[Bob Mark]

Please keep me posted on your progress. Sony gave me a link to their FTP site for the firmware, but they didn’t give me the ID and password and it didn’t accept anonymous login. The US site isn’t working right now and the alternate site for the software has a broken link, so you can’t get to the firmware. ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…..

Bob

[Bob Mark]

I asked one shop what happens if the camera doesn’t update properly and requires an expensive repair. This is his answer, which is not really a direct answer:

“We did update many of the pmw-ex1, we never had a problem, we are using highest sony equipment and sony factory trained tech.” “Sony pmw-ex1: We charge $125.00 for firmware update
Our estimates include parts, labor and cleaning the unit inside and out as well as re-calibrating and re-aligning it to factory specifications. Free ground return shipping to the continental United States.”

Bob

[Bob Mark]

I’m glad you got it to update. Where are you getting all of the versions of firmware? It’s interesting that one Sony rep told you to do it incrementally and another one told me that was unnecessary.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

That’s a good point. They all say they warranty the repairs for a certain time period. I wonder what they would charge to fix a locked up unit… BTW, e-films says you should format SDHC in slot B. They say their adapters work with class 10 and v. 1.2 firmware.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

FWIW, Sony says they will do the update for $270 with 8 day turn around. Macie Video will do it for $165, not sure about the turn around. Macie Video Service- 781-326-3135. camcorderrepair.com says they will do it for $125.00.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

I spoke with Sony Pro Products Support on Fri. They told me if you are on v. 1.11 you can directly upgrade to the latest version, no need to install in increments. Of course YMMV. Make sure you have you computer on UPS back up. I heard a loud boom this morning and my power went out for 2 hr.!! Still trying to decide whether to try it myself. Not having the camera for two weeks or more is a long time.

How much is Sony charging to do this now? Macie Video will do it for $165.00

Bob

[Bob Mark]

Yep. That’s what it does. It says needs to be formatted and when I hit it it tries to do it and then says needs to be restored. The long format I did didn’t help. The guys at e-film says it should work, so I am assuming it’s the firmware version?? The cards I’m trying are Sandisk Extreme HD Video 32gb sdhc class 10. I am going to wait until my next two shoots are over and then I might try the update to 1.20.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

I tried that and then it said media needs to be restored. I’m trying a long format right now with the Panasonic SDFormater. I called Sony today about the firmware update and they said it was not necessary to update in succession if you were at version 1.11. They gave me an FTP site address to download the update, but it required a password and ID, so I will have to call them back for that. Thanks.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

Where did you find v. 1.12? I can only find 1.2 (Sony Canada).
The US site is still inactive.

Bob

[Bob Mark]

B&H has a special on Sandisk Extreme 32GB class 10 cards right now. Two for $120.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/684217-REG/SanDisk_32GB_Extreme_SDHC_Memory.html

Bob