I took a sample video indoors in very low light with full auto, then tried to duplicate the same quality with the manual settings. No matter what I did I could not get as bright a picture as the full auto. i changed f stops, shutter speed, gain, and white balance and it was a good picture, but I could not get it as bright as the full auto.

Does anyone know why the full auto would produce better light than the manual settings?

Did you try turning the shutter off?

Did you go into the menu, to "gain settings" and make sure that the high gain switch settings is maxed out?

That's all that I can think of.

Was is just brighter, or was it better. I mean with the manual settings was the picture more pleasing?

I have the max gain set at 9db. I did not shut the shutter off. The picture was mainly brighter, but I can no long experiment because the full auto button no longer works. Since I am going to China in two weeks I cannot afford to send it back to get it fixed before I go, so I will just have to wait until I get back.