GH1 and GF1 firmware hack for dummies
- Thread starter zcream
- Start date
Thanks again ZCream! I know you weren't being insulting. I was being sincere.
Please forgive me if it sounded like I was being sarcastic. *HONESTLY* I got excited when I saw this. *I AM* getting started on my first hack....*I WAS* preparing to dig in a research all of the steps to getting started....*I WAS* relieved to see your step-by-step instructions for "Dummies". Thank you VERY MUCH ZCream. (I'll thank you again in a few after I install the patch. Who knows maybe I'll have some questions?)
Homunculus
Carbonite Member
for the time being can someone please tell me where 3.37 is located? I can't seem to find where to download it...thanks
here's a dummy question for you. How do I tell what bit rate my hacked GH1 is running at? Mediainfo Mac says my data rate is 114.00. what does all this mean?
* * * MediaInfo Mac 0.7.33.4 file analysis report.
* * * MediaInfo Mac is ©2010 by Diego Massanti - http://mediainfo.massanti.com
* * * MediaInfoLib by Jerome Martinez - http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net
Created on: Jul 2, 2010 12:57:40 PM PDT
Report for file: GH1 hack test #2.mov
General / Container Stream #1
Total Video Streams for this File.................1
Total Audio Streams for this File.................1
Video Codecs Used.................................apcn
Audio Codecs Used.................................PCM
File Format.......................................MPEG-4
Play Time.........................................35s 535ms
Total File Size...................................481 MiB
Total Stream BitRate..............................114 Mbps
Encoding Library..................................Apple QuickTime
Video Stream #1
Codec (Human Name)................................ProRes
Codec (FourCC)....................................apcn
Frame Width.......................................1 920 pixels
Frame Height......................................1 080 pixels
Frame Rate........................................23.976 fps
Total Frames......................................852
Display Aspect Ratio..............................16:9
Color Space.......................................YUV
QF (like Gordian Knot)............................2.254
Video Stream Length...............................35s 535ms
Video Stream BitRate..............................112 Mbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode.........................VBR
Video Stream Size.................................475 MiB (99%)
Video Stream Language.............................English
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-07-02 05:51:32
Audio Stream #1
Codec.............................................PCM
Codec (FourCC)....................................sowt
Audio Stream Length...............................35s 535ms
Audio Stream BitRate..............................1 536 Kbps
Audio Stream BitRate Mode.........................CBR
Number of Audio Channels..........................2
Sampling Rate.....................................48.0 KHz
Bit Depth.........................................16 bits
Audio Stream Size.................................6.51 MiB (1%)
Audio Stream Language.............................English
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-07-02 05:51:32
Menu / Chapters Stream #1
* * * MediaInfo Mac 0.7.33.4 file analysis report.
* * * MediaInfo Mac is ©2010 by Diego Massanti - http://mediainfo.massanti.com
* * * MediaInfoLib by Jerome Martinez - http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net
Created on: Jul 2, 2010 12:57:40 PM PDT
Report for file: GH1 hack test #2.mov
General / Container Stream #1
Total Video Streams for this File.................1
Total Audio Streams for this File.................1
Video Codecs Used.................................apcn
Audio Codecs Used.................................PCM
File Format.......................................MPEG-4
Play Time.........................................35s 535ms
Total File Size...................................481 MiB
Total Stream BitRate..............................114 Mbps
Encoding Library..................................Apple QuickTime
Video Stream #1
Codec (Human Name)................................ProRes
Codec (FourCC)....................................apcn
Frame Width.......................................1 920 pixels
Frame Height......................................1 080 pixels
Frame Rate........................................23.976 fps
Total Frames......................................852
Display Aspect Ratio..............................16:9
Color Space.......................................YUV
QF (like Gordian Knot)............................2.254
Video Stream Length...............................35s 535ms
Video Stream BitRate..............................112 Mbps
Video Stream BitRate Mode.........................VBR
Video Stream Size.................................475 MiB (99%)
Video Stream Language.............................English
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-07-02 05:51:32
Audio Stream #1
Codec.............................................PCM
Codec (FourCC)....................................sowt
Audio Stream Length...............................35s 535ms
Audio Stream BitRate..............................1 536 Kbps
Audio Stream BitRate Mode.........................CBR
Number of Audio Channels..........................2
Sampling Rate.....................................48.0 KHz
Bit Depth.........................................16 bits
Audio Stream Size.................................6.51 MiB (1%)
Audio Stream Language.............................English
Date of Original Encoding.........................UTC 2010-07-02 05:51:32
Menu / Chapters Stream #1
zcream
Well-known member
I modified the guide with this answer.
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.
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.
zcream
Well-known member
First post updated.
2. Download Ptool - http://www.gh1-hack.info/ptool3d.zip The version described here would be v3.37d
2. Download Ptool - http://www.gh1-hack.info/ptool3d.zip The version described here would be v3.37d
zcream
Well-known member
This is a very simple tutorial that will attempt to organize everything for first time users.
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 v3.37d
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
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.
Click on Version Change - for the first iteration leave the number as 3. (See Step 6. why I suggest this. It is easy to remember your increment this way)
Click on Third Party Battery
*Optional* Click on Interface Language in case you bought a grey market product and select your favourite language.
*Optional* Select 30min limit removal if you bought this camera in the Euro zone and cannot record more than 30 mins.
*Optional* Select PAL->NTSC if you have a PAL model and want to shoot 60P + 30P + 24P instead.
*Optional* Select NTSC->PAL if you have a NTSC model and want to shoot 25P + 50P instead.
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.
MJPEG Settings :-
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 1280m width. In the box at the bottom enter 1920
Click on MJPEG 1280m height. In the box at the bottom enter 1080
*optional* Click on MJPEG 1280m 420->422 color sampling. (*NOTE* THIS IS KNOWN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS)
AVCHD Settings :-
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment FHD/SH simplified. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000 (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment H. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment L. In the box at the bottom enter 32000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 32 million)
Click on Overall Bitrate Adjustment. In the box at the bottom enter 56000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 56 million)
Click on Limiting Bitrate Adjustment. In the box at the bottom enter 60000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 60 million)
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.
In terms of changing the firmware increment num, I want the num entered to be a part of the file name. So, if I save my first GH1 file as *133.bin I am changing the firmware increment to 3. This will skip 2 increments - however, its very easy to make sure what the next increment will be.
Look at the last file you saved, and add 1 to it. So the next increment will be 4, and that is what you will enter the next time you save a modified firmware.
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. If the firmware update window does not start then increase
the no, you entered in the version change box.
8. Finally, at this time, the cameras work thus.
GH1, 720P at 50p/60p. 1080p at 24p/25p/30p
GF1 720P at 25P/30P, 1080p at 30p.
Using the GF1, if you want manual video control, use a manual lens. (i.e. non m4/3 lens). If you are using an adapter then you are using a manual lens.
Buy a Variable ND filter. Attach it in front of your lens.
Use the S or the M mode for the GF1. Select the shutter at 50 for 24p/25p and 60 for 30p, 100 for 50p and 120 for 60p. This is the cinematic 180deg shutter.
Use the lens for aperture adjustment and adjust ISO until the exposure chart on the LCD display comes in the middle i.e. perfect exposure. If it is under or over exposed the GF1 will adjust exposure irrespective of your initial
settings. For this use the Var ND to get your desired exposure before the recording.
You may also consider reading a thread where I organized settings for the GH1 and GF1 for video.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215536
MAKE SURE IT IS PERFECTLY EXPOSED AND ONLY USE THE CAMERA WHERE THE LIGHT DOES NOT CHANGE.
9. Finally you want to test stability, download the Start 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.
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 v3.37d
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
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.
Click on Version Change - for the first iteration leave the number as 3. (See Step 6. why I suggest this. It is easy to remember your increment this way)
Click on Third Party Battery
*Optional* Click on Interface Language in case you bought a grey market product and select your favourite language.
*Optional* Select 30min limit removal if you bought this camera in the Euro zone and cannot record more than 30 mins.
*Optional* Select PAL->NTSC if you have a PAL model and want to shoot 60P + 30P + 24P instead.
*Optional* Select NTSC->PAL if you have a NTSC model and want to shoot 25P + 50P instead.
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.
MJPEG Settings :-
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 1280m width. In the box at the bottom enter 1920
Click on MJPEG 1280m height. In the box at the bottom enter 1080
*optional* Click on MJPEG 1280m 420->422 color sampling. (*NOTE* THIS IS KNOWN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS)
AVCHD Settings :-
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment FHD/SH simplified. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000 (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment H. In the box at the bottom enter 50000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 50 million)
Click on Video Bitrate Adjustment L. In the box at the bottom enter 32000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 32 million)
Click on Overall Bitrate Adjustment. In the box at the bottom enter 56000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 56 million)
Click on Limiting Bitrate Adjustment. In the box at the bottom enter 60000000. (*NOTE* COUNT THE ZEROES. ITS 60 million)
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.
In terms of changing the firmware increment num, I want the num entered to be a part of the file name. So, if I save my first GH1 file as *133.bin I am changing the firmware increment to 3. This will skip 2 increments - however, its very easy to make sure what the next increment will be.
Look at the last file you saved, and add 1 to it. So the next increment will be 4, and that is what you will enter the next time you save a modified firmware.
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. If the firmware update window does not start then increase
the no, you entered in the version change box.
8. Finally, at this time, the cameras work thus.
GH1, 720P at 50p/60p. 1080p at 24p/25p/30p
GF1 720P at 25P/30P, 1080p at 30p.
Using the GF1, if you want manual video control, use a manual lens. (i.e. non m4/3 lens). If you are using an adapter then you are using a manual lens.
Buy a Variable ND filter. Attach it in front of your lens.
Use the S or the M mode for the GF1. Select the shutter at 50 for 24p/25p and 60 for 30p, 100 for 50p and 120 for 60p. This is the cinematic 180deg shutter.
Use the lens for aperture adjustment and adjust ISO until the exposure chart on the LCD display comes in the middle i.e. perfect exposure. If it is under or over exposed the GF1 will adjust exposure irrespective of your initial
settings. For this use the Var ND to get your desired exposure before the recording.
You may also consider reading a thread where I organized settings for the GH1 and GF1 for video.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=215536
MAKE SURE IT IS PERFECTLY EXPOSED AND ONLY USE THE CAMERA WHERE THE LIGHT DOES NOT CHANGE.
9. Finally you want to test stability, download the Start 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.
I must be on a level lower than dumb then.
I've got the Ptool, and I've got the wine. I cant seem to find out where to download the firmware update that Tester13 has made - the link here is for the Panasonic update.
Please advise, thanks.
BTW, I'm good technical write too. When I figure this out I will help develop the ultra-idiots guide to the GH1 hack. I should know, being a card-carrying member of the global ultra-idiots club.
zcream
Well-known member
The first lines of the first post have links to ptool - the firmware hack made by tester13 and the firmware update by Panasonic.
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.
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.
timezlicer
New member
Noob question: is 720/24p possible on GF1?
zcream
Well-known member
timezlicer
New member
name your firmware file like GH1__133.bin or something. Notice the two underscores.
you may also have a unit with updated panasonic firmware that is not allowing people to update. did it come with v1.3 already?
zcream
Well-known member
Have you done this ??
>>
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)
>>
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)