Help with Auto Focus & 16gig p2 firmware update!

[FormatStudios]

Hey Everyone

A bit new to the HVX. Been using GL2's for the past 6 years so I am a bit unfamiliar with my new setup. I am a fast learning but I have some serious questions that can help me boost up quickly.

#1) The auto focus seems to be very slow when zooming in and out of your subject quickly. This is my 2nd HVX. My first one was not this slow, and this one seems to take a bit longer to focus when zooming. This is a big pain in my ass considering I deal with alot of fast action sports. Is there a setting inside the camera that I should be changing? Something I do not know?

#2) I bought a 16 gig P2 card on eBay. The card reads "Incompatible P2" When inserted in the camera. I was told by the previous owner of the P2 card that you have to update the HVX with new firmware for the 16 gig cards. I downloaded the firmware to my SD card and put the card back into the camera.. What do I do now? Nobody ever finished with instructions on how to upload/uplink the files on the SD to the camera.. This would be super beneficial.

#3) Is there a way to delete your last clip shot without going in all the menus in VCR mode to delete? This would save so much time...

#4) I have seen many movies, and many tutorials on filming in "real time slow motion." Everyone talks about changing the Frame Rates in the menu. Apparently I need to change the Scene File Mode to Film Cam from Video Cam, and then I can change the frame rate below to either 30-60 frames. Then set the recording format to 720/24p. Now this hasn't shown me ANY slow motion effect at all. Does this only show effect after you import to FCP? Can you view the slow motion clip you shot on the LCD on the camera, or do you have to manually change the clip speed in FCP? I am a bit confused on this. Some people have mentioned about the Frame Rate hack as well.. I would love to know more information about that as well..

#5) On the Focus panel, I don't understand the option from Manual to the infinity symbol? What does that do when you press it down? And what is the auto push button?


I think this is good for now. Thanks so much for any help received!

[Barry_Green]

1) what frame rate are you shooting at? Autofocus is fastest in 60i/60p and slowest in 24p.

2) Make sure you put the firmware in the right directory, then go to MCR mode and do operation->update.

3) not on an HVX. On the HPX170, yes, that's a new feature they added.

4) Use the 720pN mode. And of course you'll only see the slow-mo effect upon playback. Has nothing to do with FCP.

5) Pushing the focus switch down makes it immediately set the lens to infinity focus. The push-auto button puts the cam in autofocus mode for as long as you hold the button down.

[FormatStudios]

Hey Barry - Thanks for the info.

I just laid the firmware in the SD card. Also - how do you get the camera in MCR mode?

I was shooting Film Cam, 24 frames in 720/24p so maybe that was a reason for the slow zoom.

Thanks for the quick reply!

[FormatStudios]

Wow, I feel like an idiot.

I realized it was in MCR mode when it was VCR. I just have been using a tape so I didn't realize it switch over.

You don't have to answer that one..lol

[FormatStudios]

OH MAN.

I hope I didn't do something horrible.

My battery died in the middle of the firmware upload. The HVX will not turn on at all.

What has happened..!?

[cmb_1455]

Never EVER update a camera's firmware using a battery, even if its full. You should always plug the camera into AC power to do this sort of operation.

If it won't turn on even after connecting to AC power, then you may need to send the camera in. Or, check your Barry Green HVX book and Manual to see if there's a reset button on the camera (but I'm not sure if this would fix your problem)

Sorry to hear that, man, but hopefully you get it working again and enjoy your HVX.

[David Saraceno]

OH MAN.

I hope I didn't do something horrible.

My battery died in the middle of the firmware upload. The HVX will not turn on at all.

What has happened..!?

One very strong suggestion:

start reading the manual.

I'm not trying to sound pedantic, but this is all covered.

And the firmware update procedure includes a pdf manual.

It specifically states do not use battery power when updating, and provides a procedure for a failed install.