GH2 GH2vk Unleashed

Sage

Sage

Well-known member
Ptool 3.61d is out, and ready for prime time.

I'm getting ~45mbps, both in 24p and 60p. No 720p crashing anymore either.
 
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Not going in the battle of the name again but I think the vk does not work too well. I thing just the v would be sufficient. Like GH2V, the vk in a branding getting in your head in a second does not work well with it. Perhaps it is just me.
 
Sage, this will be my first time installing the hack for the GH. How does it affect settings/menu's and also the still side of the camera? Do you just select 720p or 1080p and the higher bitrate is enabled?
 
Everything is the same, and stable. The only menu differences are that you can add an option to switch to any language (if you want to buy the Japanese version and switch), and you can add an option to switch back and forth between PAL/NTSC, which means access to all framerates (50/60/24). The other differences are under the hood - the bitrate is supercharged, and you can remove the 30min limit for Pal.

All that you need to is select all options under "Patches for end users">"AVCHD Movie Mode">"AVCHD Compression", and enter values of 42000000, 35000000, 42000000, 35000000, in that order. (I also like to cut my GOP values in half for 720p modes and 24p)

All is under "Patches for end users", and the first 2 options are to add those other menu options I mentioned.
 
I've never applied a hack before - so just wondering how complicated the process is..or is it best to wait for lpowell?
 
I have a Japanese model and putting the hack on it would be a bit harder but at least it would be nice if somebody did a little step by step video on vimeo on how to install the hack. I think a lot of us are a bit nervous because we fear to brick our gh2. I really hope someone does it, it will be highly appreciated.
 
Danielvilliers said:
I have a Japanese model and putting the hack on it would be a bit harder but at least it would be nice if somebody did a little step by step video on vimeo on how to install the hack. I think a lot of us are a bit nervous because we fear to brick our gh2. I really hope someone does it, it will be highly appreciated.
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Try this tutorial. Its for the GH1 but the steps are the same, just substitute in the GH2 firmware and the new Ptool.
http://pixelphile.blogspot.com/2011/06/gh1-how-to-hack-guide.html
 
Its fairly easy; the first post here covers all the needed steps:
http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/414/ptool-3.61d-topic?Sort=date

It won't brick the cam in any way - unless the battery is removed while the firmware is updating. That might brick it. Otherwise, it is safe.

Danielvilliers said:
I have a Japanese model and putting the hack on it would be a bit harder but at least it would be nice if somebody did a little step by step video on vimeo on how to install the hack. I think a lot of us are a bit nervous because we fear to brick our gh2. I really hope someone does it, it will be highly appreciated.
Click to expand...

The hack will also allow you to change the camera to your preferred language. I think I'll eventually put up something to explain and celebrate the power of the gh2 on my website. :D
 
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From a pure bitrate standpoint (notwithstanding the 30 minute removal, language and other improvements) I'm not sure the hack is worth it for me yet.
If you want to hack it to get 42 Mbps 24p files, here's what you have to live with:

1. "Blip" in every file at the beginning due to the compression "ramping up"
2. At this setting, roughly only ~90 minutes of footage will fit on a 32GB card.
3. Cannot be played back on the camera itself
4. Possible "card too slow" error messages
5. Possible artifacting on fast motion

I don't see what's that awful about the built-in 24p 24 megabit now that is worth the above risks. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about progress, I just don't want blips at the beginning of all my clips and the other headaches aren't worth the tradeoff. Yet.
 
We've been testing for a couple of hours. Unbelievable quality, and so far the only problem is that the first second or so looks corrupted. Once it smooths out... has the scarlet now been released? It looks that good.
 
Cosimo Bullo said:
We've been testing for a couple of hours. Unbelievable quality, and so far the only problem is that the first second or so looks corrupted. Once it smooths out... has the scarlet now been released? It looks that good.
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Has anyone bothered to do a before and after actually showing the difference in quality?
 
Here is a video with more detailed landscape and gh2 hacked, whats the difference to the normal 24p ? My newbie eyes have it difficult to judge the result.

http://vimeo.com/26621016



I did watch these comparisons, different bit rates with original unhacked footage...is there really that much a difference, except exposure ?

http://vimeo.com/26539400


 
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These are grabs from stabilized motion - high shutter and iso 800.

1080p:
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt281/sagepictures/crop2.jpg
http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt281/sagepictures/Sequence05Still001.jpg

(Edit: I had to crop the plant shot horizontally to keep the host from auto downscaling because of file size)

crop.jpg

crop2.jpg


The stabilized motion is stunning. There is now a filmic, photographic clarity to the motion, every single detail preserved. (I also use half GOP in addition to 42)
 
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slickh said:
Please explain stabilized motion. Thanks
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By that, I'm referring to the stabilization of my camera. For shots done professionally (no handheld shaking etc), the clarity of unique detail in motion is a big deal.
 
How to update firmware:
a. Load GH2 1.0E firmware, see 1. how to get it.
b. Check all necessary patches, Version increment must be always checked.
c. Save firmware. Just change last digit to any number you want.
d. Copy firmware to root of SD card. Fully charge you battery. Do not even attempt to use AC coupler!
e. Power off your camera if it was on.
f. Power on camera. After this press (not hold) green play button.
g. You'll see hourglass and prompt to update.
h. Press down arrow and after this Menu/set.
i. Wait until upgrade will be completed.
Click to expand...

I have a Japanese GH2 and followed the above PTools 3.61d instructions to apply the recommended settings. One PTool 3.61d option I was very excited about enables the standard Language menu. I did this and after digging around the post-hack menus I was able to finally have English menus... Thanks Vitaliy!!

I will shoot some test footage today.

One difference from Vitaliy's instructions is that for (h.) I had to hit UP (not down) then Menu/Set. This could be a Japanese model variation.
 
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