From: "milton_aupperle" <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: January 25, 2010 2:12:20 PM MST

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: PGR Camera Firmware Update Bug - WARNING!


Hi Folks;


I just found an issue with PGR FireWire 800 cameras and new firmware updates. I have submitted a support request to PGR to see if they know what is going on.


If you have an older FireWire 800 camera and your connecting it to your Mac using a FireWire 400 to 800 cable, DO NOT UPDATE the firmware for it.


There is a bug in the new firmware where the cameras no longer indicate what speed the camera should be running at. It always indicates its running at FW 800 speed even when attached to a FW 400 port. If this happens, then we set the camera to run at FW 800 speeds and no frames get transmitted over a FW 400 cable.


So after I flash updated my Grasshopper to the version 0.9.1.48 firmware, it no longer works with Astro IIDC when connected via a FireWire 400 to 800 cable. I re-flashed it back to version 0.9.1.30 of the firmware and everything works just fine.


Just to reiterate, this ONLY AFFECTS People who:


1) Are using  FireWire 800 Camera (does not affect FireWire 400 cameras at all).


2) Have connected it to a FireWire 400 port on a PC or FireWire Hub with a FireWire to 800 to 400 cable.


If you have a FireWire 400 camera or you are using a FireWire 800 camera with a FireWire 800 port then this issue DOES NOT AFFECT YOU!


Unfortunately, for people with brand new PGR FW 800 cameras this issue is happening right out of the box. The only thing you can do is connect via a FireWire 800 to FireWire 800 cable to a FireWire 800 port. It will not work with a FW 400 port or cable with Astro IIDC.


HTH..


Milton Aupperle