Now it's official for HXR-NX5E, HXR-NX5M.
Here's the link http://support.pro.sony.eu//software/detail.aspx?u=biz&id=BPE-SS-03H5&lang=E&model=HXR-NX5E but you have to register to get it.

IMPROVEMENT:

'Buffer overflow' no longer occurs during recording with HVR-FMU128.

Thank you Cristian!

I have now succsessfully updated the firmware of my nx5e to Version 2.0.

Took me 5 minutes - was really easy to do.

Wow, a lot quicker than what I have been told, that's for sure!

User Firmware Update Ver. 2.0 is now available on the NXCAM micro-site. This user installable software updates the HXR-NX5U firmware version from 1.0 to 2.0. It is available here: Sony | Micro Site - NXCAM (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/micro-nxcamsite/resource.downloads)

Version 2.0 addresses a "buffer overflow" message that may rarely occur due to a software malfunction with the camera’s HXR-FMU128 controller. When this issue occurs, the camera fails to power the FMU128 up, causing the camera's memory buffer to overflow.

Buffer overflow may also occur when defective memory cards or inappropriate memory cards with low writing speed are used. If the card cannot keep up with the data flow, it will cause the camera's buffer to overflow. The only remedy for this is to replace the defective or inappropriate memory card for one that matches the NX5U specifications.

Juan Martinez
Senior Product Manager

Upgrade process worked as described with no problems. I had been disappointed with the autofocus which also now seems to be faster and more correct though the displayed number is still wrong until manually touching the focus ring, at least the focus is now OK.!!! Will see how it performs this evening as I will use both cards and FMU. I was also impressed that Sony Canada actually rang me just after noon to tell me the firmware upgrade was now available.

Ron Evans

Will the .exe file work on a mac or is there a mac version available?

Joe

Okay, my update is installed as well. So now we wait and see what happens. It will take a whole lot of hours of testing to be sure we are all okay. My first Buffer Overflow didn't occur the first time until 30+ hours.

That's great news about the focus Ron. I'll have to play with that.

Let's hope we never read the words "Buffer Overflow" again! :)

Anyone know if this European firmware will be identical to the American one? How about a USA link?

Well camera ran trouble free for just over 3 hours this evening. Focus actually worked too. It would be nice to know what things were changed in the firmware just out of interest.

Ron Evans

I'd also be interested in seeing what the firmware does other than stop the buffer overflow. Some people report faster AF, which would be a big plus for me. Just got my NX5 on Tuesday and I love it!

Hi guys, love time lurker, first time poster.

Just completed the update process on my NX5P (Australian version) and all went well.

Was mildly concerned that under Windows 7, it automatically disconnected its USB connection, (so couldn't manually disconnect as per instructions) but all was fine.

I completed the firmware update for my 2 NX5U USA version. The firmware update process is straight forward and painless. It took about 2 minutes each. The only thing left to do now is to say a word of prayer before my big shoot tomorrow.

For anybody who didn't understand it, Juan Martinez's post lists the link for the firmware update for NTSC users --- just follow his link to the Sony | Micro Site - NXCAM

The firmware downloaded and installed without a hitch except that one of the listed steps was not necessary on my Win 7 system. In the Sony instructions, Step 4a tells you to click the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the task tray in the lower right hand corner of your Windows computer screen and click on "stop" for the NXCAM . In my case, this was not necessary because the installation software had already removed the NXCAM automatically and I was able to proceed immediately to Step 4b (pressing the camcorder's "reset" button.)

Does anybody have information if this firmware download can be done in a macosx? or is this update exclusive for pc? Which operating system in pc then must I have to apply this update to my camcorder?

OK 2 questions...

Is there a mac update available or is it only available on a a crappy pc :)

Also, I've never had the buffer issue so should I still update?

"Is there a mac update available or is it only available on a a crappy pc :)"

Well, its actually available for good PCs as well as crappy ones.

Whether and when a Mac update will be available is probably something Juan Martinez (Sony employee) should comment on.

When I downloaded the upgrade, the download came only as a "zip" file and the "pdf" instructions were expressly limited to systems running Win XP, Win Vista, and Win 7. It's been a couple of years since I've done any work on a Mac and I simply cannot recall if OS X allows you to run zip and "exe" files. I suggest you try calling Sony at the toll-free tech support number listed for the upgrade, 1-800-883-6817, and ask when (or where) you can find an upgrade that you can run from a Mac..

Should you upgrade? Look at the serial number on the bottom plate of your NX5. If you have a serial number between 110001 and 111585, Sony recommends the upgrade.

That you have not had a buffer overflow error is possibly good news or possibly no news. The buffer-overflow issue only seems to occur if you are recording 1080iFX in parallel to the SD cards and FMU. Also. some users have reported a an FMU crash/glitch after something like 30 hours of camera use and when recording only to the FMU. So far as I know, nobody has had a crash/glitch when using only the SD cards and nobody has reported a problem like this when using an AX2000 (the SD card-only version of the camera.) I've got about 60 hours use on my NX5 now, but only about 20 hours on the FMU. (The FMUs were backordered for a long time and I've only had mine for a couple of weeks.) That I did not see the buffer overflow problem might or might not be significant. Now that I've installed the upgraded firmware, I won't have any useful information on whether I would (or would not) have escaped the buffer overflow.

I tried opening the update on a mac, it didn't work. Luckily my wife has a pc for work and I was able to do the update. Shot a wedding last night with no problems at all.

Joe

Is there a mac update available or is it only available on a a crappy pc :)



I have the same sort of response as Jay. I am a PC user and have no problems with any of my PC's. Since most current Mac's are Intel PC's in an expensive box with restricted hardware running Mac software. The choice is really one of software. Choose the software that you want and then the hardware to run it. IF you want to use FCP then it has to be a MAC. IF you like the MAC hardware then just run Windows on it for the programs that are Windows only. For me the choice is greater on the PC, I can make my own with the components I want in the box of my choosing. ( for a lot less money).
Enough of the PC/MAC issue. I too upgraded my NX5U and it is now running just fine with two shows since Thursday with no problems. Upgrade was easy and as described in the instruction.

Ron Evans

You can upgrade on an intel base mac through boot camp. You will have to install the Windows operating system of your choice and then at start up boot into windows or use software that will allow you to boot into windows from a mac platform.

I did upgrade my NX5u. One big downer thou the auto focus is real slow. My sr-11 auto focus is a lot faster. Will sony be able to make the auto focus on the NX5u any faster or sharper?

An interesting observation. My NX5U autofocus is also slow and not as repeatable as my SR11 and XR500 though after the firmware upgrade it is a lot better though still not as good. Side by side in autofocus the XR500 is a lot sharper in focus. Manually focusing with the expanded focus will get the NX5U sharp but just pressing the autofocus will not do it. I will send mine back in to Sony after the next few weeks of shows finish. I really wish that the NX5U had the spot autofocus of the consumer cameras. It has the touch screen just doesn't have the rest of the features.

Ron Evans

I shot a wedding with my two NX5U for a wedding this past Saturday after the firmware update and did not encounter any issue at all. I had my flash card as SD and my FMU128 as HD, both recorded simultaneously.

I shot a wedding with my two NX5U for a wedding this past Saturday after the firmware update and did not encounter any issue at all. I had my flash card as SD and my FMU128 as HD, both recorded simultaneously.

That's great news Allan. Based on the experiences people had before the firmware upgrade, most people would go for hours and hours between failures. So hopefully, the cumulative experience of you, me and everyone else is the data we need to be sure the fix worked.

In my mind, I won't feel comfortable for at least a few weeks of many upgraded cams running. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

"Is there a mac update available or is it only available on a a crappy pc :)"

Well, its actually available for good PCs as well as crappy ones.

Whether and when a Mac update will be available is probably something Juan Martinez (Sony employee) should comment on.

When I downloaded the upgrade, the download came only as a "zip" file and the "pdf" instructions were expressly limited to systems running Win XP, Win Vista, and Win 7. It's been a couple of years since I've done any work on a Mac and I simply cannot recall if OS X allows you to run zip and "exe" files. I suggest you try calling Sony at the toll-free tech support number listed for the upgrade, 1-800-883-6817, and ask when (or where) you can find an upgrade that you can run from a Mac..

Should you upgrade? Look at the serial number on the bottom plate of your NX5. If you have a serial number between 110001 and 111585, Sony recommends the upgrade.

That you have not had a buffer overflow error is possibly good news or possibly no news. The buffer-overflow issue only seems to occur if you are recording 1080iFX in parallel to the SD cards and FMU. Also. some users have reported a an FMU crash/glitch after something like 30 hours of camera use and when recording only to the FMU. So far as I know, nobody has had a crash/glitch when using only the SD cards and nobody has reported a problem like this when using an AX2000 (the SD card-only version of the camera.) I've got about 60 hours use on my NX5 now, but only about 20 hours on the FMU. (The FMUs were backordered for a long time and I've only had mine for a couple of weeks.) That I did not see the buffer overflow problem might or might not be significant. Now that I've installed the upgraded firmware, I won't have any useful information on whether I would (or would not) have escaped the buffer overflow.

Thanks for the reply Jay!

1 - How about making the link & instructions to the 2.0 upgrade a sticky so it is easy to find on the forum?

2 - I just got my cam yesterday... how can I tell if it has the upgrade &/or what ver it has?

3 - Has the upgrade done it? Fixed the buffer overflow issue or what ever it was?

thanks for any help.

Good idea about the sticky note.
If you want to see the firmware number you have to read the instructions of the firmware upgrade. At some point the program will check the version of your camcorder's firmware.
I've upgraded the firmware but I don't have the FMU, I wait too for the others to share the results.

I just update my firmware and will be doing some testing tomorrow when I meet with a bride at the church to take location and lighting notes. I'll record a bunch and see if I get any buffer overrun problems. Hopefully not.

I am from Asia, Malaysia
I have the demo unit of nxcam serial number 000000. My nxcam is NX5P. My nxcam is the early unit of nxcam..

Should i update the firmware?

Definitely you have to do it, but only if it is supported by your camcorder. You should send an e-mail to Support Center and ask them if you can update the firmware.

Based on the information on Sony's website if your serial number is higher than 111585 you do not need to upgrade the firmware. Units with serial numbers higher than 111585 are not affected.

Has anyone upgrade it with a higher serial number?
If they did, are there any issues?

Thanks

I believe that NX5 cams with serial numbers above 111585 already have the 2.0 software and that is why they do not require the upgrade.

Thanks!

Is there a way to check the firmware?

Thank you

There must be several different way. You can download and start the Sony updater software and the software tells you whether you have versions 1 or 2. If it says you have version 2, you quit the updater. Be sure to read the instructions before starting the process.

Maybe somebody knows a better way to check?