GH2 hack - where in menu do I switch between PAL and NTSC?

paralion — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:23:15 +0000

So maybe I am just dumb, but i cant find a menu entry to switch between PAL and NTSC after I hacked it...
Can anybody tell my where I find this in the menu?

thanks a lot,
paralion

The Zero Adverse affects hack thread

mpgxsvcd — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:11:56 +0000

Edit: I have added the key to the table below. Are the differences apparent now that you know what settings were used for each picture?

This thread is dedicated to talk about the highest bit rate hack with no adverse affects. To qualify for this the hack must not cause any perceived quality loss at the beginning of the files. It also must be completely stable with all Class 10 memory cards.

So far the highest settings that I have been able to get to achieve this are setting the Video Bit rate FSH/SH and 24H to 32000000. No other changes are made to the settings.

I have settled on an extra two changes that also enable class 6 cards to work with the hack. That entails setting the Video Bitrate FH/H and 24L to 25000000. These extra settings allow you to switch to 1080p,1080i, or 720p Low and record stable video with Class 6 cards like the Eye-Fi wireless card.

I have also attached several images that demonstrate the differences between recording at the standard firmware bit rates and the hacked firmware bit rates. I have included samples from the default firmware, the 32 mb/sec settings, the 42 mb/sec settings, the 42 mb/sec 3 and 6 GOP settings, the standard bit rate MJPEG, and 166+ mb/sec MJPEG settings.

I have named each of the files with a number 1 through 20. There are 1080p @ 24 FPS, 1080i, and 720p High samples from each of the settings listed above. There are also samples from the low settings for each format from the default firmware and the default firmware with 1080p 3 GOP and 6 GOP for 720p and 1080i settings.

The question is can you determine what settings were used with each one of these pictures?

Just copy the list below and put the picture numbers 1 through 20 beside each entry you think is correct. I will post the sample videos to vimeo and post the stream parser grabs if someone can correctly identify each one of the pictures.

Default 1080p High = 3
Default 1080p Low = 2
Default 720p High = 20
Default 720p Low = 18
Default 1080i High = 11
Default 1080i Low = 7
32 mb/sec 1080p High = 4
32 mb/sec 720p High = 15
32 mb/sec 1080i High = 8
42 mb/sec 1080p High = 1
42 mb/sec 720p High = 14
42 mb/sec 1080i High = 9
3 GOP 42 mb/sec 1080p High = 5
3 GOP Default 1080p Low = 6
6 GOP 42 mb/sec 720p High = 13
6 GOP Default 720p Low = 17
6 GOP 42 mb/sec 1080i High = 10
6 GOP Default 1080i Low = 12
Default 720p MJPEG = 16
166+ mb/sec MJPEG = 19

I have included the 4 settings files for these tests. Each sample was recorded with the GH2 on a tripod with constant video light illuminating the subject. The lens was a manual focus 55mm F1.2 Canon FD lens. The focus and aperture were not changed at all between shots. I simply pulled the memory card out and replaced it with the new firmware. I was able to apply the new firmware even with the manual focus lens on the camera.

The ISO was fixed at ISO 3200 because my other testing has shown that the bit rate of the video is directly related to ISO of the video. The shutter speed was 1/800 of a second.

The 1080i samples have distinct interlaced artifacts because VLC does a progressive scan screen capture without applying deinterlacing. If anyone knows how to take a deinterlaced screen cap with VLC I would love to know about how to do it.

What is going on with the "blip"

cbrandin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:01:36 +0000

I have been doing a deep dive into the GH2 quantization process. While investigating that I think I figured out what the "blip" that happens in the beginning of streams is. First of all, it happens with an unhacked GH2 as well - it's just not as visible. When a stream starts the codec starts with default quantization values - which are never optimal. As the first GOP progresses the codec is making adjustments to optimize the quantization process. Of course, not much optimization happens in the first GOP because the first I frame (which is used as a reference for the following P and B frames) is not very good. By the time the second I frame has passed things are much better, but still not optimal. By the time the third I frame passes things are better still. From my measurements things are typically optimal by the 34th (in 24H mode) frame. The 34th frame uses the 36th frame (the third I frame) as a reference, so that makes sense.

At the beginning quantization values for frames vary widely, from a minimum (best quality) of 18 up to 51 (worst quality). By the time the 34th frame has passed the codec settles into a pattern where all P and B frames use a quantization value of around 20 (an entire P or B frame uses a single quantization value). I frames typically use a range of 5 quantization values; it is usually in the range of 18-22. The absolute values can vary one or two values, but the pattern is consistent. For example, for highly detailed scenes I frames range from 18-22 and P and B frames are at 20. For lower detailed scenes those values may go to 19-23 for I frames and 21 or 22 for P and B frames.

Dark scenes seem to cause the quantization values to be low. Currently, the lowest quantization value I've seen is 18 in I frames and 20 in P and B frames. This is true with both hacked and unhacked cameras. Currently, Vitaliy and I are working on trying to lower that. It's not as simple as we had hoped so it may take a while.

The conclusion I have come to is that it might not be possible to eliminate the "blip" because that is when the codec in configuring itself. Note that the blip exists in an unhacked GH2 as well, though not as visible. I think Panasonic made the choice to at least record something, even though the codec isn't really ready yet. I think it was a good decision.

Chris

GH2 PAL and NTSC versions

blues — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 22:01:04 +0000

if i understood it right...... if i got the pal gh2 instead of a ntsc version ,all i need to do is to download the new ptool; and check the pal>ntsc and I am ready to rock and roll? meaning that all the 1080/50i becomes 1080/60i or 25p becomes 24p? pls explain

Streamparser with wine on Mac

bartolomeo — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 02:25:48 +0000

Did anyone manage to install streamparser on Mac?
thanks

Does hacking with ptool permanently alter my GH2?

jimtreats — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:51:58 +0000

Hi.

I know that the first post of the main topic is linked to to describe how to actually apply the ptool patch to your GH2 camera. But the one thing I can't quite figure out is whether the current hacking permanently alters our cameras or does it only apply the patch whenever we boot the camera with the file on the SDCARD. I'm used to hacking my 550d in which the camera boots into the hacked firmware whenever the hack is on the SDCARD. This is good as you can always get back to the stock camera, but a bit of a pain as you have to ensure the hack is present on all cards, and you can not format this card without reapplying the firmware hack files to it.

So does ptool hack the camera permanently? If so can we revert to stock firmware?

Finally, I'm sure I saw some mention of a mac version of ptool before the hack for the GH2 was released, now i see that the windows version is recommended to be used instead, is the mac version just not an option right now?

Cheers, I'm just excited to try the hack at some point in the near future but I would just like to know exactly what i'm doing before i contemplate doing so.

Awesome work, and I really start to like this forum for all the other informative posts, not just the incredible hacking progress.

PTool 3.60d topic

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:24:18 +0000

PTool v3.60d released

https://www.personal-view.com/faqs/gh2-hack/ptool-software

TZ10:
* Initial support with most major patches ported.
* Release not include manual movie modes and PAL<->NTSC patches.

GH2:
* Initial support with many ported patches.
* Some new patches added.
* Bitrate patches are intended for testers only!

* Few minor software bug fixes.

PTool 3.60D: Encoder Setting 1 controls B-Frames

mpgxsvcd — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:30:41 +0000

I have isolated Encoder Setting 1 for 720p and I can unequivocally say that it determines whether the codec uses B frames or not. If you change nothing else and use Encoder Setting 1 = 3 it will use B-Frames. If you use 2 it will not use B-Frames. It also increases the bit rate up to 22 mb/sec to almost 24 mb/sec. Using B-Frames with 720p improves it tremendously. However, stability is an issue. If you record a 1080p @ 24 FPS video first and then record 720p @ 60 FPS stability returns.

I have attached the testing I have done so far and the best stream parser results I have seen. VLC indicates that this is still true 720p @ 60 FPS with B-Frames.

Feel free to use this information as you see fit. I don't need credit. It is not like I am planning on getting a patent on the settings or anything.

PTool 3.56d topic

Vitaliy_Kiselev — Sun, 29 May 2011 12:40:10 +0000

This topic is only about specific PTool version and is dedicated to talks only about new or fixed patches.

You can report your results, best settings for this patches, etc.

Download page:
https://www.personal-view.com/faqs/gh2-hack/ptool-software

Remember that you need to check Version Increment patch(as you use older firmware) and use proper value for this patch (10 will do fine).
It is also good idea to check Prevent Version Compare :-)

Does GH1 hack have option to stop audio auto-gain?

sean90291 — Thu, 26 May 2011 11:13:48 +0000

I know there are some options to increase audio datarates in the hack, but that it is recommended to avoid such options to prevent recording crashes. But is the hack able to simply turn off auto-gain? That seems like it would use less data and increase stability. And also give better sound quality, right?

GH13 GH17 GH23?

stoney — Mon, 30 May 2011 11:57:03 +0000

We do have the codenames, but it's easier to name them by numbers.

Does GH17refer GH1 "Lenin"?

GH23 refers GH2 "Stalin"?

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