GH4 GH4 with Factory Audio Fix Has 70 dB of Dynamic range !

Would anybody know of the procedure to get the 'factory fix' done in the UK?

So you already own a GH4 camera ?

If you do, then I would contact the main Panasonic distributor in Scotland to find out where you need to send your camera.
( you might even try contacting Philip Johnston ( HD Warrior ) who is a well connected GH4 shooter in Scotland )
 
Yes, early adopter! Thanks for the advice..

Keep us informed if you get anywhere with a UK fix.

What I still don't understand is why the Panasonic Mic works, if it is indeed a 'fault' with the camera - and if its purely down to a connector issue, why no one hasn't found an inline fix.
 
Keep us informed if you get anywhere with a UK fix.

What I still don't understand is why the Panasonic Mic works, if it is indeed a 'fault' with the camera - and if its purely down to a connector issue, why no one hasn't found an inline fix.

I've done experiments. I found a trss splitter that lets you connect a mic to the gh4 like the Panasonic mic and use it in s.shotgun mode. In s.shotgun mode, it boosts gain while using some kind of noise reduction that gets rid of the noise, as well as mic hiss, and sounds pretty good. Test here--

http://pixultronik.com/mictest1.aif

The big downside is that there is a strong delay on the headphones as you can only hear rec. sound (instead of realtime) while in s.shotgun mode. It's extremely annoying to monitor this way unless you have completely noise isolating headphones, as everything echoes. Also, you can only record in mono.
 
Is there a part number or official repair description that one should use when getting in touch with Panasonic Repair?
 
Is there a part number or official repair description that one should use when getting in touch with Panasonic Repair?

When I talked to the Canadian Panasonic reps in September they knew immediately what I was talking about. I just used the terms "audio buzz problem" and "factory audio fix".
 
I hoped for a clean audio from GH4 with the DMW-MS2 (I got the impression that its uneffected by the buzz). While I admit I haven´t tested the buzz issue, but what I can say is that the preamps are no good. The audio is noisy and also as for the mic itself the sound is thin.
I regret wasting 320 euros.
Oh and also I doubt the fix would change the quality of the DMW-MS2.
If anyone has the pannys own mic and also the buzz issue fixed I would be glad to hear results.
 
So what's the general consensus about Panasonic's fix? Is it worth it to send it in to have it fixed?

I would like to know this too, however it appears that the normal procedure is to use -12 on the camera if using an external mic - so the noise isn't evident (if in Movie Mode) so for me, it appears to not warrant shipping it in...
 
I would like to know this too, however it appears that the normal procedure is to use -12 on the camera if using an external mic - so the noise isn't evident (if in Movie Mode) so for me, it appears to not warrant shipping it in...

If you're happy with the audio you're getting then maybe there's no need to send your camera in.

Where you may notice a difference is when you have to boost your audio in post by +10 dB or more and you might start to hear the bad GH4 "motor" sound.
 
@TheDingo - is there an official Panasonic term or part number for the pre-amp upgrade? Panasonic UK claim never to have heard of it. Thanks.
 
Sorry to barge in, but I was searching the web to see if the GH4 still has audio issues.
Whatever I read, it's still unclear to me.

If I buy a new one from the store, will the buzz be fixed?
I simply want a camera that works with proper audio out of the box. And I will not buy a GH4 until I am convinced I don't have to worry about crappy audio.
I mostly record through a mixpre-d. I won't record separately.

My reference is the sony FS100, which I own now.
 
@TheDingo - is there an official Panasonic term or part number for the pre-amp upgrade? Panasonic UK claim never to have heard of it. Thanks.

That's very odd. The Canadian Panasonic reps knew exactly what I was talking about when I brought it up with them.

I've never seen this issue officially documented by Panasonic, though at one point there was discussion about it on the Panasonic FaceBook page. ( quite a while ago )
 
If I buy a new one from the store, will the buzz be fixed?

Unofficially any GH4 camera with a serial number "higher" than WE4FC will have the factory audio fix.

i.e. WE4FD, WE4FE, etc...

The camera I bought and tested with has a serial number that starts with WE4HC.
 
I still want to know what the 'issue' is...

I mean its clear that the TRRS plugged Panasonic DMW-MS2 doesn't have this issue when its plugged in, so its not a hw fault - more of a design flaw, only thing I can think of - is it due to it sucking power from the 3.5mm port from the GH4?

Haven't sent my in - yet...
 
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