Sony has announced a future firmware update 2.0 for the popular FS7, available for download in March 2015.
New features and functionalities in the update include:
- Expands audio recording to four channels audio at 24-bit, 48 KHz.
- Supports DCI compliant 4096 x 2160 XAVC-Intra-frame recording up to 60 fps.
- Adds HD Apple ProRes codecs to enable progressive and interlaced HQ and 422 recording.
- Eliminates “Magenta Cast” in WB preset mode.
- Renames “Color Temp” menu parameter to “Preset White”
- Eliminates need to re-enable “Steady Shot” after power ON/OFF cycle.
- Retains “Paint Menu” settings after power OFF/ON cycle.
(image: Alvaro Mendez)
XAVC-I RECORDING
The new update will allow DCI compliant, 4096 x 2160, XAVC-Intra frame progressive recording at: 23,98p, 25p, 29.97p, and 59.94p. In addition, S&Q (slow and quick) framerate selection is possible in single frame increments.
Recording with the XAVC-I codec requires only 600 Mbps to record 10-bit, 422, 4K at 60 fps; whereas 4K Apple ProRes HQ will eat up 1.76Gbps, so it won’t chew through your memory cards as quickly and make data wrangling a little easier.
PRORES HQ & 422 RECORDING
Sony has also added HD Apple ProRes HQ & 422 codecs to the (optional) XDCA-FS7 expansion module, with support for recording in the format to the camera’s XQD cards. Progressive framerates include: 23.98p, 25p and 29.97p with interlaced framrates at 50i and 59.94i.
4 CH AUDIO RECORDING
A further two additional audio inputs via the built-in Multi-Interface (MI Shoe, which is located on the FS7 top handle) have been now added, making it a total of four channels (2 XLR inputs and 2 MI Show inputs), recording 24-bit, 48 KHz audio directly in-camera, with phantom power.
Additionally, Sony have added enhancements to the Audio Menu to allow control of the new inputs, along with compatibility support for audio accessories, like the XLR-KM2 (an add-on device which houses two XLR inputs plus gain control) and the UWP-D wireless system.
FS7 XLR inputs (image: Alvaro Mendez).
Excerpts from firmware release notes
