BirdDog Camera Firmware Release Notes

BirdDog Camera Firmware Release Notes

All 4K Cameras

Due to internal BirdDog requirements, our firmware releases don’t always have sequential numbering. To upgrade the firmware, please follow the Firmware Upgrade Instructions located in your firmware download.

IMPORTANT

  • After the update please power cycle the camera. This can be done by removing the Ethernet cable (for PoE power), power cycling the switch port, or by removing the dedicated power supply.

  • Be aware that if you are still running older firmware, such as NDI 3.X, you must first upgrade to the latest 4.5.X-LTS firmware for your camera before upgrading to NDI 5.X. For example, if you are upgrading your P200 from an older software, please first upgrade to the displayed LTS firmware on the website before moving on to the latest NDI 5 firmware.



Firmware 5.5.116

This release contains the following features and fixes:
  1. Removed the Silicon 2 status text from the Dashboard of the P4k and P400 as this feature is not supported on these cameras.
Confirming the updates
Please verify that the update versions align with the table below.

CAMERABASEBOARDMCU VERSIONNDI FIRMWARE
P400N/A0355.5.116
P4KN/A0295.5.116



Firmware 5.5.115
This release contains the following features and fixes:
  1. Resolved an issue where certain API commands did not reply correctly.
  2. Addressed an issue associated with changing video format of the camera head, causing the receiver NDI library to stop functioning.
  3. Resolved an issue where Manual Focus would switch to Auto Focus when Zoom is utilized.
  4. Implemented stability and performance improvements for the BirdDog PTZ Keyboard.

Confirming the updates
Please verify that the update versions align with the table below.

CAMERA
BASEBOARD
MCU VERSION
NDI FIRMWARE
P400
N/A
035
5.5.115
P4K
N/A
029
5.5.115




All HD Cameras

Due to internal BirdDog requirements, our firmware releases don’t always have sequential numbering. To upgrade the firmware, please follow the Firmware Upgrade Instructions located in your firmware download.

IMPORTANT

  • After the update please power cycle the camera. This can be done by removing the Ethernet cable (for PoE power), power cycling the switch port, or by removing the dedicated power supply.

  • Be aware that if you are still running older firmware, such as NDI 3.X, you must first upgrade to the latest 4.5.X-LTS firmware for your camera before upgrading to NDI 5.X. For example, if you are upgrading your P200 from an older software, please first upgrade to the displayed LTS firmware on the website before moving on to the latest NDI 5 firmware.


Firmware 5.5.114
This release contains the following features and fixes:
  1. Resolved the issue where certain API commands were not replaying correctly.
  2. Updated the default NDI HX profile to High.
  3. Addressed the problem associated with changing the video format of the camera head causing the receiver NDI library to hang.
  4. Fixed image artifacts in P110.
  5. Resolved the problem where Manual Focus would switch to Auto Focus when Zoom is utilized.
  6. Implemented stability and performance improvements for the BirdDog PTZ Keyboard.

Confirming the updates
Please verify that the update versions align with the table below.

CAMERA
BASEBOARD 
MCU VERSION
NDI FIRMWARE
P100 AA
1.7.4
057
5.5.114
P100 AD
1.7.4
057
5.5.114
P110
1.7.4
19
5.5.114
P120
1.9.4
19
5.5.114
PF120
1.7.4
043
5.5.114
P200 A2/A3
N/A
029
5.5.114
P200 A4/A5 and other 
N/A
033
5.5.114
P240
N/A
013
5.5.114
A200 GEN2
N/A
025
5.5.114
A300 GEN2
N/A
018
5.5.114




Firmware 5.5.112

New Features
Si2 Encode
This release features additional native transmission protocols for different production use cases. The engine encodes the camera signal into high efficiency H.264 which is then transported via either the NDI|HX (version 2), SRT, RTSP or RTMP streaming protocols. The protocols are accessed via the new Si2 Encode tab located in the BirdUI on the AV Setup panel.
This release has the following features:
• High efficiency H.264 video encode. Maximum resolution 1080p30.
• Choice of either NDI|HX2/HX3, SRT, RTSP, and RTMP streaming protocols.

Fixes
All Cameras
• The Preset Recall Speed for PTZ ONLY presets now matches the current “Preset Speed” setting in the BirdUI.
• Fixed an issue that could cause the framerate to drop by half under some circumstances. P100
• Interlaced video is now working.
• A black or white flash is no longer displayed when recalling a Preset.

A300
• “PTZ Only” Presets now recall correctly. Known Issues

All Cameras
• Port 10000 is currently not available for an SRT outgoing connection. A200
• The Manual Focus setting changes to Auto Focus when the Zoom function is used.


Firmware 5.5.094.1

This release contains the following features and fixes:

All Cameras

• Technical improvements to the firmware update process.

P400 and P4K

• Camera presets saved as PTZ ONLY now correctly recall the zoom setting.


Firmware 5.5.093
This release contains the following features and fixes:
• Security update.
• Changes to the update process:
• Improved update speed.
• Update order is now reversed. It is recommended that the firmware is now updated before the MCU.

Firmware 5.5.089
This update contains a critical security patch and is recommended for all users. WARNING This firmware update cannot be rolled back without first lodging a Support ticket.
Other features and fixes of this release include:

All cameras
• The Source Status display on the Dashboard is now working correctly and is no longer frozen on “Changing Video Format”.
• Presets now work correctly with the Flip function engaged.
• Manual exposure settings are now correctly updated.
• The Network Speed display on the Dashboard now displays the correct units.
• The Remote IP List is now searched correctly.
• Pan and tilt movement is now improved at low speeds.
• NDI 5.5 library

P4K/P400
• Video is now correctly output at 2160@23.97.
• Setting Stream to Network to OFF no longer causes the screensaver to flash.
• Interlaced video is now handled correctly.

A200/A300
• Video no longer stutters during zooming.
• Camera Control/RESET function now works correctly. (A200)

P200
• Preset Colour Matrix values are now correctly stored and recalled. P120
• PTZ only presets are now recalled correctly. P110
• The BirdUI/Camera Control/RESET function now works correctly.

Known Limitations

All cameras
• A Factory Reset does not clear the Presets. P4K/P400
• Analogue audio output is not working at SDI and UHD resolutions.
• The VISCA address cannot be changed.

P200
• Outputting interlaced SDI causes Atomos monitor/recorders to crash.

Firmware 5.0.064
This release features continued native support for NDI® 5 for maximum compatibility across the entire NDI® ecosystem.

Firmware 5.0.054
This firmware release includes the following new features and bug fixes:
• Audio gain has been changed to better handle line level inputs.
• A bug preventing the P4K/P400 cameras from encoding 4:2:0 correctly has been resolved.

Known Limitations

All cameras:
• Performing a Factory Reset doesn’t clear the Presets. P200:
• Outputting interlaced SDI to an Atomos monitor/recorder will cause the unit to crash. P4K/P400:
• No audio out on SDI at UHD resolutions.
• Visca Address Can Not Be Changed.
• A hard reboot (power off to shut down and then restart) is required after firmware installation to restore the video output signal.

Firmware 5.0.053
This release features native support for NDI® 5 for maximum compatibility across the entire NDI® ecosystem.

NDI® 5 Libraries
• The latest technology from NDI® provides increased compatibility and performance.
• RUDP (Reliable UDP) - Reduces overall network load by not requiring every packet to be acknowledged
by every receiver. However, RUDP has built-in error correction for smooth and reliable transmission.
• NDI® Genlock - Select a source (BirdDog camera, converter or even TriCaster) to be the timing master. Provides more predictable timing in multi-camera environments.
Unified Single File Firmware
• All cameras now share a single firmware update file. Some cameras require an additional MCU update, as detailed in the relevant Firmware Update Instructions in the firmware download.

New Control Engine
• Greater VISCA compatibility.
• Overall better support for 3rd party applications.
New WebUI
• Complete, ground-up redesign.
• Key system statistics are now displayed on the Dashboard before login - number of active connections,
current encoder bandwidth, current network traffic and video format.
• More logically organized, responsive and mobile friendly.
• Faster overall UI response.
• Better browser compatibility.
• Download and Upload configuration files. Easily swap Remote IP Addresses and NDI® User Groups files between cameras.
• NDI® Signal Mute (video and audio). Toggle off the live NDI® stream in the WebUI and display your choice of static image. Choose from BirdDog splash screen, black image, or a live capture from the NDI® stream. API controllable.
CamControl
Camera controls, including a newly designed Color Matrix, have been reorganized and grouped into a new CamControl tab.
NDI Discovery Server Failover Support
You can nominate a list of multiple NDI® Discovery Servers which will then be used simultaneously. As long as one server remains active, all sources will always remain visible.
NDI Scopes
• Real time overlayed Scopes (with or without transparency):
• Histogram
• Waveform
• Vectorscope
• RGB Parade
• Accurate - Scopes are directly fed from raw sensor data.
• Scopes can be displayed on Main, Proxy or both outputs. Allows for a clean Main NDI® stream with
Scopes displayed on the Proxy stream.
• Selectable Scope location (top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right).
• Scaleable size (normal or double size).


FreeD
• All cameras can be configured to transmit positional data over the network for use in Augmented Reality.
• Includes Pan, Tilt, Zoom, Focus and Iris information.
• Realtime, per frame data transmission.
• Integrates with many 3rd party graphics systems, including:
• Unreal Engine
• Brainstorm
• Viz Vectar
• RT Software
and many others.
The FreeD function is currently in beta. Final release coming soon.

Known Limitations
The P4K cameras have the following known limitations in this beta release:
• A hard reboot (power off to shut down and then restart) is required after firmware installation to restore the video output signal.
• Audio out does not work on SDI at UHD resolution.
• The Visca address cannot be changed.




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