Firmware update wishlist ?
 

I'd really like to see a few small changes in a firmware update.

1) Video flip 35mm adapter in the video data before it is displayed on LCD /viewfinder

2) Push Auto focus button has menu choice as focus assist or Z1-style Push auto

3) battery doesn't drain when left in camera

---------------------------
Some larger changes would be in the focus functions.

1) DSLR-style Focus zones (Nikon D3/D300 use these in live view mode) to speed up and improve focus reliability

2) x2 Focus expand function would work with these focus zones

If it can do the image flip, that would be awesome!

Don't forget a Quick access to framerate changes and Rec format... menu steps take way to long to change between 1080 30p and 720 24p then accessing S&Q for 60fps. I go back and forth between these a lot and when shooting run and gun it sucks....Wish you could store these settings in a custom profile or a button assignment so one button press could switch between these settings.

Yes, that would be good. They should be named as well, and a group rotated through with an assignable function button.

THIS has been the bane of this camera for me. I can't believe how cumbersome it is to change these settings. Especially when I am shooting in 1080p and have to change both settings at the same time for a slo-mo, then change it back for standard rate shooting. Looks like they have addressed it with the EX3 by moving to a frame rate dial, but that is no comfort to me. (cue violins)

I missed a lot of shots while trying to switch back and forth durring an action sports shoot I was on last week....I sure hope they can do something about this as this is extremely frusterating :(

I agree, the framerate control needs some help. What I would like to see more than that though is an upgrade to the 50mbps 422 codec from the PDW-700. I'd be willing to pay more for that.

-Sean

Even silly things like not having to turn on the IR remote control every time you use the camera.

Change framerates using...
 

the scroll button behind. Hold button down for 3 seconds.. the FR option appears on menu and we change as required. Even better is we can change FR during recording :p

Also, change between 1080p and 720p with 3rd or 4th assignable button.

David, how do you get this to happen. Maybe only if FR is the last thing chosen in settings?
Malcolm

I'm sure Sony can find a way if they want to. Maybe Assign button 4 as activation for framerate control via scroll?

I'd like to see a pre-record cache. Preferably 10 seconds. At least 5.

And all important update (whilst power button at power-off) to auto-toggle off power completely and only power up when the battery indicator button is pressed.

Here's one for the wishlist, although we won't get it.

Tha ability to plug into the camera's usb, a small portable hard-drive, usb or mains powered, then dive into the camera's menu and move the footage onto that drive, check that it's on the drive,via the camera's screen, before erasing the cards.

Now i'm not talking about copying at the same time as recording, just stop recording>transfer>carry on recording. No need for a laptop just for transfering and checking.

Oh hang on, Sony want us to spend hundreds on their hard-drive instead of the portable one like i've got here sat on my desk. That's why we won't get this facility.

Paul

I've heard some people say they saw just such a device by Sony "under glass" at NAB, called something like "EX Companion." There's been no announcement about such device though. This is not to be confused with the announced hard drive. The "Companion" seems to be something like the "P2 Store" Panasonic has.

A little FYI on the firmware update
 

I went to the HD EXPO here in Chicago last week. I was in the "XDCAM EX" workshop where sony was talking about the features of the EX-1 as well as the EX-3 and some of the new upcoming accesories. (BTW, I was able to get my hands on the EX-3 which was awesome)

They said something interesting that I was not aware of. As far as the firmware update to make the HD-SDI do 24p, there will be a charge for that. Basically, they said that they will be charging for addign new features to the camera.

That is something that I can confirm was said at that workshop. But who knows, Sony likes to make up stuff as they go along. Just like how they said the ex-3 was going to be like 13k and then now we are finding out that it is $8,300.

Dennis, did Sony give a mention on how end users will update the firmware on existing camera's???

This is a very important factor because the EX technology is still evolving rapidly. So it follows that firmware updates ought to be also be delivered in a timely and cost effective way to end users just like the rest of intelligent devices in this 21st century?

Yes, good question. That was one of the first questions I asked and I was surprised to hear that we all have to send our cameras back to sony service to make the update!

Logistically does not even make sense.

So I guess Sony's charging so they can add 500 temp employees with a few days training to handle the 20,000 cameras coming back to them the same week.

20,000 cameras will come in, 12,617 will come out damaged or updated wrong in soem shape or form.

Trust me, I'll be one of those 12,617.....I know from experience.

I'd like to see Sony update the video on the composite output, which is what I use for monitoring in the field. Currently, the camera input flipped horizontally but the menu overlay is not. The component output is correct, but I don't use that as much. I don't think I should be charged for that feature fix.

Right now yes if you want a Firmware update you would have to send in the camera...Now once the EX3 is released it seems shortly there after they will be releasing it to the publiuc so you can update your own camera...Now this was told to me a while back from a Sony rep, Also Phillip confirmed that this was the case as well. There is another thread around that discussed this as well. Sony would upset a lot of customers if we all have to send our cameras back for an update...They will also be losing customers if they start charging for updates which fix things that should have been there in the first place! I am just standing by awaiting (shooting hapily with my EX1 for now) the EX3 release and a firmware update or at the very least an official announcement. I am somewhat dissapointed by how secretive SOny is about this type of stuff. Especially the EX3.

already 20,000?
 

craig,

has sony sold that many?

the latest serial numbers have only reached 6000 or so.

Last night, Juan Martinez from Sony only mentioned "thousands" so I suspect not.

I think the series serial numbers are different between USA and Europe but us in the "States" would be swarming San Jose, CA. I heard recently that Teaneck, NJ MIGHT be handling this too. That would be great for those of us in the north east USA who'd find a "drive" to Teaneck manageable. I can't afford the downtime, especially when I expect Sony's turnaround time won't be great given the volume.

BTW, Juan Martinez actually mentioned that someone named "Bloom" has excellent stuff on line.

that's Phil!

Yup. I thought it was neat that Juan Martinez mentioned him (last name only). It seems Sony has taken note of Phil's work but you'd think they'd know his full name.

Wishlist, All Camera Shooting functions in ONE menu.
 

PUT ALL Camera SHOOTING Functions in the CAMERA menu! Shutter angle, speed, format, Interval, Frame Rec. SlowMo ("S&Q" in Sony-ese) etc. should all be together.

ALSO, put the speed and format change menus in the "Direct Menu" that is activated by the roller "Set/Sel" switch.

REMOTE should be left in the ON position after power down. Mentioned earlier, but here it is again...

FW image flip, but I'd like it to be flipped on the recorded image too, so we don't have to do a flip in post. I saw the EX3 at Cinegear Expo and it has a flip switch on the back of the LCD, so I'm not holding my breath for any changes to my EX1.

Downloadable FW upgrades, please! Shipping and time lost is a big negative.

You should be able to access a page that shows all the PP settings that are currently active.
That would be really helpful as a double check against accidents and to make it easier to match cameras.
Lenny Levy

Peaking that works in Expanded Focus mode

We all want this, as well as direct support for MP4 files, or recording straight to MXF files.
Choose one format and support it.

While they're at it, I'd like to see an arbitrary 90 rotation. I would like to shoot more video in portrait mode.

Gints, I'm intrigued. How would you display "portrait mode" video?

in the media mode, we should be able to select a number of clips, and delete them all (the hvx200 allows this, and it's a great help). as far as i can tell, we're only able to delete all clips, or go one by one, which takes forever.

By turning your widescreen tv round by 90 degrees !!

Paul.

Ahhhh, the old "Landscape and Portrait rotating mount trick!".

If you're shooting full-body subjects on greenscreen portrait takes advantage of the greater horizontal resolution available in a 16x9 image and you'll flip it in post. However, since you actually have to physically turn the camera sideways, and in doing so you turn the lcd at the same time, I'm not sure when you would need to flip the display except maybe for playback.