GH4 GH4 V-Log FREE !!
- Thread starter Ted Ramasola
- Start date
sorry -- but it has nothing to do with piracy if you use this mechanism to configure your camera the way you like it!
it's perfectly legal!!!
it's a shame, when trivial documentation about the technical details of your cameras get suppressed just by businesses interest of someone else.
and i really hate any form of unnecessary and highhanded censorship of public discussions. i used to left other platforms just because of this reason...
joe12south
Veteran
- Most GH4 users don't need the PIX-E5, as they don't have SDI: Video Devices PIX-E5H 5" 4K Recording Video Monitor
- You don't need everything in that kit. Especially if you have Sony batteries lying around. All you really need to add is a speed drive: Video Devices SpeedDrive Media Enclosure for PIX-E5, PIX-E5H, and PIX-E7 Recording Monitors (Enclosure Only) which does double-duty making a docking station moot.
Barry_Green
Moderator
I'm using a PIX-E5H with the DVX200 right now. I specifically requested the E5H instead of the E5 as it's less expensive and does everything (well, almost everything) the DVX200 can throw at it.
The PIX-E5 has SDI, which is nice, but it's 3G-SDI so it can't handle UHD or 4K. Still a good match to a DVX200 (which has 3G-SDI output) but for a GH4, it'd be total overkill and completely wasted.
The PIX-E5 has ProRes 4444, which is the highest level of ProRes, but again, completely wasted on these cameras; ProRes 422 HQ handles 10-bit 4:2:2 just fine, which is all these cameras can deliver, and it still takes up nearly 900 megabits per second, so ... using more space to record data that the camera can't deliver, seems wasteful.
So if you don't need 1080p SDI, and don't have a camera that can deliver 4444 color, then the PIX-E5H does everything the E5 does, for $200 less.
To make it work, all you need to add to the PIX-E5H is a SpeedDrive. It includes an AC adapter with it, and obviously you need an HDMI cable. If you want to run on battery power, you'll need to have some Sony batteries and a charger.
The PIX-E5 has SDI, which is nice, but it's 3G-SDI so it can't handle UHD or 4K. Still a good match to a DVX200 (which has 3G-SDI output) but for a GH4, it'd be total overkill and completely wasted.
The PIX-E5 has ProRes 4444, which is the highest level of ProRes, but again, completely wasted on these cameras; ProRes 422 HQ handles 10-bit 4:2:2 just fine, which is all these cameras can deliver, and it still takes up nearly 900 megabits per second, so ... using more space to record data that the camera can't deliver, seems wasteful.
So if you don't need 1080p SDI, and don't have a camera that can deliver 4444 color, then the PIX-E5H does everything the E5 does, for $200 less.
To make it work, all you need to add to the PIX-E5H is a SpeedDrive. It includes an AC adapter with it, and obviously you need an HDMI cable. If you want to run on battery power, you'll need to have some Sony batteries and a charger.
bigmouthmedia
Active member
You're 100% right Dusty. But people thinking of purchasing an external recorder should keep in mind that Video Devices (Sound Devices) make some of the tougher (well built) piece of equipment. Also, the 2 battery slots on the Pix-e is a big + too. When I look at my Blade (though not poorly made) and compare it to my MixPreD, the difference is night and day. I wouldn't worry about dropping my SD MixpreD on the floor...my Blade, well...better off staying in may handIf you take into account durability the Pix-e is probably cheaper on the long run...well, maybe not that long.
Doug - i agree about the durability/build and I was really leaning towards the E5H as it's a bit smaller - but with all those additions it quickly jumped out my budget range.....next kit
bigmouthmedia
Active member
Interesting, none of the documentation online for resellers says it has the AC adapter....an oversight maybe
Oh well, I have my Assassin, and happy with it
Barry_Green
Moderator
Interesting, none of the documentation online for resellers says it has the AC adapter....an oversight maybe
Yeah, that's weird, I saw that with B&H. But it's definitely included. You can go to the http://videodevices.com/products/portable-video-recorders/pix-e5h/accessories page, and see that it lists the AC adapter as an "included accessory" with the PIX-E5, E5H, and E7.
The E5H actually doesn't do ProRes4444, just ProRes 422 HQ, but as Barry said 4444 is useless for these cams anyways. It's also limited to 6 channels of audio vs. 8, but again, where are you gonna get 8 channels of audio from these cameras... Another thing to consider between the Pix-E5/E5H and the Shogun is your audio needs- The Pix-E's need the $350 Pix-LR addon to have XLR's while the Shogun has that breakout cable... the Pix-LR will probably have superior sound though, along with real pots for gain adjustment and nice LED level meters.
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
Has a flat, grayish look to me. That couple's skin tones should have a bit of a "richer" look to them, more "life".
Bruce Foreman
Veteran
Unfortunately apparently Panasonic did not "intend" for it to be free. Their intent was to sell the upgrade. Possibly somewhat "legal" but court decisions have not always favored the "finders keepers, losers weepers" concept. If you find a large amount of cash and make no attempt to turn it in or find the owner, in many cases you can be held liable.
Perfectly legal!!!? In your opinion possibly, but when you know the intent was for it to be sold, using it without purchase is definitely wrong and immoral. And in this case can border on "piracy".
I didn't pay for it so I've made no attempt to go after it. Your comment does say something about your moral "compass".
in my opinion it looks immoral to sell something that does not fulfill given promises.
and suppressing the free speech of other persons in public discussions seems to be even more questionable from a legal point of view.
perhaps i may agree, that it isn't worth all this troubles -- this stupid "v-log" update!
but i had to make this experience myself, otherwise i wouldn't have believed that panasonic could ever try to sell something dysfunctional like this.
therefore it's more an act of enlightenment, to share this experiences with other affected owners of this camera.
to me it would look more shabby, to exclude them from this strange form of access and practical test drive, just because they are coming to late.
the technical details of the wlan remote control mechanism used by the gh4 may be seen as kind of 'hack' by some people. yes -- they were never published by panasonic or intended to be used in creative ways by owners of this camera. all we know about it, was found out by curious contemporaries and their reverse engineering efforts. in the meanwhile most of it is well documented and available to everybody. it's quite simple to utilize for very interesting tasks. it is by far not so exciting than the famous gh2 modifications done by the community, but it's still remarkable. i don't mind when panasonic makes some profit out of this little hacks and becoming famous for this unintended firmware patches and gaps. no problem! it's their job to sell as much cameras as they can. but they should likewise accept, that users do not want to be patronized by stupid artificial limitations, crippled design and unsatisfying performance. it has to be a relation of trust and benefit on both sides of the game!
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stoneinapond
Veteran
"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."
J.K. Galbraith
dantewaters
Well-known member
And they did just that http://www.eoshd.com/2016/08/panasonic-gh5-rumours-point-10bit-422-internal-codec/
http://www.eoshd.com/2016/08/panasonic-gh5-rumours-point-10bit-422-internal-codec/