Panasonic GH2 firmware v1.1 with 24Mbps shooting now available: Digital Photography Review

Here is a link to one of the descriptions of the Version 1.1 update:

https://eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/support/en/dsc/fts/win/GH2_eng.pdf

It references the 25p HBR output for PAL cameras.
The format makes these four pages suitable for appending to the operators' guide (you know, the one written by evil trolls).
I am sure I have come across other, similar pages, for instance one including crop marks, but can't find now.
If you know of other docs, can you share the links?

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Can someone please upload the PC installer? The Panasonic download link referenced here appears to be broken, with an error that says:

"Not Found The requested object does not exist on this server. The link you followed is either outdated, inaccurate, or the server has been instructed not to let you have it. Please inform the site administrator of the referring page".

Also, if I try getting it from the 1.1 "Downloads" link displayed on the main GH2 page (which takes you here: http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html) the GH2 isn't even listed. [sigh]

Thanks in advance for any help!

[edit]: Okay, a bit embarrassing, but after just a BIT more Google-fu, I found the solution here: http://vimeo.com/groups/gh2/forumthread:250640

Here are the direct links listed there:
eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/support/en/dsc/fts/win/GH2__V11.exe
eww.pavc.panasonic.co.jp/support/en/dsc/fts/mac/GH2__V11.zip

Leaving this all posted, in case it helps someone else out.

Comment edited 5 times, last edit 9 minutes after posting

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Just updated the firmware following the instructions on website and absolutely no problems. Ran smooth as silk. Downloaded update, extracted files on PC, copied to SD card and inserted in camera. Turn on camera, choose yes and wait a few minutes. All features as described in the update are functional.

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Yes, I share your opinion - the support is really poor. The instructions update pdf on the website seems unfinished. I managed to install the firmware, but it doesn't seem to have all the features as listed. Some functions are inactive. For example, I can't set the digital zoom mode (or ex tele) in the picture mode - it's there in the menu but is inactive! Other than that all else works, but it would be nice to be able to get back to the previous version of firmware, and I have no idea how to do it. Anyone can advise?

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Correction - everything works as expected! I discovered it by chance. It appears that the digital zoom is inactive when the RAW option in file recording is on. When you switch it off, ex tele and digital zoom can indeed be set. It's not that you would use it often, but it is useful on a few occassions.

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Sounds a great idea - I have just spent 2 hours with my GH2 plugged into the computer and totally failed to get the new fiirmware onto it! There is an error message K:\DCIM unavailable, so being canny I decided to load the update onto the SD card and then put it into the camera - still can't get the new firmware onto the camera!

The process is very poor and as a Canon owner who has never had any trouble updating the firmware for my EOS cameras, I am really put off panasonic by this poorly supported update with instructions that do not work!

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Yes, I share your opinion - the support is really poor. The instructions update pdf on the website seems unfinished. I managed to install the firmware, but it doesn't seem to have all the features as listed. Some functions are inactive. For example, I can't set the digital zoom mode (or ex tele) in the picture mode - it's there in the menu but is inactive! Other than that all else works, but it would be nice to be able to get back to the previous version of firmware, and I have no idea how to do it. Anyone can advise?

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This is great! I love 30p. Thank you Pana. Can't wait for the bit upgrade.

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What do do if you are using the GH2 primarily for high-end video shooting, and already have a Nick Driftwood 176Mb/sec intraframe crackware installed?

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I appreciate Panasonic for coming up with this firmware. Coming from a point-and-shoot before, I kinda wished that Panasonic will include camera effects (such as the diorama/miniature effect, etc.) in future updates... but for now, these are good. :)

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I uploaded new firmware on GH2, and it was supposed to enable independent setting of digital zoom and ex tele conv in both video and picture modes. It doeasn't! I can't set the digital zoom mode (or ex tele) in the picture mode! Am I missing something? How do I get back to the previous version of firmware?

Pawel

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Oh dear... It's the 21st century already!
I just wished Interlaced f***ing died!

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I wish they had increased the bit rate on 720/60p rather than this new HBR mode. HBR has similar jelly effect as their 24p mode - which is quite notable to say the least. 720/60p has practically no such effect, but has mild compression artifects which is much more preferrable. Obviously the sensor can't do 1080/60p.

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How do I setup this new feature on my camera.
Thanks.

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download the bin file from pana. site provided, after unzip transfer the file to sd card root . insert the card to the camera turn on and press play mode. do this with fully charged battery. good luck

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could you explain to me what you mean by "press play mode" - I can't find that anywhere on any of the menus and I can't upload the software - any self respecting computer programmer would make the camera automatically detect an update on the SD card and ask if one wanted to down load it would they?? Or am I just displaying my age?

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> 4.Improved in the speed of consecutive shooting when shot with auto bracket.

Ooooh yeah. I've been wanting that in Panasonic cameras since my L1. I could never understand why auto bracket was so slow compared to the competition.

> 5.Increased number of recordable images in consecutive shooting.

I thought that was a function of buffer size, so how does that work? The too-small RAW buffer has always bothered me in the GH2; is that improved? I won't be able to test it myself for a couple of days. :(

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Does it kill the high bitrate hack?

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Yeah it will turn off the hack, Vitaliy say give him couple days to figure it out!

Comment edited 28 seconds after posting

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Better question, if you have the hack, do you even need the firmware update?

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Yes the new firmware adds a lot of stills functionality where the hack only adds minimal video upgrades. Trust me the new noise reduction algorithm is worth it on that alone.

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Another question: would one install the Panny version 1.1. upgrade first and then the hack, or the hackware first and then the ver. 1.1 upgrade? Wouldn't one override the other? I am only interested in highest quality video shooting w. the GH2.

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It may be worth to mention that for Europeans it's 25fps, not 30fps, in 1080p mode now that comes with 24Mbps.

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Good point - I've changed it.

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Could you re-review the GH2 with the new firmware. There is a significant difference in how the new firmware handles noise in jpg images. It now looks a lot more like the G3 jpgs with respect to noise and noise reduction.

I haven’t been able to test the RAW images yet. I don’t anticipate there will be a difference with RAW images unless you have noise reduction turned on.

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How to convert my EU 50p into USA 60p?

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Still doesn't stack up to ptool, but it's nice that Panasonic are adding features through firmware, which is a rare OEM occurrence.

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yea thanks panasonic, this way they will keep their customer loyal,
unlike other company(nikon, canon, sony) just fix the bug that cust. complaint

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I like the 1080p @ 30 FPS option and the ability to control the Flash output more accurately.

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Does HBR mode default to 1080p30 @24mb/sec in NTSC land ?

Comment edited 10 minutes after posting

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Yes NTSC cameras use 1080p @ 30 FPS in a 1080i wrapper for HBR. PAL cameras us 1080p @ 25 FPS in a 1080i wrapper.

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Actually NTSC cameras use 1080p @29.97 fps in 59.94i wrapper in HBR.
PAL cameras use 1080p @25fps in 50i wrapper in HBR,

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I'm a bit disappointed they still haven't implemented panorama stitch. This is a feature that nearly all cheap compact cameras are coming up with, and certainly can't be all that difficult to implement.

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Can anybody enlighten me whence the notion that there is not 30 fps progressive at 24 Mbit/sec? The Panasonic site clearly states that it is only 25 fps.

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I shot some HBR video using v11 and Sony Vegas says it is 1920x1080 29.97 fps with Upper Field first so it is NOT progressive.

Vegas says the 24 setting is 23.976 progressive

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Can you tell me specifically how you got the camera in that mode?
1080p @ 30 FPS

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The new "half press shutter release" is something new for me. Just tried it. This should help reduce camera shake.

And it's nice to be able to turn off the touch screen focus. There have been many complaints about accidentally moving the focus point with the touch screen.

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Panasonic GH2 firmware v1.1 with 24Mbps shooting now available

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