Instruction manual
Bootloader Update
The bootloader is responsible for correctly loading and updating the
firmware. Bootloader V3 and above makes it a little easier to update the firmware, but
there are no other advantages. Installing the bootloader requires the exact same
procedure as installing the firmware, which is described below. The bootloader is
installed within a second or two as opposed to up to 12 seconds required to install the
firmware.
Firmware Update
Normally, there is no need to update the firmware. You should only update the firmware
if you are having problems with the current firmware or the new firmware provides
functionality you require that are not available in your current version.
The latest firmware version can be downloaded and installed directly from the setup
program or installed manually by downloading the firmware file from
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20149719&postcount=4.
Updating the firmware is an easy and safe process.
If your camera was purchased before November 2012 and has not been updated with
bootloader V3 or greater you will normally need an external card reader (not another
#16!) in order to update the firmware, but there is a "Backdoor" method which is outlined
below. Since all the parameters can be set programatically using parameters, it is
not necessary to load different firmware versions for different configurations. The only
exception is for the video output format. Because of lack of memory space, different
firmware versions exist for AVI and MOV formats. The AVI format produces non-
standard .avi files with a 1 second overlapping video sequence between clips. The MOV
format produces videos which have a 2-3 second gap between clips.
Manual Firmware Update
Note: Unless the camera is running bootloader V3 or above, the firmware file will NOT
be automatically deleted from the flash card when the camera is turned on. The
camera will be UNUSABLE and reload the firmware file every time it is turned on until
a card is used that has no firmware file on it. This is the reason that you MUST delete
the firmware file, after the update has completed, using an external card reader or the
"backdoor" method described below.
•
Copy the new firmware file into the camera's flash card root folder. This can be
done with the card in the camera connected to the computer as a Removable
Drive, or externally in a card reader. Note: All firmware files are named
FWMICDVR.BIN. The name must not be changed.
•
Disconnect the camera from the computer and make sure it is turned off.
•
Insert the flash card containing the new firmware file into the camera (if not
already in the camera).
•
Press the Power button very briefly until the Yellow LED turns on and begins to
flash. Do not keep it pressed any longer.
•
Release the Power Button. The Yellow LED will continue to flash very quickly for
a second or two and then will remain on for up to 12 seconds. It may also blink a
few times. This indicates that the firmware is being written into the camera. DO
NOT PRESS ANY BUTTONS while the yellow led is on or flashing!
•
When the firmware is fully installed, the Yellow LED will turn off and the camera
will shut down.
•
If the camera is running bootloader V3 or above the camera will automatically
restart and the yellow LED will remain on. The firmware update is complete.
For cameras running an earlier bootloader, continue as follows:
•
*Remove the card from the camera and insert it into a card reader. You cannot
use another #16 camera for this, but you can use the "Backdoor" method
described below.