C500: New firmware announced for the C500 and C300

[Curnsie]

There's details here:

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/new_firmware_for_cinema_eos_and_4k_display.do?utm_content=buffer8c249&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Nothing mentioned for the C100.

 

[marvinhello]

Nothing mentioned for 1DC as well, seems that these updates centers around 4k, which both c100 and 1DC have no room for anything new...

 

[Snap]

Could Canon ever switch on 4K in the C300/C100? I mean is the HDMI even capable of out putting 4k? Certainly I guess AVCHD aint up to it??

 

[delete]

here's the Canon USA version of the same announcement and to our blog post.

Free Canon Firmware for Cinema EOS System Cameras Delivers Improved Basic Performance, Including Support for ITU-R BT.2020 Color Space


MELVILLE, N.Y., September 4, 2014 - Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced today that its parent company, Canon Inc., will be releasing free firmware1 upgrades for both the Cinema EOS C500 4K and C300 Digital Cinema Cameras, as well as Cinema RAW Development 1.3, an updated version of Canon's Cinema RAW Development software, in November 2014.
[TABLE="width: 500"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]EOS C500 / C500 PL Digital Camera
(Released Oct. 2012)[/TD]
[TD]EOS C300 / C300 PL Digital Camera
(Released Jan. 2012)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Canon's Cinema EOS System lineup of digital cinematography cameras and lenses has earned the praises of a wide range of progressive professionals working in the cinema and television production industries. The new firmware upgrades, which will deliver enhanced performance to effectively respond to the needs of various users, are being offered for the EOS C500 and EOS C300 camera models while the updated Cinema RAW Development software for 4K Cinema RAW footage is intended for the Cinema EOS C500.

Support for ITU-R BT.2020 next-generation broadcast standard color space (for EOS C500 and EOS C500 PL camera models)

Offering compliance with the ITU-R BT.2020 (Rec. 2020) color space employed in the 4K TV broadcasting tests carried out earlier this year in Japan, the firmware upgrade for the EOS C500 and EOS C500 PL camera models facilitates the capture of high-resolution video supporting the color space employed in the ITU-R BT.2020 next-generation broadcast standard. When used in combination2 with Canon's DP-V3010 professional 4K reference display (released in January 2014), the system effectively responds to input and output needs within the realms of next-generation motion-picture production and broadcasting.

Enhanced Cinema RAW Development functionality (for EOS C500 and EOS C500 PL camera models)

The upgraded Cinema RAW Development software features the addition of 3D-LUT for converting from Cinema Gamut/DCI-P3+ to such highly versatile color space standards as ITU-R BT.709 (Rec. 709) and DCI-P3, enabling efficient video editing while maintaining low-chroma color reproduction and high-chroma color gradation. Additionally, support for EDLs (edit decision lists)3 enables only necessary time code-designated segments to be converted to the DPX and ProRes formats suitable for editing, effectively doing away with the need to process unnecessary files. Also, when using a PC equipped with Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics, Cinema RAW Development 1.3 makes it possible for faster development of 4K Cinema RAW data.4

Improved operability when setting color temperature of white balance (for EOS C500 and EOS C300 camera models)

The new firmware upgrades contribute to improved operability by allowing users to easily set color temperature values using the camera's FUNC button.
Canon plans to exhibit products supporting the ITU-R BT.2020 color space at the company's booth during the IBC2014 broadcast technology tradeshow, to be held in the Netherlands, September 12-16, 2014.

 

[anatusa]

so nothing special for c300? i am in the process of ordering extra extended 2 y warranty.... and really hope canon will come up with some hardware upgrade.... in the future...

 

[lightstrum]

C100/300 will never be 4k. The monitor to let the c500 take advantage of the new colorspace is $40,000.

 

[Curnsie]

so nothing special for c300?

***Sarcasm alert*** You call being able to change the colour temp nothing special!! How dare you. Canon have put all their muscle behind this update!!

Meanwhile Sony tease us with the release of something special on September 12th. Maybe canon will surprise us next week also...

 

[Matt Turner]

***Sarcasm alert***

It's a 3 year old camera, I don't think there's going to be anything earth shattering released for it ever again.

 

[Sonny Bill Williams]

I reckon they 'could' implement 4K in the C300 but for now they are being jerks as usual.

 

[Curnsie]

I reckon they 'could' implement 4K in the C300 but for now they are being jerks as usual.

4k across the board will only come in new cameras - they're a business and so it makes sense to release a new range of cameras rather than upgrade existing ones.

 

[Michel]

a paid 4k upgrade would make even more sense.
All the profit at almost no cost for canon.
This way they keep the curent product line fresh and alive

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

a paid 4k upgrade would make even more sense.
All the profit at almost no cost for canon.
This way they keep the curent product line fresh and alive

Not going to happen.

The media would have to be C-fast or better to keep up with quality 4k recording.

It also makes no business sense for Canon to do so.

 

[Andrius Simutis]

So, no free 4k upgrade for my C100? no raw mode? no free gold plating? Canon is so over! /end petulant teenager mode
It's always nice to see Canon supporting us customers after purchase like this, but let's be realistic about what we should expect, or even what's possible. They were great cameras when we bought them, and I don't think anyone bought one with the expectation that Canon was magically going to improve it after the purchase, yet...we got DPAF (albeit for $500) and a few other goodies too. I have no complaints!

 

[indiawilds]

a paid 4k upgrade would make even more sense.
All the profit at almost no cost for canon.
This way they keep the curent product line fresh and alive

Unless Canon makes more money from upgrades ie charge an amount 1) which would be acceptable for all the C300 owners to upgrade immediately and 2) which results in more overall profits 3) which is also exciting enough for new customers to buy it as a new product with 4k capability. This has to also take into account the logistics, hardware, software and time required to do the surgery on the camera.

Canon has the Dual Pixel AF upgrade data ie number of upgrades vs the total number of C300s already sold so they can do the number crunching and know if the idea is practical. There are many questions. For example if you paid 500 usd for the DPAF, so will you pay 3k USD for the 4k upgrade? Or will you happily go and buy a GH4 or some such camera? Will such an offer require Canon to spend a lot in marketing it?

Personally I would be fine if it would be possible for Canon to gives us the Arri Amira like open gate software uprez. In my world, there are many producers who don't understand any tech and ask for 4k because some assistant has told them. The uprez in camera would be perfect for many.

 

[John Foundas]

***Sarcasm alert*** You call being able to change the colour temp nothing special!! How dare you. Canon have put all their muscle behind this update!!

Meanwhile Sony tease us with the release of something special on September 12th. Maybe canon will surprise us next week also...

No 1080/60 fps is a damn travesty. Make it happen Canon!

 

[Erik Naso]

I think Canon has another issue. Mirrorless. They need to move forward from the DSLR, but I don't see them with a mirrorless camera this year. I don't see a 4K hybrid either. This space is strong now with the GH4 and A7s.

Dont expect a upgrade to the C100 or C300 via firmware for 4K or frame rates. It isnt going to happen and holding out for it is only going to make you crazy. I can see how this thinking works. It has a 4K sensor so why cant they unleash it. The bottom line is the processor and the media that the cameras use.

New Canon cameras will come and I believe they will be 4K. The industry wants 4K to sell TV's and Canon is part of it. If they choose to stay in the HD world until late 1015 that would be a huge mistake. Sony has been relentless this year with new cameras and have yet another one coming on Sept 12th.

This all reminds me of when I had a AF-100. We all wanted a tricked out AF-200 but got a lame AF-100a instead and I was gone. Many others did the same and moved to FS100, FS700 or C100.

Canon isn't first but they usually are pretty solid when they get in. I hope it isn't game over but Panasonic proved that it could be.

Thats my $0.02

 

[Spartacus]

No 1080/60 fps is a damn travesty. Make it happen Canon!

+1

That´s one of the only realistic updates Canon could (and should) bring to the the little Cs, IMHO.
I´m totally fine with not getting 4K, since C100/300 users have been enjoying great looking 4k to HD downsampling from the beginning and they have been offering us a 4K camera side two years ago...
Another thing could be a codec upgrade: XAVC-S or Canon cooks up sth of their own at 100Mbps. But that would probably only hit the C300.
Or, how about RAW anyone?
ML did it, so it probably is possible.
All nice ways to say Thank you! to your customers and keep them happy until NAB (or even later), when they come up with new machines.
But what do I know...

 

[Curnsie]

+1

That´s one of the only realistic updates Canon could (and should) bring to the the little Cs, IMHO.
I´m totally fine with not getting 4K, since C100/300 users have been enjoying great looking 4k to HD downsampling from the beginning and they have been offering us a 4K camera side two years ago...
Another thing could be a codec upgrade: XAVC-S or Canon cooks up sth of their own at 100Mbps. But that would probably only hit the C300.
Or, how about RAW anyone?
ML did it, so it probably is possible.
All nice ways to say Thank you! to your customers and keep them happy until NAB (or even later), when they come up with new machines.
But what do I know...

A 1080 50/60p firmware upgrade would be amazing. I might even pay for it!

 

[8string]

I would pay for a 60p upgrade. Absolutely. And I think Erik is absolutely correct. It is very unlikely Canon will offer much of an upgrade for the C100. It is what it is. But I personally have no need for 4k at this point. No customers in this neck of the woods care yet.

 

[anatusa]

I would pay for a 60p upgrade. Absolutely. And I think Erik is absolutely correct. It is very unlikely Canon will offer much of an upgrade for the C100. It is what it is. But I personally have no need for 4k at this point. No customers in this neck of the woods care yet.

+1. f... the 4k, give us payed upgrade to 60p! some kind of 10 bit out or in .... would be great as well! 10bit does not need to be uncompressed.... there are 10 bit compressed codecs as far as i understand, means even current CF cards can deal with it, current sandisk cards give us 160MB/s

so canon plz, dont give us a new body, find a way to add new or extra hardware in current bodies !!!