got this from Panny this morning after acquiring camera Fri.
Makes no mention of using SD card for upgrade, rather tethering USB cable to computer. Not firewire. Sounds scary.
Who's going first?



AG-HPX500P

[Release note]
Version: 1.06-00-0.00
This version avoids wrong time stamp folder.

Formatting 16GB P2 card with the camera may create folders with wrong
time stamp and generate an error on a certain non-linear editing system.
Clips themselves still keep the correct time and data and can be handled
properly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

[How to update your product]
Please login to P2 Asset Support System and click "Download P2 Status
Logger" link.

<P2 Asset Support System>
https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/p2ui/Login.do

The process works just fine. It took about 30 minutes.

USB is only used to retrieve firmware version and operation hours.

The downloaded firmware is loaded onto an SD card, and the camera takes it from there (unconnected to the computer).

Download the instructions via PDF on the download page right next to the firmware link.

Go slow, read the instructions several times. Also, you'll need a way to attach an SD card to your computer (not the camera). This is for transferring the firmware from your computer to the SD card. The USB connection does not allow you to see the SD card (at least on a PC), only the P2 cards.

Good luck.