last update
May 6, 2008
Sound Devices has made available revision "Blue Demon" of 7-Series firmware for public evaluation. Before installing and using, please read the notice below.
Revision Blue Demon firmware is unreleased, unsupported, non-production code. Thought it has been extensively tested in-house, expect that there are bugs in this code. It is released expressly in order to preview future functionality and to find bugs and errors through user's experience. Use at your own risk. We strongly recommend against using for any type of critical production or recording. Unreleased firmware should only be tested by users with a thorough understanding of the operation of the 7-Series Recorders. Revert to the present release revision, 2.40, for critical use and support.
This firmware release includes several new features and select bug fixes, including the following:
- added - record-pause, allows for recording to stop, then commence without generating a new file. Time code must be turned off (702T, 744T) for record-pause to be available.
- added - Family UID added to iXML metadata
- change - "record pending” notification when a record command has been given and the DSP is not available to begin recording. The recorder now enters stand-by mode and will begin recording immediately once the DSP is available to record. This improves the overall performance and reliability of the CL-1 in particular. “Record Pending” also replaces the “Busy” notification.
- change - CompactFlash formatting now adds a partition so that CF cards can be exchanged between all 7-Series Recorders including the 788T.
- change - poly files no longer contain unused tracks. The 7-Series will no longer record zeros to unused tracks.
- change - circled takes are now tagged <CIRCLE>= TRUE in the iXML chunk and @ is added to the BEXT filename.
- please carefully review the
Blue Demon Addendum (62 KB) here.
If you experience any performance problems, bugs, or other anomolies with this revision, please report them to Sound Devices using either e-mail (support@sounddevices.com) or from our web-based case assignment tool available here.
Firmware Installation Instructions
Please read and follow the steps below carefully. You may want to print them before upgrading firmware.
Prepare to Update
- Sound Devices recommends backing up any existing audio data that may reside on the recorder. While no data on the hard drive is changed during the update process, it is best practice to backup the unit.
- Have on hand a fully charged battery pack to the recorder, or charge the removable battery fully.
- Connect the AC power adapter and run the unit from external power.
- To upgrade via CompactFlash card, have on hand a FAT32 formatted CompactFlash card and a card reader to transfer the firmware file from computer to a CompactFlash card. Format the card in the recorder to ensure it is formatted as a FAT32 volume.
- To upgrade via computer transfer have on hand a FireWire cable for interconnection between computer and recorder.
Download and Extract
- For Windows and Mac OS computers, click the ZIP archive file below and download it to your computer.
- In Windows XP, navigate to the downloaded ZIP archive, right-click it and select "Extract All". A new folder named
XXXX_bd is created. It contains the firmware file XXXX_bd.prg.
- In Mac OS X, double-click (if necessary) to extract the firmware file using Stuffit Expander. The file is named
XXXX_bd.prg.
Copy Firmware File to CF Card (CF upgrade method)
- Insert the Compact Flash card into the computer's card reader.
- Copy the
XXX_bd.prg file to the Compact Flash volume.
- Make certain that only one copy of the firmware file is present.
Copy Firmware File to Hard Drive (HD upgrade method for 722 and 744T only)
- Connect the recorder to the computer via FireWire. This is the same connection as for a file transfer.
- Copy the downloaded and extracted firmware file to the units internal hard drive. Place the file in either the root folder or
SOUNDDEV folder of the recorder.
Update Firmware
- Insert the Compact Flash card into the unit (if using CF upgrade method).
- With the unit powered up, navigate to
Update Software in the setup menu. It is the last menu selection.
- Following the on-screen instructions, the unit will locate the firmware file. Select update.
- Read the on-screen instructions for updating firmware.
- The upgrade process may take up to five minutes.
- NOTE: the screen will remain blank for up to 30 seconds while firmware is being written to the EEPROM. This is normal.
Verify Update
- Check to verify the firmware version of the recorder in user menu Info:Version. It should now read version 2.45 Blue Demon.
Verify User Setups and Reset Time/Date
- Reset the time and date.
- Verify the settings of user-selected parameters. The original values may have changed during the update process.
Firmware File License
By using software of Sound Devices, LLC you agree to the following terms and conditions. If you do not agree with such terms and conditions; do not use or apply the software. The terms of the end user license agreement accompanying the product shall supersede the terms presented below.
The export and re-export of Sound Devices software products are controlled by the United States Export Administration Regulations and such software may not be exported or re-exported to Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Libya; North Korea; Sudan; or Syria or any country to which the United States embargoes goods. In addition; Sound Devices software may not be distributed to persons on the Table of Denial Orders; the Entity List; or the List of Specially Designated Nationals.
By downloading or using Sound Devices software product you are certifying that you are not a national of Cuba; Iran; Iraq; Libya; North Korea; Sudan; or Syria or any country to which the United States embargoes goods and that you are not a person on the Table of Denial Orders; the Entity List; or the List of Specially Designated Nationals.
Sound Devices grants you a non-exclusive license to use such software with the 7-Series hardware product only; provided you possess a valid license from Sound Devices for the hardware product. Except as set forth below; such software is licensed to you subject to the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement from Sound Devices governing your use of the hardware product.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES: YOU AGREE THAT SOUND DEVICES HAS MADE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES TO YOU REGARDING THE SOFTWARE AND THAT THE SOFTWARE IS BEING PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. SOUND DEVICES DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE; EXPRESS OR IMPLIED; INCLUDING; WITHOUT LIMITATION; ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE; MERCHANTABILITY; MERCHANTABLE QUALITY OR NONINFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties; so the above limitations may not apply to you.
LIMIT OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT WILL SOUND DEVICES BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OF USE; INTERRUPTION OF BUSINESS; OR ANY DIRECT; INDIRECT; SPECIAL; INCIDENTAL; OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION WHETHER IN CONTRACT; TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE); STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE; EVEN IF SOUND DEVICES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages; so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
If you agree with the above license, click to download.
702
This is 702 firmware only! (450 KB)
702T
This is 702T firmware only! (450 KB)
722
This is 722 firmware only! (450 KB)
744T
This is 744T firmware only! (450 KB)
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