new firmware posted for nano3D, nanoFlash, Flash XDR, nanoFlash ASI
 

Hi,

New firmware has been posted for:

Flash XDR (beta) : 1.5.92 http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...XDR_1.5.92.zip

nanoFlash (beta) : 1.6.245 http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...sh_1.6.245.zip

nano3D: 1.6.246 http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...3D_1.6.246.zip

nanoFlash ASI: 1.6.239 http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...SI_1.6.239.zip

Updated documentation:

nanoFlash / nano3D User Manual: http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...ash_Manual.pdf

Flash XDR User Manual: http://www.convergent-design.com/Por...h_XDR_user.pdf


Enjoy!

Tommy Schell

Hi

Does this have the power save ?

Latest XDR Update Question
 

Hi Tommy:
BTW, very nice job on the updated PDF manual for the Flash XDR. Thank you for this. I am somewhat confused about the current 1.9.52 release notes, and I'm asking for some clarification please. You have mentioned the Record Tally Feature is "broken," and if users want to use this feature, then remain with the 1.9,51 firmware. However, the 1.5.91 firmware is also broken, so what is the difference between this firmware release and the last if this firmware is also broken ? I don't understand ? Can you explain ?

Thanks CD.

Dear Robin,

Yes.

The Power Save Feature is avaliable in this firmware version.

This feature was restored in our 1.6.226 Public Beta and remains active in this 1.6.245 version.

I am a little curious about your question.

Were you having problems with the Power Save Feature in 1.6.226?

As far as I know, we did not have anyone report problems with our Power Save Feature in 1.6.226.

Hi Dan

No I didnt try the beta 266.
So 245 is the official production version now?
I ask because it was a handy function.. and I missed it.. :)

Ah I see its still a beta version..

Thanks

Dear Robyn,

1.6.245 is a Public Beta, not at Production Level release yet.

After we get feedback from users who test this firmware, we expect to elevate it to Production Level as soon as possible.

We do extensive testing, but, we can not test with every camera and in every possible recording situation.

Thus, by releasing this as a Public Beta, we allow others to test it with their cameras.

It is very easy to install this new firmware for your tests, then re-install a Production Level release if you have a shoot.

Others have used 1.6.226 for productions. Thus, we expect this release to be promoted the Production Level soon.

ok thanks Dan

Hi Dan
I have just recieved a email with the update for the nano on i have extracted the file and sent it to a compact flash card, then put the card into the nano and it says unknown CF1 can you help please

Kind Regards
Ian

Dear Ian,

Please format the CompactFlash card in the nanoFlash. Use a qualified card.

Download the firmware.

Unzip the file, (usually not necessary on a Mac)

Copy the }UPD{ folder to the root directory of the card.

Thus, you should have

}CLP{
}UPD{
STT

Then without properly ejecting the card, just remove the card from the card reader.

The insert the card into your nanoFlash.

Then press OK to respond to the Update Firmware Message.

thanks Dan all sorted now

best wishes
Ian

Dear Ian,

Great, that is good news.

Thanks for letting us know.

Dear Dan,
During the update process to 1.6245 my Nanoflash erased the system and then during the programming cycle I received the this error message.

"CRC Missing update failed contact support"

Power was maintained during the upgrade process so it's not due loss of power.


Do you have any idea's on what has happened?

Many thanks

Dear Lance,

What CompactFlash card brand/type were you using for the update?

Was it one of our qualified cards?

You may download the update again, unzip the file (Mac users do not normally need to unzip files), then copy the }UPD{ folder to a CompactFlash card that was previously formatted in the nanoFlash.

Then power off your nanoFlash, then power it back on, then insert the card with update, then it should recognize the card as an update card, then press ok.

Hi Dan,

If you can remember with Firmware 1.6.226 the LED tally light on the remote control cable was flashing when I was recording.

I have now changed to the latest firmware (beta) 1.6.245 and the LED light does not flash, it stays constant red when recording.

I like the low power mode and the ability to Hotswap the CF cards. I couldn't be more pleased with the NF and so glad I bought it.

Thanks Dan and CD.

Dear Anthony,

Thank you.

Please note that the Tally Light will flash when the media gets low.

Dear Dan,
I have re installed the update using the same photoFast Gmonster 64gb card. I had two photoFast Gmonster 64gb cards installed in the NanoFlash and formatted the cards. I removed CF1 and copied the update file then reinstalled the card back into CF1 and applied power to the Nanoflash and the Nanoflash went into the update mode and again failed. It would appear that the error message was caused by leaving the second blank CF card in CF2.
When I removed the Card in CF2 the update process proceeded without problems.

Well that's a new one for me I have now discovered that the update's can not be performed with two CF cards installed.

Thanks Dan..

Dear Lance,

Thank you!

I always only used one CompactFlash card in the nanoFlash during the update process.

I never knew that having a second card may cause a problem.

We will test this in our lab.

I really appreciate you taking the time to let us know about the problem.

Extremely useful feature...

My bet, in the coming year is that a much greater proportion of the nanoFlash users will be utilizing these recorders with external monitors as these shallow depth of field video cameras may their way into the marketplace (e.g., AF-100/101, PMW-F3, NXCAM and whatever else surfaces in 2011).

Having said that, users will begin to see the benefit of "on screen" information from the nanoFlash. It would probably be a useful exercise to review the kind of key information that could be displayed on the video out from the nanoFlash for future firmware releases. Just throwin' it out there as a way to add more utility as the nanoFlash continues to position itself as a powerful production tool that trumps all the others in usefulness.

Dear Andrew,

I will keep your suggestion in mind.

I think the On-Screen Tally Bar is very useful.

We may be able to implement some other similiar features in the future.

We are very excited about the AF100 and F3.

These are two very nice cameras at two completely different price points.

It is certainly nice for people to have these wonderful cameras available.

Tally Light nanoFlash 1.6.226/1.6.245
 

Hello Anthony,

To answer your question the tally remote will react the same in both of the beta version's 1.6.226, and 1.6.245

We have changed the blinking to reflect Sony Camera's

Solid while Recording

Intermittent Blink Every 1/2 Second when you have ~5 Minutes Remaining

Intermittent Blink Every 1/4 Second when you have ~2 Minutes Remaining

Constant Blink If Error Occurred,

This will be the New standard for the remote for nanoFlash and nano3D

Best Regards

Hello Andy,

another very useful feature.

Thanks CD.

Flash XDR Firmware Beta Release NEXT
 

Hi Dan & Tommy:
Can you give us XDR users an idea as to when Record Tally E to E will be fixed with LTC Time Code Trigger function, please ?

Dear Mark,

I do not have a date for you at this time.

We know that the E to E direct is not working on the Flash XDR with the very latest firmware.

But, I know of no problem with LTC timecode trigger. Have you tested this and found that it is not work with the latest firmware.

TC Trigger with Record Tally
 

Hi Dan:
I was referring to the new feature Convergent Design introduced to the Flash XDR with Public Beta version 1.5.91 called Record Tally. According to instructions on that release, as well as the instructions which flashed on the XDR screen once you upgraded the firmware to 1.5.91, Record Tally does not work unless you engage E to E. However, once you engage E to E on firmware 1.5.91, then LTC output no longer functions - Thus, one cannot use the LTC Record Trigger function while also engaging Record Tally function. You stated publicly, on the Flash XDR 1.5.91 Public Beta thread that it was Convergent Design's policy to address and fix all malfunctions discovered on the public betas. Please see post number 9 and post number 3 at http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/converge...ml#post1591478 Now CD has released Flash XDR Public Beta 1.5.92 where it states in the release notes of this new public beta that this feature is still broken. So I am now confused. What is left to test with the new Public Beta Release ? I simply don't understand what you expect me to do with this new Public Beta? Please advise. No disrespect intended. I honestly don't understand what you expect me to do with it.

Respectfully,

Mark Andrew Job

Dear Mark,

The release notes states that the Screen Tally Bar does not work in this release, 1.5.92.

Thus, we do not want you to attempt to activate it, or test it. We know that it does not work and we documented it in our release notes.

We made a decision to release this firmware even though we do not have this new feature working.
This new feature is nice, but is not critical for recording or operation of the Flash XDR.

Please leave it turned off.

You may test your Flash XDR with this new Public Beta, 1.5.92.

Test What ?
 

…Ok. You stated it once again. Screen Tally Bar feature does not work with this release and you do not want me to attempt to initialize E to E feature. So what is left to test ? I'm sincerely puzzled? I will not even attempt to load this firmware unto my Flash XDR until Convergent Design sees fit to release a public beta with either Record Tally Removed, and LTC output function in E to E mode is restored. With the most sincerest respect, I don't understand why this beta was even released since there is nothing new to test ?

Dear Mark,

It is certainly up to you whether or not you wish to test or use 1.5.92.

The Screen Tally Bar is one feature that is not working, as documented in the release notes.

The E to E function is not documented as not working.

Nor have we documented that LTC output is not working.

If you wish to test 1.5.92, then test with the Screen Tally Bar feature set to off, then report if you are having problems with the E to E function, or the LTC output function, then we will be happy to have our lab retest these features.

E to E Direct and Screen Tally Bar are two separate features and I have never asked you to not use the E to E Direct feature, just the Screen Tally Bar, as it is not supported in 1.5.92.

Why record/play inhibit?
 

I have a request for a change to the current beta firmware, if possible.

As mentioned by Andy Mangrum, and commented on by Dave Sperling in the "NF Cards for Distribution: A Cautionary Reminder" thread, once one puts a "Settings.txt" or any "MenuXX.stg" files on a CF card, the card can no longer be used to record or play.

This presents a small problem for one of the ways I use my nano. I have a 32GB CF card that I use to hold test signals (such as color bars, lip sync, SDI worst case, convergence, etc). It has proved to be VERY useful when I'm setting up a remote shoot for checking cable runs and setting up monitors and projectors. The "Test Signals" card is the perfect card to also hold all my MenuXX.stg files.

But this won't work. When the nano firmware qualifies the card, and sees the MenuXX.stg files, it locks out playback. Is this really necessary? Particularly in playback mode?

When I create my "test" card, all the files are contiguous on the card, at the "beginning". These files, and their position in the file system, never change. Since I also transfer all my MenuXX.stg files at the same time, they're also contiguous in the card's file system, right after the test signals (and they also never change).

Even if I were to be saving MenuXX.stg files (or Settings.txt files) in the field, I don't see how this would negatively impact anything. I realize that a fragmented file system on the card can negatively effect continuous recording or continuous playback, but saving a MenuXX.stg (or Settings.txt) file will never happen between two contiguous clips. The nano has to be in "Stop" mode before the Menu/Settings file can be recorded or read, meaning that there is a logical break in the video at that point anyway.

Example: I start with a blank nano formatted card. I record a solid hour of video without stopping (lots of nano clip files). Then I stop recording, and save a Settings.txt file. Then I record another 20 minutes of video. Then I play back both recordings for the client. The first hour should play back just fine, with no interruptions because all the nano clips were recorded without interruption. When the next (20 minute) recording comes up, without stopping the playback there may be a slight pause, which shouldn't make any difference because the two recordings are not continuous anyway.

Am I missing something here? And if I'm missing something with regard to the record scenario, can you at least explain to me why I can't have video and MenuXX.txt files on the same playback card?

Thanks for a great product, and even greater support, and hope you are enjoying the holiday season!

Billy

ps I recorded a five and a half hour opera the other day, and the hot swapping feature worked 100% perfectly. This is a huge feature for me, and was well worth the wait.

Dear Billy,

I agree 100%.

I have not personally tested this, but I think that when one inserts a card with a Menuxx.stg file, a config file, our firmware detects this, this presents some options on the screen. This menu may be what is preventing you from playing back any files.

I think we should allow you to do what you are requesting. I will need to discuss this with our engineers prior to making any promises.

I am very happy that our Hot Swapping worked for you.

Please note that we now have 128 GB cards available, so regardless of which bit-rate you use, we have just doubled the uninterrupted record times.

Our testing with the cards went very well yesterday.

Billy, thank you for your support.

Menu.stg / Create Settings.txt
 

Hello Billy,

We can definitely see the usefulness in being able to still use the Compact Flash Cards, with these functions, Especially create settings.txt

Originally for the Menu.stg, the concept was that you would have a companion 2GB Compact Flash Card, with all of your Desired profiles,Which would be used simply for Loading desired settings and for Doing Updates as needed.

This sort of change may take some time to complete, but it is added to the list of desired features.

Best Regards