HVX Firmware Updates

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dvxnerd

Active member
Will we be able to download firmware updates for the HVX200? That would be great if we could update our cameras at home.

Adam
 
If there is any provision for firmware updating, I'd bet heavily that it would be something that can only be accomplished at an authorized service center, by a qualified service technician. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that there has ever in history been a user-installable firmware update for a prosumer or professional camcorder. In fact, I don't think there's ever been a firmware update of any kind for any prosumer equipment. Professional cameras, yes -- they use EEPROMS to store the operating software. But prosumer and consumer gear (well, prosumer really *is* consumer, just used by pros) uses non-erasable PROMs to store the firmware, and it cannot be flash upgraded.
 
Panasonic is really pushing the "IT" marketing on this camera, and most IT devices are updatable by the consumer. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I won't cry when they tell me I gotta go to a Panny service center. :)

Adam
 
It's possible that Panasonic will optimize the USB 2.0 port for firmware upgrades; however, they have always left it to the Authorized Service Centers to update it. If something is done wrong, it could cause major issues with your unit that is being upgraded. :thumbsup:

Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications
20940 Twin Springs Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21783
www.spec-comm.com
1-800-359-1858
 
I seem to remember Jan mentioning at the dvxuser presentation @ NAB that the HVX is actually a Linux based device. Would make for some interesting options if it can be hacked.

-David C. Smith
LA/OC D.P.
 
filmstox said:
I seem to remember Jan mentioning at the dvxuser presentation @ NAB that the HVX is actually a Linux based device. Would make for some interesting options if it can be hacked.
Click to expand...
Gabriel Costache of Panasonic Australia confirmed this as well... And, so is the SPX800.
Heck, for that matter, so is Mac OS X!

Personally, I'm hoping to load OpenOffice on the HVX200! Maybe from an SD card?
 
I have the Canon 20D. We download firmware updates, put them onto the CF card, and then update the camera. I guess P2 cards could do the same, yeah?
 
Or the SD slot. The camera has an SD slot as well, perhaps firmware updates could be administered through that. It depends on how the operating system is stored internally though. If it's on erasable eproms, it's possible. If it's on non-erasable/non-programmable roms, then all talk of firmware upgrading is wasted breath. An SPX800 uses eproms, a DVX or PD170 etc. use ROMs, so what will the HVX use? That's an unanswered question so far.
 
..i asked Jan about this back at resfest. she said there would be no user upgradeable firmware.. basically because of the type of ROM/EPROM the camera runs.. its a hardcoded ROM. she said something to the effect that if it were a software solution it would require more sophisticated hardware to run it and all and be much more expensive.. and probably would not fit into a little camera like the HVX. VS. a little hardcoded rom can fit into the little thing all snug and be manufactured at a lower cost..
sorry if i hacked your response there Jan, it was a while back, but anyway the basic answer to the thread question is there.. that its not user upgradeable due to having hardcoded ROMs.

of course we all want that to be wrong, but she sounded very very secure in her answer. :(
 
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