Sony Firmware Updates and Software
PAC Studios provided this super-secret, practically undiscoverable page on the Sony site somewhere.
This is where you go for firmware updates, and software such as the free Catalyst program and other more robust programs you have to pay for.
On 24 Feb Sony announced the 4K firmware update will be available in June 2015.
The Video Whisperer 
Hi, Do you know if firmware 3.0 is available in the US? The sony announcement from the UK was that it will be out in July 2016. Thanks
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Yes, probably before it was available in UK.
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Found the info about the X70 v3.0 firmware upgrade on the Sony site. Looks like there are plans for two paid upgrades… https://www.sony.co.uk/pro/article/broadcast-products-firmware-equipment-roadmap
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Thanks. However how I read it is that the 3.0 firmware just requires the original 4K license key. It’s not two additional paid upgrades.
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Found this on the X70 Facebook site yesterday. It seems to speak to the two separate upgrades, but I can’t tell if that’s consistent with what you’re saying.
The Sony X70 firmware version 3.0 update will be available from July 2016, and here there are two separate paid software keys needed to unlock all features. The CBKZ-X70FX key which unlocks 4K capture at 100Mbps in XAVC mode at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second is already available at a list price of $629. This also allows 50Mbps Full HD / HD capture in MPEG HD422 format. Separately, there’s a CBKZ-SLMP key (price not yet disclosed) unlocking the same MPEG HD422 features, plus 35Mbps MPEG HD420 Full HD / HD capture. Other new features which are free of charge include support for high quality QoS Streaming with the PWS-100RX1 Wireless Streaming Receiver, and support for real-time Ustream direct streaming at either 1280×720 or 640×360 resolution. There’s also a new HDMI/SDI/composite output selection during QFHD recording, and a new function to protect and salvage XAVC recordings after a loss of power.
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Hi, VW. Just discovered your site and enjoyed the X70 review. I’m on the verge of getting one. The reviewers and folks at B&H were talking about how last summer’s 4K upgrade reduced the camera to 4:2:0 8 bit and 60 Mb/s. B&H says a new 4K upgrade is in the works that will leave color processing the same but improve speed to 100 Mb/s and they reference Sony’s site, but I can’t find anything on it. Do you have any info about this?
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Some guy on the X70 Facebook user group found this on the Sony site. (yes, I know, the Sony site is unbelievably difficult to navigate): PXW-X70 Firmware V3.0
This is from Sony’s UK site:
Upgrade will be available from July 2016
New Features & Improvements:
● Support for XAVC QFHD 4K 100Mbps (3840×2160) at 30p/25p/24p, plus MPEG HD422 50Mbps (1920×1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p and (1280×720) at 60p/50p.*
* For XAVC QFHD 4K recordings, the PXW-X70 also requires the paid-for upgrade CBKZ-X70FX software key.
● Support for MPEG HD422 50Mbps (1920×1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p and (1280×720) at 60p/50p, as well as MPEG HD420 35Mbps (1920×1080) at 60i/50i/30p/25p/24p, (1440×1080) at 60i/50i and (1280×720) at 60p/50p.**
** For MPEG HD recordings, the PXW-X70 also requires the paid-for upgrade CBKZ-SLMP software key [expected availability from July 2016].
● Support for high quality QoS Streaming to PWS-100RX1.
● Support for Ustream® direct streaming in real time. Two resolution modes are available: 1280×720 at 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p, or 640×360 at 29.97p, 25p, 23.98p.
● HDMI/SDI/composite output selection during QFHD recording.
● XAVC Salvage – XAVC file protection with salvage recording function in case of accidental power loss.
Here’s the link to the user group you might find of interest: https://www.facebook.com/groups/685632738189461/
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Thanks V 🙂
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Hi, Thanks for the tip of the update for the X 70 the Camera I bought last week ( having had the super NX 30 for 1 year ) …..I am in the trial stage to use the X 70 with a Ninja Blade HDMI and it seems to work perfect . Cheers from Kiwi land
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Even with the update I still can’t import XAVC-L clips into a bang-up-to-date FCPX. I can see the clip names in the list and the corresponding thumbnail files (visibly) but the “Import” button is greyed out. If I do try and import a clip by clicking on its filename I get a message telling me that the clip isn’t of the right type and therefore can’t be imported.
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Hmm. I’m not going to get to this for a few days yet, but I plan to do the update after I get out under from a heap of editing, so I can’t be of much help at the moment. However, I have observed on the FB X70 Shooters Group that quite a few people don’t seem to be having that problem. I’ve seen it both ways actually (some with a problem, others without a problem). It seems that the procedure is pretty specific. Hope you can sort it out as others seem to have–and hope it goes smooth for me!
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