Noise on movement?

This is a little disheartening. Every time I get ready to buy this camera, something always comes up. I guess I need to move on.
Note: My interest is in movie making, not WEVA type stuff. So the excess noise in the background is a real issue for me.
 
This is not noise in the usual sense though, for sure, ie a noisy sensor. This only shows itself on movement. It's gone back to Panasonic now to be looked at.
There are 2 possible outcomes - it has a fault and comes back OK, or it's reported to be within spec and performing as it should. The second case would be the most worrying, as if this is what they think is a professionally-performing camera they're greatly mistaken! Let's hope it's broken!
Steve
 
Steve,
Hope you nail it on the first...
I certainly feel most of us are on the same boat as you.
I've also found this artifacts mostly on the flesh tones.
So please keep us posted about how the results.
Best.
Henry
 
I'd assume that if this is "within spec" then we'd all agree that it's entirely unacceptable. This is marketed as a pro camera, and for any pro use this would be unacceptable, but certainly for broadcast I would assume that this sort of noise would play havoc with the transmission coders.
We'll see what they say, but I can just feel a response coming back of the order "we've looked at and it seems fine, perfectly within spec"!
Steve
 
If Panasonic do not deliver what they publicly promise on their HPX300 advertisements, they will be getting in a serious legal trouble... So we must let them do their homework. They will respond on the proper way and in a timely manner. I'm sure they are listening... At least, I hope so!
 
steve phillipps said:
Incidentally, my money's on the second outcome!
Steve
Click to expand...

Well, you should have put your money on the first outcome. Panasonic is aware of the problem. We appreciate everyone’s postings. These helped our engineering team with our testing.

We plan to have a free firmware upgrade at the end of July. At that time, we'll have further information.

Please note, in our testing, as well as independent testing, the problem occurred infrequently and was not very noticeable. Sure, in those limited situations when it does show up, you can see it on a frame grab, but, generally speaking, it occurs infrequently.

Thanks again.

Steve Cooperman
Product Line Business Manager - P2 HD, POVCAM

Panasonic Solutions Company
 
Nice, Steve. Thanks for chiming in. Its a good feeling when Panasonic represents themselves in the forums and we look forward to the firmware upgrade. Will it address any other issues or offer any other features?



Jason
 
Definitely, thanks Steve.

Let me point out that what I was saying about the outcome of this was just a bit of tongue in cheek cyncism, no offence intended.

I would say though the the issue I was seeing was in no way infrequent and barely noticeable. I was obvious, ugly and regular, not at all what I'd have expected from a pro product even in this price range.

Thanks again Steve, please keep us posted.

Steve
 
Hey Steve Cooperman, thanks for taking our members' concerns seriously and going to the engineers to get an explanation and an update, and thanks for letting us know that one is forthcoming!
 
So will we now have a repeat of the 300/301 situation?

A design problem is found, a firmware update is released and in 12 months a new camera the 380/381 comes out with yet another sensor to improve the problem.

This problem was discussed a few months ago and there has been no comment so far, I am sticking with my 301's for the moment as investing in the 371 seems to have more design flaws.
 
1080/24p is a requirement for what I want to do, so the 300 is not an option. 720p though, either camera is capable.
 
steve phillipps said:
It's gone back to Panasonic now to be looked at.
There are 2 possible outcomes - it has a fault and comes back OK, or it's reported to be within spec and performing as it should. The second case would be the most worrying, as if this is what they think is a professionally-performing camera they're greatly mistaken! Let's hope it's broken!
Steve
Click to expand...

Steve,

Would you please update us about what results you've got from Panasonic, if some, so far?

I'm having a huge concern on this matter... since I'm not having a very nice experience too with my new HPX370...

Best,

Henry Epstein
 
Last edited:
Thanks Jeff, glad to see it wasn't just me!
I must disagree with his conclusion that it was minor and people normally wouldn't notice it - from what I saw it was obvious and awful.
The only way I can see they can get rid of it, if it is caused by the processing that lowers noise, is to turn that processing down or off - so you're back to square 1 with noise just like the 300!
Steve
 
I'm experiencing the same issues with my 370, and while I don't see it in every shot, it happens more frequently than Panasonic/Cooperman would like for us to believe. At lease for me.
I'm even seeing this artifacting in lock-off interviews (at 720p30 no less). When I bring up the mids in post, it becomes totally unacceptable.
I'm glad to hear that a new firmware release is coming soon, but if it doesn't fix it, then the camera is going to have to go back. Which is sad because it could have been a great camera!

Edit: I am of course thankful that Panasonic and people like Steve Cooperman paying attention!
 
Last edited:
Glad I bought a 300 then ! Did Panasonic just add some noise reduction and possibly not change the block ? Something is strange about this whole 300/370 issue.
 
Steve Cooperman said:
We plan to have a free firmware upgrade at the end of July. At that time, we'll have further information.

Steve Cooperman
Product Line Business Manager - P2 HD, POVCAM

Panasonic Solutions Company
Click to expand...

Mr. Cooperman,

Could you please kindly update us about the status for the HPX370 free firmware upgrade?

Personally, I am not in a very good situation with my clients usually expecting the best video quality from new cameras on this level. The trailing problems vastly reviewed in this forum and now also mentioned by a very well known camera reviewer about his findings on the HPX370, are certainly unacceptable.

Thank you so much in advance for you concerns and understandings at Panasonic.

Best,

Henry A. Epstein
CinemaElectronika
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top