First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? at DVinfo.net

Jack Zhang · March 18th, 2013, 12:17 PM

I honestly don't expect anything from this thread, but has anyone tried using XQD cards on the EX1/EX1R firmware 1.30 or EX3 firmware 1.20 or higher? The only confirmation I got was from Doug that XQD does not work in firmwares below what I just listed.

What I'm most interested is S&Q and Card compatibility. For instance, using the newer series Sony cards or the Lexar cards.

I have a EX1R with Firmware version 1.30, but I don't have a XQD adapter or XQD cards. If I do get those, I could report on whether it works. No guarantees. If I could get first-hand experiences from other people, that would be great.

Doug Jensen · March 18th, 2013, 02:14 PM

Jack this may not help you, but I'll post this anyway:

XQD cards (with adapter) do NOT work with my EX1 running v1.26.
XQD cards (with adapter) do NOT work with my SBAC-US1, PMW-EX30 or PXU-MS240.
XQD cards (with adapter) are NOT recognized in the ExpressCard slot of my MacBook Pro.

XQD cards DO work great with my F3, 200, 160, and 100.

I don't currently have an EX1R or EX3 to test.

Jack Zhang · March 18th, 2013, 07:56 PM

Doug, I tried to tell you earlier about if Firmware V1.30 for the EX1 supports it or not, but it got lost in Mac/Thunderbolt talk. EX1 V1.30 is available at the Sony UK site:

Software : PMW-EX1 : Binary Package V1.30 : Software/Drivers : Sony Professional

You will need to register, or use the "BugMeNot" trick to get the firmware, but I successfully upgraded my EX1R to 1.30 firmware from the same site.

Doug Jensen · March 18th, 2013, 08:20 PM

I don't really use the EX1 anymore and I don't really care about updating the firmware, but I guess I should do it anyway just to keep current. Thanks for the tip. I'll report back if I am able to use XQD cards afterwards.

Olakunle Olanrewaju · March 19th, 2013, 09:01 AM

Pls I am interested in XQD card uses for Sony Ex1r as I intend to buy more card for my camcoder so it might

help me decide which card to go for.

Thanks.

James Kreitner · September 18th, 2013, 08:37 PM

Hello Jack,

I stumbled across this thread while searching to see if it was possible to use XQD cards in my PMW-EX3-2. I have a Nikon D4 which uses the XQD card and that's why my interest in the first place, I have the cards (the higher speed S version), I have the PMW-EX3 (I need to update the firmware to v1.20, mine is currently at 1.10). I'm ordering a Sony QDA-EX1 Express Card Adapter tonight, so I won't have any results to give until next week... heck, this thread is so old you might already have your own cards working!

I saw your Sony UK link in the thread and found the v1.20 firmware on that website, but I'm in the US and I don't know for sure if I can use the same version of firmware or if there's a US version, and I haven't been able to find a link on the US site to anything above v1.15. I'll put a call in to Sony tomorrow and see if they can help with that. If Doug takes a look at this thread, maybe he can point me to a US link to v1.20.

The last thing I need to know is about format exchange between the Nikon D4 and the PMW-EX3... if I format the card in the EX-3, will I be able to format/use it in the D4 later? It would be ideal to be able to use the card in either device, as needed.

I'll be back in touch as soon as I have have all the necessary items to do testing...

cheers!

Jack Zhang · September 18th, 2013, 08:49 PM

Hey James,

I downloaded the 1.30 firmware from the UK site for my NA EX1R and flashed it without problems. If version 1.20 supports XQD, go for it, and report back how well it works. Do tests overcranking and recording the length of the card.

Since you are on version 1.10, I recommend Sony do the initial upgrade to either the firmware before 1.20 or 1.20 itself. My EX1R came with 1.20 and I upgraded to 1.30 without issue since the initial hurdle had been overcome. There's a reason Sony stopped offering DIY firmware downloads for the specific reason that the newer firmwares need newer hardware along with the firmware.

James Kreitner · September 18th, 2013, 08:55 PM

After I finished my last post, I searched more in the US and found a link to Video Products Technical Bulletin 30-2011-096
Subject: Firmware Upgrade Information
Model: PMW-EX1, PMW-EX3
Serial: ALL

DESCRIPTION
To order firmware upgrades and for detailed firmware upgrade
instructions, contact Sony’s:
Product Operation Support Center (POSC)
800-883-6817
CAUTION:
Before upgrading to firmware V1.26 or higher,
firmware must first be upgraded to V1.13 or higher.

link:
http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/f...l_Bulletin.pdf

...v1.26 or higher? This is the first time I found anything listed about firmware versions above v1.20 for PMW-EX3! The plot thickens...

James Kreitner · September 18th, 2013, 09:05 PM

Good news, I'm not just posting to myself in an old thread! Hello Jack!

The Readme for the v1.20 firmware says it's for XQD and one model of remote control compatibility, but no overcranking. I'll call the number on the tech bulletin I just posted and see what the firmware is for beyond v1.20 tomorrow... thanks for the UK firmware on your NA model, I had a feeling it would work, but it's a pretty expensive camera to be taking a chance on it. Thanks for the feedback... I'll get back to you when I have some results...

cheers

Jack Zhang · September 18th, 2013, 09:08 PM

No, 1.26's for the EX1. The EX1 used to go as high as 1.26. The latest is 1.30 for the EX1 and 1.20 for the EX3.

Regardless, let Sony do the initial upgrade likely to 1.15 or higher, then go for 1.20 after you get that firmware.

They always say you can't overcrank in the firmware notes, but it is very likely you could still do it. The first time SDHC adapters were supported, the notes said you couldn't overcrank, but I'm able to overcrank with UHS-I cards fine.

James Kreitner · September 18th, 2013, 10:10 PM

Jack, are you saying not to do the initial upgrade to v1.15 myself, but to let Sony do it instead? And then do the upgrade to v1.20 myself afterwards? If so, I'm not clear why...

I agree that there is a high likelihood that overcranking will work, especially when the Readme I was quoting was published before the S series cards were out, and they're faster than the H series cards, and both are substantially faster than the UHS-I cards. I was a bit pissed at Nikon because between my D4 and my D800E I have to stock 3 different kinds of cards, but if the XQDs will work in my PMW-EX3, I won't feel so bad, and I'll buy more!

Doug Jensen · September 19th, 2013, 05:47 AM

Jack is correct, you should let Sony do your firmware update if you're still on 1.10.

Anything under 1.13 has to be sent in for updating because there is a pretty strong risk of bricking the camera. Once you are over that hump, then it is safe for owners do to any other firmware updates themselves that might be released.

James Kreitner · September 19th, 2013, 12:22 PM

Hello Doug,
Thanks for responding to my posts with Jack. I am definitely one to err on the side of safety, and I appreciated your advice (and your Vortex training videos, several of which I own).
By way of background, I am an engineer for NBC with a strong background in cameras, and contacted a friend and very knowledgeable support specialist at Sony regarding the upgrade, which I planned to do regardless of your advice, to discuss what course I should take in upgrading my PMW-EX3 firmware. Indeed, what you said is true, for upgrades it is recommended to have v1.13 installed before doing user upgrades- however this is for the PMW-EX1; for the PMW-EX3 it is recommended to have v1.05 or later for customer upgrades and I have v1.10_1101 currently installed, according to my friend at Sony Broadcast. He recommended installing the latest ver which is currently ver. 1.25. This is confirmed by a "READ before downloading EX3 firmware.txt" file on the ftp site.

Jack and Doug, I appreciate all the help I've gotten here and for you making sure I didn't to anything I would regret later- not with my camera anyways, I'll probably get the firmware done today, will let you know how it goes, and next week when my adapter arrives from Amazon I'll let you know how the XQD S-series work out in the PMW-EX3. Thanks for your support!

cheers!

Jack Zhang · September 19th, 2013, 04:35 PM

Hold on, what does the TXT for "Read before downloading EX1R firmware" say the latest for the EX1R is? If it isn't 1.30 I may have to pay a visit to my local camera shop to upgrade it, or privately acquire the link.

Doug Jensen · September 19th, 2013, 05:27 PM

Hi James, somehow I missed that the EX3 had become the focus of the update. Sorry.

March 18th, 2013, 12:17 PM	#1
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? I honestly don't expect anything from this thread, but has anyone tried using XQD cards on the EX1/EX1R firmware 1.30 or EX3 firmware 1.20 or higher? The only confirmation I got was from Doug that XQD does not work in firmwares below what I just listed. What I'm most interested is S&Q and Card compatibility. For instance, using the newer series Sony cards or the Lexar cards. I have a EX1R with Firmware version 1.30, but I don't have a XQD adapter or XQD cards. If I do get those, I could report on whether it works. No guarantees. If I could get first-hand experiences from other people, that would be great.

March 18th, 2013, 02:14 PM	#2
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Jack this may not help you, but I'll post this anyway: XQD cards (with adapter) do NOT work with my EX1 running v1.26. XQD cards (with adapter) do NOT work with my SBAC-US1, PMW-EX30 or PXU-MS240. XQD cards (with adapter) are NOT recognized in the ExpressCard slot of my MacBook Pro. XQD cards DO work great with my F3, 200, 160, and 100. I don't currently have an EX1R or EX3 to test. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

March 18th, 2013, 07:56 PM	#3
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Doug, I tried to tell you earlier about if Firmware V1.30 for the EX1 supports it or not, but it got lost in Mac/Thunderbolt talk. EX1 V1.30 is available at the Sony UK site: Software : PMW-EX1 : Binary Package V1.30 : Software/Drivers : Sony Professional You will need to register, or use the "BugMeNot" trick to get the firmware, but I successfully upgraded my EX1R to 1.30 firmware from the same site.

March 18th, 2013, 08:20 PM	#4
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? I don't really use the EX1 anymore and I don't really care about updating the firmware, but I guess I should do it anyway just to keep current. Thanks for the tip. I'll report back if I am able to use XQD cards afterwards. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

March 19th, 2013, 09:01 AM	#5
Olakunle Olanrewaju Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ibadan, Nigeria Posts: 103	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Pls I am interested in XQD card uses for Sony Ex1r as I intend to buy more card for my camcoder so it might help me decide which card to go for. Thanks. __________________ SONY EX1R,QUADRO FX3800,CANON T2I & 400D/18-55,18-135,70-300,50MM 1.4 SENN MKH-416 MIC,TOK 11-16,PANASONIC MD10000 & HDC-MDH1 Cam,NEXTO 2725,EZFX JIB,Sony HDR-XR160E,

September 18th, 2013, 08:37 PM	#6
James Kreitner New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 22	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Hello Jack, I stumbled across this thread while searching to see if it was possible to use XQD cards in my PMW-EX3-2. I have a Nikon D4 which uses the XQD card and that's why my interest in the first place, I have the cards (the higher speed S version), I have the PMW-EX3 (I need to update the firmware to v1.20, mine is currently at 1.10). I'm ordering a Sony QDA-EX1 Express Card Adapter tonight, so I won't have any results to give until next week... heck, this thread is so old you might already have your own cards working! I saw your Sony UK link in the thread and found the v1.20 firmware on that website, but I'm in the US and I don't know for sure if I can use the same version of firmware or if there's a US version, and I haven't been able to find a link on the US site to anything above v1.15. I'll put a call in to Sony tomorrow and see if they can help with that. If Doug takes a look at this thread, maybe he can point me to a US link to v1.20. The last thing I need to know is about format exchange between the Nikon D4 and the PMW-EX3... if I format the card in the EX-3, will I be able to format/use it in the D4 later? It would be ideal to be able to use the card in either device, as needed. I'll be back in touch as soon as I have have all the necessary items to do testing... cheers!

September 18th, 2013, 08:49 PM	#7
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Hey James, I downloaded the 1.30 firmware from the UK site for my NA EX1R and flashed it without problems. If version 1.20 supports XQD, go for it, and report back how well it works. Do tests overcranking and recording the length of the card. Since you are on version 1.10, I recommend Sony do the initial upgrade to either the firmware before 1.20 or 1.20 itself. My EX1R came with 1.20 and I upgraded to 1.30 without issue since the initial hurdle had been overcome. There's a reason Sony stopped offering DIY firmware downloads for the specific reason that the newer firmwares need newer hardware along with the firmware.

September 18th, 2013, 08:55 PM	#8
James Kreitner New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 22	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? After I finished my last post, I searched more in the US and found a link to Video Products Technical Bulletin 30-2011-096 Subject: Firmware Upgrade Information Model: PMW-EX1, PMW-EX3 Serial: ALL DESCRIPTION To order firmware upgrades and for detailed firmware upgrade instructions, contact Sony’s: Product Operation Support Center (POSC) 800-883-6817 CAUTION: Before upgrading to firmware V1.26 or higher, firmware must first be upgraded to V1.13 or higher. link: http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/f...l_Bulletin.pdf ...v1.26 or higher? This is the first time I found anything listed about firmware versions above v1.20 for PMW-EX3! The plot thickens...

September 18th, 2013, 09:05 PM	#9
James Kreitner New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 22	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Good news, I'm not just posting to myself in an old thread! Hello Jack! The Readme for the v1.20 firmware says it's for XQD and one model of remote control compatibility, but no overcranking. I'll call the number on the tech bulletin I just posted and see what the firmware is for beyond v1.20 tomorrow... thanks for the UK firmware on your NA model, I had a feeling it would work, but it's a pretty expensive camera to be taking a chance on it. Thanks for the feedback... I'll get back to you when I have some results... cheers

September 18th, 2013, 09:08 PM	#10
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? No, 1.26's for the EX1. The EX1 used to go as high as 1.26. The latest is 1.30 for the EX1 and 1.20 for the EX3. Regardless, let Sony do the initial upgrade likely to 1.15 or higher, then go for 1.20 after you get that firmware. They always say you can't overcrank in the firmware notes, but it is very likely you could still do it. The first time SDHC adapters were supported, the notes said you couldn't overcrank, but I'm able to overcrank with UHS-I cards fine.

September 18th, 2013, 10:10 PM	#11
James Kreitner New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 22	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Jack, are you saying not to do the initial upgrade to v1.15 myself, but to let Sony do it instead? And then do the upgrade to v1.20 myself afterwards? If so, I'm not clear why... I agree that there is a high likelihood that overcranking will work, especially when the Readme I was quoting was published before the S series cards were out, and they're faster than the H series cards, and both are substantially faster than the UHS-I cards. I was a bit pissed at Nikon because between my D4 and my D800E I have to stock 3 different kinds of cards, but if the XQDs will work in my PMW-EX3, I won't feel so bad, and I'll buy more!

September 19th, 2013, 05:47 AM	#12
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Jack is correct, you should let Sony do your firmware update if you're still on 1.10. Anything under 1.13 has to be sent in for updating because there is a pretty strong risk of bricking the camera. Once you are over that hump, then it is safe for owners do to any other firmware updates themselves that might be released. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

September 19th, 2013, 12:22 PM	#13
James Kreitner New Boot Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 22	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Hello Doug, Thanks for responding to my posts with Jack. I am definitely one to err on the side of safety, and I appreciated your advice (and your Vortex training videos, several of which I own). By way of background, I am an engineer for NBC with a strong background in cameras, and contacted a friend and very knowledgeable support specialist at Sony regarding the upgrade, which I planned to do regardless of your advice, to discuss what course I should take in upgrading my PMW-EX3 firmware. Indeed, what you said is true, for upgrades it is recommended to have v1.13 installed before doing user upgrades- however this is for the PMW-EX1; for the PMW-EX3 it is recommended to have v1.05 or later for customer upgrades and I have v1.10_1101 currently installed, according to my friend at Sony Broadcast. He recommended installing the latest ver which is currently ver. 1.25. This is confirmed by a "READ before downloading EX3 firmware.txt" file on the ftp site. Jack and Doug, I appreciate all the help I've gotten here and for you making sure I didn't to anything I would regret later- not with my camera anyways, I'll probably get the firmware done today, will let you know how it goes, and next week when my adapter arrives from Amazon I'll let you know how the XQD S-series work out in the PMW-EX3. Thanks for your support! cheers!

September 19th, 2013, 04:35 PM	#14
Jack Zhang Inner Circle Join Date: May 2005 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 3,053	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Hold on, what does the TXT for "Read before downloading EX1R firmware" say the latest for the EX1R is? If it isn't 1.30 I may have to pay a visit to my local camera shop to upgrade it, or privately acquire the link.

September 19th, 2013, 05:27 PM	#15
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: First hand encounters of XQD uses for the EX1, EX3 and EX1R? Hi James, somehow I missed that the EX3 had become the focus of the update. Sorry. __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools