View Full Version : Flash XDR Operating Temperature Range


Mike Schell
March 23rd, 2009, 09:14 PM
We have conducted more tests recently on the operating temperature range of the Flash XDR. We left a Flash XDR in the freezer overnight and powered up this morning for a quick record and playback test. The initial internal temperature, as displayed on the LCD, was -19 degrees C. The Flash XDR performed perfectly at this temperature, although the LCD update was rather slow. We suspect that Flash XDR will work at temperatures down to -40 C, but we need to buy some dry ice to test.

On the upper end, using a board heater, the Flash XDR worked fine up to 100 degrees C, then the FPGA chip went into thermal shutdown and everything stopped (no permanent damage, though).

So, we are now specifying the operating range to be -20 to 80 degrees C (internal temperature) . This may expand wider with additional tests.

The internal temperature is displayed under the System menu on all versions of the firmware after 1.0.0

Best Regards-

Mark Job
March 23rd, 2009, 10:26 PM
We have conducted more tests recently on the operating temperature range of the Flash XDR. We left a Flash XDR in the freezer overnight and powered up this morning for a quick record and playback test. The initial internal temperature, as displayed on the LCD, was -19 degrees C. The Flash XDR performed perfectly at this temperature, although the LCD update was rather slow. We suspect that Flash XDR will work at temperatures down to -40 C, but we need to buy some dry ice to test.

On the upper end, using a board heater, the Flash XDR worked fine up to 100 degrees C, then the FPGA chip went into thermal shutdown and everything stopped (no permanent damage, though).

So, we are now specifying the operating range to be -20 to 80 degrees C (internal temperature) . This may expand wider with additional tests.

The internal temperature is displayed under the System menu on all versions of the firmware after 1.0.0

Best Regards-...Hey Mike. This is just a suggestion, but if you really want to test the XDR in freezing cold temperatires, then why not contact the US Scientific Research Station in Antarctica ? Those folks would be glad to test your device. In fact, I'm reasonably sure they have a Government Mandate to do so. The Antarctic Research stations down there all shoot video and edit to produce content for Internet distribution and satellite uplink. Those folks could probably even use an XDR ;-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Mike Schell
March 24th, 2009, 08:29 PM
...Hey Mike. This is just a suggestion, but if you really want to test the XDR in freezing cold temperatires, then why not contact the US Scientific Research Station in Antarctica ? Those folks would be glad to test your device. In fact, I'm reasonably sure they have a Government Mandate to do so. The Antarctic Research stations down there all shoot video and edit to produce content for Internet distribution and satellite uplink. Those folks could probably even use an XDR ;-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Hey Mark-
Good idea, we will try to find an appropriate contact person. We already have a couple of requests to use the Flash XDR with some Polar Bear shoots.

In the meantime, we'll get some dry ice from local vendor and so some basic tests in our lab.

Cheers-