Most p2 Cams Require A Firmware Upgrade for E Series Complete Compatibility

David Saraceno

David Saraceno

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"Without the upgrade the devices may have problems recording clips over multiple cards (Spanned Clips). Also a “REC Warning Error” may occur when recording in variable frame rates at 720/24PN/25PN/30PN. This error may also occur when shooting DV or DVCPRO (not DVCPRO HD) in Loop, Interval, or even Normal record modes."

http://blog.abelcine.com/

Hmmmmm

I didn't hear this before.

Better take a look at it.
 
Should be no big deal. Owners of early HVX200s had to do it to run the 16 GB+ cards a while back. Takes a couple of minutes or so.
 
did my HVX with a sd card, sure the HPX will be the same, JUST MAKE SURE YOUR BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED. I also prefer battery, because running from AC the power can still go out.

- Derrick
 
Here's the link to Panasonic's site with the firmware requirement table:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/desk/e/update.htm#p2_card

This quote has me a bit confused:

To our customer using P2 Card E series
If you use the card with a P2 device, the software currently will not support the loop recording, interval recording, and one-shot recording functions for the DV/DVCPRO format.
Click to expand...
That's a pretty big list of drawbacks. But is the caveats listed only for when you use the E Series cards with the current firmware? Or will they still be issues after the new firmware is released? They aren't too clear on that. The AbelCine link suggests it is only a problem on current firmware versions, but the poor English translation on Panasonic's site leave plenty of room for doubt.

If these issues exist even after the firmware update, I'll stick to the A and R series cards for sure. Guess I'll have to stay tuned.
 
From how I read it, you can use an "E" card right now without updating your firmware. However, if you do so, you don't have compatibility with loop/interval/one-shot functions in standard-def.

If you upgrade your firmware it fixes those issues.

I could be wrong, but that's how I read it.
 
I read it that way until I saw this thread... but since Abel is mentioning more extensive and critical issues as quoted in the first post here, I'm wondering if that means that the coming firmware update will make the cards generally useful, but not support loop/interval/etc. just yet... but, as mentioned, the language leaves a lot up in the air.

Interesting that these issues should pop up... can anyone posit a fundamental difference in the card operation that would lead to these issues?
 
My only guess is that since the E cards have a shorter life span (as panasonic says, 5yrs of day to day recording), they want to rework the way the camera records onto the card in loop and interval modes. I figure these modes can be quite demanding on the cards (constant on/off) and would shorten the life of the E series card drastically.

But that's just my guess.
 
The drawbacks mentioned are those issues that currently will happen in an non-updated camera. Once the firmware is updated, all of these issues go away. Keep in mind that the loop statement only is referencing DV and DVCPRO not DVCPRO HD or AVC-Intra.

It will happen on a download to an SD card and the camera will be updated from that sd card.

Hope that helps, but if there is still confusion ask away, I only have had 1 cup of coffee so far.

Jan
 
Barry_Green said:
From how I read it, you can use an "E" card right now without updating your firmware. However, if you do so, you don't have compatibility with loop/interval/one-shot functions in standard-def.

If you upgrade your firmware it fixes those issues.

I could be wrong, but that's how I read it.
Click to expand...

The release info states as well:

"Also a “REC Warning Error” may occur when recording in variable frame rates at 720/24PN/25PN/30PN."

That concerns me.
 
Still an issue with pvx170 purchased from EVS on June 1?

Still an issue with pvx170 purchased from EVS on June 1?

Will this be an issue with hpx170 purchased from EVS, June 1, 2009?
 
Yes, there are a few instances where the problems will occur, other than that, you will be trouble free. See the link from Voytech. It is a limited set of conditions, and if none of those meet your shooting needs, no problems.

Best,

Jan
 
Ok so I just my E series card, how do I upgrade my camera? I downloaded the upgrade and I have my SD card handy...but how exactly should I put it on the card/once its on there how do I upgrade the camera?
 
Hi,

There was a file on the same site that gave step by step instructions. But in general, use a power supply that will not lose power under any condition. Next put the SD card with the unzipped files on it in the sd slot. Thumbnail mode, menu and a new choice will come up called UPDATE. Choose yes. Stand back. It will do everthing else.

Best,

Jan
 
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