GH1 and GF1 firmware hack for dummies - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

zcream · 07-01-2010, 05:09 AM

The Panasonic GH1 debuted last year with a sensor in between 16mm and 35mm Academy size. It is approx a 1.9x crop sensor related to SLR terminology. The short focal distance allows the usage of any lens built for cameras – except the CS-mount lenses. On the dvxuser forums, a Russian hacker tester13 figured out a way to modify the firmware to give custom recording rates – among other goodies. At this point in time, the GH1 has the best recorded image out of ANY camera less than 10K. Here is my article about installing the firmware for noobs.
The article also appears here.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215526

This is a very simple tutorial that will attempt to organize everything for first time users. If you have an older copy of ptool i.e. v3.37d use the tutorial here.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...7&postcount=28

This is for the latest version of ptool 3.40d. If the menu items seems different and you do have 3.40d, then download again as tester13 has changed the firmware but kept the same version.

1. Create a GH13 Hack folder on your desktop – and all downloads/files go into this folder.

2. Download Ptool - http://www.gh1-hack.info/ptool3d.zip The version described here would be v3.40d

3. For Mac users only – Download wine and winebottler and install it.
http://winebottler.kronenberg.org/
The easiest way is NOT to make a Wine APP – just let wine startup everything ptoold.exe is executed since ptool keeps on changing regularly.

4. Download the latest firmware for GH1 here – http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...ts/dl/gh1.html
and for GF1 here – http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...ts/index2.html
After unzipping, you will end up with a *.bin file.

5. At this time, you can refer to the thread here for a visual Getting Started Guide
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=212263
and here for a Ptool manual
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=213692
Alternatively, you can continue -
Start Ptool and Click on Load Firmware.
For GH1 select the *GH1*.bin file and for GF1 select *GF1*.bin file.

For the first firmware upgrade ONLY
Click on Version Increment. Select it and in the entry box at the bottom enter 3. (See Step 6. why I suggest this. It is easy to remember your increment this way)

Click on Prevent Version Compare -

ptool 3.40d has two regions – one for testers and one for end users. Double Click the Patches for End Users.

Click on Battery -> Third Party Battery
Click on Interface -> Interface Language in case you bought a grey market product and select your favourite language.
Select Movie Related Restrictions -> 30min limit removal if you bought this camera in the Euro zone and cannot record more than 30 mins.
Select Movie Related Restrictions -> PAL->NTSC menu this allows you to switch between PAL and NTSC in the menu. Select NTSC or PAL from the Video Out section of the menu.

*Optional* Select Movie Related Restrictions -> Manual Movie modes if you have a GF1 model and want to shoot with full manual control in video.
From this post.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...62&postcount=2
>>
1. switch the top dial on the camera not to M, but to the icon with the movie camera with the P

2. go back into the menu and change Exposure Mode from M to something else, and then back to M again

3. go back to take the video, and the settings will show up not

You’ll have to do this every time you turn on your camera!
>>
For the settings – look at this thread.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=213486

This is 1 setting that works on a 16GB Patriot Class 10 card as well as a 8GB Sandisk Extreme 30MBps Class 10 card. If it does not work, buy a Class 10 card and stop whinging.
Here is what I use.

Click on MJPEG Size Restrictions.

Select 720p30->1080p30
Select 720p30 width. In the box at the bottom enter 1920
Select 720p30 height. In the box at the bottom enter 1080

MJPEG Settings :- Click on MJPEG Compression.

Click on MJEG E1 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 384
Click on MJEG E1 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24
Click on MJEG E2 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 330
Click on MJEG E2 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24
Click on MJEG E3 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 300
Click on MJEG E3 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24
Click on MJEG E4 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 276
Click on MJEG E4 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24

Click on MJPEG Color
*optional* Click on 720p30 420->422 color sampling. (*NOTE* THIS IS KNOWN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS)

AVCHD Settings :-
Click on AVCHD Movie Mode

Click on AVCHD Compression
Click on Video Bitrate FHD/SH. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000 (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)

Click on Video Bitrate H. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)

Click on Video Bitrate L. In the box at the bottom enter 32000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 32 million)

Click on Overall Bitrate. In the box at the bottom enter 60000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 56 million)

Here are additional options to allow the Gf1 to act more or less like a GH1.
Click on Patches for Testers -> Middle Level Research -> Menu Related -> FHD Mode
This gives 1080p 25P with 1/50 shutter ONLY on GF1. No other settings work at this moment.

6. Click on Save Modified Firmware and save the new firmware as your increment in the Version Change i.e. GF1__123.bin (for 3 Version Change) or GH1__139.bin (for 9 Version Change) etc. DO NOT OVERWRITE the original firmware.

Save everything the GH1 Hack directory. Note that the modified GH1 firmware will only work on the GH1 and the modified GF1 firmware only works on the GF1.

I would recommend not overwriting the previous firmware versions as the Version Compare hack allows you to use swap between different versions. Once you start playing around, you could have different firmware versions on different SD cards and you could swap between them in the middle of a shoot.

7. Start your GF1 or GH1 and format the SDHC card. Shut down the camera and remove the SDHC card. Copy the GF1__123.bin or the GH1__139.bin to the root directory of the SDHC card.
Eject the card and place it inside your camera. *NOTE* Use a fully-charged battery. Start the camera and press the playback button.

8. Finally, at this time, the cameras work thus.
GH1, 720P at 50p/60p. 1080p at 24p/25p/30p
GF1 1080P at 25P ONLY, 1080p at 30p.

If you are Using the GF1, tester13 has added manual control with a mod. Here is an excerpt from his post.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...postcount=2740
>>
Manual movie modes work now on GF1 same as on GH1 (with latest “Movie modes” patch).
This includes all M, A, S modes.

You need to go to menu and set appropriate mode.
Also if you go to menu in picture shooting mode it’ll convert to corresponding movie mode, just turn wheel one click and return it back to go to back to normal picture mode.
>>

This is being discussed in this thread. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=217519

You may also consider reading a thread where I organized settings for the GH1 and GF1 for video. Though the GF1 settings are not needed after the 3.40d Manual Control mod.

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215536

Now save as G*1__1**.bin – Dont forget the double underscores.
Put the card in your camera and press the playback button – if the firmware upgrade window does not come up there is a problem hopefully with the Version Increment.

If the camera does not load the firmware, try again with Version Increment 10.
This explains why -
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...89&postcount=4

9. Finally you want to test stability, download the Star Chart by PappasArt from here
http://www.sendspace.com/file/scn6oz

Open it on your computer and fill up the screen, use the fullscreen or slideshow mode.
Now use your hacked camera handheld and record footage in both AVCHD and MJPEG. MAKRE SURE THAT THE CHART FILLS THE CAMERA SCREEN.
Dont use a tripod as the handheld shake will keep the image changing continuously.

Shoot for a 1 minute – get at least 1 AVCHD and 1 MJPEG at max. bitrate settings. i.e. FHD/SH
Shut down the camera and bring the SDHC card into your computer.

10. Download MediaInfo – http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download
Install it. Start it. From MediaInfo open the .mov or .mts file to view the bitrate.

MJPEG .mov file is in SDHC card -> DCIM -> *_PANA
AVCHD .mts file is in SDHC card -> PRIVATE -> AVCHD -> BDMV -> STREAM

Check the bitrates BEFORE you bring it into your editor. For example, before you do a Log and Transfer into FCP as FCP automatically converts the footage into its Intermediate Codec called ProRes. Most HD Editors do the same as the AVCHD codec is not meant for editing.

The .mov file will play in Quicktime. The .mts file will (kind of) play in VLC Player but showing pixelation and blocking artifacts.
Dont worry about the artifacts as they are a problem with VLC NOT your videos.

If you post any issues with the recording on these forums, post your settings, screengrab of MediaInfo showing the bitrate and the camera i.e. GF1/GH1
The hacked cameras are now called GF13/GH13 due to the screen name “tester13″ used by the main developer Vitaliy.

HHL · 07-01-2010, 05:13 AM

Ah...shucks! You got me goooooood! I MUST be a "Dummy" because I got so excited when I saw this!

(lol) Thanks alot for revealing my TRUE self!

zcream · 07-01-2010, 05:19 AM

The dummies part is not meant to be insulting. This is the procedure I used, and some of gotchas were stuff that I encountered. If someone follows these procedures, its easy to get started on your first hack.

mtan · 07-01-2010, 06:35 AM

Hi you wrote "GH1, 720P at 50p/60p" but in the instructions you sized it to 1440 x 1080

zcream · 07-01-2010, 06:47 AM

1440 resizing works for the 1080p. You can still record 720P. The GH1 allows you to record 720P/50P and 1080P/25P in PAL and 720p/60p and 1080p/24P in NTSC.
This is a simple getting started guide - and if you want to modify the settings for 720P I suggest you follow the links to the other thread with settings for near lossless 720P.

jakobim · 07-01-2010, 06:53 AM

I feel smart now..

with C settings with this chart
my bitrate was around 44mbps to 46mbps

MJPEG Settings are the same here but i doing 720 and 422
that was bitrate around 76mbps yo 78mbps

rawfa · 07-01-2010, 07:16 AM

This should be a sticky. I´m not technical at all and here things seem clearer,

mpgxsvcd · 07-01-2010, 07:23 AM

Great thread. However, I wouldn't show the 1440x1080 settings to novice users. That is not a 16:9 aspect ratio and the results will make novice users think they broke something. I would just show them high bit rate 1280x720 settings for MJPEG. There are completely stable settings for 720p even with in camera playback.

Oh yea there is also a type-O on point number 1. It should be "go" instead of "do".

Great job!

zcream · 07-01-2010, 07:27 AM

Fixed typo and changed 1440 to 1920 as it does work without 24P/25P or 4:2:2 with Class 10 cards.

P. Harrill · 07-01-2010, 07:36 AM

Good start.

Reading the first time through:

•*Third party battery should be optional. There's no reason anyone needs this if they don't have the third party batteries.

•*You assume that the user must change their firmware number. For those users that haven't already updated to the latest firmware then there's a slightly different set of guidelines.

07-01-2010, 05:09 AM	#1
zcream Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 382	GH1 and GF1 firmware hack for dummies The Panasonic GH1 debuted last year with a sensor in between 16mm and 35mm Academy size. It is approx a 1.9x crop sensor related to SLR terminology. The short focal distance allows the usage of any lens built for cameras – except the CS-mount lenses. On the dvxuser forums, a Russian hacker tester13 figured out a way to modify the firmware to give custom recording rates – among other goodies. At this point in time, the GH1 has the best recorded image out of ANY camera less than 10K. Here is my article about installing the firmware for noobs. The article also appears here. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215526 This is a very simple tutorial that will attempt to organize everything for first time users. If you have an older copy of ptool i.e. v3.37d use the tutorial here. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...7&postcount=28 This is for the latest version of ptool 3.40d. If the menu items seems different and you do have 3.40d, then download again as tester13 has changed the firmware but kept the same version. 1. Create a GH13 Hack folder on your desktop – and all downloads/files go into this folder. 2. Download Ptool - http://www.gh1-hack.info/ptool3d.zip The version described here would be v3.40d 3. For Mac users only – Download wine and winebottler and install it. http://winebottler.kronenberg.org/ The easiest way is NOT to make a Wine APP – just let wine startup everything ptoold.exe is executed since ptool keeps on changing regularly. 4. Download the latest firmware for GH1 here – http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...ts/dl/gh1.html and for GF1 here – http://panasonic.jp/support/global/c...ts/index2.html After unzipping, you will end up with a .bin file. 5. At this time, you can refer to the thread here for a visual Getting Started Guide http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=212263 and here for a Ptool manual http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=213692 Alternatively, you can continue - Start Ptool and Click on Load Firmware. For GH1 select the GH1.bin file and for GF1 select GF1.bin file. For the first firmware upgrade ONLY Click on Version Increment. Select it and in the entry box at the bottom enter 3. (See Step 6. why I suggest this. It is easy to remember your increment this way) Click on Prevent Version Compare - ptool 3.40d has two regions – one for testers and one for end users. Double Click the Patches for End Users. Click on Battery -> Third Party Battery Click on Interface -> Interface Language in case you bought a grey market product and select your favourite language. Select Movie Related Restrictions -> 30min limit removal if you bought this camera in the Euro zone and cannot record more than 30 mins. Select Movie Related Restrictions -> PAL->NTSC menu this allows you to switch between PAL and NTSC in the menu. Select NTSC or PAL from the Video Out section of the menu. Optional* Select Movie Related Restrictions -> Manual Movie modes if you have a GF1 model and want to shoot with full manual control in video. From this post. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...62&postcount=2 >> 1. switch the top dial on the camera not to M, but to the icon with the movie camera with the P 2. go back into the menu and change Exposure Mode from M to something else, and then back to M again 3. go back to take the video, and the settings will show up not You’ll have to do this every time you turn on your camera! >> For the settings – look at this thread. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=213486 This is 1 setting that works on a 16GB Patriot Class 10 card as well as a 8GB Sandisk Extreme 30MBps Class 10 card. If it does not work, buy a Class 10 card and stop whinging. Here is what I use. Click on MJPEG Size Restrictions. Select 720p30->1080p30 Select 720p30 width. In the box at the bottom enter 1920 Select 720p30 height. In the box at the bottom enter 1080 MJPEG Settings :- Click on MJPEG Compression. Click on MJEG E1 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 384 Click on MJEG E1 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24 Click on MJEG E2 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 330 Click on MJEG E2 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24 Click on MJEG E3 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 300 Click on MJEG E3 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24 Click on MJEG E4 Quality. In the box at the bottom enter 276 Click on MJEG E4 Table. In the box at the bottom enter 24 Click on MJPEG Color optional Click on 720p30 420->422 color sampling. (NOTE THIS IS KNOWN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS) AVCHD Settings :- Click on AVCHD Movie Mode Click on AVCHD Compression Click on Video Bitrate FHD/SH. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000 (NOTE COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million) Click on Video Bitrate H. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000. (NOTE COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million) Click on Video Bitrate L. In the box at the bottom enter 32000000. (NOTE COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 32 million) Click on Overall Bitrate. In the box at the bottom enter 60000000. (NOTE COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 56 million) Here are additional options to allow the Gf1 to act more or less like a GH1. Click on Patches for Testers -> Middle Level Research -> Menu Related -> FHD Mode This gives 1080p 25P with 1/50 shutter ONLY on GF1. No other settings work at this moment. 6. Click on Save Modified Firmware and save the new firmware as your increment in the Version Change i.e. GF1__123.bin (for 3 Version Change) or GH1__139.bin (for 9 Version Change) etc. DO NOT OVERWRITE the original firmware. Save everything the GH1 Hack directory. Note that the modified GH1 firmware will only work on the GH1 and the modified GF1 firmware only works on the GF1. I would recommend not overwriting the previous firmware versions as the Version Compare hack allows you to use swap between different versions. Once you start playing around, you could have different firmware versions on different SD cards and you could swap between them in the middle of a shoot. 7. Start your GF1 or GH1 and format the SDHC card. Shut down the camera and remove the SDHC card. Copy the GF1__123.bin or the GH1__139.bin to the root directory of the SDHC card. Eject the card and place it inside your camera. NOTE Use a fully-charged battery. Start the camera and press the playback button. 8. Finally, at this time, the cameras work thus. GH1, 720P at 50p/60p. 1080p at 24p/25p/30p GF1 1080P at 25P ONLY, 1080p at 30p. If you are Using the GF1, tester13 has added manual control with a mod. Here is an excerpt from his post. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...postcount=2740 >> Manual movie modes work now on GF1 same as on GH1 (with latest “Movie modes” patch). This includes all M, A, S modes. You need to go to menu and set appropriate mode. Also if you go to menu in picture shooting mode it’ll convert to corresponding movie mode, just turn wheel one click and return it back to go to back to normal picture mode. >> This is being discussed in this thread. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=217519 You may also consider reading a thread where I organized settings for the GH1 and GF1 for video. Though the GF1 settings are not needed after the 3.40d Manual Control mod. http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215536 Now save as G1__1.bin – Dont forget the double underscores. Put the card in your camera and press the playback button – if the firmware upgrade window does not come up there is a problem hopefully with the Version Increment. If the camera does not load the firmware, try again with Version Increment 10. This explains why - http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showpost.p...89&postcount=4 9. Finally you want to test stability, download the Star Chart by PappasArt from here http://www.sendspace.com/file/scn6oz Open it on your computer and fill up the screen, use the fullscreen or slideshow mode. Now use your hacked camera handheld and record footage in both AVCHD and MJPEG. MAKRE SURE THAT THE CHART FILLS THE CAMERA SCREEN. Dont use a tripod as the handheld shake will keep the image changing continuously. Shoot for a 1 minute – get at least 1 AVCHD and 1 MJPEG at max. bitrate settings. i.e. FHD/SH Shut down the camera and bring the SDHC card into your computer. 10. Download MediaInfo – http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download Install it. Start it. From MediaInfo open the .mov or .mts file to view the bitrate. MJPEG .mov file is in SDHC card -> DCIM -> _PANA AVCHD .mts file is in SDHC card -> PRIVATE -> AVCHD -> BDMV -> STREAM Check the bitrates BEFORE you bring it into your editor. For example, before you do a Log and Transfer into FCP as FCP automatically converts the footage into its Intermediate Codec called ProRes. Most HD Editors do the same as the AVCHD codec is not meant for editing. The .mov file will play in Quicktime. The .mts file will (kind of) play in VLC Player but showing pixelation and blocking artifacts. Dont worry about the artifacts as they are a problem with VLC NOT your videos. If you post any issues with the recording on these forums, post your settings, screengrab of MediaInfo showing the bitrate and the camera i.e. GF1/GH1 The hacked cameras are now called GF13/GH13 due to the screen name “tester13″ used by the main developer Vitaliy. __________________ mishra.tv Productions A Sydney-based group for dance movement-based video productions for the small and the big screen. Cameras GH13 - Made in Japan, 7D, HV20, HV30, SD780IS, SX200IS Last edited by zcream; 08-01-2010 at 03:44 AM. Reason: New Format

07-01-2010, 05:19 AM	#3
zcream Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 382	The dummies part is not meant to be insulting. This is the procedure I used, and some of gotchas were stuff that I encountered. If someone follows these procedures, its easy to get started on your first hack. __________________ mishra.tv Productions A Sydney-based group for dance movement-based video productions for the small and the big screen. Cameras GH13 - Made in Japan, 7D, HV20, HV30, SD780IS, SX200IS

07-01-2010, 06:47 AM	#5
zcream Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 382	1440 resizing works for the 1080p. You can still record 720P. The GH1 allows you to record 720P/50P and 1080P/25P in PAL and 720p/60p and 1080p/24P in NTSC. This is a simple getting started guide - and if you want to modify the settings for 720P I suggest you follow the links to the other thread with settings for near lossless 720P. __________________ mishra.tv Productions A Sydney-based group for dance movement-based video productions for the small and the big screen. Cameras GH13 - Made in Japan, 7D, HV20, HV30, SD780IS, SX200IS

07-01-2010, 06:53 AM	#6
jakobim Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 333	I feel smart now.. with C settings with this chart my bitrate was around 44mbps to 46mbps MJPEG Settings are the same here but i doing 720 and 422 that was bitrate around 76mbps yo 78mbps Last edited by jakobim; 07-01-2010 at 07:13 AM.

07-01-2010, 07:16 AM	#7
rawfa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 2,571	This should be a sticky. I´m not technical at all and here things seem clearer, __________________ Laugh out loud right here: - http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=129033 and here - http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=86474

07-01-2010, 05:13 AM	#2
HHL Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 397	Ah...shucks! You got me goooooood! I MUST be a "Dummy" because I got so excited when I saw this! (lol) Thanks alot for revealing my TRUE self!

07-01-2010, 06:35 AM	#4
mtan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 175	Hi you wrote "GH1, 720P at 50p/60p" but in the instructions you sized it to 1440 x 1080

07-01-2010, 07:23 AM	#8
mpgxsvcd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 191	Great thread. However, I wouldn't show the 1440x1080 settings to novice users. That is not a 16:9 aspect ratio and the results will make novice users think they broke something. I would just show them high bit rate 1280x720 settings for MJPEG. There are completely stable settings for 720p even with in camera playback. Oh yea there is also a type-O on point number 1. It should be "go" instead of "do". Great job! __________________ Panasonic DMC-GF1 movies http://www.youtube.com/user/mpgxsvcd#play/uploads http://vimeo.com/user442745

07-01-2010, 07:27 AM	#9
zcream Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 382	Fixed typo and changed 1440 to 1920 as it does work without 24P/25P or 4:2:2 with Class 10 cards. __________________ mishra.tv Productions A Sydney-based group for dance movement-based video productions for the small and the big screen. Cameras GH13 - Made in Japan, 7D, HV20, HV30, SD780IS, SX200IS Last edited by zcream; 07-01-2010 at 07:39 AM.

07-01-2010, 07:36 AM	#10
P. Harrill Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 15	Good start. Reading the first time through: •Third party battery should be optional. There's no reason anyone needs this if they don't have the third party batteries. •You assume that the user must change their firmware number. For those users that haven't already updated to the latest firmware then there's a slightly different set of guidelines.

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