With the release of the SxS-1 cards and the MEAD adapters (for Memory stick and SDHC use), Sony announced a firmware update to their XDCAM EX cameras to allow use of these new memory recording options. The Sony UK site has just made this update available, and the good news is that anyone can preform these updates. The EX1 and EX3 require software (for PC & Mac), but the EX1R and EX350 can be upgraded using an SxS Card. A comprehensive PDF is included in each download with upgrade instructions. They have posted some of these upgrades already, but the EX1 firmware may not be available until Monday. Visit the Sony UK site to start downloading. UPDATE: The Sony US site has also posted these updates, and our customers say that they have had better luck using them.

Here is a list of the updates for each camera.

…continue reading XDCAM EX Firmware Updates Now Available

Right on the heels of the Ki Pro update, Nexto has also released their own 1.10 firmware for the Video Storage Pro (NVS2500). This update is has several improvements including:

• Added preview support for MXF files Convergent Design’s nanoFlash. (Previously only MOV files were supported for preview)
• 2x faster M-Copy & SYNC speeds (approx. 30MB/s) for faster USB hard drive syncing and copying
• 2x faster CF & SD/MS copy speed (approx 30MB/s)
• 5x faster full verify speed for SxS (approx. 80MB/s)
• Added Copy & Verify function. Automatic full verify after copy.
• Export the backup folder in internal HDD to CF/SD/MS.
• Added Delete for memory cards including SxS and P2.
• Added preview for external devices such as P2/SxS/CF/SD/MS and external USB hard drive
• Display file name during the ‘Clip View’ mode
• Added support for SxS-1(indication on life time expire)
• Preliminary support for AVC-Intra50
• Support for ‘avi’ file for the Sony PMW-350

This is great news for any NVS2500 owner. Make sure to update your device. The firmware update can be found here - NVS2500 1.10 Firmware

This week Convergent Design will be releasing a new firmware for their nanoFlash recorder (version 1.1.131), which contains some significant improvements. They have bumped up the data rate options once again to 180 Mbps LongGOP and 280 Mbps I-Frame. This is great for really pushing the premium video quality. But the new feature that excites me is not a new data rate, but a small change that makes the MXF files generated by the nanoFlash compatible with those on the XDCAM ProDisc. The nanoFlash utilizes the same Sony codec found in the PDW-700 and PDWF800, just at many different data rates. So CD and Sony worked together to make the two MXF files compatible. This means that material recorded in the nanoFlash at 50 Mbps LongGOP (the highest quality currently supported by the disc) can be put on a XDCAM ProDisc and played back on an XDCAM deck. This is a great option because, not only is the XDCAM disc a terrific format, but many television networks require it as a deliverable. On top of that, it makes for an excellent archiving solution. I decided to test out this new feature by combining the PMWEX1, nanoFlash, and PDW-U1 (inexpensive ProDisc reader/writer). Keep reading to see my process.

…continue reading How to Put nanoFlash Video on an XDCAM Disc

There have been a few updates this month to some of our newest products. Nexto has improved their Video Storage Pro (NVS2500) with several updates. The first is support for MOV wrapped MPEG2 files, so files made in the JVC HM700/100 and from the Convergent Design devices (nanoFlash) can be previewed. They have also fixed some bugs and improved compatibility with USB drives. Download the firmware and read about all the updates here – NVS2500 Firmware 1.06.

AJA has also been working on adding function to their Ki Pro portable recorder. The latest firmware adds an ARM recording option that will allow users to have the device start recording on timecode start. This is an important improvement for anyone wanting to slave the Ki Pro to their camera. Additionally they have made several improvements to stability and user interface. You can download the firmware and read about future updates here – Ki Pro Firmware 1.01.

Canon has announced the 1D Mark IV, a 16 megapixel, APS-H sensor camera (vs. APS-C in the 7D and full frame in the 5D Mk II) capable of shooting 1080P video at 24, 25 or 30 fps, as well as 720P at 50 or 60 fps. It’s got some pretty nice still specs as well, of course. As usual, Vincent Laforet has made a short movie with it already, Nocturne. Can a full frame 1Ds Mark IV be far behind?

In other news, the word on the street is that Canon will be releasing a firmware update in 2010 adding 24P and 25P video capabilities to the 5D Mark II. Good news for early adopters.

Sony has released new firmware for the PDW-U1 that enables full data write back. The previous firmware version allowed writing MXF files into the Clips folder, but the new version adds the ability to write any data type to the UserData folder. This means that the ProDiscs can be used for data archive of any material, up to 46.4 GB on a Dual Layer disc. The PDW-U1 has finally become a full fledged data archive machine. The latest firmware also adds support for mixed format recording discs. Download the firmware from Sony’s support site here - PDW-U1 Firmware version 2.2.1 for Windows & Mac.

Panasonic just released new firmware for the HPX300. This is a big update with some nice feature improvements. First is the FBC function that Panasonic announced a couple months ago. FBC stands for Flash Band Correction, which reduces the appearance of flash bands that occur on CMOS chips. That’s the banding you see when a flash (from a still camera or lightning) is captured on video.  This function works in 1080/60i and 720/60p, and from my tests it seems to do the  job – see my video example below. Also they have reduced the video noise in 1080 24p, 25p, and 30p modes. The effect seemed noticeable right away. There are also several other updates including better support for E-Series P2 cards. If you have the HPX300 then download it HERE. And you can read all about the new firmware HERE.

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Note: Some banding is not corrected for because of the red eye correction on my flash, which varies flash output. FBC seems to do better when given a large exposure difference.