GH4 What's wrong with GH4 HDMI out?

S

Sagan

Active member
I bought a Viltrox 5-inch external monitor the other day, to help with framing and focussing with the GH4.

First problem was that the cable supplied was a HDMI to Mini HDMI, but the GH4 only has Micro HDMI out. Undaunted, I bought an adapter and used it to connect to the monitor.

No picture showed up. Got a message, "HDMI no signal". Took the thing back and they tried it on a GH3 and they got a picture.

So, I got a bright light and had a look at the HDMI port. Sure enough two of the pins were bent and were touching. So, I got a watchmaker's lens and tweezers and managed to push them back into place. Tried the monitor but STILL no picture.

Question: can a micro HDMI be short-circuited if any pins get damaged?
 
Contact Panasonic Support...........if they cant help you on the phone you'll probably need to send it in for repairs.
 
Try to change the recording mode to 50 fps or 60 fps.

My friend has the same problem. His GH4 doesn't give the monitor a signal at 24 fps, but it does at 50 fps...

The GH3 has no problem with the same monitor at any framerate....
 
2 bent pins and mechanically corrected. Of course it's a Panasonic service center shipment that will make it work rather than settings.

But it doesn't hurt to try first of course before sending it out. Change the frame rates whilst connected to all numbers. Change the output resolution back and forth. Change the output colour depth back and forth. Change from 50hz to 60hz to Cinema mode back and forth, all while connected, just to make sure the HDMI pins are simply broken and not sending any signal, which is the most likely situation with what you're describing.

If it's under warranty and not user error (if you haven't used the port before) then it will be covered (I've heard more than a few complaint of people receiving the GH4 with bent HDMI pins), and if it is user error or warranty ended, the repair of the pins shouldn't be too much.

Good luck.
 
Ebrahim Saadawi said:
2 bent pins and mechanically corrected. Of course it's a Panasonic service center shipment that will make it work rather than settings.

But it doesn't hurt to try first of course before sending it out. Change the frame rates whilst connected to all numbers. Change the output resolution back and forth. Change the output colour depth back and forth. Change from 50hz to 60hz to Cinema mode back and forth, all while connected, just to make sure the HDMI pins are simply broken and not sending any signal, which is the most likely situation with what you're describing.
Click to expand...

Yes, I would like to avoid being without the camera for too long, if I can help it. Also, it's four months out of warranty, so I don't like my chances of getting it fixed without paying big bucks. I have tried changing settings, but not as thoroughly as you describe. The only thing is, I don't think I can change the HDMI output settings to that extent, without also changing what's recorded internally. More reading required, I think.

If it's under warranty and not user error (if you haven't used the port before) then it will be covered (I've heard more than a few complaint of people receiving the GH4 with bent HDMI pins), and if it is user error or warranty ended, the repair of the pins shouldn't be too much.
Click to expand...


Yes, I've read numerous complaints along the same lines, too. I expect some of them might have resulted from the same problem, namely, trying to insert a micro USB plug into the micro HDMI socket. The two are very similar.

According to Panasonic, the repair of the HDMI socket involves changing the whole circuit board for that component. They don't just solder in a new socket.

If it can't be fixed without the expense, I'll just have to do without it. Fortunately, its function isn't essential to the operation of the camera.
 
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Stab said:
Try to change the recording mode to 50 fps or 60 fps.

My friend has the same problem. His GH4 doesn't give the monitor a signal at 24 fps, but it does at 50 fps...

The GH3 has no problem with the same monitor at any framerate....
Click to expand...

I've tried different frame rates, and different modes. Nothing works.
 
Try getting a gold cable micro cdmi to full size HDMI - I used the pearstone ones and suddenly had a reliable signal from GH4 to external monitor for the first time in ages.
 
Stab said:
Ok and have you turned 'Vierra link' off in the menu? It's also important.
If that doesn't fix it, then I have no idea anymore...
Click to expand...

Yes, I think Vierra is off by default. In any case, I have tried doing it with that function off and on.
 
nobbystylus said:
Try getting a gold cable micro cdmi to full size HDMI - I used the pearstone ones and suddenly had a reliable signal from GH4 to external monitor for the first time in ages.
Click to expand...

The Micro to full-size cable that I bought is gold-plated, as is the adapter I previously bought.

I'm beginning to think I have no choice but to send the camera to Panasonic. Trouble is, with all the feedback I've received from here and elsewhere, I think the only thing that'll be fixed is the bent pins. I highly doubt that the GH4 can work with that monitor under any settings.

Might give up on the idea of an external monitor at all. Too frustrating.
 
Also, in case you haven't tried it, try plugging it into an HDTV, so that you know it's not the monitor.
 
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