EX1 firmware upgrades at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony XDCAM EX Pro Handhelds

Sony XDCAM EX Pro Handhelds
Sony PXW-Z280, Z190, X180 etc. (going back to EX3 & EX1) recording to SxS flash memory.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 7th, 2009, 12:31 AM   #1
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 2,054
EX1 firmware upgrades

Just wanted to pass along a bit of info from the Sony repair station that I heard today.

Sony Hawaii sends the EX1 to a repair station on the Mainland for any firmware upgrades. The process is more than just uploading software into the camera. The camera also goes through a series of tests, and that test equipment isn't available here in Hawaii.

It's also the reason why there might be a fee to do the firmware upgrade, depending upon where you are and if you purchased any service support plans.

So while it might be possible to "homebrew" the process yourself, I personally would rather have it done by Sony. That way I'm absolved of any possible harm if something goes wrong. And I can be assured that it's being done under lab conditions. The camera is what I use to earn a living and I'd rather be certain my tools are working right.
__________________
Dean Sensui
Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing
Dean Sensui is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 7th, 2009, 09:03 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Posts: 3,841
Dean,

I'm not too far away from one of the two Sony service centers that do that. When I got my camera back from them, I discovered they did NOT do the firmware upgrade properly. Apparently their testing missed something (mine didn't though). We drove back and had them to the upgrade a second time.

I'm also an even shorter distance to a "third party" Sony Professional Authorized Service Center. They are NOT permitted to do the upgrade. They HAVE a full maintenance lab.

Sony does not want the firmware to fall into the "wrong" hands so they guard it closely. Basically the firmware could be modified to add additional features and I think they are trying to prevent hackers from doing such.
Craig Seeman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 7th, 2009, 01:18 PM   #3
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 1,891
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Sensui View Post
The process is more than just uploading software into the camera. The camera also goes through a series of tests, and that test equipment isn't available here in Hawaii.

It's also the reason why there might be a fee to do the firmware upgrade, depending upon where you are and if you purchased any service support plans.

So while it might be possible to "homebrew" the process yourself, I personally would rather have it done by Sony.
Your own reasons for sending the camera are logical and make good sense. But I do not agree that the main reason there is a fee is because of the added series of tests. I believe it is the other way around, that the series of tests were added so that there could be a fee.
Tom Roper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 7th, 2009, 07:32 PM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, UK
Posts: 84
I find this hard to believe. My camera was working fine. Went to Sony for the firmware upgrade. Came back with no ability to record audio. They clearly hadn't run any kind of test as part of doing the upgrade and I had to send it back again.
Ian Smith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old March 8th, 2009, 01:58 PM   #5
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 2,054
The quality of workmanship, and the attention to detail seems to vary from one location to the next.

I'm lucky that the service available here is good. One of the cameras was sent in previously for the paint and battery drain problem, and it came back working just fine. The firmware was upgraded to 1.04 or 1.05.

The only drawback to not having the firmware done locally is the longer turnaround time. The camera I just sent in isn't expected back for a week or so.
__________________
Dean Sensui
Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing
Dean Sensui is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Sony XAVC / XDCAM / NXCAM / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Sony XDCAM EX Pro Handhelds

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:10 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network