An a850 that does 5FPS!? (Update with Video Proof)

It was mentioned somewhere, that current Alphas (A580) work on Linux/Unix based OS. So its very likely, that they are quite a lot like PC. If you consider how those cameras works, they in fact are PC. Not too different from smartphone.

So BIOS or firmware, I would say it will be quite same soon..

Blame wrote: Finaly a warning. Upgrading the bios on just about anything is risky. The bios handles everything, including upgrading the bios. That means that if your new bios turns out to be a total dud, or something crashes, or runs out of power part way through an install, you are totaly screwed. YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO YOUR OLD BIOS. You just have a dead camera. The only solution is to replace the bios chip, and depending on the concideration of the sony design & service departments that may be anything up to replacing the whole board.

Not strictly true. Embedded software (firmware) can easily be re-installed if you have the right tools. I worked for some time testing firmware including bootstrap loaders within set top boxes.

If the firmware caused them to fail we just flashed the NVRAM with an earlier version of the code. I'm sure there must be an equivalent process for cameras, although I should imagine there is some encryption or conditional access system to negotiate.

I agree. Lost interest of the thread
..not the subject though..

Mescalamba wrote: It was mentioned somewhere, that current Alphas (A580) work on Linux/Unix based OS. So its very likely, that they are quite a lot like PC. If you consider how those cameras works, they in fact are PC. Not too different from smartphone.

Put in a battery in a laptop and turn it on. How long does it take for the BIOS to do its thing and boot Linux?

Put in a battery in a Sony A580 and turn it on. How long does it take before you can take the first picture?

Still believe that the A580 is just like a PC with a BIOS and Linux?

Göran Larsson wrote: Mescalamba wrote: It was mentioned somewhere, that current Alphas (A580) work on Linux/Unix based OS. So its very likely, that they are quite a lot like PC. If you consider how those cameras works, they in fact are PC. Not too different from smartphone. Put in a battery in a laptop and turn it on. How long does it take for the BIOS to do its thing and boot Linux? Put in a battery in a Sony A580 and turn it on. How long does it take before you can take the first picture? Still believe that the A580 is just like a PC with a BIOS and Linux?

Google before you start talking smack.

Actually, you don't even need to Google, it is right here on this forum:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/new-sony-cameras-run-embedded-linux_topic68837.html?KW=source+code

here is direct link to the code:
http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/DI/SLT-A55.html


SONY TV also runs on Linux, as do many electronic devices from many other manufactures. A special purpose device with limited hardware\software needs can often have a much efficient custom linux built for them. This is why you don't see those Linux boot up with a big splashing screen and has an almost unnoticeable boot time.

I remember flashing my old sony ericsson k750i with a walkman phone w800's software in 2005. and it worked!!!!

If its the same platform then it will be possible. But if I were sony I would have reduced the buffer memory size in A850 cameras to reduce the production cost. So even if someone can successfully flash software, hardware limitations will still limit stuff.
why doesn't some one, who knows some one in some Sony Support center just check whether he/she can flash A850 with A900 software. support centers will have these softwares even if its the initial versions.

I know this might be silly but........

Does anybody know how to flash a A850? I ask because I was under the impression that no Bios/Firmware upgrades were available, so maybe sony hasn't published the means ether.