Surprised no one mentioned yet.

Software: PXW-X70 : System Software Update V3.00 (Win + Mac) : Software/Drivers : United Kingdom : Sony Professional (http://www.sony.co.uk/pro/support/software/SET_150526_PSG/20)

There may be issues with the US installer - see my post on the other thread on this.

Facebook forum are speaking about bricked cameras.

Update worked fine for me. Have run a couple hours of 100mb 4k to see if it overheats - so far so good.

I just completed the update from the US site. Worked without a hitch.

https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/SoftwareFreeDownload.aspx

Took a chance.....worked well. But should be noted I had to use the Sony USB cable. Go figure.

3 questions..............

I've just read through the 'instructions' on the download page - can I confirm that 4k 60mbps is still available after the v3 upgrade?

Theres no mention of the XAVC 'file recovery after loss of power' fix that was mentioned in the pre-release notes - anyone got any ideas if this was dropped from the final version?

Anyone in the UK been brave enough to update yet & was everything smooth?

Thanks guys

Yes, both 60 and 100 are options after the update.

And, you're right, I see no mention of the file recovery feature in the firmware update "manual."

Took the gamble even though I don't have the 4k. Upgrade now done. All OK.
Took out SD cards and used mains power adapter.

Yes, both 60 and 100 are options after the update.

And, you're right, I see no mention of the file recovery feature in the firmware update "manual."

File recovery is an option in the new firmware - found it by scrolling through the menus.

File recovery is an option in the new firmware - found it by scrolling through the menus.

Unfortunately that's not correct I'm afraid - I think you're referring to the 'Repair Image DB File'? If so that's for AVCHD & was there in v2.

I just ran a test recording in 4k & ripped out the battery - the result was an unrecoverable file just as with v2.

I've had this happen twice during a wedding ceremony before, where the camera locks up & the only option available is a battery removal reset - resulting in a video file that is only recoverable by using a data recovery service and a cost of £100-200.

I'm really disappointed in Sony for the incorrect pre-release firmware feature list - don't dangle a ****ing carrot & then take it away! Looks like I may need to look to another manufacturer for my next camera purchases if I can't rely on Sony equipment any more.

I don't understand, why the 4K upgrade is double the price here in Germany than in the US. Does anybody know of problems purchasing the upgrade key in the US and install on my X70 here in Europe?

I bought an upgrade from B+H for $250, received it yesterday and got the install key from ECspert without a problem, but when I tried to install it the X70 said 'no install key'. I spent a lot of time on email the ECSPert and later a support guy in the US. No one could understand why it would not instal. The camera is now in the Sony support centre in Chiang Miai. (I live in Thailand). So it seems there is a problem. If I get it resolved I'll let you know ( iMac, Transcend SDXC 64GB card, V 3.0)

Thanks a lot, much appreciated!
Sony can probably "see" where the camcorder was purchased, according to the serial number.

I don't understand, why the 4K upgrade is double the price here in Germany than in the US.

In Belgium it's even worse, the 4K upgrade is 680 dollar or 600 euro, that does include 21% salestax so that's also something you need to take into consideration when comparing prices to other countries.

B+H 4K upgrade works in Thailand I bought it from B+H at $250, shipped to me in Chiang Mai Thailand, paid duty everythingwent well- ECSpert gave me an install key instantly but then it went pearshaped. ''No install key' said the camera.Lots of emails to ECspert and to a specialist Sony guy in the States to no avail. Took it into the Sony service centre in Chiang Mai, they hadn't seen the camera before but spent many hours on the phone to a technician in Bangkok. 6 hours later it's working!!
So to summarise
The B+H at $250 can be made to work on cameras outside the US
Costs: Upgrade $250
Shipping $38
Customs duty $60
Sony service $73 TOTAL $421 ( £290)
Best to get somone in the US to accept the small package and then copy or snap the purchase key and email it, faster and will save $98.
Be prepared for problems- know where you nearest Sony service centre is and expect to pay a little more if it goes wrong.
If anyone else has success,please let us all know

I updated to version 3.00 without any problems using Windows 10. I'd like to add, I printed off the directions and followed them exactly as instructed. I also used my AC adapter with a fully charged battery installed as well. I.M.O. there are too many steps that need to be taken, but it's all straight forward. All I can suggest is follow through with each step correctly and you should be good to go. Ray

All this sound a little strange to me: the new iPhones records in 4K and we have to pay a lot of money with a professional camera (that cost more for this reason) to have the 4K? Yes, I know, the image quality of the camera is better respect to an smartphone but in my opinion this kind of marketing is really strange in 2016. In my opinion something has to change a lot in the next future.

Well, there are cameras that cost a LOT more than the X70 that do not have 4K and will never have the option to upgrade to it. If you don't need 4K, you can get the X70 cheaper without it. There is really nothing else that offers the power, features, convenience, size, and quality of the X70 in its price range - and remember that it has now been out for over a year and a half. I wish they would introduce an X70 mk2 or something - same camera with the better sensor, built-in 4K, and 120/100 fps of the Z150 (and maybe S-Log and even a slightly faster lens). But that probably won't happen as then there would not be any reason to get the Z150 :-)

Is there a 'visual' difference between the 60mb/s and the 100mb/s? What's lost in the 60mb/s (color info?)

Thanks

You will see more compression artifacts in things like quick moving edges, dark areas etc.

Paul

I use lower 4K bitrates all the time when I"m shooting scenes with little movement like interviews or a ceremony, visually I cannot see any difference but I can fit more on a card and it's less demanding for the pc or to edit.

Thanks, guys. I got everything updated to V3.0 and 4K (probably the 'last' guy to get 4k on his x70!). Feels good -- I took advantage of the $250 B&H sale. Look forward to trying out the 4k as soon as my fast cards arrive (hopefully tomorrow). Let me ask you this: when the camcorder reverts to shooting at 60 mb/s because the card can't handle higher speeds, will it do so automatically w/o any notification to the operator?

Also, does slow-panning distant landscapes (like mountains) on a tripod ...or even using a slow panning device like a Radian, does that qualify as a candidate for 100 mb/s or can a guy get away with using 60mb/s w/o noticable noise?

Thanks,

Funnily enough slow panning involves a much tougher test. Because just about every pixel changes every frame (except maybe when you have a blue sky or something). When you pan quickly you introduce motion blur which is much harder to pick compression errors.

I tried to update my ver 2.0.0 camera to ver 3.0.0. I came to "Run the update" and when it was done the Firmware Updater software got back to "Connect the camera and computer" and then it wanted to "Reset the camera" again, and again, and again.

The camera is dead right now and when i attach the power supply the only thing that happens is that the Power light is green but i cannot start the camera. The LCD is black.