EX1/3 firmware upgrade for SDHC adapters available

The update will be available for all customers all over the world free of any charge. So if you need to get the update not directly from the official European Sony support site (http://support.sonybiz.net/software/search.aspx) be patient and wait until it is listed on the support pages of your country. It won't take long - for sure.

Deti
 
The missing upgrade package for the EX1 is now announced for tomorrow:

"Please Note: Due to technical difficulties the firmware for PMW-EX1 will not be available until 09/03/10"

Deti
 
Odd,

I sent my EX-1 camera in for a backfocus issue on Friday and asked Sony Tech Support about installing the SDHC firmware update while the camera is on the bench.

He paused and said that was going to be a paid upgrade.
 
deti said:
The update is the first to be free of charge for everyone who is able to do it on his/her own. If you are asking the Tech Support to do it for you when it's obviously not necessary so why do you expect to get it done for free?

Deti
Click to expand...

First, lets calm down.

Second, I was asking the tech support person over the phone about the firmware upgrade. There was nothing obvious at all about it. I did not know anything about the firmware outside of reading a post on DVInfo over a month ago.

Since my camera is on the bench for warranty work (free of charge), it is quite normal to have the techs install the latest firmware updates. This is assuming they are for general free release.
 
They may be free for general download, but the techs will charge 1/2 hour at $200/hour to install it for you. :happy:
 
If that is the case then I will happily install it myself.

But the person on the phone made it sound like a pay-only firmware which looks to be incorrect.
 
No. The update belongs to a new series of card adapters for the PMW-EX series:
http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Sho...ageType=Overview&category=OptionBoardsModules

http://www.sonybiz.net/biz/view/Sho...ageType=Overview&category=OptionBoardsModules

The update improves the internal buffer management when accessing USB mass storage. The camera is now able to temporarily store more data in RAM while writing to a storage media. The old behavior was almost instantly showing a 'Media Error' when writing to a media got stuck a little too long.
Further it is now possible to continue recording once a 'Media Error' occurred. The old behavior was to first remove and reinsert the media followed by a 'Restore Media' process.

Deti
 
Many thanks the direct direct download link. So, is this the version that's going to be release in Sep. 2010? If not, what is it? Is this the same version as the one Deti post? I owned an EX-1.
 
There is no release date in September. We in Europe write dates according to this notation: DD/MM/YY

Now you can guess what the date was meant to be ;-)

Deti
 
Ah, I see. Thanks for the simple clarification.

So, with this update, my EX1 will be able to use virtually any SDHC card that is 16GB and 32GB, correct?
 
You may use any SDHC card that is class 6 or better.
A SxS-1 card is a cheap SxS card. It is connected to the camera via USB and not via PCIe. From user view it does not make any difference which card is being used (except the camera is not updated to the new firmware version).

Deti
 
Thanks for the quick response. So as long as it is class 6 or better, it can be 16GB or 32GB SDHC card, right?

I was looking at B&H site a 32GB SxS-1 cost over $500 compare to $100-$200 Sandisk 32GB SDHC card. It's not exactly cheap. What's the difference between this cheaper version (SxS-1) than the expensive version (SxS)?
 
Lifespan. SxS-1 has a short lifespan, relative to the regular SxS. Sony claims five years in regular use.
 
Upgrading my version 1.11 EX1 as I type this.

Update tool is pretty self-explanatory. Unscrewing that flap is kind of a PITA but oh well I've done it before.

Tried running off battery power but software wouldn't allow it. If you don't have the AC adaptor you're screwed.

AC adaptor installed. Hopefully I don't lose power (UPS battery is dead).

Looks like there is a 50/50 data transfer split. Had to "reboot" the EX1 halfway through installation...probably to flush the RAM or something.

I was going to wait to see how others fared with the update but the hope that no/less media errors with the Hoodman card and 60 fps overcrank were enough to try this out. If it bricks it'll be sent to Sony.

That little screw/flap is more of a PITA getting back on. Glad I have small fingers and this cheap toolset from Sears. Didn't break the connector cover this time.

Camera on, says "E-15030" with XDCam EX logo. A little worried. Np panic yet.

Plug camera into AC adaptor. Nothing. Turn camera off. Wait 10 seconds. Turn camera back on. Camera turns on! Turn camera off. Unplug from AC adaptor. Turn camera on...it works! WOOHOO!

Menu>Others Under Format Media is a new "Version: V1.20" Heck yeah, son! (wipes sweat from brow after the "E-15030" message.)
 
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