Ptool for beginners / Ptool FAQ

[shamhead]

Otherwise the firmware does not get updated? Even though it appears to be loading onto the camera?

 

[tikigod19]

what a mind field...

where can I download the most recent version of PTool? The post at the start of this thread is still saying ptool3d.zip is most recent is this correct?

Where can I get the settings for the 'high reliability patch' by ipowell?

Do i need to just enter these values in the software or do I need an actual file?

40Mbps AVCHD High Reliability Patch:

Patches for End Users
. Wrapper
.. Native 24p/25p: unchecked
. AVCHD Compression
.. Video Bitrate FHD/SH: 41000000
.. Video Bitrate H: 24000000
.. Video Bitrate L: 16000000
.. Overall Bitrate: 43000000
. AVCHD GOP Length: unchanged

 

[skenti]

Hello,
To Vitaly or anyone who thinks they can be of help. I am one of the "stupid" ones who did not do his research before purchasing a GH1. The camera I purchased is a version 1.34 with a WEOG serial. I have not been able to hack it. Any pointers? Is a hack in the works? Is there any place where I can donate to the cause towards a hack? Also, can anyone tell me if there is a hack or any way to increase the MB bit rate/sec on the LUMIX FZ 100? Is it possible? Please help!! I am desperate for answers and guidance. Thanks.

 

[meinyvr]

under avchd compression it says YOU MUST HAVE TWO PATCHES to have any effect.

What 2 patches?? I have the ptool firmware that i loaded onto the gh1. what is the second patch?

 

[RyanMaderic]

I have done a lot or research for setting up Ptool into my Gh1 but I dont think I am seeing the results for higher mbps. I have downloaded Ipowell's Fast Action 3-Frame GOP Patch Settings File and loaded it into ptool no problem. I then take my SDHC card, insert it into the camera, preform a format to wipe the card. Then take out the card, put it in my macbook pro, and copy the .BIN file into the root of the SD card. I put the card into the camera, press the play button, let it change the firmware.

I know I have a hackable body, serial with W9 in it, and after the new firmware is installed, the version number on camera turns to 0.0. Every time, despite my settings and a lot of haggling, Final cut Pro 7 always lists the Mbps as appox. 17 for avchd and 7 for MJPEG.

I have gone over the "how to" for Ptool, and read a lot of posts in other areas, but I dont know what I am doing wrong! I have a shoot this weekend and I would like to have this figured out asap. Thanks a lot for anyone that can help, and thank you DVXuser for making such an amazing site and to those who make the hack a possibility!!!

 

[tikigod19]

I have gone over the "how to" for Ptool, and read a lot of posts in other areas, but I dont know what I am doing wrong! I have a shoot this weekend and I would like to have this figured out asap. Thanks a lot for anyone that can help, and thank you DVXuser for making such an amazing site and to those who make the hack a possibility!!!

i also find it quite difficult to find a simple walkthrough of the hacking process to enable me to feel confident enough to play around with settings and confirm that my hacked GH1 is indeed hacked (by re-hacking it)

I've sort of given up now

 

[Joho]

i also find it quite difficult to find a simple walkthrough of the hacking process to enable me to feel confident enough to play around with settings and confirm that my hacked GH1 is indeed hacked (by re-hacking it)

I think Ryan just gave a good walkthrough of the hacking process in his posting. I would suggest to just use the patches from lpowell and refrain from changing the settings for bitrate and so on. Then it is very simple. Just place Ptool, the 1.32 firmware and the patch in the same folder - open Ptool - load the firmware - click the green button at the bottom that corresponds to your patch and with this click you load the settings of the patch - finally save the firmware under a number that is different from the 1.32 but larger than the firmware you have on your cam - and you are ready to go.

@Ryan - if your firmware version reads 0.0 you have at least successfully installed the new firmware. As far as the bitrate is concerned - this apparently depends on the subject you are filming - in low light and less detailed scenes it stays rather low. I also read that some programmes do not give the correct values for these hacked clips - because they are - non-standard.

 

[Exact]

i also find it quite difficult to find a simple walkthrough of the hacking process to enable me to feel confident enough to play around with settings and confirm that my hacked GH1 is indeed hacked (by re-hacking it)
I've sort of given up now

Have you even got through the update process? You'd know if you have. If not, you need to increase the version number (the minor version) by a few. Maybe add 10 or 12 and try again. The file name is also critical.

 

[tikigod19]

Dave, I haven't gone through the update process myself as I bought it pre-hacked (apparently) but I dont know a way of confirming that. Some have suggested the best way of confirming it is to just rehack it myself but I can't find a walkthrough or guide of exactly how I do that and what settings I use. I've read about a commonly used high reliability patch but dont know if this is just a collection of settings that I type into ptool myself or if it is a firmware file that I download and open within ptool.

 

[RyanMaderic]

Thanks for the reply, that's somewhat reassuring. Can you recommend any programs to check the bitrate and how? I guess FCP 7 isnt giving me the correct vales.

 

[tikigod19]

I think Ryan just gave a good walkthrough of the hacking process in his posting. I would suggest to just use the patches from lpowell and refrain from changing the settings for bitrate and so on. Then it is very simple. Just place Ptool, the 1.32 firmware and the patch in the same folder - open Ptool - load the firmware - click the green button at the bottom that corresponds to your patch and with this click you load the settings of the patch - finally save the firmware under a number that is different from the 1.32 but larger than the firmware you have on your cam - and you are ready to go.

Thank you very much, have only just seen this. I think I now have the confidence to give this a go myself tonight. Exactly what I've been looking for

 

[ngw]

Thanks for the reply, that's somewhat reassuring. Can you recommend any programs to check the bitrate and how? I guess FCP 7 isnt giving me the correct vales.

Download the Mac Version of Media Info
http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download/Mac_OS
Open it on your desktop then open the folder where you have your original mts or mov files stored. Drag one of your video files anywhere on to the media info screen and in a couple moments you will have your answer.

 

[hurloon minotaur]

THis is important:

can someone tell me how logically work the prevent version compare and the version increment, because everywhere in this forum people say different things about use these options without any logic at all, they say only do that do that, without explain why ! I search for 3 hours nothing found ! :kali: !!

Thank You

 

[RyanMaderic]

Download the Mac Version of Media Info
http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en/Download/Mac_OS
Open it on your desktop then open the folder where you have your original mts or mov files stored. Drag one of your video files anywhere on to the media info screen and in a couple moments you will have your answer.

Thanks a lot for the link, the program is simple and shows the results of both my GH1 and HMC150. Turns out the hack is working wonderfully! rogar-Happy(DBG):

 

[savagess]

Guys,
Been using the hack for a while and been great. Used MJpeg and 6 min file turned out to be over a Gig in size. Stupid me, I've lost the settings I used. Is there a way to find out what setting I did use?

 

[mungbean]

i got a japanese set gh-1, after firmware update to official version of V1.3, these is no longer language option for me to set it to English. everthing now is in japanese! what should i do now? can ptool resolve this issue? need some advise. thank you.

I just changed mine from japanese. Did you tick/check the interface box when you set up your ptool patches from your p.c?

 

[Boyzo]

Newby Question
I have hacked my GF1 many times with various settings .. but ....
WHERE are the menu items to choose the new video settings .. are there any new menu entry's with the Hack

 

[Tetsuo]

Hi everyone, I have run into a slight problem installing the hack. I bought a hackable japanese GH1 over the internet, and the seller offered to install the custom firmware so that I could read the menus. I agreed, but he seems to have left the video settings untouched, so I just tried to install Ptool myself witht the reliability patch. However, nothing happens when I turn on the camera and press playback. I also tried installing the official 1.32 firmware, but again, nothing happens. Is there something I have overlooked? The in-camera menu just says firmware 1.3.

Edit: Problem solved. I just had to set the value to 134 instead of 133 in version increment.

 

[Soupturkey]

I'm having trouble getting my Lumix G2 to recognize the firmware file. I am trying to get English Menus on my Japanese version.
1) I used the camera to format my SD card.
2) The battery is full.
3) I used Ptool and set the version increment to 1.11 (Camera has 1.10) I've also tried 1.12, 1.13, 1.20.
4)I've tried having the version increment option turned off and on. I've tried with "Prevent version compare" on and off.
5) The firmware I am using to modify I got from Panasonic is straight from their website and is version 1.10. The camera will not recognize the firmware when I go into Playback mode. Anyone have any idea what I can do?
6) I've tried the original firmware with just the "Prevent version compare" on and it did not work.

I think Panasonic has released a secret firmware for G2 that prevents hacked firmware.

Edit: Just confirmed that Panasonic has put a secret firmware on the G2. I am looking at my Camera Info screen that I got to from Temporary Service mode. It says version is 1.12:0000. Looks like no English menus for me.

 

[Prophetmatt]

Hi all, I need a little help. I'm only averaging 13-17 on my clips. Some clips are in the 20's. In the video below, the clips go from my highest mbps rate to lowest starting with 31.9 as an average all the way down to 12.9.

Exposure plays a large factor? Detail of the scene?

Help me out!

Thanks. I've been shooting in avchd. In mjpeg i get great numbers.