Firmware Vr 0.0.184 Posted

[Mike Schell]

We just posted firmware version 0.0.184 for the Flash XDR.

Major enhancements include:
o Quicktime playback repeatable without power cycle.
o Better CF card detection on power up.
o Timecode display on LCD screen.
o Time Code Selection added: LTC or embedded
o Trigger Selection added: Button, Remote switch or TC increment
o CF card recognition after insertion into Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard Issue)
o Timecode accuracy in all video formats.
o Continuous record across cards increments clip names correctly.

Known issues (0.0.184) :
o Playback: timecode on LCD display is not always accurate.
o After playback: video may need to re-lock for a subsequent record (power cycle).
o Analog audio out: may require audio out selection toggle to function.
o Rarely, play will fail with “Playback aborted” message on LCD screen. Attempting play again will normally work.

Next Version Plans (later this month)
1) MXF Support
2) ASI Support (for Broadcast applications)

Following Version Plans (early 09)
1) Playlist with ability to select any clip(s) for playback
2) Time of Day and Record-Run Time Code (preset or jam-sync)
3) 160/100 Mbps I-Frame; 35/25/19.7/18 Mbps 4:2:0 Long-GOP Formats

Many more updates are planned during Q1 09. I'll have more details in the coming weeks. Don't worry, we have not forgotten your important feature (audio level meters, image flip, etc) that is currently not on our list.

[Andrew Annable]

Would it be a good idea to document these enhancements & how they work in the manual & give the manual the same reference number as your update reference ?

[Paul Cronin]

Andrew you receive three .PDF's with each update and all the information ready to print.

I print all the updated information and keep a three ring binder with all Flash XDR updates along with the printed manual plus my notes.

[Andrew Annable]

Originally Posted by Paul Cronin

Andrew you receive three .PDF's with each update and all the information ready to print.

I print all the updated information and keep a three ring binder with all Flash XDR updates along with the printed manual plus my notes.

I am sorry the info contained in the .pdf files is not detailed info that one expects to have in a reference manual. It just outlines either bug fixes or additional functions added, not detail. I am not prepared to have to refer to a ring binder to look up a function in date order !

[Paul Cronin]

Andrew the .PDF file with the firmware update from what I understand had what you are talking about.

Quote "document these enhancements & how they work in the manual & give the manual the same reference number as your update reference ?"

There is a document called "Flash XDR Quick Start Guide / Operational Notes For Firmware Release 0.0.184. Is this not what you are looking for? On page 5 of 16 it gives a full menu run down on all functions including the new ones. I found it very helpful to set the new menu and there is all the detail needed.

If this is not what you are requesting I must be misunderstanding you. What detail are you looking for?

[Andrew Annable]

I am looking for the manual to be updated on an ongoing basis that's all. If I need to reference something I look at the manual. It is now out of date. If there is an upgrade then the .pdf files are great t try it out at the time. Just think about things 4 months down the line, & hopefully many releases later, you need to check up on a specific function. Look in the manual....? No you will have to trawl through the .pdf files & try and remember what date that function was released.

Just seemed a logical request having been there myself developing a software product back in the 80's where there had to be a very large catch up between what the product said it would do (& then sold) & what it could actually do (when delivered).

[Paul Cronin]

Got it Andrew makes sense to me now.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Andrew,

We are attempting to keep the Flash XDR product manual up to date.

On Monday of this week, we were working on the product manual, updating it to the level of the Flash XDR.

On Monday, many enhancements were made to the Flash XDR, same for Tuesday, and Wednesday.

While another person was working on the manual, I was working on the Quick Start Guide. Every day at least, sometimes every few hours, I was updating the guide to conform to the latest features of the Flash XDR.

We did not get all of the updates to the manual in time, but we will strive to do better. Also, we will put the Firmware release information in the manual. Thank you for your suggestion.

[Andrew Annable]

Dan,

Fantastic, I know you guys are working hard on getting it right, the documentation is probably the worst thing to be motivated to do but the most important for you to cut down your workload answering queries to te end user.

keep up the hard work, I am sure you will get all the updates all done by Xmas :)

[Mike Schell]

Late Friday we discovered a "record stop" issue on about 1 out of every 20 Flash XDRs we tested. This problem would prevent the user from "stopping" a record, resulting in corrupted files.

John traced the problem to an error in the FPGA code and made the appropriate correction. We tested units yesterday and had no problems stopping a "record".

We will continue testing today and hope to have a resolution on Monday.

I apologize for the problem, we will be adding additional tests this week to try and circumvent these issues in the future.

[Paul Cronin]

Thanks for keeping up posted Mike. Look forward to the update.

[Nic van Oudtshoorn]

I have struck a major problem after installing beta 0.0.184.

I use an original Canon XL-H1. When I connect the SDI port to my Blackmagic card it captures fine, so there is no problem with the camera or its connection.

The XDR also worked fine until today when I installed the latest firmware (0.0.184).

If the camera is switched off or unplugged, I can access all the menus on the XDR. The record light on switching on the unit comes on first as orange and then goes to a dull red.

Connect the SDI cable from the camera to the XDR and turn on the camera and everything freezes. Not one of the buttons on the XDR will function. The SDI out from the XDR is connected to the BlackMagic card which in turn is connected by SDI to an external monitor but there is no image on the external monitor and clearly no signal is getting through. No device is shown on the XDR screen as being recognised.

Turn off the camera and suddenly I can access the menus again.

Any suggestions? Can I reinstall the previous version of the firmware or will that damage the unit?

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Nic,

Yes, you can re-install the previous version.

Please run this simple test for us, if possible.

Remove the HD-SDI cable, from the input to the Flash XDR, then reconnect it to the input on your HD-SDI monitor. If this works, then we know that your Canon XL H1 and the cable are ok.

My first concern would be your cable.

For best results, one should use a true 75 ohm BNC cable, with true 75 ohm BNC connectors. True 75 ohm BNC cables are fairly rare, most are 50 ohm.

For short runs, users can sometimes get by with 50 ohm cables and connectors. But, if things do not work, the cable is the first thing to suspect.

Please let us know. I will continue to investigate this. I have personnally thoroughly tested firmware relase 0.0.184 with a Canon XL G1, XL H1s, and a XL H1, one just like your camera.

[Nic van Oudtshoorn]

Hi Dan

I checked the cable as suggested by connecting it directly to the video monitor and it works fine. I checked with my supplier (a specialist pro video operation) and they confirm it is a 75 ohm cable and 75 ohm connectors)\. They make these all the time.

I re-installed back to version 179 - which worked before - but now the box still freezes. All the buttons work until either I connect the SDI cable from the camera (with the camera turned on) or turn the camera on if the SDI cable is connected first. Having the camera on and then turning on the SDi box results in the same freeze.

One other thing I noticed:

If I have the camera on and connected and then turn on the XDR, none of the green lights of the CF cards lights up. But the minute I turn the camera off I get a message on the screen saying "CF cards busy" and moments later the green lightds come on.

Turn both XDR and camera off, then turn on the XDR and the green lights all come on and all the XDR buttons work. The moment I turn on the camera the box buttons freeze up again although the green lights all remain on.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Nic,

Thank you for checking out the cables.

We are sorry that your Flash XDR is inoperative.

(We have sent Nic our FedEx account number so he can ship his unit back to us at our expense.)

We will repair your unit promptly.