XDR/nano Firmware Updates

The updated nanoFlash / Flash XDR firmware is being posted tomorrow morning (pending documentation updates) to the Convergent Design website. Here's a synopsis of the features:

New Features
1. Time Lapse Recording: I-Frame only mode, 1 frame/HH:MM:SS
2. E to E Direct, provide 1080psf output during record and zero delay through the nanoFlash
3. Loop Play option: All/None; None option plays through all files on the card and then stops, very useful for dubbing to tape.
4. Record Ready indicator added to LCD menu
5. Option to leave LCD backlight on constantly
6. 2X Fast-Forward for QT/MXF files (by holding down the Play button for 5 seconds).
7. Option to hit record button (while recording) to create a new file
8. Expanded PreRecord buffer to 7 seconds (for bit-rates of 100Mbps and lower)
9. Added check for slow CF cards (buffer overflow). Error message will be displayed and the recording will restart at next lower bit-rate.
10. Added check for A/V sync errors. If detected and not in record mode, nanoFlash will automatically restart to correct problem.
11. Added SD support for HDMI recording.

Corrections/Bug Fixes
1. Fixed some major issues with the MPG files format.
2. Corrected SDI-out audio CRC errors that occurred during playback
3. Fixed various CF card DMA Read and Write errors.
4. Fixed 220Mbps Time-Code
5. Deleted M2V file format as unnecessary and 50Mbps selection for MPG (unsupported by any DVD or Blu-Ray player).
6. Fixed random shut-down and random display of LCD backlight.
7. Deleted audio level meter during playback (will add back in future firmware, when fixed)
8. Fixed the time-code when using 3:2 pulldown removal.

Important notes on Time-Lapse
Always use a solid, reliable power source when opearating in time-lapse mode. Due to the nature of the recording, if a power failure occurs during time-lapse recording, then you may lose a considerable amount of footage! So, make sure the battery is well charged or you have a UPS attached to the AC power.

We recommend that you record at 220 Mbps I-Frame only for maximum quality. You can use the 133X CF cards in Time-Lapse recording, but smooth playback directly out of the nano/XDR can not be guaranteed. The footage, however, will work fine in your NLE (note Sony Vegas does not support our I-Frame only CODEC and cannot be used with Time-Lapse).

Known Issues / Current Limitations
1) A/V Sync when using tape based cameras. We have included a possible fix in the current firmware, but have not received confimation from customers with A/V sync problems.
2) SD playback out SDI or HDMI is not functional at this time.
3) Audio Level Meters on Playback are not functional.
4) SanDisk Extreme III CF cards are limited to 140 Mbps, while SanDisk Extreme cards are limited to 160 Mbps. These limits will be opened to 160 and 220 Mbps respectively on the next firmware release (following the pending release).
5) The analog audio out (for monitoring) is out of sync by 4-5 frames when the audio-in source is embedded.

Best-
__________________
Mike Schell
Convergent Design