is the GH2 a waste of time in PAL land?

[nathankw]

Clearly there is a taste thing. I prefer the look of 24/25p - but some people agree with you and prefer the look of 50p which is fair enough - its a subjective choice.

But 50p isn't really an option. Hardly any cameras shoot 1080 50p (or 60p). The GH2 shoots 50i (except in 720 mode). Interlacing is just a really bad idea for lots of reasons. It was a necessary evil in the old CRT days but it's just a pain. I do lots of graphics work so progressive is the only option.

You say 24p gives the best film look but that's not true for us in pal land. When movies are shown on TV here they're sped up to 25p so that's what we're used to seeing as the film look. Of course, if you're planning to transfer to film then 24p is perfect, but that's not an option for many of us.

 

[chauncythedog]

1080 25p has to be the first priority of any firmaware upgrade or hack

 

[chrisso]

Four.

I shoot 25p for web production, the easy route to DVD delivery when clients request that, and potential for broadcast use in PAL land.

Five.

 

[sydsurferguy]

Five.

Six......and I'm sure there are thousands more to come...damn shame really

 

[naavt]

But... Is there any chance of a firmware update to solve this issue? Or that is fiscally impossible? If the first one turns out to be true, it's a case of emailing Panasonic everyday about this. If their mailbox goes full everyday, stating that their are also loosing costumers because of this they will probably give some attention to all their potential clients!

 

[roei z]

to my recollection, Vitaliy said 25p is not so easy to achieve. not to mention 60p.

 

[MR Fanny]

i've just asked why 25p is missing on Panasonic/Panasonic AU facebook. Anyone care to join me? I think i'll keep at it till they ban me or something...ha

 

[ade4all]

count me in on this lack of 25p nonsense

 

[GrahamH]

i've just asked why 25p is missing

Because 25P and 30P are not part of the AVCHD spec, and Pany wants you to be able to plug your SD card directly into your TV or BluRay player. The Gh2 is certainly a waste of time - the time it takes to respeed 24 to 25, or deinterlace 50i. Which isn't much time at all.

 

[seewolf]

seven !
i need 25p too

 

[Matthew P]

Because 25P and 30P are not part of the AVCHD spec, and Pany wants you to be able to plug your SD card directly into your TV or BluRay player. The Gh2 is certainly a waste of time - the time it takes to respeed 24 to 25, or deinterlace 50i. Which isn't much time at all.

Mixing 24 & 25 is certainly not something one would want to do, hence why it's such a big deal. Also, if they were so intent on sticking to Blu Ray specs, why not include 25pf like the GH1 did then? Most people would be happy with that.

 

[Olly Knights]

Mixing 24 & 25 is certainly not something one would want to do, hence why it's such a big deal. Also, if they were so intent on sticking to Blu Ray specs, why not include 25pf like the GH1 did then? Most people would be happy with that.

Yup, non 25p users are often showing major ignorance (humans aye)? They would all be flipping out if they had the same issue

GH1 had 25pf, we invested in the GH series, we expected to be able to shoot with GH2 at BEST QUALITY and continue in the standard 25p PAL workflow THE STANDARD!!! But nope, they build a brick wall and were constantly told to shut up and go away by non 25p users....

It's not as simple as many say, "Re-speed OR go away" response is bloody minded at best. It would be different if the GH1 had not allowed us to use the 25p workflow but to give it and then take it away with the "upgrade" is really messed up, whatever their reasons are, (I think they simply cocked up as opposed to applying Blu Ray specs etc)

Safe

 

[GavilanDelBosque]

I don't think Panasonic worries too much about public opinion with respect to leading video technology. They are part of making the market, not reponding to it. I'm sure they are perpetually irritated that they have to program another series of routines to deal with 25 and 50. This is probably why AVCHD spec. doesn't include it. The numbers 24, 30, 48, 60 are all more compatible and Panasonic probably is just revealing (or making) a strategic valuation. Such a stand/decision makes it easier to provide the awesome technological improvements between the GH1 and GH2, and the parallel arrival of the AF100 (AF101). If you're broadcasting, buy the AF101. If you're internet/SD-home-HDTV (future broadcasting), buy the GH2 and it's successors. Both cameras are placed at the point of revolution. If I saw the future demise of the traditional broadcasting system, I wouldn't worry about the opinion of european broadcasters either. Hollywood and film(24p) are more powerful, and Japan-U.S. aren't really separable.

 

[roei z]

forgot one more option besides broadcasting & internet use..
what about theater screening (which is NOT broadcasting) ?

 

[Exact]

Because 25P and 30P are not part of the AVCHD spec, and Pany wants you to be able to plug your SD card directly into your TV or BluRay player. The Gh2 is certainly a waste of time - the time it takes to respeed 24 to 25, or deinterlace 50i. Which isn't much time at all.

Since I am likely to have a number of other cameras running at 1080/25p shooting the same subject but from different angles, taking 24p and speeding it up to 25p simply isn't an option because nothing would be in sync. How many times do we need to go through this? I don't want to have to deal with interlaced footage from one camera when everything else is shooting progressive.

Perhaps NTSC land just doesn't 'get it' ? Imagine there was no 24p and no 30p in the GH2 and your only option was 60i. Would you still buy it?

 

[Matthew P]

Perhaps NTSC land just doesn't 'get it' ? Imagine there was no 24p and no 30p in the GH2 and your only option was 60i. Would you still buy it?

Well said, and good question. Though I think we all know the answer...

 

[chrisso]

They are part of making the market, not reponding to it.

Coming from the music scene, where I am a professional. The most successful technological innovations have come about from user/manufacturer collaborations, or at least some deference as to what the creative person needs/wants. Dictating never seems to work.

Such a stand/decision makes it easier to provide the awesome technological improvements between the GH1 and GH2, and the parallel arrival of the AF100 (AF101).

Panasonic found time to include a 30 minute shot limit in their software to 'satisfy' the European market. If they can include extra features for individual markets to suit their own needs, they can include special features to suit their customer's needs.

 

[Exact]

Imagine the GH2 came with only 25p, 50i and 60i and a 29:59 limit on recording.

Remember you can slow 25p to 24p.... so how many NTSC people will buy it now? I think not many......

It's 25p or bust in PAL land, which btw covers MORE of the world's population than NTSC does! Panasonic screwed up here. Please Panasonic, let me know where and when I can buy an unrestricted GH2, without the 30 min limit and with 25p and I'll BUY ONE. Until then, no chance.

 

[timbook2]

So yes - sadly the GH2 is a waste of time in PAL land

I had the GH2 for 10 days and gave it back. Got my money back. Even though it was a super sweet deal ( 800 € incl the shitty plastic 14-45 lens) I gave it back and bought some more lenses instead.
The 24 fps was the deal breaker: I only work for TV and tried in vain to find a kosher way to integrate the GH2 footage. I gave up. As much as I would like to own one, it makes NO sense over here!

 

[timbook2]

the 30 minute restriction has to do with EU custom laws. The GH1+2 would fall under a different category if they could shoot more and Matsushita would have to pay extra money.