Aputure 1200D Firmware Upgrade

 

If you have an Aputure 1200D there is an important firmware update.  Apparently, the 1200D has flicker issues at even moderately high-speed filming if the light is dimmed.  The new firmware corrects this issue.

I feel fortunate to have not run into this problem.  If a DP had asked me, if the 1200D would be safe for high-speed filming, I would have said yes without hesitation.  That could have been bad.

Aputure has done a great job of making it simple to update the firmware:  load the new firmware on a USB flash-drive; insert it into the USB port on the controller; select Update in the main menu; and lastly select Update Firmware in the Update menu.  The update only takes a few minutes with the menu screen showing progress as it goes.

When the update is finished, the menu will now have a new setting; High-Speed Mode:

 

There is a trade-off with this new setting.  The light can now only be dimmed to 50%.  This will not be much of a problem.  With high-speed filming, typically every foot-candle available is needed.  Seldom is a light dimmed.

The new firmware files can be found on the Aputure website:  https://www.aputure.com/support-families/light-storm/


PS:  Best practices with LED lights is to check for firmware upgrades and keep lights updated.  Often the upgrades are relatively unimportant like fixing a rare bug that only occurs under unusual settings, but sometimes they are critically important like this new one for the 1200D.

I can recall a couple times over the years using multiple S60s and having a problem with the settings with one of the lights because it's firmware had not been updated.


Update, February 2023

PPS:  Rental houses: please keep your firmware up-to-date!

Recently wrapped a movie where one night I had 6-S120s working behind 2-12x20' frames.  I started with 2800K, then the DP wanted an even warmer color.  Using wireless DMX, I went into HSI to find a  color he liked; a rich amber color.  Unfortunately, one head kept turning green.  I don't mean a green cast.  It was literally the color green.  

Camera was ready and talent was coming to set so I didn't have time to troubleshoot the issue.  We just turned that light off.

I was guessing a DMX issue or firmware.  Later, checking the firmware, sure enough that one head had an older firmware.  Once it was updated, it responded the same as the other heads.

I'm constantly running into this issue with rental houses.  On the same show, I was dayplaying 2 addition S360s.  Checking the firmware, sure enough, both heads had different older version of firmware.  I upgrade them both.