Ptool for beginners / Ptool FAQ

It hugely goes away, with the modified compression. The GH1 was prone to that banding because it helps the compression efficiency greatly. But because the new codec is so much better, it doesn't have to resort to that kind of banding.

You may still see some due to the 8-bit nature, but nowhere near as much as used to happen with an unmodified GH1.
 
I'm eager to apply this to my GH1 however, let's just say Panasonic incorporates some of these changes into an official firmware update, or lets say they have been working on a big one for the past few months, how will future official updates work with customized GH1s?
 
Odd - if it's that easy a consumer can update the firmware, then why couldn't Panasonic launch it like this off the bat? They would've trounced the Mark 2/7D much more. Only thing I can think of is that this firmware should be meant for CF cards and Panny didn't want people buying their cameras wondering why their 20 dollar class 2 card from Ritz doesn't work.
 
Barry_Green said:
It hugely goes away, with the modified compression. The GH1 was prone to that banding because it helps the compression efficiency greatly. But because the new codec is so much better, it doesn't have to resort to that kind of banding.

You may still see some due to the 8-bit nature, but nowhere near as much as used to happen with an unmodified GH1.
Click to expand...


I'm in the process of uploading an example of what I'm talking about and how it is still apparent with the modified firmware, but I noticed jobless already stated it here:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?p=2012634#post2012634

I'll update in a second with links.
 
Searched but couldn't find it. For a high bit-rate 720p Mpeg file (e.g. 80mbit), how does the file size compare to AVCHD, for the same clip length (let's say 10 secs)?

I would try it myself, but I am currently in Indonesia with slow internet.
 
Barry_Green said:
Modifying the audio bitrate causes the clips to not play back in-camera.

You can modify the video bitrate all you want, and you can choose native 24p/25p, and the clips will still play back. But if you change the audio bitrate, they won't play back anymore.
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thx....my memory was right....
 
I modified my GF1 firmware and the results have been great using the Panasonic 14-140 HD lens. I'm averaging 30-32 mbits/s. However, with the Panasonic 20mm 1.7 lens I'm averaging around 20 to 21 mbits/s. Can a lens do this?
 
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Well how much of it is out of focus? The more of it that is out of focus the easier it is on the codec I believe.
 
I didn't want to clutter the other threads, but does anyone know of an accurate way of measuring the bitrate of .mts files on the mac? I am using toast video player and the bitrate seems low on 'c' settings (in the 15-24 mpbs ballpark), although it's possible that this is just because it's low light conditions right now. I'm just wondering if this has been found to be accurate or if there are some better measuring tools.
 
Kellar42 said:
I didn't want to clutter the other threads, but does anyone know of an accurate way of measuring the bitrate of .mts files on the mac? I am using toast video player and the bitrate seems low on 'c' settings (in the 15-24 mpbs ballpark), although it's possible that this is just because it's low light conditions right now. I'm just wondering if this has been found to be accurate or if there are some better measuring tools.
Click to expand...

I believe MediaInfo runs on Mac.
It is not very accurate, but sometimes ok.
As for bitrate numbers, just shoot your footage, rather than counting numbers :-)
On very high detailed nature scenes bitrate will be really big.
 
Thanks tester! Don't get me wrong, I liked the GH1 for it's footage without thinking numbers even before the patch, I just wanted a way to verify that I was doing things right with all the new settings :D. I'l checkout mediainfo.
 
A little help to first-timers (like myself)....

A little help to first-timers (like myself)....

Finally got to the bottom of the software update problems. We had lost track of the increment number...was it 2? wait... it was 3...or was it? (at the end it was 4).

Since we noticed that there seems to be no way to be able to see the previous patch changes we duly made an excel spreadsheet with all of Ptool's patch voices (as at v3.36) parameter values, and patch increment number (!).

Feel free to download from http://www.unclegroove.com/gh1/checklist.xls

Best regards from Switzerland...!
 
I was under the impression that it was best to keep the __132 file name even after hacking the firmware, in case Panasonic were to release an official update with the same file name that would have been used for the new hacked fw (__133, __134), etc. That way there would not be an issue loading the new official firmware, and you would not be locked into the hacked firmware. Is that accurate?
 
I have been following this research since April. I'm so glad I didn't sell my GH1 a few months ago for the 5DMark II :) Thank you Tester13 for all the work done so far and thanks to all the testers.

I Just donated $20

Now time to do some test myself.
 
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