit and "Safe remove" the CitiDISK HDV/DV from the system. Note: Details of how to use the Utility can be found in CD and "Driver& Update" page. File name is "Utility Manual v20.pdf".
b. In MacX: Connect the CitiDISK HDV/DV to a Mac computer and power it on. Starts up the "Disk Utility" in "MacX", "Application", "Utilities" folder. Choose the one says "xxx GBytes Shining....", click on "Erase" and choose "MS-DOS file system" in VolumeFormat, then, click on "Erase"( bottom right ) to start the process. Once the process is completed it means the formatting is done, you would need to create above three objects manually. First open the CitiDISK HDV/DV just re-formatted, go to top bar find "File", select "New Folder", name it as "Movie", open the "Movie" folder, and go through the same process to create another new folder name it as "Media". Finally, invoke the "TextEdit" in "Application" folder, and click on "File", "Save As" this 0-byte file, name it as "Project" in "rtf" file type in "Movie" folder. - Updated: November 7, 2007
The CitiDISK reserves about 900 file names in "Media" folder for each video recording, if user drag-n-drop the video file in Trash and empty them, only the video data space would be reclaimed but not the file names because Computer Operating System wants to keep the "Undelete" feature in case user accidently delete files and want to get them back. Instead of writing the Trashed file name as clean, it marks them as "Unwanted", ends up taking the reserved 900 file names. Once it is full, CitiDISK will only reuse the last file name space.
To re-gain the 900 file names space back, you would need to re-format the CitiDISK: How to get back the folders and re-format the hdd, please find it at " www.shining.com", "Driver & Update", "FAQ", the top question of "CitiDISK HDV" category. - Updated: December 26, 2007
The Panasonic AG-DVX-100 DV control function is set not as ON as default. Here is the step to turn it back on: 1. Set camera to "Camera" mode. 2. Press "Menu" to enter "menu" mode. 3. Select "Other function", scrool down to "DV control" sub-function and select "BOTH". 4. Press "Menu" to exit the menu mode. Now the camera is ready to control CitiDISK DV recording now. - Updated: November 18, 2004
1. This is just a warning message due to the video file is not captured by FCP 5.0, no harm at all. 2. No such warning message in FCP 4.5. 3. User can turn the message off. 4. The MOV video clips created by CitiDISK DV works just like FCP 4.5. However, the system setting should be identical, for example, SD in CitiDISK DV.
Yes. CitiDISK DV can QPlay and PlayAll the video clips back to Pretige system and Solitaire recognize it as an external hard disk. - Updated: October 22, 2005
Current firmware release does not support HDV in Quicktime formst. User can find a freeware converter from "http://www.squared5.com/", application name is "Mpeg Stream Clip" for both Mac and PC. - Updated: November 9, 2007
The internal battery will draw large current to charge itself when %5 low capacity threhold met, which divert large portion of incoming external power to operate the unit. Solution -- Power off the CitiDISK and put it on charge for about 15 minutes. - Updated: February 16, 2007
The reason of being so is the LongGOP implementation of MPEG2 video. The CitiDISK HD does not check the beginning of the LongGOP to start recording, and does not check the ending of the LongGOP to stop recording; neither checking the boundaries of the LongGOP's while closing the current clip & creating the next clip. However, Adobe CS3 & Canopus Edius 4.5 will skip the beginning partial LongGOP and display from the next LongGOP.
Note: For long HDV/M2T recording, the CitiDISK HDV will break the recording into multiple sub-clips, users should combine mulitiple clips and join them to one file before importing it to the Timeline so as to avoid displaying skipped frames at the end of the sub-clip and at the beginning of the next sub-clip because of the LongGOPs' boundary may not meet with each clip's boundary. A simple file joiner program can be downloaded from "http://www.snapfiles.com/download/" for PC user. - Updated: November 9, 2007
"Media Player Classic" is a freeware can be found in: "http://www.divx-digest.com/software/media_player_classic.html" and select "Download" to retrieve the file, install in to your system.
Manfacturer tested and found it works with most of the codecs in various wrappers for most of the editing sofwares in the market. - Updated: December 4, 2007
Please check "Where to buy" button in "http://www.shining.com" or simply check on "eStore" to buy on-line. CitiDISK DV FW1256C-xx( xx is the hdd capacity ) unit price are: FW1256C-40: US$679.00 about 180 minutes FW1256C-60: US$729.00 about 270 minutes FW1256C-80: US$779.00 about 360 minutes FW1256C-100: US$849.00 about 420 minutes Shipping charges and taxes are not included. - Updated: October 22, 2005
Shining provides a "firmware uploader"( PC Win2k or XP ) only in the distribution CD or you can simply download it from our website. There is a descriptive document along with it, please read it first. From now on, CitiDISK DV FW1256B-xx's firmware will be posted in "www.shining.com", "download", "CitiDISK DV" section. However, user MUST read through the download instructions of "How to use FirmwareUploader v1.2" before performing such updates. - Updated: April 9, 2004
YES. Following is the growing camera compatibility list that manufacturer has tested. Although there are many cameras not listed, as long as the camera is Firewire( IEEE1394 ) MiniDV( DV25 ) standard, CitiDISK DV would be compatible.
-- Bug Fixed: 1. After recording the clips and powering down the CitiDISK DV, if powering up CitiDISK DV again just to view the last clip shot prior to powring off, the CitiDISK DV would not perform such function and reset. Problem fixed. 2. Time&Date information might be incorrect if using PAL-DV camera. Problem fixed.
-- New Features: 1. Adds in Maxtrox AVI1 support. If user already purchased Maxtrox RT. X100 XtremePro system and like to use the special editing software features provided by XTremePro( incorporating with Adobe Permiere Pro. 1.5 ), which requires Maxtrox AVI1 format; now, it is supported by the released November 15, 2004 firmware. Here is how to activate it: a). Download the v1.4 CitiDISK DV firmware uploader from "www.shining.com", un-install the previously installed v1.3 version, un-zip the v1.4 uploader, and install it. b). Invoke the v1.4 uploader and upgrade the firmware to today's firwmare. Note: User should also download the "How to use CitiDISK DV Firmware Uploader v1.4?" and read it first. c). In the "User Config" sub-menu, one extra selection for "Maxtrox AVI1" is now available; however, if your firmware revision is prior to Oct. 31, 2004, you would not be able to select it and a warning message will pop up. - Updated: December 6, 2004
The hard disk access mode was not set the maximum. Here is how to change it: 1. Download the "CitiDISK DV firmware uploader v1.4" from "www.shining.com" and "How to use v1.4 uploader..." documentation. Install it and follow the instruction to invoke the uploader. 2. When the first screen comes up, select "Modify Device Setting", select "Advance" at the bottom right corner of the sub-menu. 3. You should have all of PIO's, all of "DMA's" and "UDMA"( rightest column ) "0 to 4" checked. If not, check them and select "OK", "Upload" to re-configure the unit. 4. Wait till the uploader reports back "Ready", this process may takes a few seconds. 5. Exit the uploader. 6. Eject the CitiDISK DV and turn off the power so as to allow new configuration to be effective. - Updated: November 18, 2004
NO. Although both FW1256, FW1256B and FW1256C share the same enclosure, but the internal core logics are totally different. However, should you have such needs, please contact Shining Technology for a pay-the-difference exchange. - Updated: November 29, 2004
There are two ways to change the file format: 1. See "Choose Video File Format" in "Quick Usage Guide" for details. 2. See "Updating CitiDISK DV's firmware( Windows Only ) section in "Appendix" of "BuiltInFWUserManaual..." documents for details.
Note: Such function is provided for FW1256B-xx models only, not suitable for FW1256-xx( A type ) of CitiDISK DV's. FYI: Please find editing software native file format in "DV Streams vs Editing Software" section of "QuickUsageGuide" & user manual. - Updated: October 1, 2003
A few new camera in the market like Panasonic DVX100 implements such "DV Control" feature which stop CitiDISK DV response to camcorder. Try to turn it OFF( if default is ON ) or turn it ON( if default is OFF ). - Updated: October 1, 2003
Manufacturer includes a belt-configured pouch for you to shoot from waist. Optional pockets sandwiched between your camera and professional V-Mount or Gold-Mount battery are also available from manufacturer. Special mounting bracket for Canon XL1S is also available. - Updated: April 19, 2004
Less than 90 ms, less than 3 frames delay. Once the RED LED is on, the recording is in progress. Delay from RECORD OFF till CitiDISK DV stop recording is also minimum depends on camcorder implemenation, less than 60ms. However, if user is taking intermittent footage, on/off the record of the camera many times to catch short segments, give about one to two seconds between each off and next on so as to allow CitiDISK DV maintain disk file system.
YES. The CitiDISK DV will break into 2GB clip length if AVI2 file format or RawDV is selected. Quicktime MOV file format set to 1G maximum per clip. There is no loss of audio, no video drop frames between end of last clip and beginning of next clip.
Yes. You can play back the content of tape and record into CitiDISK DV. In this case, it's not automatically turned on, user has to press the REC button on the unit.
For CitiDISK DV( FW1256 and FW1256B )), 80GB is the maximum hard disk capacity we can find in the market. Good for about 360 minutes recording; however, the internal battery last for 90 minutes only. However, external battery input is also possible so as to record up to 360 minutes. - Updated: December 18, 2003
If you own a CitiDISK DV and experience the problems listed below, please find today's firmware updated "Fw1256B-oxfw911-04082004.bin" firmware "www.shining.com", "download", "CitiDISK DV" folder. Before peroforming the upload, MUST read through the uploader instruction first. Following are the descriptions: April 8, 2004 Files: 1. FW1256B-oxfw911-04082004.bin: Binary file.
-- Bug Fixed: 1. Canon XL1S camera related: a). While recording in a long time more than 10 minutes, the video might get corruptive. Fixed. b). Camera controlled REC function might not work either in "DV Control" OFF or ON mode. Fixed. 2. If CitiDISK DV "Erased" under MacOSX's Disk Utility, may not be able to record. Fixed.
The MacOS10.3 behaves differently comparing with MacOS10.1, or 1.2. For those already partioned/formatted in PC system( e.g. CitiDISK DV prepared by Shining's utility ), once the "Erase" function of Disk Utility activated( must select MS-DOS File Volume format for CitiDISK DV so as to record ), new MacOS10.3 retains the original PC partition information instead of destroying it. In previous MaOS10.2.x or MacOS10.1.x releases replaces it by MS-DOS volume( no partition ) information. Which means there is no difference between formatting the CitiDISK DV drive in MacOS10.3 and in PC from now on. Now the new fix will handle both cases. - Updated: April 9, 2004
-- Bug Fixed: 1. Canon Optura 20 camera controlled "DV REC ON" works, but "DV REC OFF" does not work. Fixed. ---May 14, 2004 release
2. "Continue to record when tape ends" init'ed "User Config" is not updated if v1.3 "FirmwareUploader" used. Fixed. --- May 17, 2004
-- New Feature: 1. "Continue to record when tape ends" -- Now it's set to default. User can overwrite it by using Firmware Uploader V1.3 "Modify setting", "User Config", "ContToRecTapeEnd" option. - Updated: May 18, 2004
-- Bug Fixed: 1. If set "Prescene-looping" to "No Loop" does not really turn off the function which causes inaccurately "recording". "Fixed". Once user upgrade this version of firmware from June 17, 2004 or earlier. Please wait extra 10 seconds after "uploader" report the upgrade is finished. User should see both "RED" and "GREEN" LED's blink fastly during updating "prescene loop" default value. 2. If recording the tape content to CitiDISK DV unit and "Qplay" it for the verification purpose may not work. "Fixed". Note: "Qplay" in PAL system may not work due to "DV-IN" function is disabled. User can purchase a widget to enable such function. At the time being, manufacturer is working on the alternative solution now. 3. In the June 17, 2004 firmware release, sometimes, the recording may end up wrong time and date. Fixed. - Updated: October 5, 2004
Problem is fixed in Oct. 9, 2003 firmware. Please download the "FW1256B-oxfw911-10092003.bin" firmware and upgrade to the unit. - Updated: October 31, 2003
When the camcorder's REC button is pressed and CitiDISK DV REC LED flashes, it means CitiDISK DV is waiting for incoming DV signal from camera. Please advise your camcorder model. Workaround: Turn off the camcorder power only, wait for both RED, GREEN LED's of CitiDISK DV blinks, and then turn back on Camcorder power. Wait for both RED and GREEN LED become stable again. Now, you should be able to start recording now. - Updated: October 3, 2003
Please check CitiDISK DV Quick Usage Guide v20.pdf" in download section.
Note: "Movie Edit Pro", a PC based editing software, uses "MVD" as the editing list file format which CitiDISK DV does not support right now. However, AVI or MOV file formats are also supported by "Movie Edit Pro". - Updated: November 5, 2003
YES. Manufacturer had tested CitiDISK DV with above camera and proved CitiDISK DV works! However, due to above camera implements "DV Control" function, user might have to try to turn it on or off in camera "system", "DV Control" selection. - Updated: November 10, 2003
There is a small "DVCODEC" downloadable from "http://www.canopus.co.jp/download/dvpbk.htm". Excute this program. It allows Windows programs to decode Canopus AVI2 video clips. - Updated: August 12, 2005
In FW1256B and file format is set to QuickTime MOV format, a separate Timecode track is created. Final Cut Pro/Express are able to pick it up. However, you would find CitiDISK DV capturing a couple of seconds of video more at the beginning of each clip due to RECORD command is sent to CitiDISK DV unit before camcorder's tape ready. Timecode track feature is not added to AVI2 file format so far. - Updated: October 1, 2003
FAT32 file system is what being used in CitiDISK DV due to cross platform requirement among various operating system, MacOS 9.x, X, Windows98/ME/Win2K/XP and Linux. NTFS used in NT/Win2K/WinXP, HFS/HFS+ in MacOS's and UNXFS in Linux are not supported. - Updated: October 2, 2003
CitiDISK DV's uses LithiumPolymer based rechargeable battery just like iPod. It sustains about 90 minutes continuous recording. After 300 discharge/charge cycles, battery will reduce to 80% of its initial capacity. Since the battery is consumable, manufacturer warrants 90% of capacity for the first 30 days after sales. - Updated: October 25, 2005
Manufacturer provides a wall-mount power adapter which takes 100-240 Volt AC and output +12V DC to CitiDISK DV unit. The CitiDISK DV external power input takes DC from +6V to +18V. So, any other DC power sources like external battery( normally is +7.2V or +14.4V DC ) can feed CitiDISK DV unit as auxiliary power source while internal battery is low. - Updated: October 2, 2003
RawDV video is 100% identical to what stored in the tape. Such format is used in iMovie, Quicktime, and a few standalone editing stations.
MOV or Quicktime movie format is primarily used by video editing softwares that run on Apple/Macintosh platforms like Final Cut Pro's.
DV-AVI or AVI type I format is created about 10 years ago by Microsoft which wraps the "RawDV" with certain information headers. Such format is not used nowadays and is replaced by AVI type II( AVI2 ).
AVI2 is a newly developed AVI file format better than AVI1 plus additional audio data. Such format is widely adopted by all of the PC-based editing softwares.
Canopus AVI2 file format is almost the same as stanard AVI2 described above except it addresses certain Canopus editing software special features. Such format is not playable by regular Microsoft Media Player or any other third parties' editing software unliess it is noted particularly. - Updated: May 20, 2004
YES. The CitiDISK DV acts just like an external Firewire Hard Disk to the computers( Mac, Windows or Linux ). Each clip is a regular file with FAT32 file system addressing them. User is able to use it as regular hard disk for archive, backup, image purpose. User is also encourage to use third party hard disk utility to maintain the hard disk integrity.
Since it's a regular hard disk, user is able to store any data he/she wishes. However, please remember "Media" folder and "Project" file inside the "Movie" folder are reserved for video capturing use, user should refrain himself not to delete them or place un-related data to the "Movie", "Media" folders. - Updated: October 2, 2003
Please consult "QuickUsageGuide" or "UserManual" for details. User should remember that all of the data inside "Media" folder will be erased if "QuickErase" function invoked. However, any other data not in "Media" would not be touched. - Updated: October 2, 2003
In the recording panel, there are: 1 Firewire connector to connect to Camcorder.
1 BLUE charging LED indicating the battery is under charging either by Firewire bus power or by external power source.
1 micro-switch to turn on/off the battery output to the whole unit. Set to white "dot" position means "ON" and "OFF" if set the other way.
1 RECORD button with RED LED indicating the status of recording. If it blniks instead of solid RED, it means either the unit is in initialization stage or the unit is waiting for incoming DV streams.
1 POWER button with GREEN LED indicating the stutus of power. If it blinks instead of solid GREEN, it means the unit's internal battery is just above the threshold to shutdown or the unit is in initialization stage.
At the bottom right corner: 1 BLUE/PURPLE LED indicating the unit is powered up. If the color of LED changes to "PURPLE", it means the hard disk is either in READING or in WRITING process. - Updated: October 2, 2003
Current CitiDISK DV FW1256B-xx model does support 16:9 or 4:3 DVCam setting. For example, if CitiDISK DV unit is set to QuickTime MOV file format, every video clips are stored as they are supposed to be as NTSC DV( 3:2 ) and PAL DV( 5:4 ). In our lab. test, capturing video either from REC button on SONT 570 or CitiDISK DV unit, both work well. To prevent video rendering in Final Cut Pro once those clips are drag-n-drop into timeline, set "Sequence" "Setting" to NTSC DV( 3:2 ) or PAL DV( 5:4 ); otherwise, a RED line would appear on top of the video clip. - Updated: October 31, 2003
CitiDISK DV extracts the YMD( year, month, day ) and HMS( hour, minute, second ) from the camera and translate into computer domain. Unfortunately, computer takes last two digit of the year only; if your camera is set at year of 1999 and year now is over 2000, definetly, you would have all of the clips with year of 2099. One way to solve it is to set the camera to correct time and date. - Updated: November 4, 2003
NO. Just drag-n-drop the video clips( extension is MOV ) into FCP's timeline. "Import" means file conversion although clips are set as "QuickTime" already. - Updated: November 10, 2003
Cannon XL1, GL1 releated problems: 1. Turning on Canon XL1( not XL1s ) DV REC function is OK but not "turning off". Fixed. 2. Cannot sustain continuing recording after turning on Canon XL1( not XL1s ) camera. Fixed. Note: This bug fix applies to Canon Optura 20, Optura 40 camera also. - Updated: June 1, 2004
Here is the "known bug" fixes from "www.adobe.com".
Ans: The Adobe Premiere 6.02 update provides fixes to known issues in Premiere. Please note that this update is still in beta. You should not install this update unless you are experiencing any of the specific problems listed below.
Summary of changes: - Corrects stuttering playback problem. Fixes problems with stuttering playback on systems that meet the minimum system requirements. - Corrects fast DV playback problem. Some customers are experiencing problems with the video output from Premiere speeding up on playback. - This update includes all the fixes from the 6.01 update. - File name is "Win_602_ENG.zip". - Updated: June 14, 2004
Yes. There is a way. Go to "www.canopus.co.jp/download/dvpbk.htm" website and download the "dvcodec.exe", run it to extract the contents, and run "Setup" to add in Canopus DVCodec support for non-Canopus video editing/playing softwares. This "dvcode.exe" works for Win98/2k and XP. - Updated: December 13, 2004
NO. There is no driver you would need to install for OSX driver, CitiDISK DV will appear as one FAT32 volume( DV Disk ). Additionally, there is no need to partition and format the unit since it's pre-formatted by manufacturer. - Updated: August 18, 2005
Since DV itself is compressed data, all of the video clip captured in CitiDISK DV is now considered as a "FILE" not a video stream any more. So for every application access such file, although it really depends on how the application is written, most case, it will try to bring in the whole content just to understand the how are the contents organized( often called Metadata ), not necessarily it will bring in the real data. DV in MOV( QT ) contains the DV( video interleaved with audio ) and a duplicated 2-channel audio data. Presumably the duplicate audio channels must be cached in the memory as much as possible as well as video data. CPU then decode the video+audio data and put them on the screen. One way to resolve it is to have big & fast memory( like 1G & DDR2 ). This cache memory works like a buffer while one end to consume the data and the other end to read in more data from hard disk. Additionally, not to adjust the output screen to an arbitrary screen size will also help. DV is 720x480 30 frames in NTSC world, set the display screen size to full, 1/2 or 1/4 will ease graphic processor( CPU ) to re-map full-screen data into odd size screen size. If the problem happens in certain part of stream, like every other 10 seconds etc.., that would be the problem described above. - Updated: August 18, 2005
