What's the M8 hardware fix?

[MarcRochkind]

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I've read extensively about fixes for the various widely-discussed M8 issues, including announcements from Leica, and what I've learned is that the fixes fall into 3 groups:

 

1. Use of IR cut filter.

2. New firmware.

3. Hardware fix, requiring a trip to the factory.

 

What I haven't seen and can't seem to find is a description of exactly what the hardware fix is. Obviously, whatever it is, it can't be done by changing the software (firmware) alone.

 

Does anyone know?

 

--Marc

[marknorton]

People talk in general terms about the "sensor board" but we've heard nothing to confirm the sensor itself is being replaced. The fix is more than likely (given the nature of the streaking and ghost images) to fx a problem in the read-out electronics which takes the 2 outputs from the sensor and converts the analog signals to digital, from which point manipulation of the data is pretty much fixable with firmware.

 

As I've discussed before, this sort of electronics is tricky given the speed it runs at - something like 22 billionths of a second to take the output from one pixel and convert its level to a 12 or 14 bit binary number.

 

The lead times in electronics are also such that it's quite likely the fix is straightforward, a new grounding strap or component value change.