Shining Technology, Inc. CitiDISK HD Release note: This release note is applicable to configured FW1256HD(HVX200), FW1256HD(R2) to FW1256HD(R5) hardware only. WARNINGS: 1. DO NOT HOT-PLUG or HOT-UNPLUG the CitiDISK due to both camera and the CitiDISK embed internal battery; both units ground potential may not be the same, by HOT-PLUGing or HOT-UNPLUGing the CitiDISK, the surge current could damage the CitiDISK's and possiblly the camera FireWire ports. 2. Correct power ON sequences: Always connect FireWire cable between the camera and the CitiDISK when the CitiDISK's power is OFF. Powering on the camera first and then the CitiDISK. 3. Correct power OFF sequences: Always disconnect the CitiDISK with camera or with computer after the CitiDISK's power is OFF. Powering off the camera second and then disconnect the FireWire cable last. Release note: this text ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 1, 2009 -- Release for FW1256HD-xx models only Files: 1. FW1256HD-oxfw911-03012009+rom+rom2-R6Release.bin: Binary file for CitiDISK HD models only. The real firmware date is March 1, 2009. 2. FirmwareUploaderV196.zip: Zip file for CitiDISK Firmware Uploading purpose only. Note: Must use the firmware uploader v1.96 to upgrade the firmware, always un-install previous verison first. Note: Must use the PC/2K/XP system to update the firmware. Vista support is not included in the v1.96 uploader. Bug Fixes in addition to March 1, 2009 Release 1. Not being able to format as HFS+ in MacOS --- This problem occurs in last December 26, 2008 release only. Fixed. 2. Not being able to copy out the files in CitiDISK to Mac desktop if the clips were captured in very end of 160G model or clips after 2 hours of footage already in. --- This problem occurs in last December 26, 2008 release only. Fixed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 26, 2008 -- Release for FW1256HD-xx models only Files: 1. FW1256HD-oxfw911-12262008+rom+rom2-R6Release.bin: Binary file for CitiDISK HD models only. The real firmware date is December 26, 2008. 2. FirmwareUploaderV196.zip: Zip file for CitiDISK Firmware Uploading purpose only. Note: Must use the firmware uploader v1.96 to upgrade the firmware, always un-install previous verison first. Note: Must use the PC/2K/XP system to update the firmware. Vista support is not included in the v1.96 uploader. Bug Fixes in addition to December 26, 2008 Release 1. QPLAY in DV50 if stop during the play did not actually set the unit to stop-play. --- Fixed. 2. QPLAY in DV100 may have audio noise. --- Fixed. Although such audio noise & video speckles may still show up in QPlay( largely reduced almost to none in this firmware rlease ); however, those audio noise & video speckles do not exist in the recorded files. 3. Unable to do full recording( recording automatically stopped by itself ) after just done with the QuickErase function. ---> Fixed. Now user can record till full of the hard disk every time after the QuickErase. However, the QuickErase function last longer than before. For example, 160G model will take at least 45 seconds to complete. Time to QuickErase does not proportionally reduced to the models, it is urged to wait for inactive activity for 5 seconds before continuing next actions. -- How to update this FW1256HD R6-12262008 firmware? 1. Before updating the firmware, user MUST update the "Confgmgr.bin" first before commencing the real firmware update. a). Connect the CitiDISK to PC/XP system first, then, power on the CitiDISK second. Wait till the GREEN / Power light be stabilized. b). Mouse over the "Safe Remove Hardware" icon on the bottom right corner of the screeen. Select "Shining Technology... and click "OK" to stop the hardware. The unit will start to blink GREEN & RED alternatively, wait about 15 seconds untill the GREEN is stablized. At the same time, do NOT unplug, do NOT power off the unit. c). Start the v1.96 firmware uploader, user should find the firmware date is March 4, 2008 and configuration is set as "R5" or with earlier date & releases. d). Click on the "Modify device setting", and select "Import file" option, write down the "ChipID"( 2-digit and the 6-digit value ), select the "Confgrom.bin" or "HD-Confgrom.bin" included in the "FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-12262008+rom+rom2R6Release.ZIP", re-enter the "ChipID" value you have just jogged down, click on "Upload" to complete the process. e). When "Ready" message shows up in the status bar, exit the uploader, the drive icon re-appears in the "MyComputer" folder. f). Now the "Confgrom.bin" is updated, re-do the steps b) & c) again. g). Click on the "Update / upgrade device firmware" this time, choose the "FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-12262008+rom+rom2R6Release.bin" also included in the ZIP file. Let the update process finished by itself. This process may take up to 2 minutes, do NOT exit the uploader or power down the unit until "Ready" message shows up again in the status bar, then, exit the uploader. The drive icon re-appears in the "MyComputer" folder. Note: After the firmware is updated, manufacturer suggest that user re-format the CitiDISK by invoking the "Shining Utility Suite" by selecting the 'DV Disk" to ensure the hard disk is clean and not fragmented. Known issues: 1. QPLAY HDV clip is not enabled. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 10, 2008 -- Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-10082008+rom+rom2-R6Release.bin: Binary file for CitiDISK HD and HD/FlashMem models only. The real firmware date is October 8, 2008. 2. FirmwareUploaderV196.zip: Zip file for CitiDISK Firmware Uploading purpose only. Note: Must use the firmware uploader v1.96 to upgrade the firmware, always un-install previous verison first. Note: Must use the PC/2K/XP system to update the firmware. Vista support is not included in the v1.96 uploader. Bug Fixes: 1. Pre-scene looping function may cause the previous video image shows up in the beginning of current recording clip even such function is not turned on. -- Fixed. 2. Last recording clip could render as 0-byte file if user starts one long recording straight from the beginning till the end capacity of the unit from a fresh re-formatted unit. Such problem rarely shows up in normal case; when it happens, the RED recording light stay on but the hard disk access light is turned off, has to use the "safety switch" to force the unit be powered off. Problem is identified and fixed, the last clip render correct file size. 3. The CitiDISK may turn off the recording when the hard disk is fragmentted( or outter 30% tracks used ) & the effective disk transferring rate reduced. -- Problem identified and fixed. New Features: 1. Add in HDV recording capability. For example, Sony, Canon and JVC FireWire HDV signal is now recognized and will be recorded with M2T extension just like its sister model -- CitiDISK HDV. 2. Add in the support for 160G hard drive. 3. Add in the support for high speed flash device to achieve DVCProHD recoridng. Note: Previous released firmware for SSD does not support the DVCProHD recording. 4. Extends the sub-clicp numbering scheme from 00-01--99 to 00-01-02---90--99-A0-A1-A2--A9-B0-B1---Z0--Z9. For example, Clip1200-Clip1201--Clip1299-Clip12A0-Clip12A1--Clip12Z0--Clip12Z9 could show up for long hour recording in large capacity models. New scheme will add 260(26*10) to the total sub-clip number, total is 360 now. 5. Resolving powering off and back on the CitiDISK when users want to change recording mode among DV, DVCPro50 and DVCProHD modes. User is now able to choose the new recording mode after stopping the current recording; after the new recording mode is selected, user can start next recording without re-cycling the unit's power. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 4, 2008 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-03042008+rom+rom2SSDR5Release.bin: Binary file for CitiDISK HD and HD/SSD models only. The real firmware date is March 4, 2008. 2. FirmwareUploaderV194.zip: Zip file for CitiDISK Firmware Uploading purpose only. Note: Must use the firmware uploader v1.94 to upgrade the firmware, always un-install previous verison first. Bug Fixes: 1. Hitachi 80G & 100G hard drive manufauctured in 2007 have slow detection and low performance issues. -- Fixed New Features: 1. Add in the SSD( Solid State Disk ) support. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 8, 2008 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-02042008+rom+rom2SSDR5Release.bin: Binary file for CitiDISK HD and HD/SSD models only. The real firmware date is February 4, 2008. 2. FirmwareUploaderV194.zip: Zip file for CitiDISK Firmware Uploading purpose only. Note: Must use the firmware uploader v1.94 to upgrade the firmware, always un-install previous verison first. Bug Fixes: 1. PAL-AVI DVCProHD sub-clip recording length increased to 2 minutes and 43 seconds. New Features: 1. Add in the SSD( Solid State Disk ) support. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 9, 2007 -- Release 5 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11072007+rom+rom2R5Release.ZIP: Total zip includes a). FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11072007+rom+rom2R5Release.bin: Binary file. b). Confgrom.bin: Configuration binary file. 2. FirmwareUploaderv194.zip: CitiDISK HD Firmware Uploader v1.94, MUST un-install the previous version and install this one. 3. Updating CitiDISK DV-HDV-HD Firmware v194.pdf: How to use the firmware uploader v1.94? 4. CitiDISK HD FW1256HD(HVX200) Release Note.txt: Release note -- New Features: 1. While in on-line recording, changing the recording format from DV100 to DV50 or to DV25 and vice versa in HVX200 camear does not require to power off and to power back on the CitiDISK any more. 2. If the "Movie" folder or the "Media" folder in the "Movie" folder or the "Project.txt" file in the "Movie" folder does not exit, all of the three lights( GREEN, ORANGE, RED ) will flash indicating the on-line recording can not be taken place, same symptom as the Firewire signal is not fed. -- Problem fixed: 1. DV100 in MOV/AVI setting long hour recording may accidentlly be stopped due to the the non-active video timeout expires too early. Problem fixed. 2. "QPLay" and "PlayAll" function was disabled for DV100 video. Fixed, now the DV100 QPlay is enabled. -- How to update this R5-11072007 firmware? 1. In this R5 release, user must update the "Confgmgr.bin" first before commencing the real firmware update. a). Connect the CitiDISK to PC/XP system first, then, power on the CitiDISK second. Wait till the GREEN / Power light be stabilized. b). Mouse over the "Safe Remove Hardware" icon on the bottom right corner of the screeen. Select "Shining Technology... and click "OK" to stop the hardware. Do not unplug, do not power off the CitiDiSK. c). Start the v1.94 firmware uploader, user should find the firmware date is December 5, 2006 and configuration is set as "R4" or earlier. d). Click on the "Modify device setting", and select "Import file" option, write down the "ChipID"( 2-digit and the 6-digit value ), select the "Confgrom.bin" included in the "FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11072007+rom+rom2R5Release.ZIP", re-enter the "ChipID" value you have just jogged down, click on "Upload" to complete the process. e). When "Ready" message shows up in the status bar, exit the uploader, the drive icon re-appears in the "MyComputer" folder. f). Now the "Confgrom.bin" is updated, re-do the steps b) & c) again. g). Click on the "Update / upgrade device firmware" this time, choose the "FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11072007+rom+rom2R5Release.bin" also included in the ZIP file. Let the update process finish by itself. Again, do NOT exit the uploader until "Ready" message shows up again in the status bar, then, exit the uploader. The drive icon re-appears in the "MyComputer" folder. Note: After the firmware is updated, manufacturer suggest that user re-format the CitiDISK by invoking the "Shining Utility Suite" by selecting the 'DV Disk" to ensure the hard disk is clean and not fragmented. -- Known issues: 1. While QPLAY the DV100 video back to the viewfinder, may find speckles on the screen. Such problem happens if the recording video length is over 30 seconds. No need to worry about it, the recording video is good. The speckles come from data read in from the disk data rate is the same as outputting to the screen and less due to moving track to track before reading the data. 2. When using Datavideo's SE800 video switch box, the CitiDISK HD was not recognized by the unit. Fixes applied; however, the user must power on the SE800 first and power on the CitiDISK HD later about 5 seconds later during the SE800 initialization proces, then the CitiDISK HD has better chances be recognized, if not, unplug the Firewire connection at the SE800 side( not the CitiDISk HD side ) to re-connect the unit to the SE800. Laboratory test the SE800 enumerate the attached FireWire device only in the initializaion phase. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 31, 2007 -- Release 4 Files: 1. FirmwareUploaderv193b.zip: CitiDISK HD Firmware Uploader v1.93b, MUST un-install the previous version and install this one. 4. Updating CitiDISK DV-HDV-HD Firmware v193.pdf: How to use the firmware uploader v1.93? 5. CitiDISK HD FW1256HD(HVX200) Release Note.txt: Release note ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 11, 2006 -- Release 4 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-12052006+rom+rom2R4Release.ZIP: Total zip. 2. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-12052006+rom+rom2R4Release.bin: Binary file. 3. FirmwareUploaderv183.zip: CitiDISK HD Firmware Uploader v1.83, MUST un-install the previous version and install this one. 4. Updating CitiDISK DV-HDV-HD Firmware v181HDonly.pdf: How to use the firmware uploader v1.81? 5. CitiDISK HD FW1256HD(HVX200) Release Note.txt: Release note -- New Features: -- Problem fixed: 1. HD/MOV/AVI long hour recording issue is resolved. User is able to record the DVCProHD video as long as you like either in 1080i or 720p both in NTSC & PAL. Our laboratory test shown most of the FW1256HD-120( 120G ) units Shining Technology had sold is better but still not perfect good. Please contact your vendor or Shining Technology to exchange the unit for a faster hard drive. This exchange is only applicable for FW1256HD-120( 120G ) model. For CitiDISK HD FW1256HD-100 user, there is no need to ship in the unit for exchange, simply follow the procedure described in "How to use the firmware uploader v1.81?" installing the v1.83 firmware uploader, and perform the firmware upload process. After each major release from R1(VX200)->R2->R3->R4, user must perform re-selection of the file format process by "Modify Device Setting", "User Config" described in the firmware uploader top menu. It is OK to jump from R1(VX200) or R2 to R4. 2. New firmware uploader v1.83 -- In v1.81 & v.82, once user select Matrox Axio codec, and re-select it back to Quicktime MOV file format will not work. Although it is shown as MOV but actually the unit still records in Matrox Axio format. Fixed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 3, 2006 -- Release 3 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11022006+rom+rom2R3Release2.ZIP: Total zip. 2. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-11022006+rom+rom2R3Release2.bin: Binary file. 3. FirmwareUploaderv181.zip: CitiDISK HD Firmware Uploader v1.81, MUST un-install the previous version and install this one. 4. Updating CitiDISK DV-HDV-HD Firmware v181HDonly.pdf: How to use the firmware uploader v1.81? 5. CitiDISK HD FW1256HD(HVX200) Release Note.txt: Release note -- New Features: 1. New Firmware Uploader v1.81 allows user to select Matrox Axio, Canopus Edius4 in AVI, Quicktime for Final Cut or RawDV. --- AVI file format selection including standard AVI2, Matrox Axio and Canopus Edius4 The Matrox Axio user must have Axio hardware and software plug-in installed for Adobe Premiere 2.0( 1.5 won't work ). The standard AVI2 uses standard dv codec for DV25 but Axio codec for DV50 & DV100. The Canopus Edius user must have Edius4 and USB Dongle from Canopus if it is selected. Captured video clips are able to play by Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 provided above necessary codec plug-in installed. Project setting for Axio and Edius4 user must select 1080i/60i/30p or 720p/30p for DVCProHD and select 480/30p DVCPro 50, DVCPro to avoid rendering each clip even the recording format is set at 24p or 24pA due to the Firewire has only one standard and that is either DV100 for DVCProHD, DV50 for DVCPro 50 and DV25 for DVCPro. --- MOV file format selection for Final Cut Pro & Canopus Edius4 & Avid DV XPress Pro Project setting for FCP user must select 1080i/60i/30p or 720p/30p for DVCProHD and select 480/30p DVCPro 50, DVCPro even the recording format is set at 24p or 24pA due to the Firewire has only one standard and that's either DV100 for DVCProHD, DV50 for DVCPro 50 and DV25 for DVCPro. --- Why 720p/30p and 1080/60i/30p?? If user is shooting in film camera mode by 720p/12 frames/second rate, the HVX200 camera actually inserts extra frames making up to 60 frames per second to meet DV100 specification. Since the CitiDISK HD always reports 2-frame-per-chunk in 720p and 1 frame-per-chunk in 1080 mode, and 720p screen resolution is half of 1080, so, both 1080 & 720 both end up 30 frames/second in NTSC and 25 frames/second. --- Are CineForm-AVI & Raylight-AVI codec supported? No. Both are intermediate codec not in standard DV-AVI form. 2. Add in support for HVX200/PAL and HVX20E. 3. Re-enable "DV Control" by camera function provided a not-full-P2 card inserted. -- Problem fixed: 1. While in recording, REC light went on but not being able to turn it off. fixed. -- Known issues: 1. "P2-MXF" -- P2 card like folder structure and MXF file format supported are not included in this release 2. "QPLAY" & "PLAYALL" -- both functions are disabled for DVCProHD, but DVCPro50 and DVCPro are OK. The "QPLAY" & "PLAYALL" choose for DV not DVCPro to playback, so, user must select DV mode even the video was shot as DVCPro. 3. Lab. test shows the 100G & 120G can record as long as you like in RawDV/DVCProHD recording, however, the 120G model seems not able to keep up the incoming data rate and automatically turns off the recording preventing the "skip-frame" in MOV & AVI modes. But the 100G works much better. Engineers are working on this issue now, will release it once it is available. -- Technical tips: 1. How to activate DV Control function on HVX200? Turn on HVX200, press "Menu" button, choose "Other function", set "1394 CMD Selection" to "BOTH". The CitiDISK HD automatically receive the commands from HVX200 to start and stop the RECording; however, a non-full P2 card or non-full tape is required to start/stop the DV Contorl function. If P2 card is full during the recording, user must manually press the REC( RED light ) button to turn off the recording. 2. Connect & disconnect -- Always connect the FireWire cable to Camera( or computer ) and the CitiDISK HD first while the CitiDISK HD in power OFF. Power on the camera( or computer ) first, and turn on the POWER( GREEN, close to the power socket ). Alwayas power off the CitiDISK HD first, then, disconnect from the camera/computer. Slide the black safety swith toward the power socket position before operating the CitiDISK HD unit, and slide it away from power socket while not-in-use. 3. On-line Recording -- There are three objects in FAT32 file system required for the CitiDISK HD to online shoot video. They are "Movie" folder and "Media" folder in "Movie" folder and a "Project" text file in the "Movie" folder. If either one three objects missing, the GREEN & RED lights will blink and you cannot shoot video. How to put back those three objects: a. In PC/XP: Download the "Shining Utility Suite" v77r510.zip" from "www.shining.com" "Driver & Update" page or install it from the CD included in the package, Install it first. Connect the CitiDISK HD to PC/XP system and power it on. Wait till GREEN light be solid. Start the "Shining Utility Suite" program, choose "Hard Drive Setup", select "DV Disk", the program will show each operating hard disk in the system, choose the one has the size close to the CitiDISK HD, click on "Create DVDisk" to start the operation. Once the process is done, Exit and "Safe remove" the CitiDISK HD from the system. Note: Details of how to use the Utility can be found in CD and "Driver & Update" page. File name is "Utility Manual v20.pdf". b. In MacX: Connect the CitiDISK HD to PC/XP system and power it on. Invoke the "Disk Utility" in "MacX", "Application", "Utilities" folder. Choose the one says "xxx GBytes Shining....", click on "Erase" and choose "MS-DOS file system" in VolumeFormat, then, click on "Erase"( bottom right ) to start the process. Once the process is completed you would need to create above three objects manually. First open the CitiDISK HD just re-formatted, go to top bar find "File", select "New Folder", name it as "Movie", open the "Movie" folder, and go through the same process to create another new folder name it as "Media". Finally, invoke the "TextEdit" in "Application" folder, and click on "File", "Save As" this 0-byte file, name it as "Project" in "rtf" file type in "Movie" folder. 4. After recording and ready for next recording -- It is suggested do a "file sytsem" integrity check every time you bring up the CitiDISK HD to PC/XP. Go to "MyComputer", click on right mouse button on the CitiDISK HD, click "Property", "Tool", "Check Now", and check "Automatically fix file system error" and "Start" the process. Copy all of the recorded/selected clips in "Media" folder into other drive before editing. DO NOT drag the folder since they are needed for next recording. DO NOT drag the unwanted clips into trash and empty the files from it. Use "QuickErase" function described in the "QuickUsageGuide" to keep the CitiDISK HD from fragmentation. 5. Offline coping -- copying the P2 card contents to the CitiDISK HD. Turn on HVX200, press "Menu" button, choose "Other function", set "PC Mode" to "1394 Host". Connect the CitiDISK HD and power it ON. Wait till GREEN light solid. Press-n-Hold the black button beside the "MCR" more than 3 seconds. Press "Menu", P2 card content thumbnail shows up, press the center button to select "Format" function to start formatting the CitiDISK HD and copy P2 card's contents to the CitiDISK HD later. Power off the CitiDISK HD and connect it back to computer, you should see all of the P2 card's content copied. Note: HVX200 will re-format the CitiDISK HD as its Linux file system, user must re-format the CitiDISK HD back to FAT32 file system with three objects described in "Online Recording" section. 6. Battery care -- Slide the black main switch OFF while not in use. 7. DO NOT purposely jar, bump, shake the CitiDISK HD while in recording. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 3, 2006 -- Release 2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 28, 2006 -- Release 1 Files: 1. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-07282006.bin: Firmware file format set to QuickTime( MOV ). Binary file. 2. FW1256HD(HVX200)-oxfw911-07282006.zip: Same as above but in ZIP form. -- New Features: 1. First release. 2. Support native file format for various editing software, Quicktime( MOV ) for Final Cut Pro and AVI2 for CineForm. By setting the editing software's native file format save the conversion time from MXF->MOV or MXF->AVI2. -- Known issues: 1. "P2-MXF" -- P2 card like folder structure and MXF file format supported are not included in this release 2. "DV REC Control" -- such function is diabled for DVCProHD recording, user must manually start & stop the recording by pressing the CitiDISK "REC" button 3. "QPLAY" & "PLAYALL" -- both functions are disabled for DVCProHD, but DVCPro50 and DVCPro are OK.