GH2 Panasonic announces upcoming firmware update for GH2 !

joe1946

joe1946

Veteran
Panasonic has announced a firmware update for its Lumix DMC-GH2 video-orientated interchangeable lens camera that will offer a range of improvements and new features. First and foremost is a high bitrate movie mode that records at 24Mbps, designed for video editing purposes. Extended compatibility with the company's latest 'X' series powerzoom lenses is also included, as is the ability to turn all touchscreen features completely off. An update to the PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 software will also be available to handle the GH2's new video mode. Both updates will be available at the beginning of December.Press Release:
[h=3]Panasonic Announces the Firmware Update Program for DMC-GH2 and PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition[/h]Panasonic announces the new firmware update program for the digital interchangeable lens system cameras DMC-GH2 of LUMIX G Micro System and for the GH2 bundled software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition.
The new firmware programs will be available worldwide from the beginning of December at http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/.
The following functions will be available with the new firmware:
For DMC-GH2
  • New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate (24Mbps)
  • New functional option with Power Zoom Lens ([DISP FOCAL LENGTH (Display of Focal Length)], [STEP ZOOM], [ZOOM RESUME], [ZOOM SPEED] and [ZOOM RING*])
  • Full area enlargement of AF area setting
  • Improvement in the speed of consecutive shooting when shot with auto bracket
  • Increased number of recordable images in consecutive shooting
  • [EX.TELE CONV. (Extra Tele Conversion)] can be set ON/OFF separately in photo or video recording
  • More accurate light adjustment of built-in flash
  • Improvement in the AF performance in video recording
  • Synchronization of alarm volume for low battery with [BEEP VOLUME]
  • New [HALF-PRESS RELEASE] function
  • Improved NR(Noise Reduction) in high sensitivity shooting
  • ON/OFF control of the touch-screen
For PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.0 BD Edition
  • Compatible with new video mode added with the GH2 firmware update mentioned above
*Available with LUMIX G X VARIO PZ 45-175mm / F4.0-5.6 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. only.
Click to expand...
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/11110715panasonicgh2fw.asp
 
New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate (24Mbps)
Click to expand...

Can anybody explain what this means? I'm guessing it refers to the software in photofun. Which I have never used. Doesn't the gh2 already have a 24mbit mode.

I would like to be able to switch between 720 60p while I have my hdmi monitor plugged in. I cant do it now.
 
Oh Good. The improved AF is a nice touch, as is the ETC in stills mode. Best is the improved noise reduction at high ISO.
 
THAT WOULD BE MESSED UP IAN. lol

Can you imagine, anyone that installs the new firmware gets their camera locked up to never be able to accept the hack. Ouch, I imagine that would neot go over to well.

I'm still confused about the 24mbit mode their talking about. Maybe it's in 720 60p mode. who knows? It is cool that their improving the cam because of the non release of a gh3 this year.
 
maranfilms said:
THAT WOULD BE MESSED UP IAN. lol
Click to expand...
LOL...call me skeptical but...I'll wait to install mine until after others make themselves the guinea pig. :-)

But as far as 25p...I believe others have been reporting that it WILL have 25p. It supposedly has something to do with the the "new video mode" they are talking about. It's currently being reported here:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-gh2-firmware-updated-17773

And Vitaliy made a comment earlier:

"Btw, looking at GX1 specs, under "New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate " they mean videos in MP4 container, most probably including 25p. "

So... it's a probability that there will be 25p.
 
Ian-T said:
LOL...call me skeptical but...I'll wait to install mine until after others make themselves the guinea pig. :-)

But as far as 25p...I believe others have been reporting that it WILL have 25p. It supposedly has something to do with the the "new video mode" they are talking about. It's currently being reported here:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-gh2-firmware-updated-17773

And Vitaliy made a comment earlier:

"Btw, looking at GX1 specs, under "New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate " they mean videos in MP4 container, most probably including 25p. "

So... it's a probability that there will be 25p.
Click to expand...
OH yeah .mp4! thats a really probable idea and i would welcome that one.

if panasonic updates it with 25p, I would be suprised.
Now if only panasonic implements 24p & 25p on ALL their cameras. Its such a small inconsequential thing to do!
also i might add another the 'constant preview' mode of GH2 should be in all their cameras too.
 
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So what do you think the new mystery "editable" movie mode will be?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/11110715panasonicgh2fw.asp
1. 1080p @ 60 FPS
2. 720p @ 60 FPS with I, P, and B frames
3. 1080p @ 24 FPS with a color profile that is easily grade-able
4. 1080p @ 24 FPS with I frames only
5. 1080p @ 25 FPS
6. New MP4 format(perhaps with 25p)

24 mb/sec just wouldn't be enough for I frames only. You wouldn't select 720p @ 60 FPS if you really were serious about video editing. Therefore, it must be a new color profile that is easily grade-able.

The High End AF100 has more color profiles and many more options. They must have just ported one of those color profiles over to the GH2.
 
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mpgxsvcd said:
So what do you think the new mystery "editable" movie mode will be?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/11110715panasonicgh2fw.asp
1. 1080p @ 60 FPS
2. 720p @ 60 FPS with I, P, and B frames
3. 1080p @ 24 FPS with a color profile that is easily grade-able
4. 1080p @ 24 FPS with I frames only
5. 1080p @ 25 FPS


24 mb/sec just wouldn't be enough for I frames only. You wouldn't select 720p @ 60 FPS if you really were serious about video editing. Therefore, it must be a new color profile that is easily grade-able.

The High End AF100 has more color profiles and many more options. They must have just ported one of those color profiles over to the GH2.
Click to expand...
like what ian_t said and suggested, .mp4.. thats my vote and it makes much more sense
1-4 is highly improbable knowing panasonic.
5. slim chance but its more possible
 
Thanks for the news, waiting for..

Ian-T said:
LOL...call me skeptical but...I'll wait to install mine until after others make themselves the guinea pig. :-)

But as far as 25p...I believe others have been reporting that it WILL have 25p. It supposedly has something to do with the the "new video mode" they are talking about. It's currently being reported here:
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-gh2-firmware-updated-17773

And Vitaliy made a comment earlier:

"Btw, looking at GX1 specs, under "New video mode which is suitable for editing video recorded at high bit rate " they mean videos in MP4 container, most probably including 25p. "

So... it's a probability that there will be 25p.
Click to expand...
 
"Increased number of recordable images in consecutive shooting"

Increased to what number? Is this from the current 40fps burst mode?
 
"[EX.TELE CONV. (Extra Tele Conversion)] can be set ON/OFF separately in photo or video recording"
Maybe it's just my wishful thinking but does this really sound like I'll be able to set the tele conversion to on and off while recording? I mean it would be awesome to go from a wide shot to a close up shot in an instant.
 
I know its on the other side of the function spectrum and likely 99% of you don't use or will ever need it, but I hoped for the removal of the 2 minute ceiling on bulb mode - was sad when I discovered it three weeks ago playing around with long exposures. :cry:
 
mpgxsvcd said:
So what do you think the new mystery "editable" movie mode will be?

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1111/11110715panasonicgh2fw.asp
1. 1080p @ 60 FPS
2. 720p @ 60 FPS with I, P, and B frames
3. 1080p @ 24 FPS with a color profile that is easily grade-able
4. 1080p @ 24 FPS with I frames only
5. 1080p @ 25 FPS
6. New MP4 format(perhaps with 25p)

24 mb/sec just wouldn't be enough for I frames only. You wouldn't select 720p @ 60 FPS if you really were serious about video editing. Therefore, it must be a new color profile that is easily grade-able.

The High End AF100 has more color profiles and many more options. They must have just ported one of those color profiles over to the GH2.
Click to expand...

I can't speculate on the new mystery movie mode but hope for 1080p @ 60, or even 30 FPS. But please explain why I wouldn't select 720p @ 60 FPS if I was serious about video editing. 720p 60 is my preferred GH2 format for fast movement and I'm now going through the tedious process of evaluating video editing software to find a preferred editor (after about 3-4 weeks of evaluation, Power Director is slightly ahead and it seems to handle 720p 60 fine) and only a few days left in my trial periods.
 
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New high quality data rate of ... still 24Mbps. Huh. Sure glad they issued a press release for a couple bug fixes...
 
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