Cyber Commander™ Firmware Update

Current Version Date Download Size
Version 40 July 27, 2011 CC_V40.zip 1.7 mb


Firmware version 40 updates the Paul C. Buff, Inc. Cyber Commander from version 22, 27, 29, 32, 36, or 39. Version 40 includes the following:

From Version 39
  • Corrects the issue of incorrect model lamp wattage displayed when the model lamp is pushed past maximum power while attempting to track with flash output. This only occurred when the relative flash output was set lower than the relative model lamp power.
  • Corrects pixels that remain after Internal 2 is displayed in OPEN MEMORY or SAVE AS, as well as from the LOW BATT indicator.

From Version 36
  • Corrects issue in which some MicroSD cards meeting specifications were not being read.

From Version 32
  • In some instances with analog lights, when the model lamp was set to FULL, some indicators would not reflect this. This has been corrected.
  • In some cases, Cyber Commander may draw excessive power when asleep. This has been corrected.

From Version 29
  • Optimizes antenna hardware to increase range by up to 25%.
  • Corrects the power range of the White Lightning X3200 1/4 power as displayed on the FLASH screen.
  • The -3.7f Ws power rating of 640Ws lights now displays as 49.2Ws (previously displayed inaccurately as 9.2Ws).

From Version 27
  • Addresses the issue of corrupting cards. The effect of this issue was typically characterized by the Cyber Commander shutting down and not responding to any commands.
  • Adds the ability to open individual channels.
  • Adds a one-touch refresh command to the “Flash” screen to rebroadcast the settings to the lights. This ensures all lights are at the correct and current settings (for example, if power is lost to a light or receiver when an adjustment is made).
  • Optimizes Cyber Commander for use with Einstein.
  • Corrects the listing of frequencies, actual frequencies used were not changed (in reference to actual frequencies in GHz).
  • When model lamps are set to MODEL MODE>FULL, text on flash screen reads FULL.

From Version 22
  • Corrects the listed Wattsecond (Ws) rating of the ABR800 from 640Ws to 320Ws.
  • Corrects the listed t.1 flash duration of the ABR800.
  • Fixes bug in which lights added in “Spec Lights > Other” fired even when not selected. These lights now only fire when selected.
  • Used memory locations are now indicated in blue characters, unused locations are indicated by white characters. Previously, all locations used white characters.
  • In Spec Light screens of groups that were undefined, some text appeared as incoherent characters. This has been corrected to not allow access to these screens. Groups must be defined before access is given.
  • Ability to “lock” setup on SD card to prevent overwriting, indicated by red characters when locked.
  • Version 22 was unable to retrieve the lightmeter calibration performed before shipment, resulting in an approximate 1.7 stop discrepancy in lightmeter readings. The calibration can now be retrieved.

This firmware update is for Cyber Commanders with version 22, 27, 29, 32, 36, or 39 firmware. Cyber Commanders with version 40 firmware will not require this update. To determine which firmware your Cyber Commander has remove the battery and reinstall, the Firmware version will flash on the bottom of the screen for approximately 2 seconds.


Downloading and Installing Update

Prerequisites:
  • You will need a memory card reader capable of accepting MicroSD cards OR a MicroSD to SD card adapter and card reader capable of accepting SD cards.
  • You will need a new or formatted (FAT16) MicroSD card (2GB or less) to install this firmware update. Only standard-capacity MicroSD cards are supported, MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC are not currently supported.
  • Mac Users: Be sure that you do not format to “FAT” on a Mac. The term “FAT” on a Mac is actually FAT32, and will not work to update your unit. The card must be formatted to FAT16 in order to work. If you do need to reformat your card, you can format it in a PC or you may be able to format it in an SD capable camera with the appropriate adapter; however, we cannot guarantee all cameras will format appropriately.
  • Please note: installing this update will override any custom meter calibration, reverting to the factory calibration.

Download and save new firmware to hard drive:

Copying firmware V.40 onto the new MicroSD card:
  • Insert the new MicroSD card into the card reader.
  • Navigate to the MicroSD card drive, and click to open.
  • Keeping the MicroSD card window open, click on “CC_V40.zip” file on the hard drive (desktop).
  • In the new window, you will see a folder titled “PCBUFF”.
  • Click and drag the “PCBUFF” folder you downloaded to the MicroSD card, unzipping if necessary.

Updating Cyber Commander to firmware V.40:
  • Remove one battery from the Cyber Commander.
  • Remove the MicroSD card from your Cyber Commander by pressing in on the card, causing it to pop out.
  • Set this card aside for future use.
  • Remove the new card from the computer and insert the MicroSD card into the Cyber Commander, metal contacts in first, and facing up (toward the screen). Push until it clicks.
  • Reinstall the battery into the Cyber Commander.
  • Your firmware update should now start. Your Cyber Commander's screen will go solid white and begin to flicker quickly, then more slowly. The procedure should take approximately 25-30 seconds.
  • When completed “Cyber Commander FW Ver 40” will appear at the bottom of the screen, and the unit will return to the “Flash” screen.
  • If you have not experienced any locking up from your Cyber Commander, you may now remove the new card and reinstall the original card; all setups should be intact. Any set up from V.22 with an ABR800 will need to be re-specified due to the corrections made in the firmware. Also, any custom meter recalibrations (from any version) will default to the factory calibration (this will correct the discrepancy in V.22).
  • If your Cyber Commander has locked up (would not turn on) in the past, continue using the new card. If you have setups saved on the MicroSD card, you can either manually reenter the setups, or you can use the instructions below to transfer the setups from one card to the next.

(Optional) If you wish to transfer setups from the old card to the new card:
  • Insert the original memory card into the MicroSD card slot on the card reader.
  • Create a new folder on your desktop to back up your memory card. Name the folder so it is not confused with the new firmware (example: “CC_V.29 back up”).
  • Open your MicroSD card drive and click and drag “PBUFF” to the back up folder you just created.
  • Remove the old card from the card reader, and install the new card.
  • Open the card drive and follow the file path to PCBUFF>CCMDR.
  • Leaving this window open and accessible, navigate to and open [backup folder name]>PCBUFF>CCMDR and click and drag “CONFIGS” folder into the MicroSD card PCBUFF>PCBUFF>CCMDR, allowing the computer to overwrite the existing folder of the same name, if prompted.
  • Remove the card from the computer and insert the MicroSD card, metal contacts in first, and facing up (toward the screen).

Notes:
  • The new card can be used in place of the old card, however any setups saved to the old card will not be available.
  • If you have an issue removing the MicroSD card from the Cyber Commander, it may be helpful to carefully use a knife tip to gently pry up on the MicroSD card.
  • If you opt to manually re-enter your setups, you may want to save an existing setup containing all lights and settings as “Internal1”. You can then use this as your master setup, avoiding having to open from studio and re-specify the lights.