GH4 Scary gh4 crash during long take

[estarkey7]

I would try to do a full format in a PC. Not a quick format, but a full format. It is really best practice to do formats over doing deletes as this this does a bit of housekeeping.

 

[estarkey7]

I think it was actually a result of detailed codec breaking texture. It was outside with lots of trees + grass, water in the background. Windy day. Sharp lens stopped down with shutter speed high. So all the ingredients for a codec to have a rough time. I just thought that they would be designed to be bullet proof pretty much. I expect that kind of thing out of third party hacks, but not stock codecs. I can't garauntee I won't run into that scenario again, so it does make me nervous.

Also, all of the ingredients for that variable bit rate codec to get maxed out. If the camera had a card that was heavily fragmented, that would give it a fit for sure.

 

[dv416]

Two questions:

1. Is there a way to thoroughly test memory cards for issues? Some 3rd party software?

2. DBP - were you using a Panasonic lens? Or an electronically active-mount lens of any kind?

Lpowell's thought upthread suggested that it could be buffer / encoder issue based on the CPU getting maxed out. Both of my failures were with the 12-35 lens. I'm not sure as to how "manual" or "auto" the settings were, but I'm usually on a fully manual custom profile. Still, just having an electronic lens on in the first place I could see adding to the "load."

Panasonic support got back to me. They recommended a camera reset. Difficult to test since this error is not very repeatable, but can't hurt I guess. Their response below:

Please reset the Camera by doing the following:
1 Put the camera in Playback Mode.
2 Press the menu/set button.
3 Press the left arrow button then down arrow button to highlight the wrench.
4 Press the right arrow button to highlight the setup options then press the down arrow until RESET is highlighted.
5 Once Reset is highlighted press the right arrow you will get the option to reset the Record Settings, highlight yes then
press the menu set button.
6 You will then get the option to reset Setup Parameters, highlight yes then press the menu set button.


If the issue is still the same please try using a different SD Card then see if the same issue occurs.


If the issue is still the same after those procedures, we recommend that you have your Unit looked at for servicing.

 

[Bruce Foreman]

I would try to do a full format in a PC. Not a quick format, but a full format. It is really best practice to do formats over doing deletes as this this does a bit of housekeeping.

Great advice here. Panasonic cameras do not offer a "low level format" option, only the quick format which merely "zero's out" the first couple characters of the filenames in the File Allocation Table - allowing the camera to "re-use" the media space occupied by the file(s). The image or video data is still there and often gets only partially overwritten. This leaves a clutter of "bits 'n pieces" of files on the media, when the clutter builds up enough the card is dramatically slowed down, leading to recording stoppage, corrupt files, and even a totally corrupted media card.

A "low level" format "zero's out" both the FAT and all sectors of the media. Card brands do make a difference, SanDisk will let you get away with the "quick format" for longer than most other brands but will still eventially "choke".

I do the "low level" format of my media (SanDisk is all I use) about every third use. Simply uncheck the "quick format" box and go get a cup of coffee while it formats. If using a MAC use something like the free SDFormatter program, comes in both MAC and Windows versions and is a thorough clean working format utility.

 

[Vesku]

My GH4 makes that battery pull error about every 100-200th clips. A xxx.MDT file is created.

Has anyone ever recovered xxx.MDT file video data?

I will try low level card formatting.