Installing Software Updates
Download the software update package 1.6.1 here:
Online-software update procedure video
The following section provides a step-by-step description of the 4K12’s online software update procedure.
Download the software update package from the link provided above.
For Windows, Mac and Linux, download and install the "Raspberry Pi Imager" software from https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/
Ensure the camera is powered off. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the Service Door on the side of the camera to access the microSD card.
Note: The microSD card for version 1.6 should have a minimum capacity of 32GB.
Press the microSD card inwards to eject it, and then remove it from the camera.
Insert the microSD card into your computer's SD card slot. A microSD to SD card adapter might be required for this.
Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager program.
Click the "CHOOSE OS" button, and select the "Use custom" option at the bottom of the list.
Select the software update file downloaded in step #1.
Click the "Choose Storage" button, and then select the microSD card.
Click the "Next" button, and then select the "No" button in the popup labeled "Use OS customization?"
Click "Yes" to begin writing the update to the microSD card. This process will typically require 15 to 30 minutes to write & verify. The verification step is optional but recommended.
A "Write Successful" popup will appear when the Raspberry Pi Imager is completed. Remove the microSD card from your computer and re-insert it to the camera.
Reattach the Service Door removed in step #3, and then reconnect the power supply to the camera.
Verify the camera starts up successfully. In the About tab of the System Settings screen, the Software Version should now read 1.6.1.
Software version 1.6.1
Released December 11, 2024
New Features
TIFF is now available as a save format
Advanced trigger and synchronization modes
Shutter Gating mode allows the sensor shutter to be completely driven by an external source.
Exposure Trigger mode allows the start of exposure to be controlled by an external source.
These two modes complement the Frame Sync Out feature made available in release 1.6.0. Using these modes, 4K12 cameras can now be synchronized with legacy cameras, other 4K12 cameras, or external devices such as an illumination lamp.
Improvements and Fixed Issues
Fix intermittent horizontal lines in saved H26x footage at 384x96 resolution
Text input fields now allow users to place the cursor among characters to modify contents more easily
Voltage threshold configuration fields for triggers 2 and 3 were previously swapped
If custom IP Address settings are applied instead of using DHCP, the custom configuration is still displayed after Ethernet is disconnected to enable restoring the settings if Ethernet is reconnected
Software Version 1.6
Released on October 1, 2024
Download the software update package 1.6.0 here:
Improvements
Advanced Trigger Options
Toggle
Record End
Trigger delay settings, in units of time and frames
IRIG-B time code receiver and frame timestamping
Text Overlays for frame metadata
Persistent Settings across reboots
Frame Sync Output
Known Issues and Current Software Limitations
Playback of recorded footage via HDMI out inactive
HDMI output is unscaled, HDMI monitor must support the exact record resolution
Gamma correction is not applied to built-in LCD and HDMI outputs
USB-C Port 1 Device Mode direct to computer connection incompatible with Windows
USB-C Network Adapters must be reconnected to camera on camera power cycle
Performing a forced shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds will restart the camera if the button is not released immediately after 10 seconds
Aliasing may appear when high resolution video is scaled to the built-in LCD
Windows Media Player is unable to decode H.264 and H.265 videos due to a lack of support for 4:2:2 video.
○ Workaround: Use VLC Media player when playing MPEG-4 video files
Software Version 1.5.2
Released June 24, 2024
Download the software update package 1.5.2 here:
Improvements
Changing HDMI output resolutions is more reliable and does not require physically reconnecting cable to camera
Bug fix for intermittent artifacts visible at the bottom of the frame in compressed H.264 and H.265 footage at small resolutions
KT Logo now appears on boot
LCD is disabled prior to video feed in shutdown, LCD no longer shows RGB screen for a few seconds when shutting down
Network share credential text inputs are not deleted on invalid credentials entry
Added option to disable calibration (dark frame subtraction) to gain slight increase in sensitivity in low light conditions, ie. 1280x96 @ 20,000 FPS
○ Procedure: Settings → Factory → Enter service password “4242” → Check Disable Calibration → Restart cameraNew Power Management System update wizard for future firmware updates
SD cards with multiple partitions can now be reformatted such that all partitions are removed and the entire SD card is formatted to have one single partition
Added Select Save Location button to System Settings → General screen to enable easier selection of save destination when using the auto-save feature
Added reference table containing supported resolutions and maximum frame rates to the Record Settings screen
Known Issues and Current Software Limitations
Playback of recorded footage via HDMI out inactive
HDMI output is unscaled, HDMI monitor must support the exact record resolution
Gamma correction is not applied to built-in LCD and HDMI outputs
USB-C Port 1 Device Mode direct to computer connection incompatible with Windows
USB-C Network Adapters must be reconnected to camera on camera power cycle
Performing a forced shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds will restart the camera if the button is not released immediately after 10 seconds
Aliasing may appear when high resolution video is scaled to the built-in LCD
Windows Media Player is unable to decode H.264 and H.265 videos due to a lack of support for 4:2:2 video.
○ Workaround: Use VLC Media player when playing MPEG-4 video files
Software Version 1.5.0
Released May 27, 2024
Improvements
30% frame rate increase in 10-bit mode for 4K and UHD resolutions
Longer record durations in 10-bit and 12-bit modes
Addition of compressed H.264 and H.265 save formats with quality/file size adjustability
Ability to set USB-C Port 1 as Device Mode, enabling direct to computer connection to copy files from internal 1TB NVMe SSD to computer (MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android)
Improved detection of monitors connected via HDMI
Fixed bugs for DNG file outputs at resolutions: 384x256, 384x96, 256x160
Current Software Limitations & Known Issues
Playback of recorded footage via HDMI out is inactive
HDMI output in live mode is unscaled, monitor must support the exact record resolution
Gamma correction is not applied to built-in LCD and HDMI outputs
LCD Backlight is not enabled immediately on power up, making the KT logo appear dimly lit as the camera is booting
USB-C Port 1 Device Mode direct to computer connection incompatible with Windows
USB-C Network Adapters must be reconnected to camera on camera power cycle
Performing a forced shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds will restart the camera if the button is not released immediately after 10 seconds
Aliasing may appear when high resolution video is scaled to the built-in LCD
Horizontal line artifacts visible in compressed H.264 and H.265 footage at low
resolutions: 384x256, 384x96, 256x160
Viewfinder frame rate on built-in LCD decreases in 10-bit and 12-bit record modes
Windows Media Player is unable to decode H.264 and H.265 videos due to a lack of support for 4:2:2 video. Please consider using VLC Media Player to play MPEG-4 files from the camera.
Release dates of software updates are also applicable to factory-installed software. If your Chronos 4K12 was ordered on or after the release date denoted above, it will contain the updates as standard.
To check your camera's software version, navigate to Settings -> About, then denote the Software Version number.