I live in the UK and recently purchased a very low hours EX3 , it has 1.1 firmware. Can anybody recommend where I can get the firmware upgrade to the latest version. I gather I have to have it done professionally as the downloaded upgrades can only apply to camera's already upgraded to a version higher than 1.1 Hope this makes sense
Mick

Hi Mick - give Top-teks (http://www.top-teks.co.uk/) in Harefield a call - I've found them very helpful. I did my EX3 firmware updates myself from an early version without problems, although it was a little scary.

Please get a service center to do the upgrade. Doing the update yourself from below a certain number has the risk of bricking your EX3.

I agree Jack.
I tried to upgrade my EX1 and did indeed "brick it"...
Returned to Sony Coquitlam BC for prompt servicing and even reset my FB.
Ended up costing about $100.... well worth it if your upgrade fails mid reprogramming as mine did.

If you are already on 1.15+, the risk factor goes down slightly because presumably you've already had the newer boards swapped in.

Hi
Updated mine today from version 1,1 to 1,2. The instructions have to be followed very carefully - eks. I connected my camera to USB while the camera was on - but it must not be set to on before the camera is connected to the computer. So follow the instructions. But there are always a risk - destroyd a GoPro trying to update it a year ago.

Thanks for all your replies. Jeff, my firmware shows as 1.1 and as you confirm I need 1.5 to be able to safely upgrade myself. I believe the latest available from Sony does not contain bits and pieces included in upgrades between 1.1 and 1.5 therefore you need to go to an authorised service centre as they are not available from the the Sony download site. Martin, thanks for the heads up re Top-tecs, I will give them a call. Has anybody here in the UK had the latest firmware installed from 1.1 successfully by a service centre?

Many thanks

Mick

Bo, where did you find the 1.2 upgrade? I can only find the latest on the Sony uk site

Hi
I found it here Software/Drivers : PMW-EX3 : Sony Professional (http://www.sony.co.uk/pro/support/documents/software/xdcamcamcorders/pmw-ex3)
Dont know if there are any difference between NTSC and PAL models.
The newest firmware are 1.20 - don't need to upgrade to 1.16 first - go straight for 1.20 - i did.

Thanks Bo, have downloaded now need to pluck up courage to install !

Just remember to follow the instructions - one by one..... External power or a big battery - - just for safety.

Bo, thanks

Did you succed in installing the upgrade?

Hi Bo, I tried yesterday but for some reason the camera/laptop would not connect to each other. It got as far as far as connecting stage but would not move onto connected. Laptop operating with windows XP . I then tried again this time with a newer Sony Vaio laptop (windows 7) When I tried to run the upgrade I get a window up headed "Not a member of the administers group" and in the box text "Please run the upgrade tool as a member of the administrators gruop" Not sure what this means as I an logged in as an administrator? That's where I am upto at the moment. Does anybody have any advice re box telling me "Not a member of the administers group"

Mick

Hi
You should Right click on the "Versionuptool.exe" file and choose "Run as a administrator. I had several problems to connect too - but remember not to turn you camera on before it is connected with the turned on computer.

Hi Bo, Sorted the the administrator problem, but how long does the the connection of the usb take? been running for 20mins now and camera screen is still showing connecting!

tried that too - start again. I tried pointing to the inf driver in the 120 package toot - but it seemed not to help much. Where do you have the install package - maybe it's best in the C:/ root. - I had it on the desktop and at 3 or 4 try it started correctly and made the connection to the camera.

Thanks Bo, I made several attempts to connect, the unzipped file is in c drive downloads. The yellow light on the computer flashes as if trying to connect. Have now given up for the day, will sleep on it and try again tomorrow.!!!!

Hi Mick - this may sound like a silly question (and apologies if it does!) but I am presuming that you are connecting the EX3 to the computer via the service USB port (which is hidden beneath the shoulder pad) and not the USB port on the outside of the camera?

That may well be my problem, thanks. Will decide later if to to have another attempt!

Hi Bo and Martin.

Well its taken me 11 months to pluck up courage to have another go. Having been directed to the correct usb port by Martin and Bo's excellent step step instructions the update proceeded smoothly. I gather there may now be a another update to the 1.2 somewhere but I'm sticking to the 1.2. Many thanks to you all.