New firmware 1.21 for HMC150 available for download

In absence of any controlled scenario before/after testing, I would find it doubtful. If it did, they would have said so. They've been able to address noise before, the firmware update for the HPX300 offered a good reduction in noise, but... they also told us that was what it was for. They didn't say noise reduction in the release notes with this firmware update.

Wish I would have read these assertions before updating mine, I could have done some before/after. If anyone has a good grayscale chart, and a good color chart, those are a great way to test for noise and can make for an easily-repeatable scenario. So yeah, somebody who hasn't updated their firmware yet, let's see a before/after of a controlled scenario so we can see what the exact changes are, if any.
 
I haven't updated any of them cause no issues but if it improves something then I might just have to.
 
Just FYI,

My HMC150 is fairly new and it came with the 1.21 firmware out of the box. I use Patriot cards and haven't had any card-related issues with the camera; also, the IDX batteries work just fine with this firmware.

Just FYI
 
well, i was not interested in this firmware anyway.
but now, i can surely do the before and after test to check if the 'noise reduce' thing is true.

will get back when i am done.
 
RaviSun3D said:
well, i was not interested in this firmware anyway.
but now, i can surely do the before and after test to check if the 'noise reduce' thing is true.

will get back when i am done.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks for spending the time! I certainly appreciate it.
 
one problem...
i haven't thought this before, i have lost my ac adapter few days before, so i can't update unless i get it new.

however, let me know if its possible with the bigger battery 'VBG6PPK' from panasonic.
 
Anyone able to do a before and after quality test? I so want to know if the firmware update is actually making the camera cleaner. Otherwise, it probably isn't worth fussing with.
 
Hey Barry, what do you think??? I seem some difference, but I don't know if it is just a difference in how the camera was compressing the data at that moment or what. It would be easier to view the difference in the mts files if you have those.

BTW, thanks David, and you might want to put out that flaming bag of who knows what on your desk. ;-)
 
I can see different noise patterns, as expected, and i think the details is slightly better.

Nothing noticeable though without looking closely
 
dauid, I can't see any difference at all between the two pngs. is someone seeing something I'm not? I think I'll try and do a before and after like Barry wants soon. Maybe tomorrow. I have a color chart, and can setup something that makes sense. It would be nice if Panasonic just said WTF this is all about... not like this is coming out of Area 51 or something. It's a GD ROM update! Every computer maker states what the F' in ROM upgrades are meant to fix. This is not rocket science!
 
I couldn't see any difference either, I just put it up so others could judge for themselves. My guess is that if they improve the picture quality we'll hear about it.

I formatted the card soon after so I don't have the mts files anymore.
 
Why would Panasonic launch a firmware update that helps with their manufacturing process? Our cameras have already been manufactured. My 10 cents would be that this update stops people hacking the firmware! There has been some evidence of this already on the micro 4/3 cameras.
 
I don't think that anyone will hack the HMC (alltough a higher bitrate would be nice and maybe possible to do)...

Hacking software in the cameras can only lead to increased sales for Panasonic since the "hackers" listen to what the people want and give them that.
 
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