Flash XDR Next Firmware Release?
 

Hi Dan:
When's the next firmware release for the Flash XDR ? We're currently @ 1.5.55.

Dear Mark,

I do not have a good estimate, but my best guess is next week.

We have been testing the release and found some problems that we need to fix.

I will attempt to learn more tomorrow.

Your 1.5.55 is the same as the current nanoFlash production version 1.5.126.

Hi Mark-
We have not forgotten our Flash XDR users. We're debugging a number of issues on the nanoFlash now, but almost ever improvement will port directly over to the Flash XDR. We'll try to get an XDR update out as soon as the new nano beta is released.

Best-

Thanks Mike :-)
 

Hi Mike:
OK. Thank you for the acknowledgement. I am glad to learn you haven't forgotten us XDR users. I look forward with anticipation to the new release :-)

Now That Firmware Fix is Out for Nano
 

Hi Mike:
Perhaps now that you have released a successful firmware update for the Nano, we XDR users will be receiving out firmware update ?

Hi Mark-
Yes, this should be finished shortly. We are continuing to test the nanoFlash code first. The test list is unbelievable long, especially when you consider all the video formats, bit-rates, CODECs, file formats, record modes (over/under-crank, time-lapse, pull-down removal), inputs (SDI, HDMI, analog audio), A/V sync, timecode sync, time-code sources, trigger sources (embedded, remote, etc), and so on and so forth.

Best-

Your Recorder Compared to Mine
 

...Hi Mike:
Our Recorder will only do 3 things very well we hope. Record uncompressed, record compressed, and do time lapse. You folks are light years ahead of my little project. My recorder is half the size of a Nano btw, but now some other company has a little Mp4 recorder - but it cost $10,000.00 !!

Hi Mark-
Half the size of the nanoFlash...I am impressed! It took me many months to cram everything inside the nanoFlash box.

What if it actually worked ?
 

Hi Mike: I think you would be even more impressed if it actually worked ! So would we ;-)

Are there any reports on the latest XDR firmware? The forums have been kind of quiet for XDR firmware updates. I'm still running a very old firmware and I'm curious if the new update is successful.

Awaiting comments....

Dear Aaron,

We hope to have a Flash XDR firmware release next week.

You may wonder why there have been more nanoFlash releases than Flash XDR releases.

We have to striving to achieve "Rock Solid" reliability.

In order to get what may be the last of our reliability problems (time will tell), we were using literally hundreds of nanoFlashes to test our firmware.

We had quite a few nanoFlashes in our labs running tests, and we had around 50 nanoFlashes at a time running tests while the nanoFlashes were being heat cycled.

These 50 nanoFlashes would be replaced by another set of 50. Every single error was analyzed, then if it was related to a hardware timing issue, we kept working on the firmware until even these marginal units would work with our firmware.

What is not obvious, is that we do not have 70 or so Flash XDR's in stock to perform these exhaustive tests. Thus we were using nanoFlashes.

As soon as we finish the firmware testing on the Flash XDR's, we will release the new firmware.

We firmly believe that this exhaustive testing, attempting to find every problem, no matter how elusive, has paid off.

We have not had any reports of "Interrmittent Source" or "File Corruption" or any similar problems.

We are aware of some tweaks that we need to do concerning timecode, but these do not affect the reliability of the unit.

To be perfectly clear: If you have a nanoFlash, we wish for you to upgrade to 1.6.29.

Hi Dan. I'm very encourage to hear the exhaustive testing that is happening with the CD boxes. I'll standby and wait for a rock solid release of new XDR firmware.

Using A to Test B (????)
 

Hi Dan:
Yes indeed, it has been awhile since we XDR users have had a new firmware upgrade. I'm sorry, but I don't understand how testing on Nano Flashes will insure "rock solid" firmware upgrades running on another product (Flash XDR) ? I understand the software is similar between both models, however, my greatest concerns do not reside in the addition of new features, (Although new features are welcomed and appreciated) rather, in bug fixes and malfunction corrections. I'm not sure sure I understand how you can test for those by using a different model of recorder, since some malfunctions could be model specific.
Or are you saying the software running on the Nano Flash is not simular, but *Identical* to the software running on the Flash XDR. (??)

Dear Mark,

The code base for the nanoFlash and the Flash XDR are one, in fact they are identical.

The difference lies in the physical hardware differences between the two units, so we use conditional statements in the code to select the particular sections of code which must be different between the two devices.

Nano & XDR Code is Identical
 

Hi Dan:
OK. Understood. Since we're dealing with *Identical code,* then the CD QC tests using Nano Flashes should work well. It wasn't clear to me that the code shared between the two different SSDR's was identical.

Intermittent Video Source problem in XDR
 

I am having an Intermittent Video Source problem with the XDR connected to an original XL-H1 while running the latest firmware. I note the new Nano software addresses this problem. I am doing a major shoot next Monday and am wondering if the XDR upgrade will be ready before then (fingers crossed!)

Once again let me express my appreciation for the way in which you are constantly upgrading the firmware without cost to your customers.

Next XDR Firmware Release Soon ?
 

Hi Dan:
I have a big dollar industrial video shoot this coming Friday, and I was wondering if we will have the latest firmware release for the XDR before our shoot on Friday ? I would like to naturally take a day and test the latest firmware to make sure it's OK BEFORE I go out on a dollar shoot with it. Please advise.

Dear Mark,

At this time, I do not when if we can meet your deadline or not.

Where is our Flash XDR Latest Firmware Release ?
 

...Uhhh - yeah. Well, I am starting to become concerned that it's all over for us Mike, since us XDR users have watched all the firmware attention pass by us for the Nano Flash, but nothing for us XDR users. So what's up with the latest firmware release Mike ? Where is it ? Is there something wrong ? Is there nothing more we XDR users can look forward to ? Your last word quoted above was issued six weeks ago ! Please advise.

Dear Mark,

We re-wrote the code that interfaces with the CompactFlash cards.

We have to re-write the same interface for the Flash XDR.

Any timeframe for update?
 

Good to hear you are working on it - any idea when the firmware update might be available?

Still no upgrade!
 

Hi Dan

This was several weeks ago! Any idea when we can expect the next firmware upgrade to at least bring the XDR in line with the Nano?

It's been awhile now
 

Hi Nic:
Yeah, I've begun to seriously wonder if we're going to get anymore firmware releases for the XDR at all. As an XDR user, I'm feeling pretty much like the unwanted step son of the family (Or the crazy Uncle ;-) )

Dear Mark and Nic,

We will be updating the Flash XDR firmware.

Our project to update the Flash XDR firmware has been delayed by some rush projects that we have not discussed on this forum.

It seems it's been a really long time since the XDR users got any kind of firmware update. I'm anxious to test out the new release so I'll be patiently waiting for it, along with the rest of the XDR users.

Am I the only Flash XDR user who feels cheated? I spent 6000 USD not that long ago on a device that was supposed to be a flagship. How can it be that such an expensive device is left out neglected with all of us just being ignored?

Dear Ofer, Aaron, and Mark,

I know that it has been a long time since we updated the Flash XDR firmware.

I hope you will take into consideration the magnitude of the project.

The nanoFlash has one FPGA. The Flash XDR has two.

For version 1.6.29, for the nanoFlash, we completely rewrote the code handling the CompactFlash cards.

This interface is quite complicated.

Since the Flash XDR has two FPGA's, one which comunicates with two CompactFlash cards, and a secord one to communicate with the other two, the project to update the code is more complex.

Once we get this part of the project finished, then we should be back on track updating both products at about the same time.

Time will tell
 

Hi Dan:
Let us hope that after all this time, the updates, bug fixes, features, and changes to the XDR will be significant and well worth the wait. The longer it takes, the higher my expectations.

The Silent Majority Doesn't Bother to Post !
 

Hi Ofer:
Don't worry Ofer, if you look to the far Right side of this thread title, you will see the number of views has reached 1,486 ! Those views are not all us Ofer. Unfortunately the grand majority of Flash XDR owners do not make regular posts on this forum, so we don't know for sure exactly what they think about the firmware update situation, or anything else, but you can be sure they are *Lurking* around comfortable to let us run interference for them ;-) Their lack of posts have created a false sense of the true number of ownership of the Flash XDR product. Although I do not believe Flash XDR's have sold in the quantities that the Nano Flash has, there is certainly more than 100 units out there !

Will the XDR firmware update EVER HAPPEN?
 

I am starting to seriously doubt this. Please surprise me with an update, not more promises!!!!!!

Trying to be patient
 

Hey Nic: I feel you ! I'm trying very hard to be patient.

XDR Firmware Update When ?
 

Dear Dan:
Could we XDR users please get an update on a (possible ?) firmware release ?

Dear Mark,

Yes.

1. The next Flash XDR release is currently going through quality control testing.

2. We will release it as soon as possible.

3. It has been in-test for some time now and if we do not find any problems we expect to release it this week.

4. It is our goal to release this Flash XDR release prior to the next nanoFlash release.

5. We are also testing a new nanoFlash release simultaneously.

If we find a problem with the Flash XDR release that is not in the nanoFlash release, then the nanoFlash release may be posted first.

6. This next Flash XDR release will bring the Flash XDR up to the same feature level as the nanoFlash, taking into consideration the hardware differences between the two units.

Thank You
 

Dear Dan:
OK. Thanks for the update. I will be looking forward to this release.

Any news on XDR firmware release?

Dear John,

We have held this up for a short while to include some more features.

We have been working on supporting Canon's XF cameras. This is the major project that we have not discussed before.

With the new release, one can record a CompactFlash card in one of the new Canon's cameras and play it out via the Flash XDR or nanoFlash.

The nanoFlash or Flash XDR can be used as the deck for the new Canon's cameras.

We are finishing up "Hot Swapping" for both the nanoFlash and Flash XDR.

And we are adding configuration files (profiles).

We have added Image Flip (Vertical), Image Flop (Horizontal) and Image Flip+Image Flop.

And, of course, the Flash XDR firmware has been brought up to the level of the nanoFlash.


The code is looking real good and our current plans are to release this code next Friday, October 1, 2010.

Very nice, Dan!

How about the Power Save mode?

Dear Piotr,

Sorry, but no, not yet.

Thanks Dan for the update on the XDR.

I can only imagine the headaches of deciding when to release a firmware update/upgrade.

... "ok, we're good to go - wait, looks like feature xxx is solid - maybe we should wait with releasing the firmware and include feature xxx .... wait, maybe we can synch the nano and xdr firmware releases again .... wait, we need to be sure we run the battery of testing one more time ... etc,etc"

Thanks for keeping the XDR firmware in the loop.

And bring back the XDR as an available model - definitely has it's advantages. With the large new CF cards, who needs hot swapping with a 4 slot XDR ; > } just a joke - don't flame me

I'm Looking Forward to this Firmware Update
 

Hi Dan:
I am so looking forward to this new update ! I agree with John, but I'm actually serious ;-) !