Is anybody still working on a firmware hack?

Chadfish said:
Sorry, but what does "dumping" mean?
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I don't know exactly what it entails but it has to do with the fact that the GH2 firware is encryted, like the later GH1 firware. That means it can't be easily read by methods that are available for unencrypted software.

It appears that dumping the code to some super expensive equipment renders the donating camera bricked.

Perherps someone with more technical knowledge of the process can add to that.
 
stoneinapond said:
I don't know exactly what it entails but it has to do with the fact that the GH2 firware is encryted, like the later GH1 firware. That means it can't be easily read by methods that are available for unencrypted software.

It appears that dumping the code to some super expensive equipment renders the donating camera bricked.

Perherps someone with more technical knowledge of the process can add to that.
Click to expand...

Since the firmware code is encrypted coming from the external source, but decrypted when loaded into memory, dumping means to reverse engineer the unencrypted code as it is stored on the chip.
The other benefit of dumping is to get an understanding of the firmware loader, which contains the decryption code.
Dumping involves extracting the internal flash card by unsoldering it from the motherboard. That is why for the expiremental phase of the project a less expensive P&S TZ camera was chosen, since the loader logic is the same. Special tools are needed to extract the chip without damaging it and reading its content.
The GH1 version 1.34 presents a similar challenge, since the firmware code is not available in a form of an external file. So the only way to get to it is to dump the chip.

I hope this explains the process a little bit.
 
Thanks! I get it now. I get that Panasonic are bastards for doing this to us. If we want to add features to our cameras they should not go out of their way to make it harder. It's not our fault they didn't include manual audio, level meters and 1080p30. Donating...
 
The GH2 is what it is. I don't think Panasonic is under any obligation to sell a "hackable" camera. Those who want more features could purchase a different camera. IMO Panasonic only has a responsibility to provide a camera that works well according to the specs to which it was built.
 
Vitaliy Kiselev said:
It is not.
You can look on old thread to get my opinion about Panasonic GH2 firmware.
It just leaked from other source.
It'll be handy to our project to have publically available firmware (if we'll be able to dump firmware), but this is all.
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The original article suggested that Panasonic was releasing new firmware. I see now that this is just the current firmware. I was intrigued that Panny might actually being giving us new firmware. Perhaps adding the focus tracking during video back in. However, that does not appear to be the case. Is the firmware that was posted encrypted?
 
I also have been emailed this v1.0D firmware. So it is not really new?

Due to my lack of complete understand - please can you explain why this leaked firmware is not helpful, since I thought one of objectives was to dump GH2's firmware? Now we have it here... in a BIN file... dumped. Can it not be unencrypted? Also new TZ series firmware is now public.

And good luck of course :thumbsup:
 
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Hi there,

I am a student in South Korea currently studying an MFA in film directing. I am planning to buy a new camera and I have basically decided on the Panasonic GH2 over the Canon 5D Mk2/7D. Largely due to the price. As I am still a student and don't have a lot of money it's cheaper for me to buy a Japanese GH2. The problem I can't read Japanese. I know that there is a Japanese to English patch available for the GH2. Can anyone point me in the right direction to download it? Thanks
 
Andrew Reid said:
I also have been emailed this v1.0D firmware. So it is not 'new'?
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It is not new, as it is used for most GH2 bodies today as I know.

Please can you explain why this leaked firmware is not helpful, since I thought one of objectives was to dump GH2's firmware? Now we have it here... in a BIN file... dumped.
Click to expand...

Dumping is completely different. This is firmware in special UPD encrypted format. You can't use it.

Also new TZ series firmware is now public.
Click to expand...

What do you mean here?
 
Andrew Reid said:
I understand now - so the dumping of unencrypted firmware is what you are trying to do, not break the encryption of existing firmware UPD files.
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First part is correct, second is not. We want to dump to be able to decrypt firmware (after reversing).
Same that we already did with TZ10.
 
Sorry to keep asking this Vitaliy. However, the language barrier sometimes makes it unclear what you actually mean. Is the following correct? Please let us know if anything below is not accurate.

1. You have unencrypted TZ10 firmware as a result of dumping the encrypted firmware.
2. You can make changes to the TZ10 firmware and load it into the camera.
3. You are not going to release a hacked firmware for the TZ10 at the moment.
4. The GH2 firmware that was posted today is encrypted and you have this firmware already.(Can this firmware be loaded into the camera or does it need to be unencrypted first?)
5. You still have not received your GH2 cameras that will enable you to begin the dumping process on the GH2.
6. You still need donations to purchase new GH1’s and GH2’s.
 
mpgxsvcd said:
Sorry to keep asking this Vitaliy. However, the language barrier sometimes makes it unclear what you actually mean. Is the following correct? Please let us know if anything below is not accurate.

1. You have unencrypted TZ10 firmware as a result of dumping the encrypted firmware.
2. You can make changes to the TZ10 firmware and load it into the camera.
3. You are not going to release a hacked firmware for the TZ10 at the moment.
4. The GH2 firmware that was posted today is encrypted and you have this firmware already.(Can this firmware be loaded into the camera or does it need to be unencrypted first?)
5. You still have not received your GH2 cameras that will enable you to begin the dumping process on the GH2.
6. You still need donations to purchase new GH1’s and GH2’s.
Click to expand...

See www.personal-view.com for some answers of your questions. You can also ask other questions in dedicated threads.

We use this thread for some general and finance related talks, all technical ones moved to my forum.
 
Now that the Gh-2 is dumped. At first impressions is it what you imagined? or are their more roadblocks? Not the encryption, but as far as accessing firmware parameters, like bitrate, fps?
 
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