p.8 #1 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
This whole upgrade has left a bad taste in my mouth about Sony. Very poorly executed in a number of areas.
When (if) I decide to do the upgrade I will be sure to document that my WiFi, BlueTooth, FTP, is working on my A1. If it is not working after the update then I will blame Sony for breaking those features. If, Sony doesn't make the repair or replacement, I will look into a Class Action on behalf of everyone whose camera is similarly affected.
I encourage everyone who has experienced this issue to make notes and document what happened. I also encourage all who undertake the update in the future to also document prior to the update.
No reason for consumers to lay down on this issue.
p.8 #3 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Perhaps those with these issues can post serial numbers of their a1’s
If the serial numbers are within a small range it would boost the opinion that it is not a random breakage.
p.8 #4 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Possible win for those buying used.
Save money buying used A1 that is discounted due to wifi error message (for those happy to get a cheaper A1 and do without WiFi etc)
Someone did manage to crack the "Sony can't rollback" issue for A7R3.
For the A1, this would mean modifying older firmware to report a later version.
ie, 1.32 could be modified to 2.02. Then the camera could be updated to the modified 1.32.
It would display 2.02 when version check done.
If Sony later released 2.02, it could not be installed.
If they then released 2.03, it could be installed.
ie, the camera just refuses to allow an earlier version to be installed.
A later version can be installed and seemingly only a simple version check is done.
This all assumes same method for used in A1 that the A7R3 does in managing firmware updates.
Maybe, this would restore WiFi ( FTP and Bluetooth) functionality, but not allow the new functionality.
EDIT: it was A7R2 that a firmware backdater was done.
p.8 #5 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Agree completely with this. Their attitude towards their customers really does seem to have changed.
1bwana1 wrote:
This whole upgrade has left a bad taste in my mouth about Sony. Very poorly executed in a number of areas.
When (if) I decide to do the upgrade I will be sure to document that my WiFi, BlueTooth, FTP, is working on my A1. If it is not working after the update then I will blame Sony for breaking those features. If, Sony doesn't make the repair or replacement, I will look into a Class Action on behalf of everyone whose camera is similarly affected.
I encourage everyone who has experienced this issue to make notes and document what happened. I also encourage all who undertake the update in the future to also document prior to the update.
No reason for consumers to lay down on this issue....Show more →
p.8 #6 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Choderboy wrote:
Possible win for those buying used.
Save money buying used A1 that is discounted due to wifi error message (for those happy to get a cheaper A1 and do without WiFi etc)
Someone did manage to crack the "Sony can't rollback" issue for A7R3.
For the A1, this would mean modifying older firmware to report a later version.
ie, 1.32 could be modified to 2.02. Then the camera could be updated to the modified 1.32.
It would display 2.02 when version check done.
If Sony later released 2.02, it could not be installed.
If they then released 2.03, it could be installed.
ie, the camera just refuses to allow an earlier version to be installed.
A later version can be installed and seemingly only a simple version check is done.
This all assumes same method for used in A1 that the A7R3 does in managing firmware updates.
Maybe, this would restore WiFi ( FTP and Bluetooth) functionality, but not allow the new functionality.
EDIT: it was A7R2 that a firmware backdater was done. ...Show more →
This is not possible since Sony introduced encrypted / signed firmwares (I looked into it when I wanted to get the "better" eyeAF back )...
Unless you can somehow get access to Sony key used for the signature.
p.8 #7 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
jplaurel wrote:
V2.01 has caused the loss of WiFi and Bluetooth functionality on my A1. Both Bluetooth and WiFi were working just fine with 1.32, and as soon as I installed 2.01, my camera (and many others) are reporting that the Bluetooth/WiFi unit is malfunctioning.
I called support this morning. Sony support says that it's a hardware problem and they will not cover the repair. No additional firmware is planned to address the problem. If this is indeed a hardware problem, my guess is that there is some variance in the Wifi/Bluetooth modules that were used by Sony over the course of A1 production, and that the defects have always been there. Sony should do the honest thing and recall the affected units for repair at their cost. It is more than suspicious that these problems suddenly happened after people installed 2.01, even though their cameras had full wireless functionality before the update.
I know you're happy that your upgrade went ok, but you just happened to be lucky enough to get a unit that wasn't built with defective or more likely, out of spec hardware. Many of us were not so fortunate.
I think the most plausible explanation here is that there is some variation in the wireless modules that Sony has used since the A1 was introduced. They're on the push for cloud services now, and the decision was made to migrate everyone to the new Creators app and shut down Imaging Edge. Creators app is now using functionality that was not part of the original hardware test matrix, and so some lack of capability in the chipset, or perhaps an obscure protocol issue is causing this to happen.
Test is no doubt rapidly adding the requirements of the new Creators app to its automated test matrix to avoid any more of the faulty boards getting into production.
In the meantime, the company is struggling to deal with the PR fallout, and the potential cost of replacing main boards for thousands of A1s in a recall. And so, a decision has apparently been made to convince customers that their wireless module has somehow failed (even though it was working just yesterday with Imaging Edge before they updated to v2.01), and that it's only because of this wonderful new update that they are finally being made aware that their camera was broken all this time, and so they are now responsible for the cost of repairing their own camera, just like any other out of warranty malfunction. There are many Sony fans in online communities who are defending this idea.
This solution that Sony has chosen is a triple-win for them. 1) Avoid the cost of a recall. 2) Earn revenue for the Support division. 3) Flush the defective A1s out of the market (at customers' expense) so the flagship doesn't get a bad reputation. They know that consumers will forget in time. And they reinforce this by minimizing the problem, calling it "Internet hysteria", etc. Every manufacturer does it in these situations.
And they realize the logic facing customers. What are customers going to do? Toss a $6500 camera into the bin because they're angry that the manufacturer is gouging them for a new main board? Unlikely. Sell the defective camera at a great loss on the secondary market? Well, maybe, but unlikely given the hit to their own reputation as a seller or the likelihood that they'd have to accept a return. Switch to a different system? Probably not, since they have so much invested the walled garden already in the form of lenses, etc.
Has anyone else seen the Bluetooth and WiFi go out when v2.01 is installed?
Bluetooth is required for the wireless remote. IMO there is nothing in v2.01 that would justify taking the risk of losing wireless remote.
p.8 #8 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
The fact that some machines show connection problems is evidently a problem related to the presence of noncompliant chips.
Sony has focused on new firmware to bring the A1 in line with other new cameras.
It is not an update but a revised firmware even in internal components such as precisely communication.
It clearly no longer uses the same method as before because communication is now significantly faster and more immediate.
The A1 went through a worldwide chip shortage, Sony evidently used different suppliers in order to continue production and some of these components do not respond to the new protocol.
As mentioned the service issue does not exist, it is an inherent manufacturing defect, it is considered on par with a recall, Sony simply does not (at least at the moment) have the ability to locate incriminated production batches, it therefore leaves it up to the customer to decide whether to upgrade....and should the problem arise (a possibility stated by Sony) to send it for service.
IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN ASKED TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM?
I doubt it but in case it will be reported and clearly it will have a high resonance....but for that very reason...it will not happen...
p.8 #9 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
I wonder what would happen if the WiFi "broke" when a camera was sent in for a clean through Sony Pro and the FW was updated (it usually is unless you ask for it not to be done).
I use camera remote all the time and I'm not willing to update.
p.8 #10 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
As further proof that Sony cannot and will not charge for any intervention on the logic board in case of errors detected by the new firmware, it would suffice to think that every user has the option of sending the camera to service to request a firmware update (they do).
If the problem occurs after that operation, it is trivial that Sony will take steps to fix it.
The only situation in which the user might "pay" for the intervention (and I am not sure about this) is if by doing the update the user did something that was not planned and explicitly reported, such as:
Turns off the camera during the upgrade
Uses a non-original battery that does not signal the charge well and in the process shuts down.
Unplugs the cable during the process.
In such cases, there is a malicious operation of the user...which puts the user at fault.
p.8 #11 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
_MacTwin_ wrote:
As further proof that Sony cannot and will not charge for any intervention on the logic board in case of errors detected by the new firmware, it would suffice to think that every user has the option of sending the camera to service to request a firmware update (they do).
If the problem occurs after that operation, it is trivial that Sony will take steps to fix it.
The only situation in which the user might "pay" for the intervention (and I am not sure about this) is if by doing the update the user did something that was not planned and explicitly reported, such as:
Turns off the camera during the upgrade
Uses a non-original battery that does not signal the charge well and in the process shuts down.
Unplugs the cable during the process.
In such cases, there is a malicious operation of the user...which puts the user at fault.
Hmm, all this got me thinking I should update now as my A1 is still covered under warranty.
On the other hand, I'm put off by wired ftp or possible battery drain issues (and some missing features I though that would be included in 2.x) ...
p.8 #12 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
j4nu....
I only read a conspiracy hypothesis with no basis whatsoever!
I have not read a single post in the forums where anyone has been asked to pay for a motherboard replacement!
I can understand that the problem is not pleasant, no one would like to suddenly find themselves having to send the machine for service, but these things happen to all manufacturers.
Seeing people making trials of intentions seems absurd to me, if the machine after an update gives problems “NO COURT OF LAW IN THE WORLD WILL RETURN IT TO THE USER'S FAULT!”, Sony is not made by idiots, they know very well that they have to fix the defect in service....end.
p.8 #13 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
_MacTwin_ wrote:
j4nu....
I only read a conspiracy hypothesis with no basis whatsoever!
I have not read a single post in the forums where anyone has been asked to pay for a motherboard replacement!
I can understand that the problem is not pleasant, no one would like to suddenly find themselves having to send the machine for service, but these things happen to all manufacturers.
Seeing people making trials of intentions seems absurd to me, if the machine after an update gives problems “NO COURT OF LAW IN THE WORLD WILL RETURN IT TO THE USER'S FAULT!”, Sony is not made by idiots, they know very well that they have to fix the defect in service....end. ...Show more →
Yes, I agree Sony should fix this free of charge.
Still, in the linked post, Sony did not offer this...
p.8 #14 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Sony says: send it for inspection.
It is normal that it does not say "it will be repaired free of charge", the camera may actually not be working due to neglect or damage; any company must first verify that the appliance is originally defective.
p.8 #15 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Yes, my A1 has this problem and I was told by Sony Support that I would have to send it in for repair as my hardware has failed, and that I would be responsible to pay for it. I have an open case with support now, and am awaiting their response. A little transparency from Sony would go a long way.
p.8 #17 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
I just received a response from Sony Customer Relations on this issue:
"Thank you for contacting Sony Electronics Inc. Your file has been forwarded to our department. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please be advised that Sony provides a standard 1 year warranty for initial failures to be covered through repair or replacement by the manufacturer. Once the warranty expires, it will be the customer's responsibility to cover any repair or replacement cost on the unit. Due to the fact that the unit is beyond the manufacturer's warranty, we regret to inform you that we are unable to assist with the repair. Thank you for understanding.
p.8 #18 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
Wow, what a PR mess. First a lack of updates that had users begging for support. Then a firmware update with bugs after months of waiting. Now a revised firmware, but it is using code that is incompatible with some of the installed hardware.
Having written embedded firmware myself I always felt it was a good idea to update to the latest version. Based on this saga I decided I have no need to update Sony cameras unless there is a real compelling reason.
Plot Twist: This may be an elaborate plan by Sony to discourage requests for firmware upgrades.
p.8 #19 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
_MacTwin_ wrote:
Sony says: send it for inspection.
It is normal that it does not say "it will be repaired free of charge", the camera may actually not be working due to neglect or damage; any company must first verify that the appliance is originally defective.
The reports I have read all seem to say that Sony is not paying for the repair. That won't last I think.
p.8 #20 · A1 Firmware v 2.01 is out now. On the fence about installing it though. :)
jplaurel wrote:
I just received a response from Sony Customer Relations on this issue:
"Thank you for contacting Sony Electronics Inc. Your file has been forwarded to our department. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. Please be advised that Sony provides a standard 1 year warranty for initial failures to be covered through repair or replacement by the manufacturer. Once the warranty expires, it will be the customer's responsibility to cover any repair or replacement cost on the unit. Due to the fact that the unit is beyond the manufacturer's warranty, we regret to inform you that we are unable to assist with the repair. Thank you for understanding.
Unacceptable and likely would not hold up in a U.S. court and for sure not in Countries with strong usability laws protecting consumers from just such things as this.
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