Firmware Update.. installation notes
 

I a few things. I went to a Windows computer to do the update after having the installer fail to open with Mac OS X (others have posted ways to get it to load). Seemed stable enough once it was going. When it says to power down that means unplug the power cable, not switch off. Takes 15 minutes. There is a small note not to run any other applications while the update is taking place... I would heed that warning. My update went well and my Hoodman adapters seem to be more stable with the update.

With the Hoodman adapter and a 16 Gb Hoodman card I am able to record 720p 30 HQ overcranking 60/30 based on a quick test. I used to get restore errors which seemed to be reduced. Have to run through more shooting days to be sure, but I would recommend the update.

Jerky zoom issue: may be better, but I got the 2/3" (B4) adapter a while ago so pretty much gave up on the supplied lens. With fast zoom speed set to 3-5 in the menu I can press the handle zoom all the way down and it goes in all the way without hesitations that I remember. The real issue with the zom on the grip is that it "kicks in"instead of feathering in like a top quality rocker... that is no different after the update.

Instructions are in Mac zip file only
 

Hilariously I spent ages wondering where on the Sony site the pdf of the instructions and release note pdf's were. They're not in the zip file you extract for the Windows installer. They are (all languages) in fact in the zip file with the Mac installer. Or the English one here as well :)

Camera first startup, be patient
 

After the update of my EX1 I switched the camera on. Nothing seemed to happen. After some retries I learned that I had to be patient. Switch on and wait for a minute or so after that time the camera comes to life.

As a nervous updater, I've read through these posts and copied what seemed like the best instructions (thank you, posters)... but I'd appreciate it if someone would clear up the one part that's not clear to me:

1. unzip file on computer (in my case, a Mac)
2. switch off both computer and camera
3. connect camera to laptop via USB
4. boot laptop, launch UpVersioner, then switch on EX1
5. run updater...
Be aware that the update is in two halves. It will pause around the 50%, a message will come up clearly stating what you should do about *powering the camera down for 10 seconds and then powering it back up and then continuing the firmware update process by clicking a button for the update to continue.
**(note from someone else: when it says to power down that means unplug the power cable, not switch off)

One thing that to be mindful of... towards the end of the second part of the update it appears to hang around 99%. The wait is painful. Patiently wait. It takes a couple of minutes for the update to "wrap up" once it hits the 99% mark. At least it did for me.
A message will come up at the end stating that the update is complete, once successfully done.

O.K., so my question has to do with the items I've put asterisks next to: when the message tells you to power down the camera for 10 seconds and then power it back up, should I do this the way the second poster advises, by unplugging the cable, and NOT by switching the camera off?

Also, am I missing anything else in the rest of this list of instructions?
Thanks,
Malcolm

The instructions that Damian attached specifically say use the power switch. If someone is countermanding Sony's instructions they should explain WHY. Certainly Sony's instructions can be flawed but one should be responsible enough to explain the alternative in a procedure that could brick the camera.

Version up tool, can't install
 

I'm trying to install the version up tool before i attemp the upgrade.
I keep geting this message

Please run the upgrade toll as a member of the Administrators group.
Push the [OK] button to exit the upgrade tool.

Can anyone advise me.
I'm using a pc with vista intalled.

Thanks.
Paul.

I had the same problem..... this is from my post...

"I went to the UK Sony site, downloaded the EX3 file to my Sony Vaio, using Windows Vista, but when I went to install, I had a error message come up...."Must run install as a member of the administrators group"....so I decided to print out the instructions and there is was...how to fix it. Its very important to follow in the instructions, as it helped me."

Just right click on the .zip file and pick "run as administrator"..I think this is what I did but...if you look at the trouble shooting part on the install instructions, it tells you what to do.

HTH

Yessir: I'm sticking with the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" motto. My EX3, the SXS cards and the Hoodman cards work fine (I don't need any long overcranking).

I already read in this thread about one guy who has "bricked" his camera. So I think I'll wait until they include cache record and copy all clips on the next upgrade, then I'll have Sony do it.

I don't blame you, Charles. I had a little scare myself when upgrading the firmware last night. I turned the camera on and got nothing but the XDCam EX logo for a few seconds then E-15030 appeared. Waited a few minutes...nothing.

So I plugged the darn thing back into the AC power adaptor. It booted up and has been working fine ever since.

Are the upgrades worth possibly bricking your camera? No. I'm glad I did it though as now my SDHC card adaptors work a lot better. It's more than overcranking, they're now less prone to media errors.

But yeah, I'd love me some cache record or at the very least a ALL clips copy function.

I updated 2 EX1 and I used the power switch as instruction.
I don't think it's a good idea to unplug the power cord.
Other note: never unplug power cord before turn off the power on/off switch for any equipment.
---------------

Sony US XDCAM EX Mini Site has firmware updates now available
 

I just found that the US Sony Mini Site has the new EX firmware downloads posted. Here's the link:

Sony | Micro Site - XDCAM EX

I was busy over the past week, so I didn't take the time to update my two EX1's with the firmware posted on the UK site. I did, however, notice that the size of this file, and the contents of the folders (for the Windows version anyway) look quite different from those of the UK offering. I will likely at some point soon follow the instructions for this install and see if there is any recording time shaved from either the SDHC or SxS cards as others have noted.

Like others, it seems that flashing these cameras with a new firmware is a little bit scary.

Ian

Well, my EX1 with 16GB SxS cards have always said 57min so looks like you lost 2 minutes as well.

Anyone verify the actual MOU you get on a 16GB card is 55min or 57min? regardless of what the display says...

I always thought I got an actual 57min, will need to check mine. Maybe the FW resolves an error in displayed recordable Minutes and it is now 55min for a 16GB card The original Sony specs state 50min for 1080p HQ 35Mb so there has always been some discrepency.

Upgraded both my EX-1 and EX-3.

16gb SxS as well as SDHC cards show 55 minutes as opposed to the 57 minutes formerly displayed.

I was able to shoot over 3 min 720 24p / 60 fps to a green-stripe Transcend 16gb SDHC card in an original Kensington adapter. No errors.

EX-3 was a nightmare to upgrade since I have both the DM shoulder mount as well as a Bebob batter adapter. Had to remove all of that to reach the hidden USB service port on the EX-3. The EX-1 service port is much easier to access.

After 5 min. of putzing on the Sony site I found it here...
https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/son...el-PMWEX1.aspx
Bout time Sony!
:~)

Reading this thread regarding the various complexities of upgrading the EX1 and EX3, it certainly looks like the EX1r was actually designed for user upgrade. It was simple and flawless- just transfer the firmware upgrade file to an SxS card, or in my case SD card, stick it in the camera, go to "version up" in the camera menu, and execute. Took about 15 min- when finished, turn camera off, turn back on and shazaam- new firmware is installed.

Yes but did you loose 2 mins of record time?

EX3 Upgrade Successful from WinXP
 

I successfully upgraded my EX3 from 1.04_0084 to 1.10. With SxS media, 8GB went from 28 to 26 minutes, and 32GB went from 116 to 112. Since I don't trust other media, I can't report other card results. For me, it was a worthwhile upgrade because I will make use of the new SxS-1 cards authorized by Sony.

I printed the instructions provided by Sony, and read them through prior to doing anything. For me, it was clear the steps to complete the upgrade, as I followed the instructions verbatim.

I advise caution when working around the shoulder pad. The 'fixing plate' sort of jumped out at me when I loosened the screw and pulled on the pad a bit, and I thought for a moment that I cracked the plastic part. (But I didn't) The pad came completely off (the instructions say to pull it out until the notch appears). But it was easy to put back in place afterwards. (It also took me a second to find the USB port hidden behind the pad stopper.

The only other thing worth noting was about the device driver (page 5) for Windows users. During this stage, my PC informed me that it found new hardware, then Windows prompted me to choose a location for the driver. At the same time, it warned me that the hardware wasn't 'approved' by Microsoft. I choose to click 'ignore' (or something like that). I referred back to the instructions to see how to answer the 'choose driver location' question, but by then the dialog box disappeared and the update continued without issue. (I also couldn't find the driver when I attempted to remove it later)

Anyway, thank you to the others who have chartered these waters before me - and for posting your experiences.

Easy EX-1 upgrade
 

I did my EX-1 upgrade last night on my Widows-7 64x machine. It took less than 30 muinutes and I had no problems only becasue I read the instructions several times as well as the helpful information in this forum. Everything seems 100% OK on the camera.

ex1 upgrade
 

upgraded myself too ex1 and everything went well,maybe cam startup little faster,and indeed little test with overcranking seems to be improved.thats mean much reliable operation with sdhc media i guess.definietely recommend this upgrade for those who had problems with their sdhc media.

Regards

Raul

Has anyone noticed any problems with your specific Picture Profile settings or other settings being changed or wiped out with the EX1 update?

All my settings are there after updated.

Just did my upgrade and the settings are all intact. SxS cards read the same times as others have posted here. Haven't tried SDHC yet. Very smooth upgrade (I think it actually took less than 15 min. but I may be mistaken). So this is what people have sent their cameras back and forth to the Sony service centers and sometimes charged a fee! Amazing!

Happy to report I upgraded my EX1 to firmware 1.20 from 1.11 this afternoon without any major problems.

The only issue I had was when it was installing 'drivers', it came back saying it could not find usbsvr.sys and to feed it the Win XP SP3 disk. Which I did and it still could not find it.

So I did a search for the driver and found it on my hard drive in \windows\system32\drivers.

Once I pointed the versionupdater program at it, all was fine.

I have a powerbook g4 1.67 Ghz running Mac os x 10.4.11. Downloaded the .zip file, expanded, version up tool won't open. Message says: Upgrade tool error.
I did download again, and again, no way. What's wrong?

Pietro, it may be that you need an Intel mac. G4 is fairly ancient. And 10.4 pretty old system. I think you need 10.5. Maybe it is in Sony's notes somewhere or someone here may know.

If possible fiend a colleague with a newer Mac or PC and see if she/he would let you do the update using their computer.

Personally I am waiting a month or so before upgrading to see how things shake out. So far it seems pretty solid.

Strange, i read on sony's pdf that comes with the downloaded file that Mac os x 10.4 is ok. I'll try later with my girlfriend's mac, which is newer.

"Personally I am waiting a month or so before upgrading to see how things shake out."

Olof: I think I'll hang out in the scaredy cat corner with you for awhile. That okay?

I was actually going to do the same thing - had some strong ice tea with a little caffeine buzz so told myself "what the hey" - it was a very smooth process except midway through I read in the instructions about having the battery in the camera even though you powered the camera with DC converter just in case your power went out and there was a storm system approaching so was a bit anxious until everything was done.

Maybe it is my imagination but the camera does seem to boot up more quickly and the red light on an SxS card seems to turn green in less time after recording.

Update went OK.
 

Hi,
I just wanted to post my own experience updating my EX-1 just few minutes ago.

I have been using an Intel iMac with Leopard 10.5.8.
The updater was starting ok.
After connecting the camera and hit ok after the license screen, I got a message that the USB connection got lost. I clicked ok and let it go, as I saw the uploading progression bar going fast toward 100%.It took quickly to reach 100%, then the system reported applying the portion to the camera: it went fast up to 50%, then it asked to reboot the EX1.
I switched off for about 10 seconds, then after I switched on into camera mode again, I got again the error message about the USB connection being lost.
I closed that one and hit ok on the main screen to continue.
The uploading phase went fast again from 0 to 100%.
This time the upgrade to the camera from 50% to 100% took more than before.
But at the end the EX1's red light flashed and the program informed me that the update went ok.

As I have an original 8GB SxS and couple of MxR adapters, I tried those first.
I lost the usual couple of minutes as reported already by others (on both SxS and MxR).
With my surprise I switched to the MxR with the Sandisk Ultra II 16Gb 15MB/s and I was able to shoot 10 minutes of 720p 25fps overcrancked 60p: never happened before.
I remember getting media error immediately and being able only to crank it up to 48fps.
I played back the clip from the camera and didn't get any media error as well.
So for me it was a great update as it looks like I'm now able to slowmo with the Sandisk as well as the SxS.

Cheers,
Armando.

Tried again after failing with a G4 Powerbook. Used a Intel Macbook, everithing was fine.
I also had a couple of "USB connection lost" messages and let go.
I had to reboot the camera twice, this is probably because my EX1, that is one of the first ones sold in Italy and that I have just bought used, had never seen a firmware update before.
I have checked, the firmware version is now shown in the menu.
Thanks to all who posted about the update!
Time to buy some cards..

Updating the FW on an expensive camera (EX1) is a guaranteed way to raise your pulse rate, but all went well. I used a laptop (Vista) so I had battery backup on both camera and computer.

I thought it only calls for 1 reboot, but it needed 2. SD cards work great now. Does this take care of the battery drain problem too?

It won't change the battery drain, that's hardware :-(

Upgrade went smooth on my EX-1. Everything working normally. Overcrank won't go longer than 2 1/2 minutes on Transcend SDHC Red Stripe Class 6 32Gb and 16Gb using MxR. I'm guessing Class 10 will be more reliable due to higher throughput capability. Although I get Media Errors I don't have to reformat to clear them. The card continues to function after rebooting the camera.

I was wondering if once the firmware upgraded, is the interval when recording and stopping and recording again shorten? I did read that the red light turns green faster but can you trigger it faster than before.

I have an EX1 and noticed when I switched to MxR adapter, that when you would record and stop and record over, the interval was about 1 second longer than using SxS cards.

Since recording times on cards have been shortened by the new firmware, I was wondering if this would have an incidence.

I never had any problems with recording media other than this with my EX1 and MxR. Never had any media errors or restore, has been extremely reliable, so I would greatly appreciate your feedback on that subject matter before I decide to upgrade.

Thanks

If you want a live view video upgrading the firmware to ex1:

Hi Alister,
I take it, then, that the battery drain problem has to be corrected by Sony.
Is this an expensive fix?
Malcolm

Is there a way to "back-up" the actual firmware on the camera (ex-3) before proceeding to update with the new one ?? ... Just as with computers .... To have your old nice backup in case something go wrong (as some cases reported...)

kind regards

Lexar Express 8 GB SSD card work in HQ with update
 

I finally updated my EX3 and EX1 tricky getting the usb plug into the EX3 usb port. I had some cards laying from the early days of testing The Lexar express SSD 8 GB card now works in HQ mode fill whole card twice 1080 24 and 1280 60p no errors cannot over crank with the card. The MSAC-EX1 duo adapter still does not work.

i am also getting the tool error message when i try to install the up grade on my ex1. anyone have another site i can try to download from?
aloha
tito

Update ...
 

The update on the EX3 has solved my sandisk 32gb extreme SDHC card issue of re-formatting!

Tito,

chances are that you have the same problem I had. What computer are you using?
I tried downloading the tool from differents places but in the end it was my laptop which wasn't working well enough (in spite of the requirements that came with the attached pdf).
The same tool opened and worked well in a younger laptop.