Flash XDR and nanoFlash Firmware

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

Today is the day for us to release "Public Betas" for both the Flash XDR and nanoFlash firmware.

We extensively test all of our firmware in our lab on an almost continuous basis.

We attempt to test every combination, every type of source, every bit-rate, every file type, with every menu option. And we use many Flash XDR's and nanoFlashes to perform these tests.

However, no matter how much testing we do, we do not have every camera in our lab, and we may miss some combinations of features/options/bit-rates/file types, etc.

Thus, we post "Public Beta" versions of our firmware.

These "Public Beta" versions allow our customers, in a non-production environment, to test and learn how to use some of our new features.

After the "Public Beta" has been out for a while, and if we have reports that everything works, we will then publish "Production Ready" firmware.

Please test them, but do not use them for production work.

You may test with the new firmware, then reinstall the "production level" firmware, which is available on our website.

The new "Public Betas" have been posted,in a special "Public Beta" area at the bottom the Downloads Page.

Downloads | Convergent Design | Professional Video Recorders and Converters

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

Here are the release notes for our nanoFlash Public Beta Firmware, version 1.6.226, which we just posted.

nanoFlash Firmware Release Notes

Release Version 1.6.226 (12 - Nov - 2010)

o Fixed green frame bug at beginning of long-GOP MXF files when brought into Sony Vegas.

o Added timecode trigger delay (System->Timecode->Trigger Delay), in number of seconds.

When used in combination with “Timecode” trigger or “TC > Last TC” trigger (System->Trigger), nanoFlash will delay start of record the specified number of seconds in the Trigger Delay.

This feature is beneficial to better match the timecode of some tape-based cameras which can shift the camera timecode unexpectedly at the beginning of camera record.

This feature also helps to prevent the nanoFlash from creating very small files in Timecode trigger mode if the camera is shifting it's timecode around while ejecting / inserting media.

o SD Aspect Ratio (Video->SD Aspect Ratio) fixed. In earlier versions, this was not always being applied correctly to files.

o Added lock-out of drop-frame timecode in 720p24 mode.
(In some NLE's, drop-frame timecode is not allowed in 720p24 mode. )

o Fixed timecode bug in 720p24 mode with pulldown removal.
Timecode was getting inadvertently doubled in this mode, but is now correct.

o LTC timecode accuracy improved.

o Expanded range of analog audio input (Audio->Analog Settings->Gain In): -99 to +44 dB.

o Improved MPG support / compatibility with DVD authoring programs.

o Added ability to create new file during record by pressing Record button
while in Timecode Trigger mode.
(This method was previously available only with Record button as the Record trigger (System->Trigger)).

o Fixed compatibility with newer Delkin CF cards 420x and 450x.

o Added support for playing CF cards from Canon XF305, 50 Mbit.

o Avid has added AMA compatibility, “Link to AMA Files”, for nanoFlash MXF files.
Allows access of files within Avid without having to import (copy in) the files.
Requires Avid Patch 5.0.3.2 (see link in user manual).

o Added Vertical image flip (Video->Flip V) and Horizontal image flip (Video->Flip H) options for flipping images as desired from camera outputs in which the camera lens produces an inverted image.

o Added hot-swap support.

An inserted CF card may be pulled from its CF slot during Record if the card is not being recorded to.

A CF card may also be inserted to an empty CF slot during record to facilitate lengthy records.
It is preferable that such a CF card inserted during record was formatted on a nanoFlash –
however, such a nanoFlash-formatted card may contain previously recorded video.

Also, a CF card inserted during record may be from a formatting on a computer in a compatible FAT32 formatting
(please test first, ahead of time, that a computer-formatted card is accepted by the nanoFlash).

Please note that, as before, if any files are manually deleted from or copied onto a CF card from a computer,
the card must be formatted again before use for recording in nanoFlash.

o Added “skip to next card” feature during record, by pressing the RECORD button twice in quick succession.

The nanoFlash will continue to record, without missing any data, but will immediately close the current file,
jump to the next card, and continue recording (assuming there is space available on the next card).

If there is no space available on the next card, the behavior will be treated the same as a single RECORD button press during record,
namely that the nanoFlash will close the current file and begin a new file on the same card (again, without missing any data).

o Added support for saving and restoring menu settings for nanoFlash.

To save your current settings, use the System->Create Menu.stg option to a blank or formatted CF card.
You can save up to 20 settings files onto a single card.

To restore your settings, insert a CF card which contains a }CFG{ folder with up to 20 Menu.stg files within this folder. (The prefix “Menu” in Menu.stg may be renamed as you prefer.)

You will then be prompted to choose which setting to restore.
It is preferable to use the same firmware version on nanoFlash for saving and restoring a given setting.

Please note that all settings will be restored except:
the Unit Id (the 1st 2 digits in the System->File= option)
and the Clip Number (middle 3 digits in System->File= ), which are always preserved and must be changed manually.

o Low power mode has been re-activated (System->Power Saving->Auto Sleep).

This mode behaves the same as before, as discussed in the user manual, except that in the process of waking up the nanoFlash is completely rebooted, which takes 5 to 7 seconds to complete.

o Fixed rare single frame corruption in connection with some SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro CF cards.

o Fixed potential file corruption if recording Standard Definition and Audio->Record Channels
is set to 0.
The Record Channels value is now automatically raised to 2 channels in this case.

o Improved recovery from temporary loss of video input over HDMI during record.

o Improved recovery from temporary loss of any video input in MPG record mode.

Known issues (1.6.226) :
o 720p24 / 25 / 30 playback from the nanoFlash is not supported at this time.

o SD playback out of the HDMI port is not supported.

o Pulldown removal from JVC 700 requires turning the nanoFlash on first,
then the camera, to work properly.

o HDMI in / out: 2 channel audio support only. SDI in / out supports 0, 2, 4, or 8 channel audio.

o Avid Media Composer: does not support Long-GOP MXF files 100 Mbit and above.
(All I-Frame files, all bit rates are supported.)
Does not support any 720p24/25/30 files at 50 Mbit and above.

[Luben Izov]

Thank you Dan and CD!
I was just getting my gear ready when I got this msg. What a timing! I'll install the new firmware right the way on 2 NF and test with HV40 with DOF adapter (flip V/H options) and the other NF with EX3. WOW, all this many options and user settings to be saved.... the sun is out.... Thank you.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

Here are the release notes for the Flash XDR Public Beta firmware that we just posted.

Flash XDR Release Notes

Release Version 1.5.91 (11 – Nov - 2010)

o Fixed green frame bug at beginning of long-GOP MXF files when brought into Sony Vegas.

o Added timecode trigger delay (System->Timecode->Trigger Delay), in number of seconds.

o When used in combination with “Timecode” trigger or “TC > Last TC” trigger (System->Trigger),

o Flash XDR will delay start of record the specified number of seconds in the Trigger Delay.

o This feature is beneficial to better match the timecode of some tape-based cameras which can shift the camera timecode unexpectedly at the beginning of camera record.

o This feature also helps to prevent the Flash XDR from creating very small files in Timecode trigger mode if the camera is shifting it's timecode around while ejecting / inserting media.

o SD Aspect Ratio (Video->SD Aspect Ratio) fixed.
In earlier versions, this was not always being applied correctly to files.

o Added lock-out of drop-frame timecode in 720p24 mode.
(In some NLE's, drop-frame timecode is not allowed in 720p24 mode.)

o Fixed timecode bug in 720p24 mode with pulldown removal.
Timecode was getting inadvertently doubled in this mode, but is now correct.

o LTC timecode accuracy improved.

o Improved MPG support.

o Added ability to create new file during record by pressing Record button
while in Timecode Trigger mode.

(This method was previously available only with Record button as the Record trigger (System->Trigger)).

o Fixed compatibility with newer Delkin CF cards 420x and 450x.

o Avid has added AMA compatibility, “Link to AMA Files”, for Flash XDR MXF files.

Allows access of files within Avid without having to import (copy in) the files. Requires Avid Patch 5.0.3.2 .

o Added Vertical image flip (Video->Flip V) and Horizontal image flip (Video->Flip H) options for flipping images as desired from camera outputs in which the camera lens produces an inverted image.

o Fixed bug in Crank mode, in which during long records, all files after the first file would not use the cranked rate properly.

o Fixed Remote trigger bug introduced in 1.5.249 beta, in which file corruption could occur when using Remote trigger option.

o Corrected errant “Intermittent Source”, which appeared on Flash XDR,
especially in 720p mode from cameras such as the Panasonic HDX900 during record,
and would cause some seconds' loss of footage.

o Repaired playback from Flash XDR of Standard Def, timecode and audio are now properly played back.

o Changed menu option to select File Format (in the System menu) :
the option is now under “File= “ (also in the System menu.

Scroll to the far right (using right arrow) of the “ File= “ menu option to set the file format: .MOV, .MXF, or .MPG .

The explicit “File Format” option has been removed.

o Improved reliability in .MPG file format.

o Eliminated rare horizontally shifted video in 1080p25 recordings.

o Fixed audio / video sync during playback from Flash XDR.

o Changed Standard Def IMX (MXF files), number of audio channels from 8 channel 16 bit
to 4 channel 24 bit (with only the first two channels actually used).
The IMX specification requires one of the two above mentioned options, the second option is now used to support 24 bit audio.

o Fixed bug in 8 channel audio, HD MXF recordings, which improves compatibility with Edius.

o Added Screen Tally option (Video->Screen Tally), which places a red bar on the output to indicate unit is recording.
Video->E to E must be turned on for Screen Tally to work correctly.

o Turned off “Read Only” status for all recorded files.

o Creation Time / Date is now correctly stored in .MXF files.

o Corrected bug which blocked recording after “No Last Clip” message.

o Changed “Unit ID” in System menu to “File=”, which allows user to set the first 2 digits / characters of the file name as before (formerly the Unit ID), and additionally the next 3 digits (the clip number).
Take care to avoid duplicate file names on the same CF card.

Known issues (1.5.91):

o 720P24 / 25 / 30 playback from the Flash XDR is not supported at this time.

o Pulldown removal from JVC 700 requires turning the Flash XDR on first, then the camera, to work properly.

o Avid Media Composer: does not support Long-GOP MXF files 100 Mbit and above.
(All I-Frame files, all bit rates are supported.)
Does not support any 720p24/25/30 files at 50 Mbit and above.