GH2 GH2 Hack, streamlined instructions. Please forgive me!

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Ryan Patrick O'Hara

Veteran
First of all, I did a very big search and call it coincidental or fateful, but I cannot for the life of me find very simplified instructions or links on how to hack the GH2. My roommate just bought one and I'm trying to help him.

Hunter Richards hacked his GH2 on my laptop awhile back, but I wasn't paying attention to the process back then, and now I am clueless. I see many many many threads about the hack and people talking about it... but I really haven't been able to find any straight forward instructions on how to do it with the GH2. I understand it's similar to the GH1, and there are plenty of threads about that as well.

I'd also like to suggest somebody who can hopefully reply to me, can make a list which can be made a sticky. I went to Vitaliy Kiselev's website but even there I'm having trouble finding where to get what I need, or even knowing what I need.

I would appreciate any help offered, and I really do think a GH2 sticky should be in order.


-Ryan
 
Im also in Los Angeles - if you wish, I can meet you and go over the hack process with you. No charge, I just like talking about this stuff. PM me if you're interested.
 
I agree with Ryan, I would love a sticky that describes the process with the most stable hack to date. On another note. I have looked at a good amount of footage that was shot with a hacked gh2. But to be honest, I dont see that much difference. I do see the clarity and crispness, on certain shots, but some of the others is hard for me to see. Is it because im looking at it through vimeo and their encoding issues? Or is it that subtle of a difference?
 
It took me a while to figure out but I eventually did. I did the hack. It took away my ability to playback the video or see any pictures. With that I reverted back and won't be doing it again. It's no longer a functional tool if I cant playback in camera. The hack is just that.. a hack.
 
Hectorxd said:
It took me a while to figure out but I eventually did. I did the hack. It took away my ability to playback the video or see any pictures. With that I reverted back and won't be doing it again. It's no longer a functional tool if I cant playback in camera. The hack is just that.. a hack.
Click to expand...

This isn't accurate of most patches. Most patches, especially the more conservative ones, allow full playback in camera. I have the 66mpbs hack and everything plays back in camera just fine.
 
I think I'm in the majority here when I say I am interested in applying patches via the hack that allow me to increase the quality of my video while retaining all of the original functionality of the GH2. 4GB file spanning, in-camera playback, etc. How can someone differentiate between patches that retain these features and patches that don't?
 
Agreed. Not to mention, most patches are labeled with notes saying what they can and can't do.

It took a while for the GH1 hack to get to a point where there were some "mainstream" patches that would just work. It'll be the same for the GH2. In-camera playback works with lots of the patches, and most patches are labeled as such. If you want seamless file spanning, use patches that are 32mbs or under, or wait for this to be fixed in future versions.

I don't need 4GB spanning because I shoot mostly narrative work that doesn't need long takes. If I do need that, I just load up the stock firmware. Takes 2-3 minutes. Someone here suggested picking up few small capacity SD cards, loading particular patched firmwares on each one of them, labeling them, and bringing them with you.

I guess I don't understand what people are expecting from the hack at this stage. It IS a hack after all, and fairly early on in the process. There probably won't ever be a one size fits all patch that makes everybody happy. Experiment with patches. Test them in non-important scenarios (aka not paying jobs).
 
Just hacking this morning. I'm liking how simple it turns out to be once you've done it... you can go back and forth tweaking to your fool hearts' content.

Here's one thing I just noted: changing audio sample rate above 192 (well, I only tried greater - 256) will prohibit recorded files from being played back. Reverting only this setting to factory default let me play recorded files again - 66, 42, 24, everything.

Also doing a very quick/dirty/unideal side-by-side of hacked GH2 and AF100 with the same lens at a poorly lit object with lots of fine detail... only going with 42 and 24 for the time being... wait for it...


...OK, here's the quick/dirty comparison, for what it's worth. Quality and light handling are very close, but the GH notably suffers more from CMOS jelloification.

 
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awelgraven said:
Agreed. Not to mention, most patches are labeled with notes saying what they can and can't do.

It took a while for the GH1 hack to get to a point where there were some "mainstream" patches that would just work. It'll be the same for the GH2. In-camera playback works with lots of the patches, and most patches are labeled as such. If you want seamless file spanning, use patches that are 32mbs or under, or wait for this to be fixed in future versions.

I don't need 4GB spanning because I shoot mostly narrative work that doesn't need long takes. If I do need that, I just load up the stock firmware. Takes 2-3 minutes. Someone here suggested picking up few small capacity SD cards, loading particular patched firmwares on each one of them, labeling them, and bringing them with you.

I guess I don't understand what people are expecting from the hack at this stage. It IS a hack after all, and fairly early on in the process. There probably won't ever be a one size fits all patch that makes everybody happy. Experiment with patches. Test them in non-important scenarios (aka not paying jobs).
Click to expand...

Point taken. I should do some testing on my own, but I'm a little nervous never having done this hack before.
 
Thanks for the replies so far. They are helpful.

I'm going to take this morning to attempt to do this on my own. So far so good.

There are so many people testing this out and doing the hack, yet there isn't really been a singular place where these experiences are easily shared and conveyed. It's really a hunt.

Maybe, if I ever figure out what I'm doing, I'll create a better list of steps and links for how to do this.
 
wigginjs said:
I think I'm in the majority here when I say I am interested in applying patches via the hack that allow me to increase the quality of my video while retaining all of the original functionality of the GH2. 4GB file spanning, in-camera playback, etc. How can someone differentiate between patches that retain these features and patches that don't?
Click to expand...

I agree, mainly because I don't trust SD cards and I need to be able to verify shots and takes before losing important work.

66MB seems to be around the cut-off point where the files will still playback "In-Camera".
(Although not every single 66MB setting configuration will do this)

For us Non-Rocket-Scientists: There are 2 Hack Patches by the highly respected CBRANDIN that seem to maintain all normal camera functions. One is a 66MB patch and the other is 44MB. Users of these patches report unquestioned improvements in image quality. I use these myself.
 
I used the recommended settings as labeled in ptool. I wasn't trying for anything high in bitrate. I just changed 2 numbers for the 24p high and low setting and lost playback because of it. Losing playback functionality is not worth it just to have bigger files.
 
Hectorxd said:
I used the recommended settings as labeled in ptool. I wasn't trying for anything high in bitrate. I just changed 2 numbers for the 24p high and low setting and lost playback because of it. Losing playback functionality is not worth it just to have bigger files.
Click to expand...

Which version of PTool? There is a newer version out. Not to mention, there are new patches coming out every day that solve this problem. In my opinion, improved shadow detail and a usable 720p mode make digging through a few patches to find one that works for you very worth it.

In all, I've spent about 2-3 hours applying patches and testing. I have one that works for in-camera playback, no garbled frames during the first second of recording, 720p mode works perfectly, and has much improved shadow detail.

It's a hack. You can't just go with the default settings in Ptool if you want the best results for your needs. You need to find a patch that works for you.
 
DPStewart said:
For us Non-Rocket-Scientists: There are 2 Hack Patches by the highly respected CBRANDIN that seem to maintain all normal camera functions. One is a 66MB patch and the other is 44MB. Users of these patches report unquestioned improvements in image quality. I use these myself.
Click to expand...

But do they span 4GB files? I've hacked my GH2 to 32MB, & it seems fine, but higher rates failed to span.

I applaud Vitaliy Kiselev's work, & have donated, but his website, especially the forums, is hard to wade through, which likely turns off many potential adopters.
 
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