Despite the long threads here about the firmware upgrade it's been entirely unclear to me exactly how Sony is handling this beyond that, if user does it and something goes wrong, it's not covered under warranty. It's simply NOT a risk I want to take as a professional.

I have a Sony EX1 with firmware 1.11.
Sony has online a firmware upgrade to 1.20 for the EX1 (and different version numbers for other EX cameras). Basically it improves handling of SDHC cards and supports SxS-1 cards.

Users can download and do this at their own risk and a small number have bricked their cameras. That's not a risk I want to take as a professional (even as a professional video engineer).

I called Sony to find out how they handle the above factors and this is what they explained on the phone:
If the EX1 is version 1.11 and below Sony should do it. User should not.
Sony charge is $135 and turnaround is 5-8 business days.

The first thing is to find out what this firmware modification (I hesitate to call it an upgrade) will give you. If you're happy with your camera's performance right now it might be better to keep the $$ in your pocket.

I alluded to it above. The big one for many of us is that many SDHC cards that were unreliable, now work. Less expensive class 6 and even some class 4 cards can now be handed over to the client as "stock." Some Class 6 and Class 10 cards can now overcrank to the full extent 24/60 without error just like SxS. In addition the issue with waiting for the light to change while the shot finalizes on the card before starting to record again is shortened or resolved. If you still don't trust SDHC you can now use the SxS-1 cards which are less expensive than SxS.

If your current SDHC is reliable and you don't have interest in SxS-1 then it may not be critical. It's not an urgent upgrade for me because my two 32GB Sandisk cards have been reliable. I don't need them for overcrank but that would be a convenience. I'm generally not asked by clients for them after a shoot either but that would be a convenience too.

This is just an OPTION update with the benifit as Craig listed (and maybe some enhances !).
I don't know about others, but on my EX1 I can push the record again before the red light turn green and it will start to record. For some EX1s they must wait for the red light turn to green before they can push the record again. I tried on SxS and SDHC cards without any warning or error.

I retested all my SDHC cards with EX1 1.2 firmware to make sure all still work.
Some cards that gave me Media Restore msg before run thru smooth (Sandisk Ultra II).

I've decided to buy the NanoFlash, so doing the firmware update to my EX3 is a risk I don't need to take. And I'm really jazzed at the thought of being able to cache record... yowza!

Cache recording is a great feature. The major trouble is that there is usually some "record button press-induced" camera shake that is included after the cache is emptied that would otherwise be excluded. So, a remote record control button that doesn't perturb the position of the camera is needed.

I've yet to read of any user managing to brick their camera by doing anything other than following the instructions. Yes if you disconnect the USB cable, restart the update software etc during the process then you can brick your camera. Leaving your camera on your mates car when he drives off does more than just brick your camera and that too is not covered under warranty.

In order to be as certain as reasonably possible that nothing could go wrong I ran my camera off mains and a battery and used a mains powered laptop to do the upgrade. I exercised a lot of patience as the update progress indicators can fool you into thinking the process has failed. That appears to be how the very few users that have had problems got themselves into trouble.

If Sony are saying EX1s with version 1.11 or earlier are unsuitable for user upgrade they should supply specific information as to why. It should be in the release notes / instructions. In the past we had an upgrade performed to five EX cameras by Sony at some expense only to be told afterwards that it did exactly nothing for the region50 variant of the camera.

Gints: It isn't likely I'd be doing any cache recording while handheld, and when I'm on the sticks I usually have the Varizoom controller attached. I have never seen any start/stop bounce while using the Varizoom. But your point is a good one.

Bob, I read 4 or 5 reports of people bricking their camera and I believe they followed instructions. One reports, for example, the firmware installer crashed during the install. Another reported a USB power issue popup although everything was mains powered as you mention.

Software installers are not infallible. My own experience with Sony's upgrade to 1.11, while not bricking my camera, did require a second install.

One can forgo seat belts when driving or insurance for gear because, after all, accidents are rare . . . except when they happen to you that one time.

IMHO if the costs for repair of a bricked camera where low or Sony had a "warranty" on the installer it wouldn't be a big deal. The very fundamental question is can you and/or your business take that very small risk of a very large expense if something where to go wrong.

I don't think Sony had any motive to lie to me on the phone when they noted the firmware version as a risk factor. In fact I have seen that elsewhere as well. I had read that under 1.13 is a risk.

Although I haven't checked, it may well be that those who bricked their cameras (that includes some EX3 owners) may have had a firmware version that fell into the area of greater risk.

So from what you're saying, Sony have indicated...at least verbally to you, if not yet officially... assuming it applies to the EX3 as well... that someone like me with a July 2008 EX3 (i.e. from the very first launch batch) and STILL on the original EX3 launch firmware that it came with is potentially at a higher risk of bricking with this latest firmware offering from Sony. If they know this (now that the've seen what happens with this firmware "out there") I think they should put a specific warning about this on their download page ASAP (or even pull this firmware until the've worked out a better way forward).

Glad I waited a while to see what got shaken out with this firmware offering. It's very clear to me that this is a risk I and my business don't need. The camera is performing suberbly well/I've no issues and I can't be without it because of corporate video contracts I'm in the middle of right now. Thank goodness for useful sources of information like the DVinfo community!

Andy, I'd call Sony and check since I don't think their written docs are very clear. I does seem that at least a couple of "bricks" are EX3 though.

Craig is absolutely right that with the current statet of affairs, risking the upgrade of a 1.11 EX1 is not worthwhile if one is seriously in business, his/her camera is working fine, and potentially increased SDHC performance isn't important.

I also contacted Sony's EU PrimeSupport, and they said that with the 1.11 firmware, quote: "It is very dangerous!"

I admit that in my refraining from doing the upgrade myself, another factor has played some role: I'm going to send my camera in for a general overhaul (just before my PrimeSupport expires), and the engineer I was talking to promised they would upgrade it for me free of charge, using that opportunity.

Out of interest I visited the Sony XDCAM EX micro site again this evening and find that this notice has now appeared. Not sure when it got added. My part screen grab is not easy to read so I've copy and pasted the text below too.

[Note it mentions much lower/earlier versions of Firmware than those mentioned so far in this thread....also this warning has NOT yet appeared on the UK Sony XDCAM EX Firmware download site as far as I can see - when I just checked].

"NOTICE: PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOUR PMW-EX1 OR PMW-EX3 IS CURRENTLY AT V1.05 OR BETTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LOAD THIS UPDATE. IF YOUR CAMCORDER IS CURRENTLY AT V1.04 OR LOWER, PLEASE CALL YOU LOCAL SONY SERVICE CENTER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION."

Also, adding a link to the site below:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-xdcamexsite/resource.downloads

My EX1 has v1.11 of the firmware. After reading all the posts, I have decided to get the Sony Authorised repairer to update this to v1.13, then 1.14 and finally to 1.20. The cost will be $99 and this includes a check-up of my camera. When the warranty exipres later this year, I will do any future firmware updates myself. Better to be safe than sorry.

I hate to throw cold water on this FUD thread, but I haven't believed any of it. Tonite I updated my EX1 version 1.11 to version 1.20 with absolutely no problems or issues. In fact, before you even get underway with the update, the software itself reports what your current firmware version is before, and what it is going to be after. If there was to be a problem, the software would recognize it right there.

You just follow the instructions explicitly. You have to first download and install Microsoft FrameNET 3.5 if you don't have this installed on your system already. You have to connect the EX1 to the external power supply from the charger module. You have to connect the USB cable to the service port. You have to install EX1 device driver. Most of these steps are automatic, but the key is to follow the exact sequence outlined, which goes like this:

1.) Download and install the Microsoft FrameNET 3.5.
2.) Start the update software on the PC.
3.) Agree to the license.
4.) Connect the USB cable between EX1 and PC.
5.) Turn on the EX1 in camera mode.
6.) Install the EX1 device driver. This is done automatically, but if you did this step prematurely before you arrived at this point in the sequence, you'll have to go into the device manager while the EX1 is still connected and uninstall the driver, then abort the whole process and start over. No biggie.
7.) The software installs in two steps. At the end of step one, you reboot the cam and it resumes with step 2 when you restart it. It finishes in about 15 minutes.
8.) Done.

Probably a good idea to redo your Lens Flange Back focus calibration in the service menu afterwards. All of your picture profile settings and other settings are preserved as before.

Sony charge is $135 and turnaround is 5-8 business days.

If this is what Sony is asking for a non-warranty firmware upgrade I reckon this will be similar to what they charge to revive a bricked EX.

So isn't the choice between loosing your cam for sure for 5-8 days + $135 and very probably not loosing your camera and saving said time + money?

To minimize risk, use a clean PC/Mac; i.e. with as little running on it s possible. Disable anything that may interfere or cause unexpected warnings (like Anti Virus). I like to close any system tray icons (Windows) I can. Preferably disconnect everything you don't need and always connect your camera directly to the PC (as opposed to through a usb-hub).

I prefer updating from a PC to doing so from a Mac, but either should work.

George/

I hate to throw cold water on this FUD thread,


So isn't the choice between loosing your cam for sure for 5-8 days + $135 and very probably not loosing your camera and saving said time + money?


Tom, not FUD, my info was from Sony directly over the phone. RISK does not guarantee failure nor mean failure will happen most of the time. It's like seat belts and care accidents (or backing up to hard drives alone). People might never wear a seat belt and go years without a care accident . . . then they die. Was it worth the RISK? If the risk goes from 1/1000 to 1/20 it still meant 19 out of 20 will be OK. If you're that one person, the risk was NOT WORTH IT.

As time goes on I do hear more reports of bricking. The numbers still seems small but that's of NO CONSOLATION to the person it happens to. In every case they insist they followed the steps.

George the cost of firmware upgrade does NOT equate to the cost of repair. A bricked camera may require a circuit board replacement which I suspect could be in the thousand dollar range give or take and, given Sony's repair history, could take weeks, so you can toss that downtime on to your losses if the camera gets bricked.

Maybe you don't insure your business, your gear, etc. but that's about what the $135 amounts to. It's Sony insurance that they take responsibility for any issues.

Don't forget, based on my own experience with Sony's 1.11 EX1 upgrade, that a superficially successful upgrade can have hidden problems. In my case Sony redid the firmware update on the spot while I waited, after discovering issues a few days after their first upgrade.

Tom, not FUD, my info was from Sony directly over the phone.

Craig, I'm not saying you are responsible for the FUD, however the information that said you have to have at least V1.14 before doing the upgrade is BS. Firmware upgrades are always risky.

And Sony had plenty of time to announce any corrections, without resorting to passing the word through low level minions who want to charge money.

When doing firmware upgrades yourself, a level of proficiency is required. If you don't feel you have it, I agree you shouldn't do it. On the other hand, this was a smooth process for me, but I carefully read the instructions and followed all the steps.

My EX1 is working perfectly, as it did after the upgrade from V1.05 to V1.11 which I also did.

Tom, I just read elsewhere from someone who claims to have followed all the steps and seems to be competent. BTW my own experience is that what Sony posts on the web isn't always most accurate (unfortunately). I trust the "lowly" tech I spoke to on the phone. In my past experience they've given a much more realistic view of things. They're not "call center" folks. These are genuinely their "ground troops." From my experience as a facility Video Engineer, I trust these folks more than "web statements" coming from management.

The cost of repair of a bricked camera is just over €2000 OR $2800 (USA).

Personally I think you're flat out dangerously wrong to recommend this risk or to suggest all one needs to do is follow the steps exactly. It is NOT about user confidence or skill (although that can play a role). The risk is there and users need to understand that risk before undertaking it.

Feel free to drive without seat belts. You most likely wont get into an accident on any given day especially if you're a safe driver. On the other hand accidents may not be caused by you and even if not they may be fatal.

So in USA dollars it's:
$135 and 5-8 days
$2800 for repair if failed
Nothing if you succeed.

You'll have to decide whether saving $135 and 5-8 days is worth the small but present risk of $2800 repair.

Craig:

I finally took the plunge on my EX3 and did the update. My sphincter muscle is still sore from it being contracted for 15 minutes.

But all is well. I even did it on my Mac. Now I can fill a Hoodman 16GB card with 60fps overcranked footage and it doesn't even hiccup.

Craig,
I did not "recommend" anything. I simply said the information about having to have firmware more recent than V1.11 installed before the upgrade was wrong, and so was your tech who told you that. And yes, I did feel it was worth the risk, I have confidence in the things I am willing to try. And I don't have confidence that people who say they bricked their cameras followed all the steps. What else would you expect them to say?

Again,

Let's not forget.

Does the firmware update provide anything you really need??

John

Gints: It isn't likely I'd be doing any cache recording while handheld, and when I'm on the sticks I usually have the Varizoom controller attached. I have never seen any start/stop bounce while using the Varizoom. But your point is a good one.

I didn't notice the wobble for handheld operation, but I did notice the wobble when I was doing recording on platform that is not particularly stable under changing conditions. I passed getting one as the EX1 didn't offer a large variety of controls that I like on zoom controllers (such as focus and push-auto-focus), but I realize that it is needed for my time of shooting. I was hoping to rig up the little EX1 remote with some optical cables, but it's just not reliable enough. Gotta get a Varizoom.

Bob, I read 4 or 5 reports of people bricking their camera and I believe they followed instructions. One reports, for example, the firmware installer crashed during the install. Another reported a USB power issue popup although everything was mains powered as you mention.

Software installers are not infallible. My own experience with Sony's upgrade to 1.11, while not bricking my camera, did require a second install.

One can forgo seat belts when driving or insurance for gear because, after all, accidents are rare . . . except when they happen to you that one time.

IMHO if the costs for repair of a bricked camera where low or Sony had a "warranty" on the installer it wouldn't be a big deal. The very fundamental question is can you and/or your business take that very small risk of a very large expense if something where to go wrong.

I don't think Sony had any motive to lie to me on the phone when they noted the firmware version as a risk factor. In fact I have seen that elsewhere as well. I had read that under 1.13 is a risk.

Although I haven't checked, it may well be that those who bricked their cameras (that includes some EX3 owners) may have had a firmware version that fell into the area of greater risk.

The recommendation is to have both the camera and the computer running off mains and with a battery installed. Main power can fail for sure. The probability of both a mains failure and a faulty battery at the same point in time is lower than the odds of winning a million in Vegas on your first bet.

It is likely that a previous update included a more robust loader that could say better recover from a comms failure. If this is the case then Sony should clearly say so.
The quoted cost of repairing a bricked camera is absurd. Programmable devices are usually in sockets and even SMD FPLAs can be reprogrammed in circuit. It's quite likely that not many or any repair centres have the gear to do this however a floating supply of exchange boards deals with this at minimal cost.

I don't think this is a deliberate attmept by anyone to spread FUD to make a dime. The costs quoted to have Sony do the work leave little room for profit once you factor in overheads. What does seem to be happening, at least in this country, is a tussle over who can carry out what work. Sony AU's position is that if the camera is under warranty then the authorised repair centre can carry out the upgrade and at a cost fixed by Sony. If not it has to be returned to Sony AU for the work to be done. None of this carry on is in anyones interests. This means a considerable cost to some users having to pay the costs of shipping their camera across this vast country.

The other issue is what happens if you do have the approved for upgrade revision and something still goes wrong. Is the camera then going to be repaired under warranty?

I've got four cameras with very early (1.2xxxx) firmware that have been an ongoing headache and need upgrading since those early versions were, well, broken........I also work in a system that is loath to fix or maintain anything once they own it and so I've been putting the maintenance off for some time. I was therefore overjoyed when I saw this update. Now, apparently they don't advise it if you have one of the early firmware versions. Any ideas why?

If you do some searching, I'm sure you can find what you need to make the update to 1.11. Then you can update to 1.20.

FWI, Sony recommends using a special USB cable to connect the camera to your computer. I didn't, but I did use a cable that I don't use everyday. The manufacturing tolerances of these cables seems pretty loose. I wouldn't use the same cable that you use to connect to pocket hard drives. There is too much risk of damage to the wiring that could cause a communication fault at the wrong time.

Pete

Bob,
It all comes down to what Sony is WILLING to do (or not). If Sony does the upgrade it's likely warranted like any other Sony service. Out of warranty repairs cost but the repair itself is covered.

BTW someone with a bricked camera reported that

Sony Japan is looking for a solution to reset the Firmware on the DPR-board. Now this can be done only in the factory. With a working solution each authorized service center around the globe could then do the reset without exchanging the complete board for 2.800 USD ..

Which means that Sony is looking in the direction you've pointed out as possible. If the cost ended up in the hundreds, rather than thousands of dollars that it certainly might be worth the risk of doing it yourself since the cost of failure wouldn't be devastating.

Basically it seems Sony released this firmware without any systemic forethought on policy if failure should occur. Let's keep reporting as the policy establishes itself.

Update:

The "brick victim" I've heard from said Sony will do the repair for
$390(US)
The camera must be shipped to Japan (apparently not available through the local service center)
Turnaround would be 2-3 weeks.

Of course I hope they make the Firmware reset available to local Sony service centers to cut down on turnaround time.

When you consider:
DIY with risk and immediate use
$135 with 5-8 business days turnaround
$390 with 10-15 business days turnaround

DIY would seem a reasonable risk. Let's see if we can confirm this with some of the others who've experienced bricking. Keep in mind the cost and time to ship to Japan for bricking. If that could happen at local service center instead it would be a major relief.

Now wouldn't it have been easy if Sony actually spelled out this policy on their websites.

Creating upgrades that destroy cameras like EX1s and EX3s is, at least, good for business! Might improve sales figures.

I upgraded my original 1.05 to 1.11 . Then to the newest 1.20 release all by myself. The 1.11 upgrade was worth it. The 1.20...although I love the ability to shoot 60fps on my cheaper memory, it was not worth the big risk.

It's good to hear that a repair may not be too much. If I could do it all over again knowing what I know now, I would not have done the 1.20 upgrade. It's just not worthwhile risk. Now if it had cache recording and standard def recording, that's worth a $300+ risk.

I actually just had another camera scare that's never happened before. After reviewing a clip with Record Review my screen turned green (like it does for a brief half second when switching formats) and froze there. I switched it off for 30 seconds, went to media mode. Viewed a clip and turned the camera off again. Switched it to camera mode and it has worked fine every since. Firmware related? Who knows...

"I actually just had another camera scare that's never happened before. After reviewing a clip with Record Review my screen turned green (like it does for a brief half second when switching formats) and froze there."

Adam,

This has happened on one of my EX's after the very first firmware upgrade, and still does, even after two more firmaware upgrades.

I've since learnt that if I just flip out the LCD screen and then put it away again the camera returns to normal, no need to reboot when you're in a hurry.

Cheers,

Vaughan

When Sony updated my EX1 to 1.11 I also had some odd behavior which included issues playing back clips. I had Sony redo the upgrade and it fixed the behavior.

BTW this is why I'm still concerned that people may later find "hidden" issues even though the upgrade to 1.20 seems fine.