Kodak just released updated firmware for the Kodak Zi6 Video Camera that I reviewed a few months ago. I’m still using my Zi6 regularly for quick captures and still love it. The price has dropped a lot since I first purchased it, Amazon has the best price I found, making it even more attractive. You can download the new firmware from Kodak’s site:
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/downloads/dln_ekn035874.jhtml?pq-path=13243/14559
I haven’t found a real “feature list” so I don’t know exactly what’s been changed, but here’s something I think is handy that I didn’t notice before.
Turn off Sounds
Since I don’t have a Zi6 with the old firmware, I can’t confirm this is new, but I just figured out how to turn off those sounds that I found so annoying. This includes the startup chime, the record and stop recording beeps, and the shutdown chime.
To get into this menu, hold down the Review and Delete buttons at the same time while. Use the stick to get to Sounds and click in the middle of the stick to turn on or off. Would be nice if it weren’t all or nothing, I’ve started recording by mistake before and didn’t know it, but it’s better than nothing.
I’m not sure if there’s been anything else added, but if I find more, or a full release list, I’ll update this post.
Updated:
Here’s the feature list. I was right, only thing I really care about was the sounds off, which was a new add.
1) turn the camera chimes on or off in the menu
2) choose to delete all video files and pictures at once, or one at a time
3) format your SD card
4) take sharper still pictures, with improved low light performance
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Hey I saw this after searching how to import to imovie. I updated the firmware but I don’t have those new features. When you plug in the zi6 to your mac do you get 2 mountd drives? One is called arcsoft sw which is locked. The other called ‘No Name’ which is where all my movies are created (in the DCIM folder). To upgrade the firmware what to you do. I might be doing something wrong.
Can you help?
Comment by Chris 03.25.09 @ 3:34 pmHmm, I can’t remember exactly, but I thought just placing the new FW on the root of the card with the DCIM folder, then starting up with the menu was enough to flash it. I can’t do it again since I’ve flashed, but maybe I can bring up the menu and confirm. Let me know if you’re still stuck and I’ll grab my cam.
Comment by Lawrence 03.26.09 @ 9:28 amdoes anyone know if this new firmware has fixed the dropped frames problem that was happening before?
Comment by darren 05.13.09 @ 12:45 pmSeems a little silly to ask. . .The root directory is the DCIM folder yes? (whew. . .sighs) When I put the upgrade in the dcim folder and popped the sd card in, holding down delete/stop, capture and the power button, I got the menu, selected fw version (heres where I ran into trouble, there was no okay next to fw version so the installation of the new firmware doesn’t happen. Help?
Comment by aaron 05.30.09 @ 7:38 pmThe root directory is not in the DCIM folder, but rather, not in any folder at all. You just drag the firmware update in the window of the SD card on your computer.
Comment by Garry B 06.28.09 @ 10:14 amI have the exact same problem Follow all the steps but there is 4/4 submenus you can scroll through in FW Version but it does nothing :S
help me ;(
Comment by Ben 09.03.09 @ 12:15 amHELLO! I SOLVED IT. I went to the kodak live help.
Okay
the only problem is you cannot have any folders or files on your memory card. delete all file folders and place .bin in the memory card, no folders.
Then follow the steps it should work fine 
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The manual (perhaps only the online one) documented how to turn off the sounds, but the original firmware didn’t match the manual. I raised a ticket with Kodak when I first got my Zi6 and they were a bit embarrassed when they noticed the issue. Seems they hadn’t noticed.
I’m just hoping that they’ll come out with one that helps reduce the shaking, because other than that it’s a pretty good piece of kit.
Comment by Nixta 03.13.09 @ 6:37 pm