Greetings - has anyone successfully downloaded firmware upgrades for Sony EX3 - if they are available online somewhere (?). Just talked with Sony Tech - they want $ 280 (plus shipping the camera) to install latest firmware upgrade. I have version 1.2 on my camera.

Appreciate any info/help on someone who has been successful in this - or am I just screwed and need to send camera in ?

Thanks ---

russgutshall@hotmail.com

Has the price gone up?
I was told $130 for my EX1 but that was many months back and I haven't taken care of it yet.

I think a number of people have done it successfully but there's the occasional (supposedly rare) report of bricking the camera followed by a $3000 repair bill.

Hi Craig -- Sony Tech guy stated today it was two (2) hour job at $ 135 per hour. Of course shipping on top of that - so roughly $ 300 plus.

Do you (or anyone else in forum ?) know of anyone who had tried to upgrade too many versions of software (going from 1.05 version to 1.5 version - and fried camera or "failed to load" upgrade version because they were "leaping" over too many upgrade versions at a time ?

Is upgrade version found at normal Sony software site ?

Anybody out there got any more advice ? Thanks !

Unless something changed in their procedure it's not a two hour job. In fact the first time Sony did my EX1 firmware upgrade (to version 1.11) they botched it and I drove back (I'm only about 30 minutes from their NJ location) and it took them roughly 15 minutes while I waited.

Sony USA firmware upgrade download
Sony | Micro Site XDCAM EX (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-xdcamex-downloads-XDCAMEXFirmwareUpgrade.shtml)

Greetings - has anyone successfully downloaded firmware upgrades for Sony EX3 - if they are available online somewhere (?). I have version 1.2 on my camera.
russgutshall@hotmail.com

I expect that you have the original firmware version 1.02 that came with the EX3. A quick EX3 search on these forums will provide you with lots of evidence that many here have done the upgrade at home with success. You can start with this thread:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdcam-ex-cinealta/474251-xdcam-ex-firmware-updates-available.html

I upgrade my own without a problem.

Gary

I did my EX1 and EX3 without any problems.

Hi Alister -- thanks for reply. Have you "jumped" from version updates - like from 1.02 to 1.5 - without issue ? I read somewhere on this forum that someone jumped over update versions and bricked their camera - having to send it in for major dollar work. I have software version 1.2 presently.

Are you aware of any links or threads that show exact directions of how to download yourself ? Thanks for input.

Russ

Make sure to pick the right camera, read all the 'read me' files, and print out the instructions ahead of time.
During the firmware upgrade the camera will appear 'dead' at times, but don't panic -- it just takes time.
Also make sure everything is running on AC with battery backup (and UPS supplies) in case of a power outage.
Just did my EX1 so I could take the G1A 32/64GB cards, and it took longer than I expected, so don't rush.
And definitely pay attention to which versions you can update from.

Sony | Micro Site XDCAM EX (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-xdcamex-downloads-XDCAMEXFirmwareUpgrade.shtml)

I went straight from 1.02 to 1.5 without issue.

where can i download the 1.5 for EX3?? i went to the sony site and only link available is to the version 1.16 for the EX3. Sony | Cameras - Broadcast & Production | XDCAM (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-broadcastcameras/cat-xdcam/resource.downloads.bbsccms-assets-micro-xdcamex-downloads-XDCAMEXFirmwareUpgrade.shtml)

holy i just check my version and it 1.02_00078 this is so classic.

Has the price gone up?
I was told $130 for my EX1 but that was many months back and I haven't taken care of it yet.

I think a number of people have done it successfully but there's the occasional (supposedly rare) report of bricking the camera followed by a $3000 repair bill.

I tried myself a few weeks ago.
froze....
took it to Sony Coquitlam BC
repaired and upgraded to 1.26 (i think) for $100
Also checked camera and reset flangeback
All in under 24 hours return time too

i called Sony today because on the download page it said if your version is 1.05 or below you have to send in to sony to replace the chip. They said it will cost $270 to update the firmware that does not include shipping. my ex3 is only 8hour of on time and i have not record more than 3 minute been have it for more than 2 years. it just too good that i'm afraid to put time on it.

Thanh,

Replace a chip?! First I have ever heard of that. Many people here have upgraded their cameras from below 1.05 to 1.15 without issue or any kind of hardware upgrade.

Maybe there is additional functionality brought to the early EX3's but I would get a second opinion from Sony on this.

well i ask that i want to update the firmware. they said that version that i have in my camera now have to send it in for them to do it. The benifit of the new firmware is able to recorder more than 16gb capacity. Which mean i can not use the SxS card that are 32gb i can not prove this because i dont have any 32gb card i only have the 8gb. They said it need to replace the chip that all i know.

Does anybody have a working link to the latest firmware. All the links I try are dead ends with bad files.

Les here is the Sony Canada e-Support site link:
Sony of Canada: E-Support (http://support.sonybiz.ca/esupport/Navigation.do?filetype=Software)
Cheers!

Thanks for the link Barry, but it does not list the 1.5 version. Oh well, I have no problems with my camera anyway...