Next XDR/nano Firmware Release Preview
 

Here's a quick summary of the major features and fixes we have planned for the new firmware release (scheduled sometime in the next 2-3 weeks):

1) 10-40% improvement in CF card write speeds (most cards will bump up one notch in bit-rate performance)
2) New MXF file format to support XDCAM Optical media and drives
3) Add 18 Mbps rate to QT/MXF for proxy recording
4) Add Record Duration time: HH:MM:SS (great for time lapse)
5) Add LTC Jam-Sync
6) Add pull-down removal on HDMI
7) Add 2Master mode: create two identical CF cards during record: one for director/one for editor or maybe one for editor and one for safe keeping, etc.
8) Add 4X fast-forward (and possibly 6x)
9) Correct audio latency on headphone output (when audio is embedded)
10) Correct HDMI color levels, SD-SDI locking issues
11) Qualify Photofast 32/64GB CF cards
12) Fix A/V sync issues on some tape-based cameras

Naturally, this will take a considerable amount of time to test and re-test, so the exact release date is a little tenuous at this point.

Best-

Thanks Mike,

So good to see you and your brilliant team keep on developing the nano/XDR.

Any news as to when hot swapping of cards might be implemented? Although with the new 64Gb cards, it might be a rarity. Still, a good thing to have, especially if you have to offload the clips urgently.

Convergent Design = C.D.= CAN DO... Just a thought

Hi Godfrey-
I like it...actually I like it a lot!

Cheers-

Hi David-
Hot swap is still on the list, but, as you suggested, it has moved out a bit due to the availability of the 64Gb CF cards.

After this next release, we plan to add over/undercrank and a complete revamp of the user menu with the addition of user profiles that can be defined on a PC/MAC and uploaded into the nano/XDR. So you can set a profile for nature shoots, time-lapse, TV production, etc and upload into the box for instant recall. We will also be adding metadata support. You will be able to lock any menu item from changes.

Best-

I'm relieved to see someone besides me asked first this month. :)

Mike: Some of us have different uses for the nano than others. I regularly shoot shows that are hours long. I do have some comprehension of what's involved in a hot swapping update, though I don't know if it's the interface change that's holding you up or if it goes deeper than just requiring (nano) pre-formatted and qualified cards to be used when hot swapping. Maybe the nano just doesn't have time to mount the new card and pre-read its directory without dropping frames in the other card?

Any hope for a little more of your insight as to what the story is (and a realistic guess about availability)?

Billy

ps My grousing not withstanding, excellent job with this months updates!

This will be extremely helpful. especially the mxf support for when you record as mxf and then discover the client will want to edit on final cut pro

Hot Swap on nano/XDR
 

Hi David, Billy-
OK, I get the message. Hot swap has been delayed due to lack of engineering resources (we have been a little busy lately). I'll speak to our engineers and ask if we can make this part of the early December release.

Best-

God Bless America.

Customer service isn't dead.

Hurray for More Fixes & Features ! :-)
 

Hi Mike:
I thank you for being committed to continued updates full of fixes and new features :-) ! BTW, is it too late to get the file size ratio adjustment for time lapse sequences into this upcoming release ? Are there any updates or fixes which are specific to the XDR in this upcoming release Mike ?

My audio meters on XDR are feeling neglected.

XDR Audio Meters
 

Hi Aaron:
I wasn't aware there was a problem with the meters. (??) I noticed my meters were functional during my sit down interview shoots. What was CD supposed to fix there ?

Hi Mark. The meters are stop n go. Every few moments they drop to zero, even with constant sound. Unless they fixed it in a previous update and I missed it.

Last clip delete
 

All the updates sound great, however, I personally would like to see the "Last Clip Delete" feature introduced into the XDR/Nano ASAP. Saves a hell of a lot of space for long run and gun shoots and logging afterwards. Any idea of when this feature will become available?

Thanks

Dear Friends,

On Playback, our audio level meters, in playback, would drop to zero frequently, then resume.

We initially thought it was best to disable them, in playback, until we could devote the time to fixing the problem.

Meters ? Meters ?
 

Hi Dan:

You wrote: "Dear Friends,

On Playback, our audio level meters, in playback, would drop to zero frequently, then resume.

We initially thought it was best to disable them, in playback, until we could devote the time to fixing the problem. "

.....So this was not a problem in record then ? This malfunction is only limited to playback ? As long as the Record meter function is fully functioning and accurate, then our files should have good audio, but if the meters are screwed in Record, then this is a show stopper !

720p25/30 recording.
 

No hurry at all, but I would like to be able to record in 720p25.
The EX-1 do it.
720 is great when you go to SD, but recording p50/60 doesn't makes much sense when you go to finish in p25/30: Somewhere you have to discharge the half of your data.
Better to shoot p25/30 keeping all the data while improving the compression.
rafael

Hi Mark-
The audio level meters are fine in record mode, the meters are temporarily non-functional in playback mode (a fix is planned in a future release).

Best-

Hi Rafael-
720p30/25/24 is planned as part of over/under crank, which is scheduled for early Dec release.

Best-

Hi Mohammad-
I'll speak to our software engineers this week. It's really difficult to accuraetly determine how much engineering time is required to add a particular feature. Sometimes the planets align and everything just drops into place (time-lapse went much faster than expected). Other times we scratch our heads for weeks.

I don't think last clip delete is a big task, but since I don't write the software, I defer the final word to our engineers. I'll ask if we can make it part of this release.

Best-

....Oh. OK. Good :-) I shot two interviews with my XDR and I remember the meters working well during Record, but I never noticed what was happening in playback.