AVCHD - Will the codec ever be updated?

HotConductor

HotConductor

Well-known member
Will AVC as a codec within the hmc150 ever get updated? Am I wrong to assume this would be possible? Mp3 as a codec has advanced beautifully since its introduction over a decade ago. Will AVCHD ever see an update?
 
Some would say it's been updated all along...the first AVCHD cams weren't as high bit rate or as good as the ones now. But what will likely happen is everybody's computers, software, etc will just get to the point where AVCHD edits as smooth as butter for not a whole lot of money into a set up - Then the manufacturers will come up with something new for us deal with!
 
Whether or not there will be advancement within the codec, and whether or not it will be advanced "within the HMC150" are two separate questions.
 
Within the HMC 150 - not likely. There's new cameras coming, one of which seems to be the HMC150 replacement (The AC130) and they appear to use the exact same AVCHD spec. If you need something else there's always the option of bypassing the AVCHD and getting 4:2:2 recording out of the HDMI.
 
Apparently the last firmware update actually did update and improve the codec. Make sure your HMC150 is running the latest firmware.
 
Very interesting Barry, could you please tell us more?? I've been waiting for a statement from Panny regarding that update, have you done your own test or heard some info that we haven't? =)
 
I asked what the heck "improved recoder" meant and was told that it was an update to the codec. So the latest firmware improves the quality of the codec.
 
Barry_Green said:
I asked what the heck "improved recoder" meant and was told that it was an update to the codec. So the latest firmware improves the quality of the codec.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this confirmation. I shot a concert last week using the updated firmware and noticed a reduction in noise.. I was curious if it was imagination or optimism.

Thank you for your book btw!
 
Would be nice if Panasonic would release a white paper on such changes when they happen not just "improved recoder" in the release notes. :)
 
So I've just updated the camera to the latest firmware. Don't expect to see any difference but it's good to know that you run the latest firmware... Anyone that have seen improvement of the picture?
 
My HMC150 has never been updated since I bought it in, I think, November 2008 (is that right, 2008? I remember Bush was still President when I received it).

Now that it's about to be retired and liquidated I thought it might be a bright idea to update it -- you know, selling point.

That "PASS" site... well... if you've been there you know. So, rather than try to translate an answer from the PASS site, I'll ask here.

QUESTION: Is the HMC150 firmware update cumulative, will one update bring the original firmware up to date? Or, do I need to track down all the updates (three, right?) at PASS and then install them in the order of release?

Thank you. And, yeah, I found a five year old working laptop with Windows XP (32 bit) to run this update(s).
 
Yes. Just install the latest.

AGMedia said:
QUESTION: Is the HMC150 firmware update cumulative, will one update bring the original firmware up to date? Or, do I need to track down all the updates (three, right?) at PASS and then install them in the order of release?
Click to expand...
 
I know from reading here that the firmware installer won't run on 64 bit Windows 7. Can I run it in Windows XP Mode (in Windows 7)?
 
No you can't, I've tried, as long as you're on a 64bit computer nothing will help you. I went over to my parents and did it there (they have windows 7 32 bit, it worked great) =)
 
OK, so if you were about half way through shooting a low budget movie on this cam right now would you still go ahead and update the firmware? I'm kind of scared to do this as everything (touch wood) is now running so smoothly!

Cheers
 
I don't see why not Paul, but if it makes you nervous just wait. No real big deal either way.
 
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