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FAQ: Firmware Upload

This FAQ provides the information necessary to download new firmware from the Extron website (www.extron.com) and then upload the new firmware to your Extron product. Covered in this FAQ are:

• Why does Extron revise firmware for its products?

• How to determine when to upgrade firmware.

• Are there risks involved in upgrading firmware?

• What needs to be done?

• What should be done before you upload firmware.

• How to find your current firmware version on your device.

• How to find the current firmware release on the Extron website.

• Downloading Firmware Loader

• Downloading device firmware

• Uploading firmware to the device

• Contact Information

Why Does Extron Revise Firmware for its Products?Extron periodically revises firmware to

• Add new features

• Add support for new display resolutions

• Improve operation or the user interface

• To correct bugs or operational anomalies found when a product is widely deployed in a variety of A/V presentation system designs and applications.

How do I Determine When I Need to Upgrade the Firmware of my Extron Product?

Read the firmware Release Notes. Extron includes Release Notes, including a release history, with each firmware release. The Release Notes document feature additions, improvements, and corrections added to the new firmware, relative to the prior revision of firmware. Extron Release Notes also include details of any known issues that have been found during the development and testing of the new revision.

Your decision to update firmware should be made in consideration of several factors, including:

• Is there a problem with the product?

• Is the problem one that is addressed by new firmware?

Extron FAQ • Firmware Upgrade 1

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• Does the new firmware add features that are beneficial to the function or operation of the product within my A/V system?

If you are unsure, contact Extron Technical Support before upgrading firmware.

Are There Any Risks in Upgrading Firmware?There are always some attendant risks with any firmware upgrade, whether from Extron or another manufacturer. In some cases, the risk is low, in others it can result in a product that no longer functions and may require a return to the factory for remediation. The most common firmware upgrade risk factors are:

• Installing the wrong firmware. Despite your best efforts, this happens periodically. Even if the product “works a little,” unlike software, firmware cannot just be “uninstalled” and “reinstalled.”

Very often, even if the new firmware can be removed successfully, the prior version may not be immediately available from the manufacturer. Newer Extron products include microprocessor intelligence that rejects firmware that is not appropriate for the product. Extron Technical Support can provide details for your specific product.

• Lost connection or other fault during the upload. Any interruption of the firmware upload can render a product unusable. Many Extron products are designed to recover in the event that the connection is lost during a firmware update.

OK, I Have Made the Decision to Upgrade Firmware; What do I Need to do Next?

Before You Start

Before updating firmware, you should know:• The version number of the firmware that is currently loaded on your product

• The version number of the latest firmware available from Extron

• Whether or not the latest available version from Extron handles an issue you need resolved

Find the current version of the firmware on your device:1. Connect the product to your computer.

о Most Extron products with field-upgradeable firmware are equipped with one or more RS-232 ports.

о Newer products may feature a USB port for firmware upgrades and other uses.

о Products featuring IP Link™ Ethernet control can be upgraded over a LAN connection.

2. Open Firmware Loader. Using the [Add Device] dialog, provide details about your Extron product so that Firmware Loader can establish a connection to it.

Find the latest version of the firmware available from Extron:1. From the Extron home page, click on the Download tab at the top of the page.

2. Click on Firmware in the menu bar at the left and navigate to the appropriate product. The third column, Version, tells you the latest version of the firmware that is available (see figure 4).



3. Read the Release Notes to determine whether the latest version of firmware deals with an issue you need resolved.

о If the firmware version available on the Extron website is more recent than the version on your product and it resolves the issue or needs that you have, download the firmware to your computer.

о If the newest version of firmware does not resolve your issue or needs, you should seriously consider whether upgrading firmware is necessary. If you have questions, contact Extron Technical Support. We are here to help ensure a positive experience and positive results with your firmware upgrade.

Downloading Firmware to Your Computer

Firmware Loader1. Download Extron Firmware Loader software from the Extron Download Center at

www.extron.com. You will need Firmware Loader in order to execute the upload of firmware to your Extron product.

a Select the Download tab.

b Click on Control Software.

Figure 1. Download Center Main Page



This opens the Download Center, Control Software page.

c Click on the letter “F” to navigate to the correct page.

d Click on the Release Notes to open, print, and save the release notes.

e Click on Download to download Firmware Loader.

Figure 2. Download Center, Control Software

2. Follow the download wizard instructions.

3. Click Finish to complete installation.

Figure 3. Firmware Loader Confirmation Dialog


Device Firmware

Download the appropriate firmware from the Download Center. Alternately, you can find firmware on the Downloads tab of the product web page on the Extron website.

There are two ways to access the product firmware. For example, if you are downloading firmware updates for the MLC 104 IP Plus, go to www.extron.com in your browser, from there you may:

a Click on the Download tab.

b Click on the Firmware link.

c Click on the letter “M“ to navigate to the page listing the MLC 104 IP Plus Series.

d Click on Release Notes to open, print, and save the release notes.

e Click on Download for the “MLC 104 IP Plus Series” to download the firmware.

Figure 4. Download Center, Firmware

f Proceed to f in the next procedure.



Alternatively, go to www.extron.com in your browser, from there you may:

a In the Products column, navigate to, then click on MLC 104 IP Plus.

b You may also type “MLC 104 IP Plus” in the Search box to access the page.

c Click on the Downloads tab to access the Download Center page.

d Scroll down to Firmware and click on Release Notes to open, print, and save.

e Click on “MLC 104 IP Plus Series.”

Figure 5. MLC 104 IP Plus Page

f Fill in the required information.

g Click on the Download MLC104IPPLus_FX1x03.exe button.

Figure 6. Start Download


g Click on the Run button to begin installing the software.

Figure 7. Run the Install

g Follow the online instructions.

At the end of the process you will see the Firmware Upgrade screen. This tells you the path to the folder containing the firmware. For example, a download of firmware Version 2.05 for the MLC 104 IP Plus will be saved in C:\Program Files\Extron\Firmware\

MLC_104_IP_PLUS\03 (see a in figure 8).

NOTE: Make a note of the path as you will need to locate this file later.

Figure 8. Firmware Upgrade Complete

h Click the Finish button.


If you have not already done so, read the firmware Release Notes, before taking any further action. If you have questions about the new firmware revision, contact Extron Technical Support.

You can use “My Computer” to navigate to the folder, which will contain a PDF version of the software release notes and the firmware program, which is a file with an .s19 extension.

You are now ready to install the firmware on the device, using Firmware Loader.

If your Extron product is working satisfactorily, the firmware may not need to be updated even if there is a more recent version available.

If in doubt, contact Extron Technical Support.

NOTE: You will need Acrobat Reader to view the release notes. This is available from the Adobe website.

Uploading Firmware to the DeviceFirst, two caveats:

• DO NOT disconnect power until the product or Firmware Loader confirms that the upload is complete.

• In some cases, the product will require a “factory mode” reset, which will erase all user settings and presets.

о If the product supports it, save the User Configuration and/or Preset files before uploading the new firmware.

о If the product does not support it, take a few moments to note preset conditions so that they can be re-entered into the product after the new firmware is loaded.

1. Connect the product to your computer. Most Extron products with field-upgradeable firmware are equipped with one or more RS-232 ports; in many cases, a front-panel “Config” port is provided so that firmware can be uploaded without necessitating the disconnection of the control system or removal of the product from the rack. Newer products may feature a USB port for firmware upgrades and other uses. Products featuring IP Link™ Ethernet control can be upgraded over a LAN connection.

2. Next, open Firmware Loader.

The Firmware Loader main screen and the Add Device dialog box open.

Figure 9. Add Device Dialog Box, Select Product


3. Using the Add Device dialog, from the Device Name pulldown menu, select your Extron product.

4. Select the Connection Method (RS-232 or TCP/IP) and the connection details.

5. In the New Firmware File section, using the Browser button to the right of the Path text box navigate to the location in which you saved the firmware to upgrade.

Select the executible file name.

6. With the Path text box listing the file, click Add.

Figure 10. Add Device Dialog Box, Completed

Your product is listed in the main window of Firmware Loader.

Figure 11. Device Listed in Firmware Loader

7. If there is more than one device listed, specify which firmware file Firmware Loader should send to the product.

8. Click the Begin button in the upper right corner (see figure 11).

Firmware Loader shows the install progress and verifies when new firmware upload is complete.


Figure 12. Firmware Loader Progress View

To further verify installation, you may click on View Log to see the Transfer Log Viewer.

Figure 13. Transfer Log Viewer

Once installation is complete, the product will restart itself.

After the firmware has been successfully uploaded to the product, you can remove the device from the list in Firmware Loader.


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May 2010

Figure 14. Remove Device

If you wish to confirm the version of the new firmware after the upload, return to the Add Device dialog by selecting Edit > Add Device.

Figure 15. Add Device through Edit Menu.

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