Apparently, the GH1 is a much more capable video camera than Panasonic let on with the current firmware.

A fellow named tester13 has produced 3rd party firmware which unlocks the hidden potential of the GH1.

For a full report, see here: 3rd Party firmware transforms wimpy GH1 into Optimus Prime!! | Philip Bloom

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Amin
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Stunning.

If Panasonic were going to issue a GH2 they will have to go back to the drawing boards now. This is light years stuff. 50Mbit MJPEG codec for 1080P, and it's open architecture... still begging to be twigged.

I am going to download his samples to my 120hz 42" 1080p LCD TV tonight.

EDIT:

Now watch Panasonic offer an upgrade patch that surreptitiously blocks the bogus improvement, restores original formatting, and blocks further hacking

Bokeh D

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Seize the Light!

As someone who uses the GH1 for commercial video shoots I've been looking at some of the footage shot with this hack and the increase in quality is simply amazing. I've viewed HD footage from a GH1 directly onto an HD screen before and that was pretty good, but this is going to put the GH1 into a different class.

This is just a beautiful example. Longshan's People Part II - 50Mbit GH1 MJPEG on Vimeo

Like many I would be very nervous hacking the firmware on my GH1. Hopefully all this worldwide attention will persuade Panasonic to release their own update so that we can all start to use this.

If they have any sense they will do this as they then have a world beater on their hands.

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http://soundimageplus.blogspot.com/

some amazing footage on his page...

I actually used his hack on my GF1 to get better bitrate and no time limit. Works really well and easilly. I'm just curious how much more they can do with the GF1.

I also tried the menu in Finnish, but could not use it properly :D

Hey Krang I was just thinking myself whether it would work on my GF1. So what does it do differently? Can you notice any change in the video performance? Also are there any other changes?

If you think it's worth it I'll load mine as well.

icon

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If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.

http://500px.com/iconindustries

Hmmmm, maybe the G2 will be hacked soon.

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www.razzledazzleart.com

http://texascbx.blogspot.com/

Maybe I'll give this a go. I must admit to a degree of trepidation though.... Can things get hosed with this? Reassurance please

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Paul - GF1 + Panasonic 20mm. Simplify, simplify..

I think with hacks like this it's always "install at your own risk!", so no re-assurances from anyone that everything will be OK. Pay careful attention to all the disclaimers in the hacking software, and make your own decision about what you'd lose by installing it, and what could possible go wrong. Worst case you end up with a broken camera, so weigh that as part of your decision.

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-Dragos
Panasonic GH1 + various lenses

I'd suggest that you download the program and fiddle with it. There are descriptions of all the settings in the program and you can apply what you want.

I think I can notice the increased quality after tweaking the bitrate. I have not done any test though.

There are also some more specific settings discussions here
GH1 firmware research volunteers required - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking