A tweet from Sony (@CineAltaNews) revealed that new firmware for the F3 is on the horizon. As I mentioned in a previous video, the new firmware will enable simultaneous live HDMI and HD-SDI output. This is great news because it will enable use of electronic viewfinders such as the Cineroid or Zacuto Z-EVF, while also sending out an SDI signal. Another change to the firmware is the ability to use the Slow&Quick knob to move through the menus. This will be a great option for anyone frustrated by the small menu wheel on the back of the camera. Look for this free firmware update to hit Sony’s website soon – XDCAM EX Micro Site.

ARRI has released the latest Software Update Packet (SUP), v3.1, for the ALEXA and the new ALEXA Plus cameras. All new cameras will ship with SUP v3.1, and it is available as a free download from the ARRI website for all current ALEXA owners.

Key features of SUP v3.1 include:

- Full support for both the ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras.
- Integrated functionality with the ARRI Wireless Remote System (WRS) lens controller. This includes both generations of the ARRI transceiver module, known as the Yellow Radio and the White Radio.
- Communication with the new ARRI Remote Control Unit (RCU-4)
- Lens Data System (LDS) display on the ALEXA Plus. A later SUP will also capture this information in metadata.
- Dual SxS card recording. Both card slots can be set to capture identical files simultaneously, making backup file transfers faster.
- ARRIRAW frame grabs. In addition to the other formats already available, frame grabs can be captured in ARRIRAW.

To download SUP v3.1, ALEXA owners must login after completing a one-time registration on the ARRI website. The file can then be downloaded to an SD card for uploading into the camera. Also available for download are an updated user manual and release notes for SUP v3.1

The arrival of Version 3.0 firmware for the ALEXA has opened up a wealth of new options, one of the most notable being the ability to record audio to SxS cards. Since audio input is via five-pin XLR female, AbelCine has specially constructed cables to allow analog line-level audio to be input, while the A/D converter in the ALEXA will convert this signal to 24 bit / 48 kHz PCM audio. As of V3.0, an audio window can now be accessed to set level – this window allows for MANUAL or UNITY operation. Channel 1 and 2 can be directed to either left or right, and the sound roll can be manually entered as well. Reference marks are located at -20 and -18db for US or European recording.

Version 3.0 also brings with it timecode operations – timecode can be input via a sound recorder or a device such as the Ambient Master Clock. The advantage of the Master Clock is that it will alert you to any drift before it becomes a sync issue; if timecode is generated by ALEXA internally, the camera will drift one frame over eight hours.

This firmware update has definitely added some great new functionality to ARRI’s ALEXA. Watch my video to learn more.

Sony recently let us know about a software upgrade for the PMW-F3. This addition adds many features to the F3, including several key features for getting the most out of the camera. The firmware upgrade product code from Sony is CBK-RGB01 and, once purchased, the firmware can be installed at AbelCine, or by a tech savvy owner. It enables S-Log gamma mode, Dual Link 444RGB video output, 3G-SDI output, four pre-loaded LUTs (look up tables), and five custom user LUTs.

What does this all mean? This firmware allows the F3 to output full RGB video in S-Log – in other words, it opens up the true potential of this camera. S-Log ups the dynamic range of the camera to 800%, and effectively increases the ISO to 1600. Dual-Link SDI or 3G-SDI (dual-link on one cable) gives you full RGB444, and the LUTs allow you to monitor video normally while shooting in S-Log. Finally, the five custom LUT options mean that users can create their own looks in the same manner. The firmware will be available this summer for a list price of $3,300. Personally, I can’t wait to see the real potential of this impressive camera.

Panasonic has just released firmware version 1.15 for the AG-AF100, which addresses a few minor issues we’ve encountered with the camera. Previously, when shooting off-speed (under/over cranking), the audio meters on the AF100 would still display your input levels and you were able to monitor audio via the headphone jack. Since no audio is actually recorded when shooting in variable frame rate mode, this could lead to some confusion when recording off-speed. With the new firmware, a new symbol will now appear in the viewfinder and LCD reminding you that no audio is being recorded while shooting in VFR mode.

Panasonic has also made some adjustments to the LCD display – the color accuracy has been improved so it better matches the recorded image.

While a seemingly minor upgrade, this certainly shows that Panasonic is listening to their users and is taking every issue very seriously.

Additional details about the update and the downloadable software can be found here.

Having completed a successful Beta release of the updated camera firmware, ARRI just released a final version of the V3.0 firmware for ALEXA. In addition to the increased convenience and functionality controls, ARRI has now officially made ARRIRAW support available on the ALEXA for the first time. Codex Digital is the first company to be certified as fully compliant for ARRIRAW recording with the Codex Onboard recorder. ARRI also introduced a new version of the free ARRIRAW Converter software (ARC) for use with the improved V3.0 ALEXA ARRIRAW files.

Details of other improvements included in the ALEXA V3.0 firmware can be found in our post on the Beta release.

To download updated firmware, ALEXA owners must complete a one-time registration on the ARRI website. The file can then be downloaded to an SD card for uploading into the camera. The ARC software is also available as a free download.

ARRI has also enabled a LUT Generator on the ARRI Digital website. In addition to preset LUTs (Look Up Tables), the ARRI LUT Generator can create custom looks for on set, dailies or post use. A LUT is a group of color and contrast settings that manipulates the base output of the camera sensor for a specific look. Creating a LUT is a straightforward process on the website. On the ALEXA, you can record in ARRIRAW using an external recorder or in LOG-C without “baking in” a LUT, but monitor on set using a LUT to create a desired look. The same LUT can then be implemented or altered in post.

ARRI has just completed extensive testing on the new ALEXA Firmware 3.0, due to be released in early February. It includes so many new features that ARRI has decided to release a Beta version to all ALEXA owners a few weeks in advance of the official release date. This will allow ARRI to receive valuable feedback on the performance of the 3.0 upgrade from its growing ALEXA install base prior to the firmware’s official release.

Here are the key features of the ALEXA 3.0 firmware.

…continue reading ARRI ALEXA Firmware 3.0 Beta Release