GH4 Sigh. Disappearing screen info is here to stay.

At least the vu meters should be on permanently - monitoring audio with a constant flick is a pain. The rest I can live without but should've been upgraded from the GH3.
 
Jaime Valles said:
Does anyone know if the info overlays disappear on an external HDMI monitor?
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It does with the GH3, so it might be the same with the GH4.

It's obvious that Panasonic is doing this to protect the OLED displays, but I wish they had been more upfront about it, rather than leaving us to try and guess what the heck is going on.

I have mixed feelings on the OLED screens, it's nice to have great color from these displays, but a bit of a pain when you can't see the camera information all the time.
 
Jim Simon said:
This is indeed disappointing. That disappearing display is a deal-breaker.
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Im not sure it's a deal breaker for me, but I would gladly give up OLED to have it back. Coupled this display annoyance with that monstrous atrocity beneath the camera, the GH4 is no longer an automatic upgrade for me.
 
Ianscreations said:
Coupled this display annoyance with that monstrous atrocity beneath the camera, the GH4 is no longer an automatic upgrade for me.
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So you have to touch the OLED display or one of the camera controls to get the info back. Yes it's a pain, but certainly no deal-breaker for me.

As for the mighty "Breakout Brick", you don't have to shoot with it, so it's an option that you can use when everything is bolted to the top of a sturdy tripod. I imagine that the "Brick" might become a popular rental item, for those of us that won't need 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 all the time.
 
Unbelievable!

Panasonic know that people are crying out about this disappearing info on the GH3 so it is unforgivable that it is a 'feature' of the GH4. Show me one professional that doesn't mind the info disappearing.

On a camera targeted at video professionals, panasonic should have implemented a screen that can have info permanently on.
 
I don't see why they couldn't implement a scrolling/ticker-tape function so that the info doesn't burn into the screen but is still displayed.
 
vtwiz said:
On a camera targeted at video professionals, panasonic should have implemented a screen that can have info permanently on.
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A sub-$2k camera is absolutely not targeted at professionals.

Professionals may use it and it may be a viable tool for their work, but they should understand that it comes with the compromises and limitations of a sub-$2k camera.

If you want a camera from Panasonic that is targeted toward pros, then point yourself toward the Varicam 35. If the display turns off and requires you to tap a button whenever you need to see the screen details, then​ you can complain.
 
Jive said:
A sub-$2k camera is absolutely not targeted at professionals.


Professionals may use it and it may be a viable tool for their work, but they should understand that it comes with the compromises and limitations of a sub-$2k camera.


If you want a camera from Panasonic that is targeted toward pros, then point yourself toward the Varicam 35. If the display turns off and requires you to tap a button whenever you need to see the screen details, then​ you can complain.
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Sorry, but using price to base who a camera is targeted at is so last decade.

SMPTE Timecode, zebras, internal bars and 1khz tone, cinema 4k as well as QFHD, master pedestal adjustment, the option of 3G-SDI outputs, XLR inputs, TC input among other features are things that non professionals wouldn't know what to do with.

Check this site out : http://www.videocraft.com.au/blog/?p=622

They are one of Australia's biggest broadcast sales/rental, post production and Outside Broadcast equipment providers. They seem happy that the GH4 is targeted at professionals.

using a screen that does not permit the info to stay on longer than 30" is unacceptable. Saying that professionals should understand the limitations of a sub $2k camera is ridiculous. My wife's $300 Sony point and shoot has a great screen and the info is always on. I don't know of ANY other non Panasonic camera at ANY price point that has this ridiculous 'feature'.

Panasonic, major fail and a disgrace that you have not listened to the main complaints of many users.
 
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vtwiz said:
Sorry, but using price to base who a camera is targeted at is so last decade.
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Really? What's changed? The simple fact is that budget still dictates what equipment can be purchased and manufacturers (such as Panasonic) target those budgets with their various offerings. In other words, targeting a specific audience (i.e. budget level) based on price.

Also, it's great to hear vendors refer to a product they want to sell as "professional". At the same time, we have a Panasonic Product Manager (who might know a thing or two about who the camera is targeting) referring specifically to the GH4 as "a consumer camera".

https://vimeo.com/87971991
 
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I look forward to seeing consumers and 'soccer mums' connecting their camera up using 3G SDI and feeding timecode into it.
 
Jive said:
Really? What's changed? The simple fact is that budget still dictates what equipment can be purchased and manufacturers (such as Panasonic) target those budgets with their various offerings. In other words, targeting a specific audience (i.e. budget level) based on price.

Also, it's great to hear vendors refer to a product they want to sell as "professional". At the same time, we have a Panasonic Product Manager (who might know a thing or two about who the camera is targeting) referring specifically to the GH4 as "a consumer camera".

https://vimeo.com/87971991
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Plenty has changed. Technology getting cheaper, budgets getting lower. I've worked in the film/broadcast industry for over twenty years. In that time, I've seen budgets for most productions slashed heavily. In this digital age there is more content being made but not necessarily more money going around. There are plenty of small budget productions both in film and broadcast and just because they have lower budgets, does not mean they are any less professional. Now a camera like the GH4 with its low price can allow productions to use more if their budgets on talented artists rather than expensive equipment. Put the GH4 into the hands of a great DP and I guarantee you will get better images than an average DP with a RED or even an Alexa. Technology and times are a changing.

BTW, the article I linked to was a Panasonic sales article. They seem to be targeting the camera at professionals but your video may contradict that. Two different opinions from the same company.

either way, the GH4 feature set would suggest it is definately targeted at video professionals. 3G-SDI and TC input are of no value to consumers.
 
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TheDingo said:
So you have to touch the OLED display or one of the camera controls to get the info back. Yes it's a pain, but certainly no deal-breaker for me.

As for the mighty "Breakout Brick", you don't have to shoot with it, so it's an option that you can use when everything is bolted to the top of a sturdy tripod. I imagine that the "Brick" might become a popular rental item, for those of us that won't need 4K 10-bit 4:2:2 all the time.
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For me, it's not simple or acceptable solution to just 'touch' the display to get important info back. About every 30-60 seconds, you have to do this. Which means in addition to hovering over your camera like a hawk you also risk accidentally manipulating your shot almost 50 times in a 30 minute take :

My only point is that yes, I can work with this. I do it all the time with my GH3. But since the next generation failed to correct this universal complaint and also incorporated a semi truck in order to fulfill XLR and full 4K, I will be considering other options that may address these features in more practical ways.
 
In the Driftwood interview with Panasonic's Mark Baber, Mark states (at 19:06) that the screen info will dim from white to gray and then disappear after 5 minutes during video recordings...

https://vimeo.com/87971991

He also mentions it disappearing after 1 minute - maybe this is in standby mode?...
 
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