Flash XDR Next Firmware Release?

Nic van Oudtshoorn · July 12th, 2010, 10:24 PM

I am having an Intermittent Video Source problem with the XDR connected to an original XL-H1 while running the latest firmware. I note the new Nano software addresses this problem. I am doing a major shoot next Monday and am wondering if the XDR upgrade will be ready before then (fingers crossed!)

Once again let me express my appreciation for the way in which you are constantly upgrading the firmware without cost to your customers.

Mark Job · July 17th, 2010, 11:24 AM

Hi Dan:
I have a big dollar industrial video shoot this coming Friday, and I was wondering if we will have the latest firmware release for the XDR before our shoot on Friday ? I would like to naturally take a day and test the latest firmware to make sure it's OK BEFORE I go out on a dollar shoot with it. Please advise.

Dan Keaton · July 17th, 2010, 04:36 PM

Dear Mark,

At this time, I do not when if we can meet your deadline or not.

Mark Job · July 31st, 2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Schell

Hi Mark-
We have not forgotten our Flash XDR users. We're debugging a number of issues on the nanoFlash now, but almost ever improvement will port directly over to the Flash XDR. We'll try to get an XDR update out as soon as the new nano beta is released.

Best-

...Uhhh - yeah. Well, I am starting to become concerned that it's all over for us Mike, since us XDR users have watched all the firmware attention pass by us for the Nano Flash, but nothing for us XDR users. So what's up with the latest firmware release Mike ? Where is it ? Is there something wrong ? Is there nothing more we XDR users can look forward to ? Your last word quoted above was issued six weeks ago ! Please advise.

Dan Keaton · July 31st, 2010, 01:36 PM

Dear Mark,

We re-wrote the code that interfaces with the CompactFlash cards.

We have to re-write the same interface for the Flash XDR.

Nic van Oudtshoorn · July 31st, 2010, 11:00 PM

Good to hear you are working on it - any idea when the firmware update might be available?

Nic van Oudtshoorn · August 15th, 2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Keaton

Dear Mark,

I do not have a good estimate, but my best guess is next week.

We have been testing the release and found some problems that we need to fix.

I will attempt to learn more tomorrow.

Your 1.5.55 is the same as the current nanoFlash production version 1.5.126.

Hi Dan

This was several weeks ago! Any idea when we can expect the next firmware upgrade to at least bring the XDR in line with the Nano?

Mark Job · August 16th, 2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic van Oudtshoorn

Hi Dan

This was several weeks ago! Any idea when we can expect the next firmware upgrade to at least bring the XDR in line with the Nano?

Hi Nic:
Yeah, I've begun to seriously wonder if we're going to get anymore firmware releases for the XDR at all. As an XDR user, I'm feeling pretty much like the unwanted step son of the family (Or the crazy Uncle ;-) )

Dan Keaton · August 16th, 2010, 08:17 AM

Dear Mark and Nic,

We will be updating the Flash XDR firmware.

Our project to update the Flash XDR firmware has been delayed by some rush projects that we have not discussed on this forum.

Aaron Newsome · August 17th, 2010, 03:48 PM

It seems it's been a really long time since the XDR users got any kind of firmware update. I'm anxious to test out the new release so I'll be patiently waiting for it, along with the rest of the XDR users.

Ofer Levy · August 23rd, 2010, 03:54 AM

Am I the only Flash XDR user who feels cheated? I spent 6000 USD not that long ago on a device that was supposed to be a flagship. How can it be that such an expensive device is left out neglected with all of us just being ignored?

Dan Keaton · August 23rd, 2010, 06:44 AM

Dear Ofer, Aaron, and Mark,

I know that it has been a long time since we updated the Flash XDR firmware.

I hope you will take into consideration the magnitude of the project.

The nanoFlash has one FPGA. The Flash XDR has two.

For version 1.6.29, for the nanoFlash, we completely rewrote the code handling the CompactFlash cards.

This interface is quite complicated.

Since the Flash XDR has two FPGA's, one which comunicates with two CompactFlash cards, and a secord one to communicate with the other two, the project to update the code is more complex.

Once we get this part of the project finished, then we should be back on track updating both products at about the same time.

Mark Job · August 23rd, 2010, 06:47 AM

Hi Dan:
Let us hope that after all this time, the updates, bug fixes, features, and changes to the XDR will be significant and well worth the wait. The longer it takes, the higher my expectations.

Mark Job · August 23rd, 2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ofer Levy

Am I the only Flash XDR user who feels cheated? I spent 6000 USD not that long ago on a device that was supposed to be a flagship. How can it be that such an expensive device is left out neglected with all of us just being ignored?

Hi Ofer:
Don't worry Ofer, if you look to the far Right side of this thread title, you will see the number of views has reached 1,486 ! Those views are not all us Ofer. Unfortunately the grand majority of Flash XDR owners do not make regular posts on this forum, so we don't know for sure exactly what they think about the firmware update situation, or anything else, but you can be sure they are *Lurking* around comfortable to let us run interference for them ;-) Their lack of posts have created a false sense of the true number of ownership of the Flash XDR product. Although I do not believe Flash XDR's have sold in the quantities that the Nano Flash has, there is certainly more than 100 units out there !

Nic van Oudtshoorn · August 30th, 2010, 06:39 PM

I am starting to seriously doubt this. Please surprise me with an update, not more promises!!!!!!

July 12th, 2010, 10:24 PM	#16
Nic van Oudtshoorn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jamberoo, NSW, Australia Posts: 29	Intermittent Video Source problem in XDR I am having an Intermittent Video Source problem with the XDR connected to an original XL-H1 while running the latest firmware. I note the new Nano software addresses this problem. I am doing a major shoot next Monday and am wondering if the XDR upgrade will be ready before then (fingers crossed!) Once again let me express my appreciation for the way in which you are constantly upgrading the firmware without cost to your customers.

July 17th, 2010, 11:24 AM	#17
Mark Job Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,138	Next XDR Firmware Release Soon ? Hi Dan: I have a big dollar industrial video shoot this coming Friday, and I was wondering if we will have the latest firmware release for the XDR before our shoot on Friday ? I would like to naturally take a day and test the latest firmware to make sure it's OK BEFORE I go out on a dollar shoot with it. Please advise.

July 17th, 2010, 04:36 PM	#18
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Mark, At this time, I do not when if we can meet your deadline or not. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 31st, 2010, 01:36 PM	#20
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Mark, We re-wrote the code that interfaces with the CompactFlash cards. We have to re-write the same interface for the Flash XDR. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

July 31st, 2010, 11:00 PM	#21
Nic van Oudtshoorn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jamberoo, NSW, Australia Posts: 29	Any timeframe for update? Good to hear you are working on it - any idea when the firmware update might be available?

August 16th, 2010, 08:17 AM	#24
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Mark and Nic, We will be updating the Flash XDR firmware. Our project to update the Flash XDR firmware has been delayed by some rush projects that we have not discussed on this forum. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

August 17th, 2010, 03:48 PM	#25
Aaron Newsome Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita Posts: 590	It seems it's been a really long time since the XDR users got any kind of firmware update. I'm anxious to test out the new release so I'll be patiently waiting for it, along with the rest of the XDR users.

August 23rd, 2010, 03:54 AM	#26
Ofer Levy Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Sydney-Australia Posts: 443	Am I the only Flash XDR user who feels cheated? I spent 6000 USD not that long ago on a device that was supposed to be a flagship. How can it be that such an expensive device is left out neglected with all of us just being ignored?

August 23rd, 2010, 06:44 AM	#27
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Ofer, Aaron, and Mark, I know that it has been a long time since we updated the Flash XDR firmware. I hope you will take into consideration the magnitude of the project. The nanoFlash has one FPGA. The Flash XDR has two. For version 1.6.29, for the nanoFlash, we completely rewrote the code handling the CompactFlash cards. This interface is quite complicated. Since the Flash XDR has two FPGA's, one which comunicates with two CompactFlash cards, and a secord one to communicate with the other two, the project to update the code is more complex. Once we get this part of the project finished, then we should be back on track updating both products at about the same time. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

August 23rd, 2010, 06:47 AM	#28
Mark Job Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,138	Time will tell Hi Dan: Let us hope that after all this time, the updates, bug fixes, features, and changes to the XDR will be significant and well worth the wait. The longer it takes, the higher my expectations.

August 30th, 2010, 06:39 PM	#30
Nic van Oudtshoorn Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jamberoo, NSW, Australia Posts: 29	Will the XDR firmware update EVER HAPPEN? I am starting to seriously doubt this. Please surprise me with an update, not more promises!!!!!!