Hero 3 firmware update
 

For those with issues with their HD3 black edition cameras, there is a firmware update that has been released a couple of days ago. It doesn't list bug fixes, but hopefully this will address some of the issues people are having.
Feature enhancements are as follows.

HERO3: Black Edition

current firmware version: HD3.03.02.37
Wi-Fi version: 3.4.2.9
release date: 04/03/2013

Feature Enhancements:
•FW version # is now visible on upon startup.
•Narrow FOV 1080p30/1080p60 (Protune)
•Narrow FOV 720p60 (Protune)
•Medium FOV 720p60 (Protune)
•Default start-up mode is now 960p48

Silver & White editions have also had updates in the last week or so. See here: Firmware Release Information for all Products | GoPro Support

Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Just updated my Black edition. WiFi response seems to be much quicker. It was WiFi I was having all my problems with so hopefully this has been addressed. Will see after I do some more tests.

Ron Evans

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Hi Ron,
It was your post in the Nanoflash section of the forum that prompted me to check so thank you.
Regards,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Thanks for the note. Upgraded one of the cameras and seeing what might have changed.

So far it looks like there preview image is still delayed by 3 seconds from the camera to the iPhone via the GoPro App.

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Any news yet as to if this latest firmware update has finally fixed the freezing issues that a lot of people seemed to be complaining about with the Hero 3 Black edition?

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I might be crazy, but it seems better to me just messing around with it after the update.

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I had been getting the freezing thing randomly. I used the camera the other day for the first time since the update & not a single freeze all day. While i'm not 100% confident the freezing issue has been put to bed completely, so far it would appear that way.
Regards,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

That's one of my pet peeves also, Dean. Not sure they'll be able to eliminate that lag with current hardware. I was less than impressed with the attitude of the GoPro folks in the booth this year. They seem to be selling so many cameras, that they don't feel a need to emphasize customer issues or delivering on features they said wouuld be out last fall when I interviewed them last NAB.

I'm still waiting on the ability for the camera to be an autonomous IP streaming camera and was told that it's a ways down on the list of things to implement.

I just put up a quick article on the articles page on some new stuff available for the ReplayXD cameras. Limited in some ways, but superior to GoPro in others, like the round form factor for instance. They have a new dive housing and a nice little monitor that they have just released.

-gb-

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I used the newest firmware update and I had none of the problems I've seen posted. I initially had a slight problem. The camera was not seeing my sandisk microsdxc 64gb card, but after that, everything was fine. I used it on and off all day. Anyway, after reading all the posts about the camera, I decided to purchase it for a wedding I did this past Saturday. It was for logistical reasons on this shoot, but I will take that camera with me everywhere from now on. Really nice picture quality. I was fortunate enough to get it in the most perfect spot and it really enhanced the production value on a difficult shoot.

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I have tried it over several days with no problems so far. However I had all the problems skiing so may have to wait until next winter now !!! Operated without the remote it never gave any problems. I now notice the response over WiFi is much quicker so maybe the issue is fixed.

Ron Evans

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Hey Ron,
I was skiing all day the other day after I updated & not a single freeze up. I too was using it without the wifi remote. Didn't want to potentially loose footage having not tested it before hand. Wasn't all that cold though, around -5 deg C. Did you find you had more issues when it was colder?
Regards,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Yes. The first day I tried it over Christmas it was -12 C here in Ottawa and it locked up almost immediately. I reset by removing the battery and stopped using the remote and it worked fine for the rest of the day. Which is why I came to the conclusion it was something to do with the remote or the WIFI. In February I went skiing in Snowmass and had the same issue even though the temperature was around 0 to +3C. Did the same and stopped using the remote and it worked fine for the rest of the trip.

Ron Evans

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Hmm, ok, sounds like maybe not a temperature issue then. Thinking about it, I did use the remote whilst skiing after I first got the camera & didn't have any freezes at all. Temperature was around -2 that day. I will have to try it again with the remote & the new firmware update on another cold day & see how it performs. While it does feel a lot more like spring around here, we are sure to get some more cold temperatures before summer really sets in.
Regards,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I had a week in Silver Star over March break with my grandkids was great. I assume you ski at Red Mountain ? I have not skied there, something for the future.

Ron Evans

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Sorry to drag up this thread from a couple of months back but I was wondering if the freezing/locking-up glitches with the Hero 3 Black Editions are now resolved.

How are you owners getting on? Are they reliable now?

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

I used two of them in Alaska, continuously running for several hours. As long as I kept feeding them batteries they kept on going at 1080p30.

It also meant having to save 60 gigabytes of data from each camera each day.

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

My Hero 3 black edition locked up 2 or 3 times in the couple of days I owned it until I upgraded the firmware. Since then, I haven't had any problems. The internal battery will run for a good 90 minutEs or so. I'm very happy with the update.

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

So what is the latest firmware? I received an email from GoPro telling me to update the firmware, but when I did, it was showing the same version as I had already installed weeks beforehand. The firmware I have installed is 3.03. Is this the latest firmware?
Thanks,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

If this helps, the MISC>version.txt file on the micro SD card shows:

{
"info version":"1.1",
"firmware version":"HD3.03.02.39",
"wifi version":"3.4.2.9",
"wifi bootloader version":"0.2.2",
"wifi mac":"d896850bc26b",
"camera type":"Hero3-Black Edition",
}

which matches what GoPro says on their web site:

Software Release Information for all Products | GoPro Support

and what I briefly see when the camera is powered on:
v02.39

Both of my H3 Blacks have been working like champs since the recent software upgrades. If you're not sure you have the latest, here is the update page:

GoPro Official Website: The World's Most Versatile Camera

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Fantastic Pete,
Thank you. Yes I was indeed 1 firmware version behind. Nothing too pressing in the latest one, but I think I will update to the latest anyway since it doesn't sound like anyone is having any issues with it. Have you noticed any improvements to the sound quality with the latest firmware? Not that I use the audio generally anyway, just wondering if it is a noticeable change.
Thanks too for the link to the "software release information page" very useful. Don't know why I have never seen it!
Regards,
Bryce

Re: Hero 3 firmware update
 

Never had any issues with my Hero 3 black.
(There was also a recent firmware update released just a few weeks ago)