MCE Technologies QuickSteamDV User Manual

Portable FireWire Hard Disk DV Recorder

User’s Guide

QuickStream DV - Portable FireWire Hard Disk DV Recorder - 2

Copyrights

Copyright © 2004 MCE Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of MCE.

Trademarks

Apple, Mac, Macintosh and FireWire are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Sony and
i.LINK are registered trademarks of Sony Electronics. Microsoft, Windows, Windows 98 SE,
Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000
and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Changes

The material in this document is for information only and is subject to change without notice.
While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its
accuracy, MCE assumes no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from
the use of the information contained herein. MCE reserves the right to make changes or revisions
in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify
any person of such revisions and changes.

Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference Statement (FCC)

WARNING: Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This equipment has been
tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to correct the
interference by one of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antennas.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.

• Consult the reseller or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded cables and I/O cards must be used for this equipment to comply with the relevant FCC
regulations.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Manufacturer’s Declaration for CE Certification

We, MCE Technologies, LLC, solemnly declare that this product conforms to the following
European standards:
Class B EN60950, EN55022, EN50082-1, EN60555-2
With reference to the following conditions:
73/23/EEC Low Voltage directive
89/336/EEC EMC Directive

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Introduction

Congratulations on the purchase of your MCE Technologies (MCE) QuickStream
DV Portable FireWire Hard Disk Digital Video (DV) Recorder. The QuickStream
DV was designed to connect directly to, and record digital video footage directly
from, your DV camcorder, in your choice of DV file format, thereby completely
eliminating the need to transfer, capture, or convert clips prior to editing. When
you are finished shooting, simply plug the QuickStream DV into your DV editing
workstations and your footage is ready for editing… IMMEDIATELY!

The MCE QuickStream DV’s industrial designed enclosure incorporates a 1/4-20
screw-socket... The very same socket that is found on the bottom of virtually
every still and video camera ever made. This means that there are nearly an
endless amount of mounting adapters already in existence that you can now use
with the QuickStream DV. And included with the QuickStream DV is a hot shoe
adapter for mounting it directly to your DV camcorder's accessory/hot shoe. A
belt clip adapter is also included in order to secure it to your belt if this location is
more convenient for you. The QuickStream DV does not simply compliment your
existing DV camera equipment, it integrates into and becomes part of it.

The MCE QuickStream DV also functions as a standard IEEE1394/FireWire Hard
Drive when connected to your Mac, PC or standalone video editing workstation.
DV footage recorded by the QuickStream DV are easily found in a special
“Media” folder on the drive and, in addition, your own data can be saved, stored,
or archived elsewhere on the drive.

The MCE QuickStream DV includes MCE StreamManager clip organizing
software designed for use with Mac OS X (v10.2 or later). MCE StreamManager
instantly displays available recording time as well as displays all clips recorded
with the QuickStream DV and allows the user to preview, rename, sort, delete,
copy, and move them.

Package Contents

The following items are included with your MCE Technologies QuickStream DV:

• QuickStream DV Portable Hard Disk DV Recorder

• MCE StreamManager software (for MacOS 10.2 or later)

• 4 pin to 6 pin FireWire Cable

• 6 pin to 6 pin FireWire Cable

• Camera Accessory Shoe (Hot Shoe) Mount

• Belt Clip Attachment

• Universal 100-240V AC Adapter

• User's Guide

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Minimum System Requirements
Hardware requirements:

• Digital Video (DV) Camcorder with FireWIre/IEEE1394/i.LINK Port

• Mac or PC equipped with built-in FireWire/IEEE 1394/i.LINK, or a

FireWire/IEEE 1394/i.LINK interface card.

System requirements:

• Mac OS 9.2.2 and 10.2 or later, G3 or G4 Processor, 333MHz or greater

• Windows 98 SE (Second Edition), Windows Me (Millennium Edition),
Windows 2000, or Windows XP

QuickStream DV Features

The usual workflow of the videographer in going from shooting to editing is that
video footage is first recorded by the DV camcorder onto a tape (e.g., MiniDV
tape) located inside the DV camcorder’s tape mechanism. The tape must then
be rewound and played/transferred from the DV camcorder to the computer, via
FireWire, before any editing can take place. This transfer process, however, is
extremely time consuming. For example, two hours of DV recording will take at
least two hours to transfer from tape to computer. Besides being time
consuming, both the camera and computer generally cannot be used for anything
else during this time. By using the QuickStream DV and recording directly onto
the drive while shooting, this entire transfer process is eliminated. When
shooting is over, users simply connect the QuickStream DV to their computer via
FireWire/IEEE 1394/i.LINK, find their video files in the designated folder and start
editing or performing whatever functions are needed immediately.

DV Recording in Camera and VCR/VTR Modes

Either record DV footage with the QuickStream DV while shooting or record DV
streams with the QuickStream DV by playing back previously captured DV
streams from tape by setting the DV camcorder to VCR/VTR mode or using a DV
tape deck.

DV Editing or DV Rendering

The QuickStream DV utilizes what is called a FAT32 file system. This file system
is compatible with Mac, PC, Linux, and standalone video editing systems. The
DV streams recorded with the QuickStream DV are captured and named
as “CLIPxxyy.mov”, “CLIPxxyy.dv”, ,or “CLIPxxyy.avi” files depending on which
file format was selected. Users are able to easily find the clips in the designated
folder and open or import them into their video editing application immediately.

QuickStream DV - Portable FireWire Hard Disk DV Recorder - 5

External Firewire Hard Disk

The QuickStream DV functions just like any FireWire-based external hard disk
when connected to a Mac or PC. In addition to holding the recorded video clips,
users can save, store, or transfer any other data they wish.

Internal Battery and External Power Input

The QuickStream DV is self-powered by an internal re-chargeable Lithium-Ion
polymer battery as the FireWire/IEEE1394/i.LINK port on DV Camcorders do not
supply any type of bus power. When connected to the included AC Adapter or to
a FireWire port which supplies power, the internal battery is automatically
recharged as needed.

Quick Erase Button

All recorded clips on the QuickStream DV can be deleted by utilizing a recessed
quick erase button at the rear of the drive.

Software

MCE StreamManager footage organizing software for Mac OS 10.2 or later as
well as PC and Mac-based hard disk partition/format utilities are included.

QuickStream DV Interface and Control Panel

The following is a description of the ports and controls located on the back panel
of the QuickStream DV:

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1. AC Adapter Port – The AC Adapter port of the QuickStream DV can
accept any voltage between 6 to 18V to power and charge the device. It
is a reverse polarity plug so when using it with a power supply other than
the included AC Adapter please check the polarity of your power supply.

2. Power Button – This button is labeled POWER and is the left-most button
on the control panel. This button turns the QuickStream DV on or off
provided that the Master Power Switch (described below) is in the left, or
‘on’, position. This button glows green when activated.

3. Review Button – This button is labeled REVIEW and is located in between
the POWER and RECORD buttons. When connected to a DV camcorder
and the DV camcorder is in VTR/VCR mode, pressing this button plays
back the last recorded clip over FireWire via the DV camcorder’s own LCD
screen.

4. Record Button – This button is labeled RECORD and is located directly in
the middle of the control panel. This button glows red when activated.

5. FireWire port – six-pin FireWire port into which the FireWire cable from a
DV camera or computer is plugged.

6. Master Power Switch – This switch, labeled MASTER, is located between
the FireWire port and the Record button. It must be in the left-most,
labeled “ON”, position during normal use of the QuickStream DV. If the
QuickStream DV is to be stored for any length of time or any time it is
transported, then this switched should be moved to the right-most position.
This will preserve battery power during transportation and long periods of
non-use.

7. Quick-Erase Button - To the far right of the end panel (immediate right of
the FireWire port) is a recessed push-button. This is the Quick-Erase
button and serves to erase all DV clips the QuickStream DV has recorded.

8. Charge-Indicator LED – In between the RECORD button and the FireWire
port is a blue LED which glows brightly when the QuickStream DV has
enough current from either a powered FireWire bus or from an AC adapter
to charge its internal Lithium-Ion polymer battery.

Connect the QuickStream DV to your DV Camcorder

Mounting the QuickStream DV to your DV Camcorder’s Accessory Shoe

The MCE QuickStream DV’s industial designed enclosure incorporates a 1/4-20
screw socket (see Fig. 1)... The very same screw socket that is found on the
bottom of virtually every still and video camera ever made. And included with the
QuickStream DV is an accessory/hot shoe adapter (see Fig. 2) for mounting it
directly to your DV camcorder's accessory/hot shoe.