GF1 - 720p59,94 -> 29,97fps option

[sxm]

Hello All,

I have a question for the pros out there regarding the GF1

I have hacked the camera and loaded different settings, etc.

My question is with the mts files created.

MediaInfo shows (when in sheet mode) either shows "(Frame doubling / 1 Ref Frames)" or "(1 Ref Frames)" depending on which settings I used in the hack.

I know it is related to the AVCHD FPS option in 720p59,94 -> 29,97fps

At first I thought that option does not matter since GF1 cannot shoot true 60p (59.94) but instead doubles it.

Now I am thinking it does matter, because of what MediaInfo shows.

BUT, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 shows all my mts files created with the GF1 regardless of "(Frame doubling / 1 Ref Frames)" or "(1 Ref Frames)" in mediainfo is showing as 29.97fps in PP

Of course I want the GF1 to shoot in 29.97 to make Mbps higher so each frame is better quality. Right?

I appreciate your thoughts,
Thanks

PS - The lpowell - Reliable In-Camera Playback Patch is what I have been using lately, does not have 720p59,94 -> 29,97fps checked, and shows (Frame doubling / 1 Ref Frames)

 

[Lpowell]

As you pointed out, the GF1 records 720p60 in AVCHD-Lite format, which records in 29.97p with a frame doubling flag set to signal AVCHD players to play back the video at 59.94p. This allows you to seamlessly intercut 720p60 files recorded on both GF1 and GH1 cameras.

If you would prefer to have the GF1 record in 720p30 format in the Reliable In-Camera Playback Patch, you can manually set the 720p59,94 -> 29,97fps patch to do this. Image quality and bitrate should be unaffected, since it doesn't change the GF1's internal frame rate. On the GH1, however, this patch actually does reduce the frame rate from 60p to 30p, and will produce significantly smaller files.

 

[sxm]

Thanks lpowell for replying

I want to make sure I understand

The "frame doubling flag" you mentioned is just a flag/marker? a piece of coding?

So the GF1's actual mts file is at 30p and just has a little note (yes I am really dumbing it down) to make AVCHD players double it. In a computer, does video player software see that flag and also double the frames?

Besides seamlessly editing 720p60 files and playing in an AVCHD player, are there any other advantages to the 60p in the GF1?

Seems to me that for the GF1, the option should always be checked, if editing and using a computer to view the files.

I mean, it is just software doubling the frames after all. It is not reading 60 individual frames. (If my understanding is correct)

Thanks again.

 

[Coastline231]

GF1 loading Firmware

GF1 loading Firmware

Hi could anyone help me out with loading the firmware for GF1, I've read threads on how to load and patch the firmware for GH1, but I seems can't get to set with my GF1. What am I doing wrong, could anyone point me the right direction. Thanks so much.

 

[Lpowell]

The "frame doubling flag" you mentioned is just a flag/marker?

So the GF1's actual mts file is at 30p and just has a little note to make AVCHD players double it. In a computer, does video player software see that flag and also double the frames?

Yes, that's the gist of it. AVCHD-Lite was just a minor update to fill in the 30p gap in the original AVCHD spec. Unfortunately, some players haven't been updated to recognize the flag, such as Adobe Premiere Elements.

Besides seamlessly editing 720p60 files and playing in an AVCHD player, are there any other advantages to the 60p in the GF1?

Seems to me that for the GF1, the option should always be checked, if editing and using a computer to view the files.

That's right, the GF1 works just as well recording AVCHD in 30p. For even higher bitrates at 30p, I recommend trying my 50Mbps AVCHD Fast Action Patch:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?222791-50Mbps-AVCHD-Fast-Action-3-Frame-GOP-Patch

 

[sxm]

Thank you thank you thank you.

It is so much clearer now. And after checking out the 50Mbps patch forum, I am changing setting again.

Great work lpowell.

 

[mpgxsvcd]

Yes, that's the gist of it. AVCHD-Lite was just a minor update to fill in the 30p gap in the original AVCHD spec. Unfortunately, some players haven't been updated to recognize the flag, such as Adobe Premiere Elements.


That's right, the GF1 works just as well recording AVCHD in 30p. For even higher bitrates at 30p, I recommend trying my 50Mbps AVCHD Fast Action Patch:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?222791-50Mbps-AVCHD-Fast-Action-3-Frame-GOP-Patch

The 50mbps patch is not always stable with the GF1 though. I settled on a GOP of 5 and appears to get very good 35 mb/sec stable video. The only time it fails is if you record with the lens cap on. Pure black video appears to cause the bit rate to drop too low. I don't record that way too often so it is not a problem.