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Adding firmware update to Panasonic AG-HMC150
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This firmware came out almost 2 years ago. I am surprised that some people are only updating their cameras now…
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You are right, I usually check for updates regularly. The P2 Status Logger is supposed to keep track of your assets and let you know that there are updates. I would get periodic emails about things, such as an AVCHD reader, and a recover utility, but it never notified me of a firmware update. I switched over to a Mac about a year ago and forgot I had that logger on a PC. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I couldn’t use class 10 cards. Panasonic has some of the worst technical support I have seen. There is no information about this on US servers that I could find. I had to log on to the Japanese site to find out there was a firmware update. Maybe because the 150 is obsolete and has been replaced with the 130 and 160 (according to my local dealer.)
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Hi, I read all the posts and went to Panasonic’s site but couldn’t register because my camera is 2nd hand, I guess the original owner registered it. ANYWAY I am trying to upgrade to the code 10 cards because I can’t find the older ones which work fine. Amazon has shipped me wrong cards twice.
So following the instructions I don’t think my camera ever entered the UPGRADE MODE?
My PC mode lamp never blinked. I think the camera is set up to default to the camera mode on start up correct? So am I changing to PB PC mode after I plug in the USB cable or what. My downloaded Mac instructions do not say? What have I missed? Thank you ! If the PC lamp is suppose to blink automatically it isnt? -
I found the instructions provided by Panasonic on how to update the firmware difficult to understand, so I wrote my own:
OVERVIEW
Use this procedure to update the firmware in your camcorder to the latest version. As of 6/2015, the latest version is v1.21-00-0.00 and appears not to have been updated in several years.
Updating your firmware will allow you to use SD cards greater than Class 4 (or Class 6?) in your camcorder. For example, after I upgraded, I was able to use a SanDisk Ultra Class 10 SDHC SD card in my camcorder.
You can download the firmware and the installation instructions from the Panasonic website (you must create an account): https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp. Or you can download these files from my DropBox account (shared with everyone — details below).
The file on the Panasonic website is a zip file (vsi5012e.zip) that contains the firmware update executable (HMC150.exe) and the instructions (PDF). You’ll use a computer to update the firmware via a USB cable that you connect to your camcorder.
WHAT YOU NEED
- PC: 32-bit OS (64-bit won’t work)
- file*: the firmware update file from Panasonic
- adapter: AC power adapter (shown on p. 20 of the HMC150 manual)
- cable: USB cable (mini-B — like this: https://bit.ly/1LdYa7V)
* Note: I uploaded the firmware update file and the instructions to my DropBox account. Anyone can download them (if a DropBox signup box appears, click the X in the upper right corner to close it):
- firmware……..https://www.dropbox.com/s/1n919vmsoxp1smf/HMC150.exe?dl=0“
- instructions….https://www.dropbox.com/s/t07ua281fjgxyth/hmc150verup_e.pdf?dl=0
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UPDATING THE FIRMWARE1. DON’T connect the USB cable to the camcorder yet.
2. On the computer, run HMC150.exe and follow the prompts until the ‘Panasonic Device Firmware Upgrade‘ window is displayed.
3. Ensure the camcorder power is OFF.
4. (If you haven’t already done so) Connect the AC power adapter cable from the wall to the camcorder.
5. Ensure an SD card is not in the camcorder slot.
6. Leave the SD card door open.
Note: In steps 7 and 8, don’t confuse the red recording button that is part of the camcorder POWER SWITCH with the red recording button on the HANDLE. At no time in this procedure will you press the red recording button that is part of the camcorder POWER SWITCH.
7. On the camcorder HANDLE, on the right side, is an OFF/ON switch. Set this switch to the ON position. This will ensure the red recording button on top of the handle is active when you press it in the next step.
8. Press and hold the red recording button on the HANDLE, turn the camcorder power ON (rotate the power switch to ON), then release the red button on the handle.
This puts the camera in a special mode that allows the firmware to be updated. The screen should be black. If it isn’t, turn the camcorder off and repeat step 8.
9. On the rear end of the camcorder, on the right, open the cover that gives you access to the interface connectors (USB, HDMI, headphones, etc.).
10. Connect the USB cable from the computer to the camcorder.
This triggers the computer and a window with the words “Upgrading the firmware. Don’t power off…” is displayed.
11. On this window, click the Start button.
The upgrade process begins. On the rear end of the camcorder, on the left side, note the flashing PC light. This indicates that the update process is in progress. When the update process is complete, the light stops flashing. On my computer, the software also notified me via a sound. The update process might take about 10 minutes.
12. On the computer, when the Upgrade is successful message is displayed, click OK.
13. Turn off the camcorder power.
14. Disconnect the USB cable from the camcorder.
15. Turn on the camcorder power.
16. Check the camera’s menu system to ensure the firmware was upgraded to the latest version (1.21-00-0.00). To do this, press:
MENU > OTHER FUNCTIONS > SYSTEM INFO > YESYou can now install a battery (if you want) and insert a class 10 SD card to record a test clip.
END
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