For the folks who are thinking about getting the 4k upgrade for the X70 camera, here's a quick walkthrough of the surprisingly complicated process of getting and installing it. Hopefully this will help people to decide whether it's something they want, or maybe help them to get through the install process if they do.

This is hopefully going to be followed by some tests of the new 4k mode in action. I'm planning to test detail, moire/aliasing, high-motion content, and gradability... any other suggestions welcome.

Sony x70 4k Upgrade Install on Vimeo

I'm still waiting for my securely packaged piece of paper (didn't realise Sony had such a zany sense of humour) but thanks for the tips Atticus Lake.

Except that...

On a Mac, you are not given a way to create the user account (tried both Safari and Firefox) - you must either email Sony or call them instead of starting online. I emailed them Friday night and got a call from them early afternoon the next business day. I told him about the web site issues and he said "Yeah, forget the web site." He verified my serial number, emailed my Install Key and I was fine. One more thing, as noted in the video (thanks Atticus), throughout the process when they ask for numbers it sometimes means *upgrade* info and numbers, and sometimes they want the *device* (camera) info and numbers.

Holy freaking cow.... seriously???? I can't believe how backwards their web site is. I run a pretty complex web site and to me, this stuff just isn't as hard as they're making it. It was, in the '90s, but not now. I mean, having a home page covered with warnings on how to use it in different browsers... instead of just making it work... LAME!!!

Anyhow, I'm glad you got it worked out!

I'm still waiting for my securely packaged piece of paper (didn't realise Sony had such a zany sense of humour) but thanks for the tips Atticus Lake.

Hey, did you order it in Australia, and find a cash back offer .?

hilarious!

I presume it's that complex to deter pirating. If not thats a lot of hoops to jump through eh?

I was going to buy a X70 but the paid upgrade sort of put me off so I went for the AX100 instead. That rigamarole isn't a good selling point either huh?

After spending the better part of the afternoon attempting to decipher Sony's sense of humor, I have lost mine. I gave up trying to navigate the ridiculous website (hadn't seen The post from Atticus), I emailed Sony a few days ago and they sent me a reply that claims to have my install code, upgrade file and instructions. the install key is a 30 kb Unix file that seems to do nothing, I do not see an upgrade file. I have copied this Unix file to the SD card but the camera tells me that there is no file. This routine has been performed about six times to no avail. Sony is way too busy to talk to me, they wil call me back.

I thought the 12 x 12 box that contained a 2x3 box, that contained two sheets of paper was a joke, seems it was just the beginning! I don't know if my email doesn't contain the upgrade file ad that's why it doesn't work, or what, but Sony is not telling, I know that.

That's odd....well? My online experience went fast and flawless.

Took me 2 minutes to plug in the numbers and send. I got the emails from Sony literally 10 minutes after I finished on the web.

When copying it down to your computer. Be careful not to change anything about the file. It's tint with no extension on it. Make sure that when you save it from the email that your browser doesn't put a (1) at the end of it. I saved it twice in my folder and Chrome gave the second one a modified file name.

Make sure the file is in the root of your SDXC card too. Not in another folder.

My upgrade file was 1kb....much much MUCH smaller than yours. My file literally contains 29 ASCII characters in it on a single line.

If your file is 30KB,...that's MUCH larger than mine.

Open your file with notepad....what do you see?

Hey, did you order it in Australia, and find a cash back offer .?

Somehow Sony convert US$500 to A$750 instead of A$675, but the Sony dealers in Perth, who I recently spent a fair bit of money with, discounted it to $678. then added GST so it was $745.80.

I'm hoping it will be a really impressive piece of paper,

... they sent me a reply that claims to have my install code, upgrade file and instructions. the install key is a 30 kb Unix file that seems to do nothing,

Sorry to hear about your experience. The upgrade key you are looking for is a file of 30 bytes -- not kB. Its name is something like

CBKZ-X70FXINSTALLKEY_20150707112345678

with no extension. That file needs to be copied to the root of your SD card with no modification at all, no filename extension, nothing. Then the SD card goes in slot A.

They will probably also send you a PDF file, which you should keep for your records, but it's otherwise not needed.

Hope that helps....

Thanks Guys! That is an accurate description of the file that they sent me. I formatted the A slot SD in my camera, copied the file from the email to the SD (it showed up above the "Private" folder, removed the SD, put it in the X70, went through the steps to the install, but it tells me that there's no file.

I thought it was pretty straight forward, but I'm obviously missing something.

The file looks like this in the email:

And this on the SD:

Be absolutely sure that the purchase key and the camera unique device ID were entered correctly on the website install key request form.
It's been reported that if there is an error in the camera ID number, they will still send you an install key, but it simply won't work.

Thanks Robert. Maybe that's it. I went the Sony email route with the serial number and that was what they replied with. I'm probably stuck now, I would imagine that you get one bite at the apple.

Thanks again everyone for your help. Robert hit the nail on the head, I read one digit as an 8 in the serial #, and it was a zero. I just submitted the correction to Sony with the original submission, hope that works. Guess my frustration today should be directed at myself.

As I suspected, I went through the sony site and registered, got all the way through and it denied me, due to too many activations. It suggested that I get in touch with "the local Sony representative in charge". Not quite sure what that means.

Apparently, when you botch the process like I seem to have, it requires approval from Japan to get another code. They are working on it. Wish I had seen your install clip Atticus, and had my readers on when I entered my serial # :)

Holy cow... wlell I hope it gets sorted. Best of luck! The upgrade is looking pretty good to me so far.

I have registered on the sony website and awaiting my password but who knows when that will come. My product key arrives tommorrow and I don't want to have to wait another few days just to get my registration password much less waiting on the emails from Sony to do the final install. This whole process is obviously spelled out by the higher-ups in Japan - it is so incredibly archaic.

Anyway, has anyone used these instructions - specifically the telephone activation - unless they place you on hold for hours or don't answer the phone it seems pretty straightforward - I like the mention of sending you the emails while you are on the phone with them. You notice that the website route is the very last option for North American customers!!!

Sony | Services and Programs (http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/services.servicesprograms.bbsccms-services-servicesprograms-pxwx704kupgrade.shtml?PID=I:pxw704k:upgradeinstructions)

I could not register on the web site, so sent them an email. I got a call from them the next business day. After verifying a couple of things we hung up and I got an email with my Install Key file within 2 minutes. Copied it to an SD card (which even included some pre-existing clips in the Private folder) and updated.

The North American rebate offer was a bit odd as well, but has now been mailed off. We'll see how long that takes.

I have not had time for much testing, but so far the 4K is good but not overwhelming. I'm sure it will be impressive when I've had time to test more.

Telephone activation was a breeze - went through the menu options as per the Sony instructions and was immediately connected to a rep who took the License Key, serial number of the x79 and my email address and I had the email from Sony within 8 minutes. I'm glad I didn't do the website method as I registered on Friday and still haven't received my password yet.

Just about to order the upgrade from B&H........ I tried to fill out the form (link below) that Sony wants included with all the other purchase information.
https://www.merprorebates.com/merlin/sonyrebatesunsecure?mgr=Enrollment&command=getEnrollmentForm&promotion=1170
Upon completing the form, I received a "Accept terms and conditions" pop-up stating;

"Please review your date, model number or serial number. One of these items does not meet the rebate promotion requirements or this may be a duplicate entry. Thank you."

I checked and repeated the process with the same end result. In return, I contacted Sony through their 1-800 number. They stated that they received the information and gave me a tracking number. I asked them about having a print out to send in with all my purchase information. The rep stated; No need to send in a print out of the rebate form, just include the tracking number with the original UPC product code label from the box of the license key, copy of the key invoice/receipt and a copy of invoice/receipt of the camcorder.
I'm a little concerned due to Sony stating they want this form included for the rebate (see the following link). Upon reading the terms and conditions, I see that they want the original UPC from the product box as well....... I'm assuming they mean the box that the PXW-X70 came in. I do have mine, but I'm sure others don't. If that's the case and you don't have the original UPC are you SOL? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks, Ray
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/083115_SONY10_061515.pdf

I have registered on the sony website and awaiting my password but who knows when that will come.

Not sure what you mean by receiving a password. Is this the same as the tracking number? Thanks, ray

Telephone activation was a breeze - went through the menu options as per the Sony instructions and was immediately connected to a rep who took the License Key, serial number of the x79 and my email address and I had the email from Sony within 8 minutes. I'm glad I didn't do the website method as I registered on Friday and still haven't received my password yet.

So once you go through the telephone activation, you have to wait for a password? Why a password if activated? Thanks, Ray

Just about to order the upgrade from B&H........ I tried to fill out the form (link below) that Sony wants included with all the other purchase information.
https://www.merprorebates.com/merlin/sonyrebatesunsecure?mgr=Enrollment&command=getEnrollmentForm&promotion=1170
Upon completing the form, I received a "Accept terms and conditions" pop-up stating;

"Please review your date, model number or serial number. One of these items does not meet the rebate promotion requirements or this may be a duplicate entry. Thank you."

I checked and repeated the process with the same end result. In return, I contacted Sony through their 1-800 number. They stated that they received the information and gave me a tracking number. I asked them about having a print out to send in with all my purchase information. The rep stated; No need to send in a print out of the rebate form, just include the tracking number with the original UPC product code label from the box of the license key, copy of the key invoice/receipt and a copy of invoice/receipt of the camcorder.
I'm a little concerned due to Sony stating they want this form included for the rebate (see the following link). Upon reading the terms and conditions, I see that they want the original UPC from the product box as well....... I'm assuming they mean the box that the PXW-X70 came in. I do have mine, but I'm sure others don't. If that's the case and you don't have the original UPC are you SOL? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Thanks, Ray
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Rebates_Promos/083115_SONY10_061515.pdf

I had the same problem with the "not meet the rebate promotion requirements" until I figured they needed the X70 serial number - they everything went through and I printed out the form. Don't you need the order number from B&H before completing the rebate form? You said you hadn't quite ordered the upgrade yet.

The only thing they need the original UPC from is the 4K upgrade box not the X70 box. otherwise just invoices from the 4K upgrade and the original X70 purchase invoice

Not sure what you mean by receiving a password. Is this the same as the tracking number? Thanks, ray

The password was for the website registration and activation process which I abandoned after never receiving the password after registering on the website - if you go this route (which I don't advise) you receive a password allowing access to the website and then you complete the activation process after you get the key number in the Sony upgrade box.

So once you go through the telephone activation, you have to wait for a password? Why a password if activated? Thanks, Ray

I was never activated on the website so no password is required. If you call the toll-free number listed in the instructions link from my previous post and use the menu options (I pressed them before they even got through explaining each option) you get connected to a local Sony rep - mine was :
Douglas Bierschenk
Sr. Product Applications Specialist,Product Operations Support Center,Sony Professional Services,
Sony Electronics Inc.,123 West Tryon Avenue,Teaneck, NJ 07666,Tel: 800-883-6817

He took the License Key number, the X70 serial number and my email address - repeated it back to me and I had my activation email with the file to put on the SD card within 6-9 minutes.

Simple process.

Thank you Barry...... I will follow what you did once I receive the upgrade from B&H. I sincerely appreciate all your help. Ray

Thank you to the brain trust here, and the patience of Sony's technical people. My X-70 is now 4K and it was pretty anti-clamactic given the drama leading up to it :)

It was a bit of a process getting the installation key from Sony, but I finally have it. I called yesterday afternoon and was told someone would call me back. They didn't so I called again. The guy took my info, but was having trouble. He asked me to email him a picture of my Key so he could make sure we got it correct. Finally after about 45 minutes or so on the phone he figured out that the server in Japan was down because my key was good. He was going to do it this morning, but I guess he didn't come in to work. I finally called again this afternoon and got a guy right away. He took my info again and ran it and sent me the email in less than 10 minutes. Glad that's finally over, now I just have to get home from work and get it installed on the camera.

Hopefully I can get some footage and post it here in a day or so.

FYI, they changed the website since your video. There is no longer a dropdown list for the camera models. You just click on "install key" and then type in your purchase key and follow the links. Got it working but not before some hair pulling trying to follow their logic.

Definitely not the most intuitive process ever designed. I ended up goofing it up to the point that Sony Japan had to get involved and unlock my key for me. Glad you got it ironed out.

I spent yesterday afternoon helping a friend get acclimated to his new X70, coming from an old Sony VX-2000. He ordered the 4k version of the camera, but surprisingly, the 4k option was not installed - rather, the "little box of paper" for the upgrade came in the camera box.

Talk about a pain in the butt!! I had unfortunately not seen the video from this thread, however as reported the Sony website is now somewhat different than before and does NOT exactly match the directions supplied on the tablecloth thing.

Getting the first email was easy enough, but things went downhill after that trying to get the upgrade file downloaded. I followed the process multiple times and it just was not cooperating, but being a patient fellow, I kept doing the process over the over. I've heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, but on about the 10th try it suddenly acted different than all the times before and gave me the download and we got it working. What an absolute joke though...

That said, amazing little camera that I look forward to working with more (friend will borrow it to me)

Thanks

Jeff

Well, then...
The thing about insanity- it's not true!
I always wondered about that ;)