I have been informed that there will be firmware updates for the EX1 and EX3 arround the end of Feb to allow the use of the new SxS-1 cards and the MEAD-MS01 memory stick adapter.

I believe that this will be a user update (at own risk).

Thanks for the good news!

With my current firmware i can use the sdhc and adaptors.
Will my current firmware allow me to use the sony adaptor ?
Or is the firmware update only for the current EX owners who can't use the sdhc cards due to not having the correct firmware already ?
I'm really looking forward to going with the sony adaptor, more peace of mind, although i haven't yet had any problems with the transcends/mxr.

Paul.

Let me guess
the current adapters use the USB port on the Express card slot, so compatability wasnt much of an issue
the Sony adapter will still use the PCI-E slot on the Express card slot, even though the solid state memory device will be way slower.
and therin lies the diff?

The sony adapter will have a digital Tag (device type) on it as read by the camera, it will undoubtedly stop the user from trying to overcrank on it, or take it above its speced capabilities , so sony doesnt have to hear people whine about it not working or failing.
instead they will whine that it wont even let them try :-)

Bad Guesses from good people.

More reliable though, that's the main thing.
Certified by sony because we'll have to use their cards aswell.

Paul.

...and user ability to upgrade firmware is something we've been asking of Sony for a very long time. They listened. (I for one don't/can't be without my EX3 for a couple of weeks, or whatever it takes, whilst I send it to Sony for something like a firmware update).

As has been speculated I think the firmware is to ensure 100% reliability with the MEAD-MS01. Perhaps they will prevent S&Q from being used, but most EX owners will have at least 1 SxS card and that can be used to shoot the S&Q and then copy the clips to the Memory Sticks. The MEAD-MS01 will also work with the PXU-MS240 and NextoDI (as will my MxR SDHC adapter).

The recommended Memory Sticks are the Pro-Duo HX sticks which are around £120.00 for 16Gb. These sticks are optimized for video. I was only able to test these when I had the demo adapter so don't know if it will work with other cards. Sticking with the correct card though should mean that everything will work completely correctly and you don't have to worry about it.

I wonder (hope, hope) if the firmware update will allow us to copy entire cards from one slot to the other, instead of just individual clips.

I hope so too.

I'd imagine that as the new cost reduced* SxS cards have a limited life, the EX1 is going to need to have some way of measuring usage. So that will need new firmware.



* I'm awaiting the comedy pricing from Sony that will probably mean they are only about 20% cheaper than standard SxS.

32Gb SxS-1 has a street price of £399. +VAT

what is the most current firmware version for an EX1 and does someone have a link to it so that i can update mine, personally?

I will be able to confirm the latest EX1 FW tomorrow... My camera was just updated by Sony last night and is in transit to me now.

32Gb SxS-1 has a street price of £399. +VAT

So £150 difference then. Utterly pathetic.

what is the most current firmware version for an EX1 and does someone have a link to it so that i can update mine, personally?

anyone? i know its Christmas, but we're all geeks. sitting in front of the computer is what we enjoy most. who needs family and friends around the holidays? we have each other right here on DVinfo.net

I for one am looking forward to the day when I can up date my own firmware as it takes far too long for Sony to do it. Not too mention the shipping that would be involved for me :(

Why couldn't Sony make it simple to update their firmware? The nanoFLASH is really simple and so could the Sony EX range have been!

i can't confirm this, but i've heard that ever since RED started allowing their owners to upgrade firmware(Builds) companies like Canon and Panasonic have been following their lead. I just hope Sony is paying attention. it's extremely impractical, in this technically advanced world for Sony to demand its owners to send in their products for something WE can easily do in the comfort on our own homes/offices.

It's especially galling when they make it so easy to update firmware on, for instance, their own BluRay players. I bought a cheap, entry-level Sony BR player (360), hooked up the ethernet cable and the first thing it did was phone home and do a firmware update without any intervention on my part. I realize that with the EX-x cameras, we're talking about an order of magnitude more complexity, but come on Sony.

Fed Ex just delivered My camera back from LA Service Center after repairs... Was loaded with latest firmware V1.14_0543 updated on 12/21/09. Probably another version still coming for Feb/Mar

i have v.1.11_0531

wonder what the differences are?

I have version 1.14.
I previously had V1.11, and my lens when faulty, lens gets replaced under warranty, and i'm told even though the lens looks the same it's not, it's modified inside, (these are words direct from the technicians mouth, i take my camera to the sony service centre personally), when i get home and plug in my Libec controller the lens creep zooms in on it's own so i'm told that i need the latest firmware V1.14.
The newer lens NEEDS V1.14 for it to work correctly with the Libec controller.
So there's one thing that V1.14 changes.
According to clip browser with it's new display, the newer lens is a different model than the old lens, i checked against old footage of mine.

Paul.

i can't confirm this, but i've heard that ever since RED started allowing their owners to upgrade firmware(Builds) companies like Canon and Panasonic have been following their lead. I just hope Sony is paying attention. it's extremely impractical, in this technically advanced world for Sony to demand its owners to send in their products for something WE can easily do in the comfort on our own homes/offices.

Panasonic & Sony have been offering firmware updates on different cameras for a long time now, well before the RED One was released. All the P2 cameras, XDCAM cameras, and HDCAM cameras have downloads available for updates. Sony does have a history of not offering this on their small HD cameras though, and I agree that EX owners should get the option. I have seen up to firmware 1.15 on a EX1. Can't wait to get all of our cameras up to the same version.

...
According to clip browser with it's new display, the newer lens is a different model than the old lens, i checked against old footage of mine.
Paul.

what is your New lens model number?

...I have seen up to firmware 1.15 on a EX1. Can't wait to get all of our cameras up to the same version.

does anyone have a link to these newer firmware updates, ie: v.1.14 or even v.1.15? feel free to IM me if you're concerned about feeling unscrupulous.

-Mike

what is your New lens model number?

New lens model > XT14X5.8AS-X8C

Old lens model > XT14X5.8


Paul.

It's especially galling when they make it so easy to update firmware on, for instance, their own BluRay players. I bought a cheap, entry-level Sony BR player (360), hooked up the ethernet cable and the first thing it did was phone home and do a firmware update without any intervention on my part. I realize that with the EX-x cameras, we're talking about an order of magnitude more complexity, but come on Sony.

It's in Sony's interest to have their Blu-Ray players phone home. If people manage to bypass the copy protection etc, Sony can just issue a patch.

You may think as a consumer its pretty cool for the player to be able to update but let me assure you its entirely to Sony's benefit.

New lens model > XT14X5.8AS-X8C
Old lens model > XT14X5.8
Paul.

that seems to be the "common" replacement lens. others have mentioned having that lens after sending their cameras in for repair.

Paul, you mentioned that replacing the lens was under "warranty". was your warranty current or had it expired and Sony deemed it a warranty, their responsibility, issue. my initial "1 year warranty" has expired. without having to purchase an extended warranty, i hope i can get my lens replaced compliments on Sony of course.

When I spoke to the LA service center Manager he told me he was not aware of a new lens but did say any replacement lens ordered could have some changes, but he was not aware of any. Now I am still trying to verify what all was actually repaired on my camera... I was told the prism block was replaced but the paper work just says the camera was fixed under warranty. I will compare footage shot before the repair with new footage in clip browser and see if there is any difference on the lens but I do not think they replaced my Lens as part of the repair.

Update- I still have the old lens model... XT14x5.8.. guess there was no need to replace it... Hope that does not mean I may have to replace it at some point in the future...

I have been informed that there will be firmware updates for the EX1 and EX3 arround the end of Feb to allow the use of the new SxS-1 cards and the MEAD-MS01 memory stick adapter.

I believe that this will be a user update (at own risk).

Today is the last business day in Feb 2010 and sadly no news or anything tangible to indicate that Sony will deliver the said firmware updates. It is a good thing we aren't holding our breath for these much desired updates. Better late than never would still be nice :-)

I attended a Sony "educational" seminar on the EX line last Wednesday. It's definitely coming. They wouldn't commit to an exact date, but we were told "early spring".

From their website:
Sony Product Detail Page - SBS32G1 (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-SBS32G1/)
The SxS-1 memory card will initially be compatible with only the new XDCAM EX camcorder models PMW-EX1R, PMW-350L and PMW-350K. In the case of PMW-EX1/EX3/10MD, an end user firmware upgrade, scheduled for release in the Spring of 2010, will be required and can be downloaded from the Sony Pro Media website when available. Users that own an PMW-EX30 must send their deck to a Sony Service center to complete the required firmware updates.

that's ok, i'm still waiting for a link to v1.14 or v1.15. hopefully, i haven't missed much.