Sony SupportFDR-AX1

FDR-AX1 Firmware Update

    Applicable Models
    About this download
    System Requirements
    File Info
    Preparation
    Download & Install

    IMPORTANT: This file is only for use with the models identified. Not all models are sold in all countries.

    This information is for the following models:

    • FDR-AX1

    About this download

    Benefits and improvements

    This firmware update provides the following benefits:

    Improvements over version 3.00:

    • Supports copying clips to external USB storage media
    • Supports displaying data codes while playing clips (AVCHD format clips only)
    • Supports transferring clips recorded by the camcorder to the PlayMemories Home application on your computer
      • Notes:
      • This camcorder cannot transfer the data recorded on the MS/SD card by connecting the camcorder to your computer with a USB cable. Please use a memory card reader writer (sold separately).
      • Bundled editing software Vegas Pro 12 Edit can be used to edit the AVCHD clips recorded by this camcorder.

    Please view this New functions document for information on the major functions updated.

    Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version 4.00:

    • Adds the function to record in AVCHD™ format
    • Adds support for Memory Stick® media/SD card formatting
    • Provides a correction so that the sound from the internal microphone records properly when the internal microphone is chosen for both CH1 and CH2
    • Provides support for the HDMI® 2.0 specification
      (4K/59.94P,4K/50P transmission compatibility (YCbCr 4:2:0 / 8bit))

    System Requirements

    Operating Systems

    • Mac OS X®
    • Windows Vista®
    • Windows Vista® 64-bit
    • Windows® 10
    • Windows® 10 64-bit
    • Windows® 7
    • Windows® 7 64-bit
    • Windows® 8
    • Windows® 8 64-bit
    • Windows® 8.1
    • Windows® 8.1 64-bit

    File Info

    File Name

    • FDRAX1V400_firmware.zip

    File Version

    • 4.00

    File Size

    • 58.39 MB

    Release Date

    • 10-13-2015

    Before You Start


    Determine if Your Camera Needs the Update

    This update is only for FDR-AX1 cameras that currently have firmware version 3.00 or lower. If your camera firmware version is already version 4.00, this update is not necessary.


    Check the version of your camera firmware:


    1. Power on the camera.
    2. Press the Menu button.
    3. At the Menu screen, select System.
    4. At the System screen, select Version.
    5. The firmware version is displayed on the LCD screen.
      Firmware Version Screen
      If the current firmware version is 4.00 or higher, the camera does not need this update.

    Important Notes

    • WARNING!!: This utility is only for use with the Sony® FDR-AX1 camera. Do not install this utility with any other model.
    • WARNING!!: This firmware update and any changes incurred by it are permanent. It is not possible to return to a previous firmware version after updating this firmware. By continuing this update process and downloading and updating this firmware, you acknowledge that you are aware and understand that this update cannot be reversed.
    • This update process requires the following items for proper updating:
      • A computer with:
        • A memory card slot compatible with the camera memory cards.
        • One of the following operating systems installed:
          • Microsoft® Windows® 10
          • Windows 8/8.1
          • Windows 7 (with Service Pack 1)
          • Windows Vista® (with Service Pack 2)
            Note: Starter Edition of Windows Vista is not supported.
          • Mac OS X® 10.3 (or later)
      • Camera power supply:
        • When performing the firmware update, be sure to use the AC adapter (AC-NB12A).
          WARNING!!: The camera may not operate properly if the power is interrupted during the update.
      • Memory Card:
        • Use one of the following memory cards:
          • SDHC card
            • Speed Class: 4-10
              Note: UHS cannot be used
            • Capacity 2-32GB
          • SD card
            • File System: FAT16
            • Capacity: up to 2GB
        • Format the SD/SDHC card using the FDR-AX1 FORMAT MEDIA function.
    • To ensure that no other program interferes with the installation, save all work and close all other programs. The Taskbar should be clear of applications before proceeding.
    • It is highly recommended that you print out these instructions for use as a reference during the installation process.
    • If you have recordings where the audio channels are swapped, please view the How to swap the left and right channel audio on an MP4 file using Vegas Pro information to correct the inverted left and right audio channels.
    Prepare the Memory Card
    • Please use an SD or SDHC card up to 2GB formatted for the FAT16 file system.
      Note: Memory cards with Speed Class 4-10/UHS or with the capacity above 2GB cannot be used.
    • If you need to format your memory card, please use the FORMAT MEDIA function on the FDR-AX1 camera.
    • The update process may not start if the media is not correctly formatted.

    How to format the memory card using the FDR-AX1 camera:
    WARNING!!: Formatting the media will erase all files on the SD/SDHC memory card.

    1. Insert the memory card into the UTILITY SD slot of the camera
      UTILITY SD slot location

    2. Important: Do NOT use the SD card slot to format the memory card or to perform the firmware update. Please use the UTILITY SD slot only.

    3. Power on the camera.
    4. Press the Menu button.
    5. At the Menu screen, select Media.
    6. Select Format Media.
    7. Select SD Card.
    8. Select Execute.
    9. At the Format SD Card Now? message, select Execute.
    10. When formatting is done, select OK.
    11. Remove the memory card from the camera

    Download & Install


    Table of Contents

    Download and Update the Firmware

    1. Download the FDRAX1V400_firmware.zip file to a temporary or download directory (please note this directory for reference).
    2. Go to the directory where the FDRAX1V400_firmware.zip file was downloaded to extract the file.
    3. Extract the update file.
      • For Microsoft® Windows Vista®, Windows® 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 operating system:
        1. Go to the directory where the file was downloaded and right-click the FDRAX1V400_firmware.zip file, and then click Extract All.

          Note: For Windows 8/8.1, the default settings for Internet Explorer® will save the file in the Downloads folder. To locate the Downloads folder, click the Desktop tile from the Start screen and then locate the downloaded file using Windows Explorer.
        2. At the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders window, click Extract.
        3. Once successfully extracted, the file FDR-AX1_4.00_243_2015-09-24_11-01-29_firmware.bin should be available.
          Note: Depending on your computer settings, the .bin file extension may not appear.
      • For Mac OS X® operating system:
        1. Go to the location where the file was downloaded and double-click the FDRAX1V400_firmware.zip file.
        2. Once successfully extracted, the file FDR-AX1_4.00_243_2015-09-24_11-01-29_firmware.bin should be available.
          Note: Depending on your computer settings, the .bin file extension may not appear.
    4. Transfer the update file to the memory card:
      1. Insert the memory card into your computer.
        Note: When the memory card is inserted, several windows may automatically pop up, please close all windows that open.
      2. Copy the system software update file FDR-AX1_4.00_243_2015-09-24_11-01-29_firmware.bin, to the root directory of the memory card.
        • For Windows operating system: Go to the directory where the file was created, right-click the FDR-AX1_4.00_243_2015-09-24_11-01-29_firmware.bin file and, from the menu, click Send To..., and then click the drive (EX: Removable Disk E:) that represents your memory card. The update file will be copied onto your memory card.
        • For Mac OS X operating system: Drag and drop the FDR-AX1_4.00_243_2015-09-24_11-01-29_firmware.bin file to the root folder of the memory card.
        Note: The update will not be performed if the file is not copied to the root directory of the memory card or if the name of the file is modified.
    5. Remove the memory card from your computer and prepare to update the camera.

    6. Caution!!: Please use the AC adapter (AC-NB12A) when performing the firmware update. If camera power is interrupted during the system software update, the camera might not work properly.

      Caution!!: Do not remove the memory card when performing the firmware update. If the memory card is removed during the system software update, the camera might not work properly.

      Please disconnect all other devices (such as HDMI, microphone, LED light) and eject any media in the XQD memory card slot before upgrading.

    7. Insert the memory card into the camera.
    8. Power on the camera.
    9. Press the Menu button.
    10. At the Menu screen, select System.
    11. At the System screen, select Version.
    12. At the Version screen, select Version Up.
      The message Please use the AC Adapter; Upgrade Version? will appear on the screen, select Execute.
      Camera Update Screen
    13. At the Version Upgrade Vx.xx V4.00 screen, select Execute.
      Camera Update Screen
      Note: If the message Version Upgrade No File appears on the screen, the system software data file was not found. Please go back to the first procedure and try again.

      Possible causes are listed below:
      • The system software update file is not saved to the root directory of the memory card.
      • The system software update file for another model camera has been saved to the memory card.
      • The system software update data was not decoded correctly.
    14. The update procedure will begin and is executed in two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2.
      Note: Phase 1 takes approximately 3 minutes and Phase 2 is approximately 9 minutes. When the version update begins, the REC lamp will start blinking, and Version Upgrade, Elapsed Time XX:YY:ZZ, and Executing XX% will appear on the screen.
      Camera Update Screen

    15. Caution!!: Between Phase1 and Phase2 of the update process, the camera will restart and the message on the screen will disappear. Although the message disappears from the screen, the update process is still running, do not power off the camera.

    16. Once the version upgrade has completed, the REC lamp will stop blinking and Version Upgrade OK Turn Power Off will appear on the screen.

      Notes:
      • If the Update Procedure is Terminated: If there is a error during the version update, the message Version Upgrade NG: Cannot Read. Power Off will appear on the screen. Please restart the camera and redo the complete process from the beginning.
      • If the Version Update Failed: The message Version Upgrade Error!! will appear on the screen. Please redo the complete process from the beginning. If the error continues to appear, the camera may need repair, please contact your local Sony service center.
    17. Restart the camera.
    Check the Firmware Version After Updating (optional)
    1. Power on the camera.
    2. Press the Menu button.
    3. At the Menu screen, select System.
    4. At the System screen, select Version.
    5. The firmware version is displayed on the LCD screen.
      Firmware Version Screen
      If the current firmware version is 4.00, the firmware update was successful.
      Note: If the firmware version number is not 4.00, please download and install the firmware update again.