Where can I report a bug for the GX1 Firmware?

I used the latest PTool v3.66d and Panasonic's firmware v1.1. I enabled two functions.

1. enabling the option to switch between PAL & NTSC since my camera is PAL.
2. removing the 30 minute recording limit, same reason as above.

My problem now is that the removal of the 30 minute limit works fine for AVCHD, it shows over four hours but not for MP4, where I am still limited to 27.12 minutes in 1080p. This can be replicated both in PAL & NTSC.

@joushikijin -- mp4 et al tend to files as complete videos, so the 4GB FAT32 hard limit is at play. You will see it stop when it reaches that file size. In which case it might not even be addressed by the patch since there would be so little point. On the other hand, AVCHD uses a format designed to span so any limitations on the clip length are purely artificial. These are definitely addressed by the patch. There is an unfortunate tension between these criteria, since the mp4 format often has superior top end specs after patching (and in the native GH3.) But the AVCHD format is no slouch for a hack like me :-) so I have used it exclusively for years to get the longer clip lengths.

MP4 is limited to either: a) 4gb b)29min

If it hits either of these, it stops. So if you get a big, fluffy, uncompressed MP4 in the 100Mbps range, you'd hit 4gb before 29mins. If you used a smaller 720p format, you'll hit 29mins first, and it'll still stop, even though you didn't hit 4gb.

Does that make sense?

It seems that new GX-1's from Japan are delivered with a updated firmware, compare to the V1.1 you can download on Panasonic website (link in the FAQ : http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/index2.html).

It took me a little while to get it but : just increase the version of your hacked firmware by 2 (not 1 a default) using Ptool and the camera will take it, otherwise nothing happens.

I love it, thanks again for the work Vitaliy and the whole team!

OK, I just read all 9 pages of this thread and still have a few questions. My $199 GX1 should be here on Wednesday...excited for the stills portion. I've hacked my GH2 so I'm not a complete newb. Anyway:

-NTSC MP4 1920x1080 30p stock. Does the GX1 hack make the stock 30p a lot better or just a bit better. I shoot 99% butterflies and birds, both stills and video, that are just perched with little movement by the critters themselves. -NTSC AVCHD 1920x1080 60i hack. It sounds like the higher bitrate hacks work here but will I need to--I forget the terminology--strip out the 60i to get at it's true 30p?

Once again, I'm happy to stay stock if I wouldn't see a major return on the MP4 30p. I guess I might hack my GX1 if it was relatively easy to get at the 30p of the 60i, if I understand that correctly.

Anyway, excited to get the cam this week. It will become my dedicated insect cam mated to my Oly 60mm macro. Can't wait. Harold

@zws The GXI can be used with 3rd party batteries, I have bought a stack of 3rd party batteries and they all work, just not that long. If you mean you would like to use ptool with a third party battery that is a different story. While you could try it, the advice is TO USE ORIGINAL battery.

Kijjaruk, just as sergiowai mentioned earlier you have to increace the version by 2 and not by 1 as standard.

1. Make sure you use an original battery which is fully charged.
2. Start PTool.
3. Load firmware (guess that is GX1__V11.bin)
4. Click on "Version increment" (the text, not the box - the box must be checked).
5. Below "Enter increment:" replace "1" with "2".
6. Double click on "Patches for end users".
7. Double click on "Interface" and click in the box in front of "All interface Languages" to check it.
8. Save firmware as "GX1__V12.bin)
9. Copy the new file (GX1__V12.bin) to the SD card, start the camera and press play (as vhen you want to view pictures and videos). The update should start. DO NOT TURN OFF THE CAMERA DURING UPDATE!

Good luck!

Greetings all, does deterioration occur with SD cards? I recently found my GX1 freezing during shooting with different patches (currently using Canis) and that never happened before. Not even the power button works, I have to pull out the battery! I am using a SanDisk Extreme Pro 16GB card. @zola13 to answer your question, yes the patch allows NTSC+PAL usage: Go to SETUP, 3rd menu, look for VIDEO OUT, you will see PAL or NTSC, and you can then change it to the one you prefer.

@JOFO thanks! You know, I didn't even think about my processor overheating but it makes total sense as the camera seems to freeze after the 10th minute of shooting .... I thought it was the card for some reason!

@Jakartaguy I do have the video out menu but it is grayed out and cannot be selected I tested more than one USA NTSC cameras all same result ffiend of mine however has the option working on a european GX1 camera even used his patch and fresh formatted sd camera still option grayed out for video out do you have it working on your NTSC GX1 if yes care to share it thank you

Was there an update to GalaXian? I just loaded V2 (from page 5) and it looks great and works, but I saw that @driftwood mentioned working on the next GalaXian setting. I tried a search and came up empty so I'm guessing it hasn't been released yet. Figured I would ask anyway.

Also, not sure if I should be posting this elsewhere, but if I want to record more I could always lower the bitrate correct? My 16gb card is showing 23minutes with the V2 settings in AVCHD 1080i and it was something north of 2 hours with the stock firmware if I remember correctly and I'd like to sacrifice a little quality for a little more space. Do I lower the bitrate in the AVCHD Compression in the End User patches or the Bitrate Settings in the Tester patches? or Both? Sorry if it's a noob question, been having trouble finding a clear cut answer. Thanks in advance for any help or information from everyone!

@Vitaliy_Kiselev Vitaly, I hate to ask again about this, I read this hole thread, and I know you are still working on manual video for the GX1 but I'm curious if you think that it will be possible, the GX1 is now $199 and not having manual video is what is keeping me from buying it, from what you have seen so far, will we be able to have manual controls? By the way, thanks for all your work, you make me keep buying Panasonic gear, got 2 gh2's because of your hack, now I got 2 gh3's, thanks for everything.