Updating firmware on Sony XDCAM Ex1

Just thought I'd write this down incase I needed it for future reference.

So basically, the Sony EX1's can at present only read 16GB and smaller cards. But, if we update the firmware they should be able to read up to 36GB (or bigger maybe).

So here is how we did it:

1. Find the firmware
1. We found it here on sony's website
2. Unzip it all
3. Connect the camera using the 'secret' USB plug
4. On't computer it asks you about a new network interface (which is the camera)
1. Click "Open Network Preferences"
2. Click on "Apply" which confirms you want to add the interface to the list of network interfaces



PMW-EX1 network interface for updating the firmware on EX1 Cameras

3. It might ask you for Administrator username and password
5. Run the VersionUpTool



VersionUpTool for updating firmware on Sony's XDCAM EX1

1. Accept the agreement and keep on clicking
2. It did prompt to say that the Camera had to be running off the mains (not battery)
6. It took about 30 mins

Done

Final Cut Pro Log and Transfer not recognising Sony XDCAM

After reimaging most of the Macs in the Department I forgot to install the Sony XDCAM plugin for Final Cut Pro. As a result when you plug the XDCAM in the Log and Transfer util in FCP doesn't show anything.

Log and Capture not showing anything when Sony XDCAM plugged in

I installed it on one mac and it worked great quite a while ago, but forgot to add the install file to the server for future reference.

I downloaded it again (Version 2.12) from some sony website (they have lots!!) and the camera didn't show up. I updated all the software and firmware and nothing changed.

Finally I searched for it again and kept coming across version 1.2. I installed this and it worked a treat.

My conclusion: that this version 2.12 doesn't work, or maybe irrelevent? Anyway, install version 1.2 and all should be good.