@lolo Yes, that thread does seem more appropriate. I will post there instead so that the focus can be specifically on the low GOP tests in this thread. Hopefully I didn't derail it too much.

@JDN thanks... the videos seem to playback fine if i upload them straight to vimeo... but I did actually order the SD card from Adorama and it still is giving me trouble... maybe I should try the 30 mb kind, but I don't understand why a faster version would pose issues. anyways - I probably need to upgrade my comp too, but it's the playback on the camera which is super choppy to the point of not playing back sometimes, which I don't understand.

@strang3r1 and others with card problems, please note that you may have playback problems with these high bit rate patches on everything except the fastest computers -- I even get problems in VLC off a brand new macbook air from a SSD (never a problem in MplayerX though, so if you are on a mac, download that and your set). If you can, import it into any NLE first.

As for cards, my best experience has been with the Sandisk Extreme III cards (30 mb trasfer with a little "I" beside the SDHC logo). Also, an authorized dealer does not mean a legit supply chain -- that authorized dealer could have got duped. In North America, I only buy from Adorama, AbelCine, B&H, Henry's and Vistek -- I'm sure there are others that could be included, but you gotta pick a company with an established reputation. Paying $10 or $20 more is worth the piece of mind.

Sorry, to hear of your troubles though, hope it is just a playback issue.

@smsjr thank you!! ,
but would you mind upload your test on this thread http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1030/gh2-versus-arri-alexa-and-f3-real-world-testing#Item_41 instead of this, so we can keep a track on every gh2 v/s high end camera test
please :)
and thank you again, it should be enlightening
:D

@Ralph_B Already done that. This is just a fun little test to stress out the camera. Actually did one last night too under streetlight. Perry mentioned the Leo shot with MX and that seemed like a good low light test with GH2. This will be torture as I'll be doing a dolly move with very little light wide open on the lens. Always good to challenge yourself. :-)

man now I feel like I should reshoot my thing... want to replicate it

@perrywilson Once I finish and upload, let's compare. It will be interesting.

First of all, I really see no reason to compare with the RED MX. The RED MX is great and a better tool with MUCH better control.
But, if you want to do it for shits and giggles.... hehehe, why not. Of course, don't shoot at 4K and downscale to match. You are shooting 2k?

Second of all, I FULLY respect Chris and everything he has done here, simply amazing to say the least.

I have to agree with Ralph, and I've seen it myself, the GH2 NR is not the best.. that's for sure.
Remember there's only ONE knob, turn it up or down. This is not a serious tool for correct noise reduction.

And of course Chris is right if the NR is applied ahead of AVCHD compression, which it SHOULD be.
The concept is by using NR under noisy conditions, this will allow less bandwidth to be stolen for encoding noise.
But, the problem resides in the quality of NR reducing the overall image quality, so it's give and take.
Chris can still stand firm here since we need one-for-one comparisons with internal NR verses corrected NR in post. I have not done this test side-by-side, but just adjusting noise reduction in post is so much better due to the hack's higher bandwidth allowing finer natural noise. The post NR can make a better model for corrrection.

NR should be left in post with higher end solutions, pixel farm, Neat Video, etc...
Please leave it NR at -2 AND definately turn DOWN sharpness to -2 !
Just take a gander at the thread here on sharpness. Remember, sharpness does not add real detail. It enhances edge contrast creating horrible halos that make the image look fucking harsh.

@smsjr if you would like I can show you mine :P

Thanks for your answer driftwood! I will give the other cards a try.

Why NR -2?

Your going to be at a high ISO, so NR should at least be at 0. See @cbrandin 's thread on Hack Myths and Realities.

Sharpness should be -2.

Make sure to white balance properly :-p (like I need to say that, but you'd be surprised at how often people fail to white balance appropriately).

I can't get ANY of the patches to work for me... I've tried so many, they all are in slow motion esque... it's obviously not working right... im using sandisk 32gb 45 mb/s extreme pro card... im so pissed

Im not a technical tester, I have no clue how to do all the amazing shit these creators and testers do... Im a real world cinema tester, just finished shooting a film on it last sunday and Ill quote myself on what I told someone else "Lets put it this way... In gop1 I have shot spanning clips lasting 6mins, I have shot in the pitch black lighting a cigar like the Leo clip from the red MX with perfect results using only a match, I have shot "death trees" and last Sunday I shot a film all day in overcast skies in a field with weeds chest high in 30mph winds shit flying everywhere grass, plants, trees, my actress's hair you name it all in the same frame. EVERYTHING that people complain about, and claim that make the camera crash, and not one single solitary hiccup. This camera in this patch WILL change your business as it has mine... Best of all you can pick up over 50 of them for the price of that epic. Don't get me wrong RED has there place, but there exclusivity and superiority is quickly fading" and it was all shot on Sandisk Extreme Pro 45