PDW-F350 - Firmware-Updates still possible?

[Stefan Szczuka]

I recently bought a used Sony PDW-F350 which seems to be in a very good shape. The only problem I have is the firmware. I think that I am still on first firmware package as I don't have the "D4 ROM Version"-Option on the Diagnosis-Menu. I do have an 8GB Memory Stick and have already discovered how to force boot the camera from the stick following instructions on an older thread in this forum.

The only thing I don't have are the necessary firmware files starting at "PKG-1.62/AT-1.53".

Sony only seems to have the 1.98 and 2.00 firmware-zips on it's support page.

So, if any of you like to take a trip down memory lane and could look if you still have old zips with PDW-F350 firmware, I would be very happy.

Thanks in advance!

[Gabor Heeres]

Hi Stefan,

Please be aware to update these camcorders firmware (Had a PDW-F330 myself one day) step by step. You cannot just update to the latest firmware file from an earlier one than the previous firmware. And yes, this is a en extensive time-runnig process unfortunately.

Gabor

[Stefan Szczuka]

Thanks for the advice Gabor. But I am willing to take this process... ;-)
Do you have any idea, where to find these update packages prior to the 1.98 and 2.00 versions that are online at Sony's support pages?

[Gabor Heeres]

Unfortunately not. If somebody should know Allister would be your best bet ;-).

[Christopher Young]

Originally Posted by Stefan Szczuka

Do you have any idea, where to find these update packages prior to the 1.98 and 2.00 versions that are online at Sony's support pages?

Stefan ~

V1.62 - AT V1.53 was not the original camera software it was the first upgrade that was issued after the release of the cameras. V1.62 came out in July 2007.

If you haven't been able to find the upgrades I have all of them up to the last versions that are still available. So that’s FW V1.62 thru to FW V2.0 and in the AT packages that’s from AT V1.53 thru to AT V 1.70. The last three FW packages V 1.98, 1.99 and 2.0 had no AT upgrades just the FW components. All up there are nine complete upgrade packages.

I can't remember which version it was but one of them specified that the camera had to go back to Sony as a special jig was required to perform the upgrade. We discovered this to be correct to allow larger Sony Memory Sticks to be used. We were told that we could run this update without the cameras going back to Sony but we would still be restricted to the smaller capacity memory sticks. From memory we did all our upgrades using 8 MB, yes 8 MB sticks, and had no issues whatsoever. A few cameramen I knew picked up used 8 -16 MB sized sticks off eBay as Sony no longer make these smaller capacity sticks.

If you want the upgrades Stefan I am happy to let you have them on one proviso. I take no responsibility if you ‘brick’ your camera during the process. If you follow all the upgrade steps exactly as outlined in the PDF files that come with each package you should be fine. During the process you will come across one of the upgrade PDFs mentioning the ‘jig’ upgrade. Just ignore that and keep going. I saw six of these cameras through all these upgrades and had no issues at all. If you still need them I can ZIP them altogether, about 1i0MB, and upload them and send you a download link.

EDIT:
Just had a look through all the firmware and seem to remember just bypassing FW V1.62 - AT V1.54 entirely as this was the version that required the 'jig' upgrade for cards up to 2GB. I ignored all the warnings and went straight to FW V1.93 - AT V1.60. As I said I was informed you could do this by someone from inside the big 'S' company. Of course I would deny this under interrogation :) On the other hand you could just take your camera to Sony and get them to do this one upgrade, FW V1.62 - AT V1.54 and then do the rest yourself I guess.

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Stefan Szczuka]

Thank you, Chris! That's super cool. Of course, I won't hold you responsible for me messing things up ;-)
I wrote you a PM on how to send me the files. Thanks in advance!

[Brett Kelly]

Hi, I'm after these files as well if someone could help me out.

Cheers Brett

[Christopher Young]

No problems Brett. I see you sent me mail so I will send you a download link so that you can access the archive. Just make sure you read the READ ME 1ST note before you procede. All the necessary details you need are in the previous posts here along with the additional info you will find in the zip file that you will download. Remember all care but no responsibility if you you brick the camera. :)

Cheers

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

[Peter Newsom]

Hi Chris, I hope you are still here, and doing well.

Is there is much difference between a 350 with firmware AT1.70, Package 2.00 (mine), and another with AT1.70 and package 1.95?

The reason I ask, is that my camera has recently run out of RPN correction capacity. Sony says it needs a new block, but they are no longer available. I've tracked down another 350 with no pixel issues, and only 1800 hours on it, mine has 3200hrs. I'm considering it as a replacement. Just wondering if I should worry about the difference in the package update.

I would buy a new camera, but I'm sitting on the edge of retirement, and unlikely to be in the business long enough to make that practical. However, I have a broadcast client that calls me for a fair bit of work, and I hate to turn it away.

Thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

Peter

ps: I also remember you from your interesting pickup testing reports, on the Acoustic Guitar forum.

[Christopher Young]

Hi Peter

Yes still around. Well and truly retired, though. Still doing the odd shoot. Plus a fair bit of editing for clients.

Look, I really don't think it's going to makes a big difference to you operationally between the software packages. There again there is no reason you couldn't upgrade the new 350, if you get it, to the latest software package. The last package for the 330/350 models was V2.0. Which is three versions later than v1.70 you refer to.

If you do the upgrades, do as I suggested in one of my posts above. You will need a small capacity Sony Memory Stick. I think you can use up to 64MB. Plus, you will also need a Memory Stick reader / writer. The one I have here is a USB one. The model number is MSAC-US1. There are heaps of them available on eBay, ranging from very cheap to crazy prices. Likewise, there are a lot of the smaller capacity Memory Sticks, the blue ones, on eBay for a variety of prices.

To use larger capacity ones, over 64MB to 2GB, the camera needs a service centre upgrade. That's not necessary though if you stick to the smaller cards. I explained all the ins and outs about this in one of my earlier posts in this thread. As always. Read the accompanying documentation that comes with every firmware package before proceeding.

If you need the firmware bundle, just post back, and I can upload them somewhere for you to download.

Chris Young

[Peter Newsom]

Thanks, Chris, I will be buying that 350.

I still have the 16gig Sony Memory stick, from my other camera, so that should do the trick. And yes, I would like to download the updates from you, please and thanks!

My client likes the footage coming from my current camera, so there's nothing really I hope to gain from the updates. I'll be happy if the incoming camera matches the current one. However, I wouldn't want to miss the chance to get the latest updates!

Glad to hear you're enjoying retirement. I'm pretty much there too, but for these hockey player interviews, and a few music gigs here and there.

Thanks for the work you do here on DV Info, and elsewhere!

All the best!

Peter