Wondering if anyone has heard any further details on new firmware for the X70, any estimated release date?
I had last heard maybe March, but here we are & I've heard nothing more in quite a while.

just found this with a quick Google.

PXW-X70 Firmware V3.0

Upgrade is free of charge and will be available during April-June 2016 (TBC).

New Features & Improvements:
● Support for 100 Mbps QFHD recording with XAVC format*

PXW-X70 V3.0 firmware will be downloadable here during April-June 2016 (TBC).

(*)PXW-X70 will need to be 4K capable, which requires a paid upgrade with CBKZ-X70FX, in order to record in 100Mbps QFHD XAVC.

Now that we are in Sony's first "fiscal quarter" - anyone heard anything more about the new X70 Firmware for 100mbps

I think the bigger question is why it has taken so long for the X70 to get 100Mbp/s.

We know that Sony has no trouble implementing 100Mbp/s on EVERY consumer 4k and action camera they make today. In fact, the X70 is left all by itself in the Sony product line with a maximum of 60Mbp/s. The X70's little brother was given 100Mbp/s a year ago.

All of the X70's competitors are doing either 100Mbp/s or even 150Mbp/s today.

What in the world is the problem? Is it a marketing timing thing? Is it a problem with Sony not having the man power to add it in the firmware? Is it a technical problem with the hardware inside the X70? Based on X70 service manual, we know for a fact that is has a faster processor on it's mainboard than the AX100 has.

Why has this taken so long and why is the X70 the "oddball" in terms of standard CODEC bitrate in Sony's UHD fleet.

Very strange,.....

Wondering if anyone has heard any further details on new firmware for the X70, any estimated release date?
I had last heard maybe March, but here we are & I've heard nothing more in quite a while.

Looks like it has now been pushed to July 2016...sigh...time for a Z150???

What is your source for that info (July 2016)?

Ahhh,...found it. Sony's UK Site:


https://www.sony.co.uk/pro/article/broadcast-products-firmware-equipment-roadmap


PXW-X70 Firmware V3.0

Upgrade will be available from July 2016

New Features & Improvements:
● Support for XAVC QFHD 4K 100Mbps (3840x2160) at 30p/25p/24p, plus MPEG HD422 50Mbps (1920x1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p and (1280x720) at 60p/50p.*
* For XAVC QFHD 4K recordings, the PXW-X70 also requires the paid-for upgrade CBKZ-X70FX software key.
● Support for MPEG HD422 50Mbps (1920x1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p and (1280x720) at 60p/50p, as well as MPEG HD420 35Mbps (1920x1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p, (1440x1080) at 60i/50i and (1280x720) at 60p/50p.**
** For MPEG HD recordings, the PXW-X70 also requires the paid-for upgrade CBKZ-SLMP software key [expected availability from July 2016].
● Support for high quality QoS Streaming to PWS-100RX1.
● Support for Ustream® direct streaming in real time. Two resolution modes are available: 1280x720 at 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, or 640x360 at 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p.
● HDMI/SDI/composite output selection during QFHD recording.
● XAVC Salvage – XAVC file protection with salvage recording function in case of accidental power loss.


Just curious. Is anybody interested in Sony's older MPEG 2 8bit 4:2:2 codec? Why would anybody want that when they have h.264 10bit available on the X70?

There are probably some broadcast facilities tied into XDCAM HD. It might involve an MPEG-LA license as well. In any case, outside of that, it may not be needed for most people these days.

** For MPEG HD recordings, the PXW-X70 also requires the paid-for upgrade CBKZ-SLMP software key [expected availability from July 2016].

Cheeky f****rs, yet another paid for upgrade - wow the money grabbing never ends. Was paying out £800gbp ($1100usd) for 4k licenses on my 2 X70's not enough?


Looking forward to the XAVC Salvage, although that problem shouldn't exist in the first place!

Paul, just be glad you do not have to pay an arm and a leg to add Standard Def option to a high end HD XDCAM.......lol.

Paul

Just curious if anyone knows what this means: "HDMI/SDI/composite output selection during QFHD recording."

Right now, I believe the X70 will output to a monitor/recorder during both standby and record while in 1080, but only in standby while in QFHD. That basically negates any benefit of using an external monitor while recording in QFHD. I'm hoping this firmware update will fix this issue. I've been looking into the Blackmagic Video Assist to be used as a field monitor but to also have a second option for recording if I desired. Anyone have any insight on this issue?

As far as I understand this, yes, we get QFHD output at HDMI/SDI/composite during QFHD recording.
Would be interesting to know if there will also be commands to start/stop a recorder via HDMI.

I certainly hope so.

That's interesting.......my A7sII shuts off the EVF/LCD when you hit record in 4K......haha! You can imagine how much fun that was to learn when it began happening on a LIVE SHOT I was doing.

One of the coolest things about the X70 is the ability to output any format while in a different resolution.

Paul

Just curious. Is anybody interested in Sony's older MPEG 2 8bit 4:2:2 codec? Why would anybody want that when they have h.264 10bit available on the X70?

Sure I would. Being able to load my footage straight into my client's workflow which still runs MPEG-HD from the PMW-200 and PMW400 cameras would be a huge advantage to me.

Some editing systems can smart render XDCAM, so the exports are instant with cuts only editing...........good for news and things needing speedy turnaround.

Paul

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the reason why every other cheap Sony camcorder and ActionCam got 100mbp/s 4k a long time ago and the XDCAM X70 is still the only Sony product stuck with 60mbp/s today.

What is taking Sony so long with this particular model and why are they treating it like the red headed step child of their entire product family?

CT

Because Cliff, they want the $300 off current rebate when buying a new X70 with 4K to expire, and hope in the meantime frustrated X70 owners buy new Z150's........or maybe that's just crazy. :-)

Paul

It was rather frustrating (to me) to learn earlier this year that the software won't be released until after July 1 since I will be vacationing in Europe starting June 18. I use the X70 as backup for my FS7 in case it malfunctions but especially in situations where a "professional" camera is not welcome (e.g. the Vatican).

With regard to the 60mbs however, i have not had much problem in using X70 clips alongside FS7 clips (shot in SLog3) using the excellent PP setting provided in this forum and using Davinci Resolve for some minor low-midtone-highlight corrections. So far it has worked out fairly well.

Some editing systems can smart render XDCAM, so the exports are instant with cuts only editing...........good for news and things needing speedy turnaround.

Paul
Just to know, which one?

Grass Valley Edius Pro (among others) ;-)

3.0 is here!.....Software: PXW-X70 : System Software Update V3.00 (Win + Mac) : Software/Drivers : Canada : Sony Professional (http://www.sonybiz.ca/pro/lang/en/ca/support/software/SET_150526_PSG/20)

Good and bad news:

The 3.0 firmware is now out. However, it seems that the US download comes in a folder labeled FS7 instead of X70, although the files included seem to be the correct ones. However, the first person I've read that tried it ended up with a bricked camera. The EU and CA updaters seem to work, but I don't know if anyone has yet tried one of those on a US camera. It may be fine, and the bricked X70 may have been due to another issue, but I'm holding off until we know more.

Well, the US updater does work, but there are still a few (3, I think) folks on the X70 FaceBook group that have bricked cameras after attempting this.

So, they installed FS7 firmware into the X70, and they are all bricking their cameras?

I'm sorry, but slight LoL............but not really, because a bricked camera with a $500 "Sony let me buy a number to make my camera do stuff" option must be heartbreaking. :-(

Paul

Installed V. 3.0 from Canadian site- didn't brick the camera! So nice to see XAVC 2160/30p 100 (instead of 60) - just in time for my Europe trip!

Sounds like all the bricks were upgrading from v2.0 with 4K option already installed. I just updated my X70 using the Canadian site download Mac dmg installer. Worked fine for me.

SAVE CAMERA PROFILE to SD card and remove SD cards prior to update, then reload your camera profile
settings via menu that you just saved prior to the update.

Paul

Installed V. 3.0 from Canadian site- didn't brick the camera! So nice to see XAVC 2160/30p 100 (instead of 60) - just in time for my Europe trip!

You do know that the camera will only ooperate in 28.9"eh"Hz mode now right? :-)

Paul

Sounds like all the bricks were upgrading from v2.0 with 4K option already installed. I just updated my X70 using the Canadian site download Mac dmg installer. Worked fine for me.

SAVE CAMERA PROFILE to SD card and remove SD cards prior to update, then reload your camera profile
settings via menu that you just saved prior to the update.

Paul

I upgraded from v 2.0 with 4K option. I did save my picture profiles (yours) but forgot to remove the card while upgrading. Reloaded without problems and tweaked it a bit according to the latest profile I could find. Is this your latest for "run and gun" all around shooting?

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw-x70-fdr-ax100/530260-best-x70-picture-profile-settings.html

I was feeling really lucky - I used the US download with the wrong folder name but the right installer file, did not remove the cards, and did it while I had FCPX, Safari, etc. open and was burning a DVD in the background. Worked flawlessly, as did restoring all my settings from the saved Camera Profile.

I upgraded from v 2.0 with 4K option. I did save my picture profiles (yours) but forgot to remove the card while upgrading. Reloaded without problems and tweaked it a bit according to the latest profile I could find. Is this your latest for "run and gun" all around shooting?

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw-x70-fdr-ax100/530260-best-x70-picture-profile-settings.html

I think the SD card thing is just because the camera wants to go into "ttansfer video from A or B select mode when plugged in.

I am back to my original PP4 custom settings, the one referenced above using cinema1 needs a bit too much grading for the contrast and pop I need for LIVE broadcasting, and the LED lighting color issues I deal with. I need to try that PP out on my Z150 see how it works.

Paul

Paul - could you point me to the original settings?

Just curious if anyone knows what this means: "HDMI/SDI/composite output selection during QFHD recording."

Right now, I believe the X70 will output to a monitor/recorder during both standby and record while in 1080, but only in standby while in QFHD. That basically negates any benefit of using an external monitor while recording in QFHD. I'm hoping this firmware update will fix this issue. I've been looking into the Blackmagic Video Assist to be used as a field monitor but to also have a second option for recording if I desired. Anyone have any insight on this issue?

Just an FYI, I have completed the V3.0 upgrade. You can indeed output the 4K signal, but it will only output to either your LCD screen or the external monitor. Not to both at the same time. Not huge deal but it would be nice if it would output to both like it does for 1080.

X70 PP's are compatible with the Z150.

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw-x70-fdr-ax100/526187-x70-full-pp-color-correction-settings.html#post1871731

Paul - Just to make sure I have this right - the settings you are currently recommending are found in post #7 on this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-pxw-x70-fdr-ax100/530260-best-x70-picture-profile-settings.html. - except that the Color Phase is at -2 instead of 0 - is that correct?