new ex1 firmware out

Piotr Wozniacki · August 26th, 2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ola Christoffersson

But doesn't the silver support include firmware upgrades? My camera is in for upgrade and some other fixes right now. Surely they are not going to charge for it?!

Yes it does, but I've heard of at least one customer who got his camera back recently with the fw upgraded to... 1.05!

Brent Ethington · August 26th, 2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

Yes it does, but I've heard of at least one customer who got his camera back recently with the fw upgraded to... 1.05!

I'd like to think that this was a timing issue in the US - they either haven't released it, or they haven't communicated it to all the techs (I assume the former). If you ask for a firmware update in the next 2-3 weeks, it might be 1.11. still, I was a bit disappointed that Sony considers 1.05 the currently available firmware version...

Greg Boston · August 26th, 2008, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barry J. Anwender

There is some evidence of this on the Abel CineTech EX1/3 pages. There you will find "Software Downloads" in the Resources pane. Follow through and you arrive at an official Sony US site with firmware updates available for download but us mere mortals. The "XDCAM: Downloads" header reveals firmware updates for the F300 and 700 series Camcorders.

So clearly user firmware updates on Sony XDCAM are in the public domain, downloadable from a credible Sony US web site. Obviously, the infrastructure is in place. We can only hope that Sony will feel inspired enough to add the downloadable firmware updates for XDCAM EX1/3 Camcorders ... in response to customer needs.

Yes, the F300 series cameras are upgradable by the end user, and to date, those updates have been free of charge. As I stated earlier, (and what I am hoping for as well because I think it's the right thing to do), is that Sony will offer no charge updates for the EX series.

-gb-

Paul Kendal · August 26th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Boston

Yes, the F300 series cameras are upgradable by the end user, and to date, those updates have been free of charge. As I stated earlier, (and what I am hoping for as well because I think it's the right thing to do), is that Sony will offer no charge updates for the EX series.

-gb-

Sony should offer these firmware upgrades for free since they are REQUIRED in order to use the PHU-60K hard drive recorder and the new larger 32GB memory cards!

Craig Seeman · August 26th, 2008, 11:30 PM

At the very LEAST allow them through local authorized service centers.

When you consider cost of firmware update, shipping, insurance on shipping, days of downtime, you can be talking about a 4 digit expense for some of us!

Please tell me you don't think that is "reasonable."

Steve Cahill · August 27th, 2008, 03:16 AM

I believe the whole industry is confused as to what to do with software upgrades. Just to bring my car in to the dealer they charge to hook-it up to the computer to do a diagnostic. Sony lets the user upgrade yes their 350 cameras but not the EX1.

It was interesting to see the Sony's Korean site offered the software, hey they beat the EU Sony site to the punch! Even if it was a mistake, but it illustrates a good point, one that makes me say over again; "I just hope the Sony's of the world will get their act and branding together and present one site to the customer for their broadcast products".

Graeme Fullick · August 27th, 2008, 04:43 AM

Just confirmed with Sony Australia - updates to 1.11 here are free. Will be sending my camera in for the full facial next week including new boards for battery drain, new case covers with the improved coating on them (so the writing does not rub off) and of course the version 1.11 firmware - all under warranty as should be the case.

Sebastien Thomas · August 27th, 2008, 07:13 AM

Just called Sony support for the back focus problem (which I had slightly since the begining) and also asked them to upgrade the firmware. The guy on the phone said "yes, you want the 32Gb card support, I understand".
So, no problem for a free upgrade. If they want you to pay, mess with the back-focus and ask for a back-focus repair :)

On the other side, I need the camera for the 07/09. Do you think I will get it in time if I send it back on friday the 29/08 ?

Thanks.

Oyvind Stokkan · August 27th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Why don't you just upgrade with the file from the korean site?

The 1.05 software is also available from the site, if something were to go wrong.

I'll do it tonight and post my results. Please pray for my EX1 :)

Piotr Wozniacki · August 27th, 2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oyvind Stokkan

Why don't you just upgrade with the file from the korean site?

The 1.05 software is also available from the site, if something were to go wrong.

I'll do it tonight and post my results. Please pray for my EX1 :)

BTW, does anyone know for sure the 1.11 is cumulative? The question is: does one need the 1.05 fw version to use it, or will it work (and be safe) with 1.02 or 1.03 as well?

Barry J. Anwender · August 27th, 2008, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr Wozniacki

BTW, does anyone know for sure the 1.11 is cumulative? The question is: does one need the 1.05 fw version to use it, or will it work (and be safe) with 1.02 or 1.03 as well?

I've been asking myself the same question. I've been over the documentation and instructions twice and their is no mention of it. The file sizes are also nearly the same for both versions and very small for a camera of this complexity. So who knows?

Sebastien Thomas · August 27th, 2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oyvind Stokkan

Why don't you just upgrade with the file from the korean site?

The 1.05 software is also available from the site, if something were to go wrong.

I'll do it tonight and post my results. Please pray for my EX1 :)

Please report :)
Here is a blessing for you.

I've been through the thread but can't find a link to this site. Can you past it here please ?

Thanks.

Craig Seeman · August 27th, 2008, 08:38 AM

For me the concern is not the cost of the upgrade. It's the other costs. The cost of shipping, insurance and downtime are far greater than the cost of the upgrade itself. I'd gladly pay the cost of the upgrade if I could drive to an authorized Sony service center rather than ship the camera 3000 miles to San Jose, CA USA and wait for 10 days including shipping time their and back for the 15 actual minutes it takes for the upgrade.

Attila Cser · August 27th, 2008, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebastien Thomas

On the other side, I need the camera for the 07/09. Do you think I will get it in time if I send it back on friday the 29/08 ?

Thanks.

As far as I know the Sony repair centre where EX1 is fixed located in France ( in Europe)
at least that was where the box came from when I sent mine in June.
The Silver Support also gives you a camera if the process takes more than 7 working days.
( I got one in June)
So if you need the firmware now, go ahead

Atti

Attila Cser · August 27th, 2008, 10:08 AM

*Older PMW-EX1 models can be upgraded to the new firmware for free thanks to Silver Support which is supplied as standard with all XDCAM EX Camcorders sold by Sony Specialist Dealers in the mainland EU, Norway and Switzerland.

Registered Silver Support users should allow approximately five days for pick-up, upgrade and delivery of your camcorder. Please note this upgrade is only free from September 1st until November 30th 2008, after which it will become a chargeable service.

Sony : New PMW-EX1 firmware available now : United Kingdom

August 27th, 2008, 03:16 AM	#36
Steve Cahill Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 321	I believe the whole industry is confused as to what to do with software upgrades. Just to bring my car in to the dealer they charge to hook-it up to the computer to do a diagnostic. Sony lets the user upgrade yes their 350 cameras but not the EX1. It was interesting to see the Sony's Korean site offered the software, hey they beat the EU Sony site to the punch! Even if it was a mistake, but it illustrates a good point, one that makes me say over again; "I just hope the Sony's of the world will get their act and branding together and present one site to the customer for their broadcast products". __________________ Regards Steve

August 27th, 2008, 04:43 AM	#37
Graeme Fullick Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 337	Just confirmed with Sony Australia - updates to 1.11 here are free. Will be sending my camera in for the full facial next week including new boards for battery drain, new case covers with the improved coating on them (so the writing does not rub off) and of course the version 1.11 firmware - all under warranty as should be the case. __________________ Graeme

August 27th, 2008, 07:13 AM	#38
Sebastien Thomas Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Paris, France Posts: 210	Just called Sony support for the back focus problem (which I had slightly since the begining) and also asked them to upgrade the firmware. The guy on the phone said "yes, you want the 32Gb card support, I understand". So, no problem for a free upgrade. If they want you to pay, mess with the back-focus and ask for a back-focus repair :) On the other side, I need the camera for the 07/09. Do you think I will get it in time if I send it back on friday the 29/08 ? Thanks. __________________ DoP, Video/Camera assistant http://www.lecentre.net/blog

August 27th, 2008, 08:20 AM	#39
Oyvind Stokkan Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grimstad, Norway Posts: 112	Why don't you just upgrade with the file from the korean site? The 1.05 software is also available from the site, if something were to go wrong. I'll do it tonight and post my results. Please pray for my EX1 :) __________________ PMW-EX1 and Letus Extreme user www.oyvindstokkan.no

August 27th, 2008, 10:08 AM	#45
Attila Cser Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Helsinki-Finland Posts: 65	*Older PMW-EX1 models can be upgraded to the new firmware for free thanks to Silver Support which is supplied as standard with all XDCAM EX Camcorders sold by Sony Specialist Dealers in the mainland EU, Norway and Switzerland. Registered Silver Support users should allow approximately five days for pick-up, upgrade and delivery of your camcorder. Please note this upgrade is only free from September 1st until November 30th 2008, after which it will become a chargeable service. Sony : New PMW-EX1 firmware available now : United Kingdom __________________ Atti

August 26th, 2008, 11:30 PM	#35
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	At the very LEAST allow them through local authorized service centers. When you consider cost of firmware update, shipping, insurance on shipping, days of downtime, you can be talking about a 4 digit expense for some of us! Please tell me you don't think that is "reasonable."

August 27th, 2008, 08:38 AM	#43
Craig Seeman Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA Posts: 3,841	For me the concern is not the cost of the upgrade. It's the other costs. The cost of shipping, insurance and downtime are far greater than the cost of the upgrade itself. I'd gladly pay the cost of the upgrade if I could drive to an authorized Sony service center rather than ship the camera 3000 miles to San Jose, CA USA and wait for 10 days including shipping time their and back for the 15 actual minutes it takes for the upgrade.