Reliable link to EX1 firmware update??

[Noah Kadner]

I was under the impression that was not user-upgradeable. At least not without voiding your warranty. Sony does this for free- just depends where in the world you are to send it in.

Noah

Check out My My FCP Blog and my new RED Blog. Unlock the secrets of the DVX100, HVX200 and Apple Color.
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[Craig Seeman]

Sony charges $100 for a “feature” firmware upgrade such as 1.11 (enables USB Expresscard for their hard drive and SDHC adaptors). Maintenance upgrades are free.

They are non user upgrades although many users have found the firmware and used it. I’ve have heard no bad stories (maybe because only people secure in their geekdom try).

The firmware was briefly (accidentally?) made available on a Korean Sony site and that was the initial point of spread. It was quickly pulled.

Even third party Authorized Sony Pro Service Centers aren’t permitted to do this. To the best of my knowledge only Sony in Park Ridge or San Jose can do the upgrades. Even they make mistakes as I had to have mine done twice. I think the reason Sony tightly restricts distribution is because the firmware can be hacked to add additional features.

There are people who have copies of the firmware which likely originated from the Korean site.

I’ve heard stories of people who have done the firmware upgrade themselves and later needed to have the camera serviced under warranty for unrelated reasons. I don’t think they were spanked or otherwise punished. I’m under the impression that Sony somehow noted that there was no service record of the upgrade being performed on their part but again, no punishment I know of.

[Michael Palmer]

I would say it is worth the $100 fee if you are not comfortable with the process that could cripple you’re only camera.

After talking with Ian Cook (New Jersey Sony main office) he told me that more of the Sony service centers have been trained to work on the EX series cameras.

If you read deep into past threads you could find who has this software. I found it on another forum and it worked well for me. I first needed to find a reliable PC and once I did it only took about a half hour to figure it out.

I finally took my EX1 in for the battery drain issue to the Los Angeles service center and they didn’t notice the new firmware. They are also replacing the back panel as the early units had the silk screen menu labels that rubbed off.

Good Luck
Michael Palmer

[Rafael Amador]

there is even a video in YouTube that shows how to do it.
But my self recommends too having the job done by SONY.
They made it for me in Bangkok and I paid the equivalent of 55 US$.
Rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

(and here some clips for the friends: https://www.vimeo.com/2694745 )

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[Steve Wargo]

[Craig Seeman] “no punishment I know of.”

Sometimes “punishment” can be fun. Oops. Wrong website!

I don’t mind sending the camera away, or paying the $100 each. What annoys me is the amount of time that they keep the goods.

Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!

Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1 HD .

[Michael Slowe]

Obviously all you guys are in the tough old US. I had no problem getting my firmware up date free and done in ten minutes. Surely your supplier would do that for you as a matter of course as a goodwill gesture, especially if you do a fair amount of business with them. Or is ‘goodwill’ an uncommon phrase in your part of the world? It’s quite hard enough making films and getting your head around all the rapidly advancing technology without having to put up with unhelpful manufacturers and their retailers. Here in the UK thankfully the attitude is one of friendly co operation.

Michael Slowe

[Steve Wargo]

[Michael Slowe] “Here in the UK thankfully the attitude is one of friendly co operation.”

Maybe we shouldn’t have separated from England back in the 1700s.Oh well, too late mow.

Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!

Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1 HD .

[Brian Volland]

Finally the update is here. So let me be the first to ask a question. Can I mix formats when exporting from FCP? I sent two 1440×1080 XDCAM HD 1080i60 VBR files and they copied over no problem. I then tried to export a 1920×1080 XDCAM EX 1080i60 vbr but got the following error message:

Please check that your XDCAM device is set up correctly, the REC INHIBIT indicator is off, and the disc is not full.
The device should be configured like this:
Video: MPEG HD 60i. Audio: 2 ch x 16 bit
Error writing MXF file (while checking successful write()).

I have over 50% open disc space, audio configured to 4 channel, dual mono. Only thing I can figure is that I can’t export different formats. Am I correct?

[Brian Volland]

sorry wrong thread, please disregard, I will repost in the right spot.

[Vladimir Lozinski]

Many of the advice… and opinions… here are relevant in the US where you can buy and have your Sony equipment serviced.
I bought an early EX1 from the US when living in Central Asia, where there are no Sony agents. I have since moved to Paris and asked the Sony agents to do the upgrade / fix…. sorry .. “feature”. They refused to touch the camera as it had not been bought though their network. They suggested that I fly back to the US where I bought my camera. Gotta love the service.
Thanks to this forum for all the information. Those of us who do not have a service centre or reliable agent around the corner rely on information here for video survival.
V.L.

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