AC160 Firmware Updates

[Captain Video]

Anyone having trouble installing new firmware updates to the AC160? I can download the update from https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro...upgac160_e.htm
and save it on new 16 or 32 bit SDHC cards. Following the instructions from Panasonic, it won't install in the camera.
Looking for some ideas as to what I may be doing wrong. Thanks

[kwkeirstead]

I downloaded and ended up with VSI5285G.IMG. The next bit is to 'save' this onto a card, and, for this, the manual says to make sure you use the AVCCAM viewer.

I don't have this so will download it and try to install this IMG file. The firmware update apparently fixes something relating to HE mode.

Since I work at 24P, I have not been too interested in HE.

Where can I find the instructions from Panasonic?

I found a post on DVINFO by Barry Green which where he explains the differences between the various recording modes, so my question is why record in HE unless space is an issue?

"They primarily refer to the data rate.

HE = 6 megabits per second (Mb/s)
HG = 13 Mb/s
HA = 17 Mb/s

All of the above are available only in 1080/60i

PH = 21-24Mb/s, and is available in 720p, 1080p, or 1080i. PH is the best-quality recording mode, but it takes up the most space.

For example, on a 32GB card, you can fit three hours of PH mode footage, or 12 hours of HE mode footage."

[johnmccue]

The Panasonic instructions are not complete.
1. Open the files on your newly formatted SD card.
2. Delete the folder named "PRIVATE".
3. copy the folder "PRIVATE" from your unzipped firmware update folder to your SD card.
Now it will update correctly.

If you just drag Private from your download to Private on the SD card you create another Private deeper in the root
and the camera gets confused and flips you the "check card" user screen.

[kwkeirstead]

Does this mean the update must be installed on each SDHC card that we have?

Or does the procedure get the right material onto the first card you format and from there, the camera reads the data off of the SDHC and stores it somewhere in the camera?

[johnmccue]

This procedure gets the firmware update to your camera, which writes it to the cameras internal memory. When you have successfully updated your camera you may re-format the SD card and put the card back into your production kit.

[Jan_Crittenden]

When you format a card in the camera it sets the card up to record video. What the instructions are saing is that you should remove that Private Folder or when you unzip the file so that it ends up on the formatted card, the new Private folder will not be in the correct place. So delete the one that was created in the camera and then unzip the upgrade file to the SD card.

Then upgrade all your cameras from that card. When you go to record video on this card again, reformat it in the camera again.

Hope that helps,

Jan

[kwkeirstead]

Thanks... I was able to successfully do the firmware update, no issues.