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gh2-hack:gh2-hack-faq [2012/03/08 01:19]
balazer
gh2-hack:gh2-hack-faq [2013/04/07 20:46] (current)
balazer
Line 20: Line 20:
   * Microphone gain settings   * Microphone gain settings
 == Known issues and bugs == == Known issues and bugs ==
-    * Using old versions of PTool, when recording video, the LCD will display "Auto" for ISO, no matter the actual ISO setting.  This is just cosmetic. Your actual ISO setting is being used.+    * When recording video, the LCD may display "Auto" for ISO, instead of the actual ISO setting.  This is just cosmetic. Your actual ISO setting is being used.
     * Videos recorded with some high bit rate settings don't play back in the camera.  In some cases, turning the camera off and back on after a playback error will resolve the problem.     * Videos recorded with some high bit rate settings don't play back in the camera.  In some cases, turning the camera off and back on after a playback error will resolve the problem.
-    * If anything unexplained happens after flashing, try resetting the camera. (Menu, Setup, Reset) +    * If anything unexplained happens after flashing, try resetting all of the camera's settings and parameters. (Menu, Setup, Reset) 
-    * There are sporadic reports of a "file number limit exceeded" error message when attempting to record with 64-GB SDXC cards Details are sketchy, but it looks like the problem is fixed by reformatting the card, and avoided by recording a short clip after spanning and before turning the camera off.  We need more information about this problem.+    * Using 64 GB SDXC cards, sometimes when you begin recording video the camera refuses and displays a "file number limit exceeded" error message. The problem is fixed by reformatting the card, and avoided by recording a short clip after spanning and before turning the camera off. 
 +    * A dark horizontal band in your footage can be the consequence of using ISO 1250 or higher and a shutter speed of 1/50 or faster:  [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/693/gh2-showing-fixed-darker-bandstripe-20-pixels-high-across-footage/p1|discussion]] 
 +    * Diagonal "rain" artifacts in decoded footage are caused by some (buggy or strict?) decoders:  [[http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/3804/strange-pulsing-diagonal-pattern-in-gh2-hack-footage/p1|discussion]]
 == Misc. stuff == == Misc. stuff ==
   * It is recommended that you format your memory card in the camera before recording video, especially if you have deleted any files from the memory card, or if you are using high bit rate PTool settings.  Formatting reduces the chances of a memory card write error.   * It is recommended that you format your memory card in the camera before recording video, especially if you have deleted any files from the memory card, or if you are using high bit rate PTool settings.  Formatting reduces the chances of a memory card write error.
 +  * Occasional formatting with the [[https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/|SD Card Association Formatter utility]] is recommended, to increase card performance and reduce the likelihood of write errors and spanning failures.  Use the full erase or full overwrite option.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/685|discussion]]
 == What memory card should I use? == == What memory card should I use? ==
-  * SanDisk Extreme HD Video SDHC 30 MB/s, 16 GB +  * SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC 95 MB/s, 32 GB
-  * SanDisk Extreme HD Video SDHC 30 MB/s, 32 GB+
   * SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC 95 MB/s, 64 GB   * SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC 95 MB/s, 64 GB
  
-  * The above cards have proven to be reliable, consistent from card to card, and fast enough for even the most extreme high bit rate PTool settings.  Other cards will work at lower bit rates, but they will hardly be worth your trouble to figure that out.  Please just buy one of the above SanDisk cards.  The 32 GB card, in particular, is a great value.  Most PTool settings are designed for these cards.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/90/sandisk-extreme-sdhc-cards|discussion]] +  * The above cards have proven to be reliable, consistent from card to card, and fast enough for even the most extreme high bit rate PTool settings.  Other cards will work at lower bit rates, but they will hardly be worth your trouble to figure that out.  Please just buy one of the above SanDisk cards.  Most PTool settings are designed for the above cards.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/90/sandisk-extreme-sdhc-cards|discussion]] 
-  * The SanDisk Extreme HD video 30 MB/s cards are apparently being discontinued and replaced with "Extreme HD Videoor just "Extreme" 45 MB/s cards.  Early indications are that the new cards are at least as good as the old cards in the GH2+  * 64 GB SDXC cards are subject to an occasional "file number limit exceedederror.  Please see the Known Issues section
-  * The 95 MB/sec 64 GB SDXC card allows spanning at the highest possible bit rates, whereas the HD Video cards do not. At somewhat lower bit rates, all of the SanDisk Extreme cards will span.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1491/95mbs-sandisk-extreme-pro-spanning-reports-64gig-sdxc|discussion]] +  * The Extreme Pro 95 MB/sec 64 GB SDXC card allows spanning in 24p mode at the highest possible bit rates, whereas the 32 GB Extreme Pro 95 MB/s and other "Extreme" cards do not. At somewhat lower bit rates, all SanDisk Extreme and Extreme Pro cards will span in all modes.  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/1491/95mbs-sandisk-extreme-pro-spanning-reports-64gig-sdxc|discussion]]
-  * 64 GB SDXC cards are subject to an occasional "file limit exceeded" error.  Please see the Known Issues section. +
-  * The SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB 95 MB/sec SHDC card is faster than the HD video cards, but not as fast as the 64 GB 95 MB/s SDXC card.+
   * Buy from a [[http://sandisk.com/sandisk-support/find-a-retailer-us|SanDisk Authorized Reseller]].  Fake memory cards are extremely common on eBay, and even on Amazon it's hard to be sure you're getting what's advertised.   * Buy from a [[http://sandisk.com/sandisk-support/find-a-retailer-us|SanDisk Authorized Reseller]].  Fake memory cards are extremely common on eBay, and even on Amazon it's hard to be sure you're getting what's advertised.
-  * SanDisk Extreme Pro 45 MB/sec cards are not recommended.+  * The SanDisk Extreme Pro 32 GB 95 MB/sec SHDC card is faster than SanDisk "Extreme" cards, but not as fast as the Extreme Pro 64 GB 95 MB/s SDXC card. (with respect to spanning and write errors) 
 +  * SanDisk Extreme HD video 30 MB/s cards are recommended cards, but they have been discontinued and are becoming hard to find.   
 +  * SanDisk "Extreme HD Video" or just "Extreme" 45 MB/s cards have replaced the "Extreme HD video 30 MB/s" cards.  Early indications are that the new 45 MB/s cards perform similarly to the old recommended 30 MB/s cards in the GH2.         
 +  * SanDisk Extreme Pro 45 MB/sec cards are not recommended.  SanDisk Ultra cards are not recommended.
 == How do I use PTool?  How do I flash my camera? == == How do I use PTool?  How do I flash my camera? ==
   * Please see the [[http://www.personal-view.com/faqs/ptool/ptool-faq|PTool FAQ]].   * Please see the [[http://www.personal-view.com/faqs/ptool/ptool-faq|PTool FAQ]].
-  * A few users have reported that new camera bodies wouldn't accept a hacked firmware image.  This problem was solved by increasing the "Version increment" PTool parameter.  Otherwise, it works to flash firmware images in any order: you can go between hacked and unhacked, v1.0e and v1.1.+  * A few users have reported that new camera bodies wouldn't accept a hacked firmware image.  This problem was solved by increasing the "Version increment" PTool parameter.   
 +  * Usually, it works to flash firmware images in any order: you can go between hacked and unhacked, v1.0e and v1.1. 
 +  * If you wish to restore the original Panasonic firmware and the camera won't accept the stock .bin file, just use PTool to create a firmware file with only the default check boxes selected. (see the PTool FAQ for more details)
 == Where can I download settings for PTool? == == Where can I download settings for PTool? ==
-  * Popular tried & tested settings can generally be found in the [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place|settings vault]]. +  * [[http://personal-view.com/talks/categories/hack-top-settings|Top hack settings]].  Start with these.  Settings are described in the first post of each topic. 
-  * Beta settings are new, unproven settings that require testing.  They are found in personal-view [[http://personal-view.com/talks/categories/hacks|discussion]] threads, where you can also report the results of your testing to the settings developers+  * [[http://personal-view.com/talks/categories/hacks|Hacks discussion topics]] 
-== What settings should I use in PTool for the v1.1 firmware? == +  * [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place|Settings vault]] (older settings, mostly) 
-  * Older settings like CBrandin 44M & 66M, Aquamotion v1, and Reaquainted should work the same with the v1.1 firmware image and the v1.0e firmware image, delivering the same quality and stability for all modes except HBR.  See descriptions below. +  * Some settings have been proven reliable, whereas others are experimental and require testing.  You can report the results of your testing to the settings developers in the discussion topics
-  * New settings are being developed and need testing.  Visit the discussion forums to find settings from driftwood, bkmcwd, balazer, lpowell, and others+  * Older settings like CBrandin 44M & 66M, Aquamotion v1, and Reaquainted are designed for the v1.0e firmware image, but they should work the same with the v1.1 firmware image, delivering the same quality and stability for all modes except HBR. 
-== What settings should I use in PTool for the v1.0e firmware? == +== Intra-frame video compression == 
-  * What follows are merely suggestions of settings that have proven to be reliable and give good or excellent video quality.  The state of settings is evolving, and there is not consensus around which settings are best for any particular purpose.  If you are interested in eeking out the last bit of video quality, try some beta settings from the forums, and give feedback to their developers.+  * Most video compression is inter-frame: it exploits similarities between frames so as to achieve better compression efficiencyIntra-frame compression doesn't:  it's less efficient, but has more consistent performanceespecially for high noise and high motion video.  Setting the GOP length to 1 frame means using intra-frame compression 
  
-  * Higher-than-stock quality 1080/24p, 720p, and 1080i:  [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_2|Cbrandin 44M]]: 24H=44 Mbps, 24L=32 Mbps w/ spanning, FSH/SH=32 Mbps, FH/H=24 Mbps +== FAQ Regarding Settings ==
-  * Very high quality Intra 1080/24p and 1080/30p (VMM 80% mode), supports ETC and spanning: [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place/p1#Item_11|Driftwood Aquamotion v1]]: 24H and 24L=88 Mbps, 720/60p=60 Mbps, 720/50p=66 Mbps (effective bit rates, due to frame limits).  Spans with all SanDisk Extreme cards.  Or use a successor, Aquamotion v2 +
-  * Highest possible quality Intra 1080/24p: [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place/p1#Item_13|Driftwood Reaquainted]]: 24H and 24L=146 Mbps (effective bit rate, due to frame limit).  Works with all SanDisk Extreme cards, but spans only with the 64 GB 95 MB/s cards.  Or use a successor, Aquarius, Aquarius v2, Seaquake, Quantum (beta) +
-== Driftwood intra-frame encoder PTool settings == +
-in order of development.  Only the most important releases are shown here. +
-^ effective bit rate (24H and 24L) ^ 66 Mbps      ^ 88 Mbps         ^ 146 Mbps | +
-| SD cards   |most class 10 | SanDisk Extreme | SanDisk Extreme | +
-| spans      |spans         | spans           | w/ 64-GB 95 MB/s only | +
-| vmm80% 30p | yes          | yes             | no | +
-| ETC        | yes          | yes             | maybe | +
-^ simplest & most reliable           |              | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place/p1#Item_11|Aquamotion v1]]   | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place/p1#Item_13|Reaquainted]]   | +
-^ higher bit rate 720p               |              |                 | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_17|Aquarius v2]] | +
-^ new encoder settings               | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_19|SpanMyBitchUp]] | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_19|Aquamotion v2]] | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_19|Seaquake]] | +
-^ AQ=4; 24L=100 Mbps \\ encoder settings mostly changed back \\ much higher bit rate 720p \\ anamorphic MJPEG with new encoder settings |               |                | [[http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/953/gh2-settings-vault-most-popular-patches-in-one-place#Item_23|Quantum (betas)]] |+
  
-== PTool settings bit rates & compression ratios == +**QuestionI want to try a different matrix on such and such a setting?**
-| ^ 24H ^ 24L ^ 720/60p SH ^ 720/60p H ^ 720/50p SH ^ 720/50p H ^ +
-^ Driftwood Reaquainted | 146 Mbps (1:4) | 146 Mbps (1:4) | 50 Mbps (1:13) | 35 Mbps (1:19) | 50 Mbps (1:11) | 35 Mbps (1:16) | +
-^ Driftwood Aquamotion v1 | 87 Mbps (1:7) | 87 Mbps (1:7) | 60 Mbps (1:11) | 60 Mbps (1:11) | 66 Mbps (1:8) | 66 Mbps (1:8) | +
-^ Driftwood Quantum beta 5 | 146 Mbps (1:4) | 100 Mbps (1:6) | 89 Mbps (1:7) | 89 Mbps (1:7) | 79 Mbps (1:7) | 79 Mbps (1:7) | +
  
-== Intra-frame video compression == +**Answer:** Easy, follow these simple steps:- 
-  * Most video compression is inter-frame: it exploits similarities between frames so as to achieve better compression efficiencyIntra-frame compression doesn't:  it's less efficientbut has more consistent performanceespecially for high noise and high motion video.  Setting the GOP length to 1 frame means using intra-frame compression.  + 
 +REMEMBER: PATCHES ARE SELECTABLE SECTIONS IN PTOOLS FOR YOU TO EDIT, SETTINGS ARE WHAT WE INPUT, EDIT & SAVE & AS A COLLECTIVE NAME (like for example 'Orion'). 
 + 
 +  -  Copy the two settings you want to interchange matrices from and to into a fresh ptools folder together with a copy of the firmware v1.11 bin file and ptools itself. Now open the Setting (from A to J buttons) that you want to copy a matrix TO. 
 +   Click down into ptools until you reach the section under 'Patches for Testers/AVCHD Movie Mode/Scaling Tables' 
 +  -  Under 'Scaling Tables' patches uncheck all scaling ipb matrix tables you want to change.  
 +  - Now save this edited setting to a a blank (red coloured) Settings Button labelled A to J at bottom of ptools. (to save: Shift+ click one of these buttons). Notice saving opens up a dialog allowing you to give your setting a name and details (so call it 'no matrix 'setting' or whatever). 
 +  -  Now open up the setting you want to copy the matrix FROM. Notice the scaler tables numbers and that they are ticked for this setting. Now immediately click on the slot you saved your 'no matrix setting' the one without matrices checked!).  
 +  Yes, the scaling tables are unchecked, but if you now checkbox (tick the boxes!) them notice you now have the previously loaded scaling tables patch settings in your 'no matrix' labelled setting, this is because ptools still shows the previous setting loaded in the patch if the newly loaded setting patches are left unchecked. 
 +  -  You can now resave to a new slot or overwrite your 'no matrix' slot and call it a new name like 'Setting X with Setting Y's Matrix' (e.g. 'Pictoris with Dark Matter v3 Matrix') Viola!!!!  
 + 
 + 
 +*** WARNING *** 
  
 +Substituting a different set of Scaling Tables into a functioning patch is very likely to produce an unstable patch. While the risk of permanently damaging the camera is probably small, no one can really guarantee how the camera will respond to experimental settings that haven't been thoroughly tested before. Those who choose to experiment with alterations of this type should be aware that you are venturing into potentially hazardous territory on your own. - LPowell
gh2-hack/gh2-hack-faq.1331169589.txt.gz · Last modified: 2012/03/08 01:19 by balazer