Hi there...

I was thinking to start a thread here for helping us(the owners of the GS100K which don't know Japanese) out.

The menus are already translated. I did some translations for the buttons available on this cam(only on paper so far, but I'll make it in digital format soon as well).

Does anyone else have some other things that would like to share...? Eventalually some tips regarding the operation...

Many thanks to whoever did the entire work for translating the menus(I think it was Masaki-san).
The latest version is available at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MX5000/files/GS100K_Menus_02.zip

It is a PDF file

Hello Marius... How are you.

I am also translating buttons and messages on LCDs.
I did finish translating buttons ( 4 pages ).

messages on LCD are on the way, but it will takes time. When I finish, I will upload to yahoo group.

If you want to see what I have done so far, send me a e-mail, I will send you a copy of my translation.

Thank you!!!

Using online translators and the GS70 and DV953 English manuals for reference, I translated some of the first few pages of the GS100 manual in HTML format.

Partially translated (http://404.realmud.com/mike/misc/nv_gs100k_eng/css/nv_gs100k.htm)

Japanese (http://404.realmud.com/mike/misc/nv_gs100k.htm)

WOW Mike ... great job. I also saw your pdf with the translation of the screen menus. I'm sure many thanks go out to Masaki as well for all his assistance too. I feel so much better about this camera now that I see the menus and the manual translation that I am seriously considering purchasing it now. I have been on the fence about it only because of the Japanese menus. I also asked one of my colleagues (he sells SONY pro video equipment) this evening to get me a price on the SONY PDX-10 because I really don't wish to purchase a sub level camera. The reports on this camera (the GS100) have been outstanding and the price is right where it should be for the great performance I have been seeing and reading about here.

Thanks for making me feel a little more comforatable about this camera. I think by the end of the weekend I may re-think my DV953 which is still backordered.

Great job to one and all. Now if I could make up my mind (smile)

Rick.

Hello Mike.

Your translation is very good. I hope that you can translate entire manual. (But I know its over 200 pages. No easy job...)

Anyway, I uploaded Buttons & LCD message translation at Yahoo Groups. It is Bitmap and Windows Meta File Format. So that anyone can create own cheat sheet.

If you can create PDF file, that will be great!

Thank you very much for your hard work.

Masaki-san,

Thank you very much for your translations. I have consolidated them into a PDF.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MX5000/files/NV-GS100K_English_Essentials.zip

I have also put a back up at:

http://engyew.home.comcast.net/NV-GS100K_English_Essentials.zip

Since there is confusion about the origins of the translation, I have clearly credited you for the excellent work. Thanks!

Hello. Mr. Lee.

Your PDF file is very nice. Job well done!

Masaki,

Thanks. But there's definitely no substitution for a real Japanese speaker and I think you're guides will be the most helpful. Moreover, I can't even begin to decipher the LCD screen messages since in the manual they're mostly entered as graphics, not text, so I can't feed them into a machine translator.

As far as further manual translations, I'd be willing to do more and with the contents translated if there any special requests, post them somewhere in this forum. The summer semester is winding down and the fall semester doesn't start until late August so I'll have a lot of free time (I had a paying summer project but I guess I worked too fast and did all the work!).

Mike

Hi there...

I still don't have some documents translated in electronic format, but I think I know how to handle the cam pretty good. So if you have some questions email me. I'll be glad to help out.

ciao,
marius

Hello. Mike.

If you need help translating Japanese, let me know. Just send me a e-mail. I will try to answer your question as much as possible.

Thank you very much for your hard work!!!

Hi,

Can any one rank these camcorders(3CCD) based on resolution, color accuracy(with out bleeding), low light performance.

According to my observation(based on the forum's discussions)

The top performer on the top in order,

NV-GS 100K
NV-MX 5000
TRV 900 (SONY)
PV-DV 953
TRV 950 (SONY)

Please correct me if i am wrong and why?

I am going to get the top performer, in this case nv-gs 100k.

Thanks
sam.

Sam... no offence, but this should have been posted under "GS-100 User Reactions" thread, since this thread was a try to help the ones that already own a GS100K handle the cam. Let's keep it that way... Please.

Marius,
Thanks for reminding me!

I posted there, no offence!

sam.

An acquaintance has expressed interest in trying a translation of the GS100 manual, but would like text or MS word (not PDF) versions of the English manual for the 953 and GS70 from which to work. Any suggestions on obtaining these?

Hi,
I wire transferred money to pricejapan on wednesday afternoon, received gs100k on friday morning. Very reliable service from price japan.

Now anybody able to provide 953 or gs 70 manual in word document, Patricia, did u have any updates on this?

I started playing with this camera, with all the manual controls. and low light manual mode is good. I dont have any other camcorder to compare with.

How to transform dv and card pictures to computer. do i need to purchase firewire hardware?

The japanese cd has some program to play with, but all in japanese, so no use. so what program we have to use for this dv transfer to computer.

your input is appreciated
Thanks
sam

Samuel, your best bet at this time is to re-read this thread and to download the various translations offered by Masaki and Mike. Eng Yew has helped format Masaki's original translation of the menus and buttons of the camcorder, which should make it easier for you to work with them. For transferring dv tape footage to your computer, you do need to have a firewire port on your computer and use a firewire cable. For transferring mpeg4 or still shots on the SD card, use the provided USB cable - but download the software that came with the computer first. If you use a Mac, the software will not work, so just use a card reader that is compatible with whichever OS you are using. It's possible, if you use a PC, that the card reader will also work for the PC if you can't download the software from the CD. (I am assuming, by the way, that you have the latest version of whichever operating system you are using and whichever editing/playback software.)

Other important tip which I learned from Frank - pick one brand of tape (Frank recommends Fuji) and stick with it. Changing tape brands can apparently end up damaging the heads of your camcorder.

Eng Yew, Marius and Masaki-san are real pillars with regard to helping out new owners. They are all technically adept (I'm just a point and shooter) and I'm sure will try to offer any support they can.

Enjoy.

Sam,

I used the manual from GS70 to undestand many things. It works out perfectly.

In order to transfer DV to your computer you need a firewire port(be it on mainboard or on a card you'll buy). If you have to buy a firewire card make sure it uses a Texas Instruments chip, since this are the best as I heared.
For card transfer it should work ok on PC via USB connection. I use SD Viewer english version.

A tip for you if you want to shoot video progressive, set progressive to auto and record mode to frame from camera menus. Video progressive is frame record mode, and progressive is used for taking stills.

ciao,
marius

Thank you patricia and Marius.

I have the one gs100_essentials from mx5000 yahoo groups. its really good.(this was translated by masaki).

Marius, is there any english gs 70 or dv 953 manual online, so that i can look at it or print out useful features.

I will post my experience.

Thanks,
sam.

I got both the manuals for gs 70 and pvdv 953 from onecall.com.

They really helps!

I would recommend all the owners or the new owners to get them to take a "good care" or ur new gs 100k, before our gurus could try to translate the entire 200 page gs 100k manual.

just a 2cents advice

Comon Allan, Marius

please clarify the differences in gs 100

Frame mode - ? I GUESS IT CAPTURES VIDEO 30 FRAMES PER SECOND?

Normal mode -? WHAT IS THIS?

Progressive mode, if its off or auto, then only frame mode or normal mode works.

so what is exactly progressive mode, is it for both still as well as dv camera?


is it pro cinema mode 16:9 ?

what is wide mode and cinema mode then. But i know cinema mode is just blacking out with bars on top and bottom.


what is the exact differences between pro cinema and wide mode?

If you help with the definitions of all these modes?

NORMAL, FRAME, PROGRESSIVE, WIDE MODE, PRO CINEMA MODE, CINEMA MODE.

IS TELE MACRO SAME AS ZOOM JUMP IN MX 5000?

PLEASE TELL YOUR OPINIONS OR EXPERIENCES WITH THESE MODES, SO THAT IT IS USEFUL FOR ALL THE OWNERS.

Frame mode is progressive for video(DV) and only for that.
Progressive is for stills and only for stills.
Normal mode is the standard interlaced mode.

What is the diff between wide an cinema mode... I don't know 100% now. Looks like cinema doesn't use true 16:9, only blacks the footage on top and on bottom. I am not sure. Some details on this Allan? Would be awesome :)

modes:
normal=interlaced
frame=progressive scan
progressive=progressive for stills

I don't know about the zoom jump on mx5000, but tele macro is zoom and focum on an object and the surrounding of that object are blured, not focused. This helps when you want to point out something, while ignoring the stuff arround it.

I for one, I use wide mode almost all the time, because I like a lot 16:9

have you guys tried the cinegamma mode yet?

looking at the english translation of the gs100 menu - there aren't many choices

Cinema mode - off or on
Record mode - normal or frame

So Cinema mode must be BOTH 16x9 and "cinegamma" - doesn't seem like you can have just one or another.

Record mode is 60i or 30p

have I got this right?

Michael

<<<-- Originally posted by Patricia Kim : An acquaintance has expressed interest in trying a translation of the GS100 manual, but would like text or MS word (not PDF) versions of the English manual for the 953 and GS70 from which to work. Any suggestions on obtaining these? -->>>
You may find the GS70EN manual in pdf format in Panasonic USA web site.

Thanks marius

But what is the difference between PRO cinema mode and wide mode.

I know cinema mode is just putting a black bar on top and bottom.

Samuel, page 48 of your manual. Wide gives you 16:9. Procinema gives you 30p. It's one or the other, it seems, as far as recording. And you are right, Cinema gives you the black striping across the top and bottom. On page 49, the right hand side of the page gives you further nasty truths, for example, if your camcorder is set to Procinema mode, you can't use "progressive," Cinema mode, digital effects or smoothing/0 lux night view. If your camcorder is set to Wide mode, you can't use "progressive" or Cinema mode. Also a warning that if you use a regular TV (4:3), Wide or Procinema might not play back right (they advise you not to do it - I think this assumes straight playback, as in other threads, people talk about what you have to do while editing to get this to work). I haven't trudged my way through the caveats about Cinema mode yet, but needless to say, as a point and shooter with a widescreen TV whose basic use for the camera will probably be indoors, my camcorder is kept set to Wide. BTW, none of these modes is available if you are recording on the SD card. Hopefully Allan will correct me if I've misunderstood.

You CAN'T use both 16x9 and 30p modes at the same time?

Major bummer. And I almost ordered from pricejapan this morning..guess panasonic figured out it would be too harsh on the dvx100 to let people have both at once...

Now I'm depressed...

ProCinema is 16:9 and frame (30p) mode. Wide is 16:9 without frame mode.

I use wide mode combined with frame mode and it works perfectly. The shots I've put online were shot in this mode. They are not interlaced, and 29.97 FPS. They are not ProCinema. So, what to say? It works! It works! It works! ... or?

Actually, what Eng Yew said makes sense when I struggle through the "hints." Apparently Procinema is a specific configuration: when it's invoked, frame mode is automatically turned on and "bass enhance" is set at +6dB. (Could someone please explain to me what "bass enhance" does for you while shooting?) However, it is also possible to set "record" to either normal or frame. And when you invoke Wide, frame is not precluded. Plus you seem to have choices re bass level of 0, +3 and +6 and apparently (?) can use night view (even though that seems not to be optimum use of the camcorder in 30p mode?). So you must be able to set some other variant of what is automatic if you pick Procinema. If someone can explain the pros and cons of doing that, it would be interesting to know, even if I plan on sticking to point and shoot.

Retraction. Frame mode trumps night view; can't have both at the same time.

According to Marius Wide mode(16:9) with frame mode is possible?

Patricia, So what do u think,

Wide mode with frame mode (16:9 and 30 f/s)
and

PRo cinema mode with frame mode (16:9 and 30f/s)

Then what is the difference ?

The difference between Wide mode and ProCinema is the film-like gamma.

I think the 3 features people are interested in are

16x9
30fps
"cinegamma"

I understand you can have 16x9 AND 30fps

Can you do 16x9 AND 30fps AND cinegamma?

Can you do 16x9 AND cinegamma?

Can you do 4x3 AND 30fps?

Can you do 4x3 AND 30fps AND cinegamma?

Just exactly what are the possible configurations?

Thanks guys!

Michael

Can you do 16x9 AND 30fps AND cinegamma?
YES(procinema)


Can you do 16x9 AND cinegamma?
YES, at 30FPS(procinema)


Can you do 4x3 AND 30fps?
YES(never tried, but I think you can)


Can you do 4x3 AND 30fps AND cinegamma?
NO



Being a NTSC camcorder, all shootings are 30fps.
By 30fps I took it as if you would have reffered to 30fps and progressive(frame mode).

Cinegamma is available only in procinema(16:9) or cinema mode(4:3 with black bars on top/bottom which gives a 16:9 like view). Or so I understood.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong with anything.

Can you do 4x3 AND 30fps AND cinegamma?

I think you can approximate cinegamma by adjusting the video sharpness and color intensity manually.

guys for the input. Cinegamma is an panny algorythm that approximates film by attempting to push up the detail in both the blacks AND the light areas...be very difficult to do that manually....and it seems to work for the dvx100.

So if you use 16x9 and 30fps (frame mode) the cinegamma is invoked automatically, eh? So no 16x9 and 30fps WITHOUT cinegamma?

Interesting...

I appreciate your help very much. Not trying to drive you mad...lol...just getting it straight what I'm buying.

Michael

YOU:
So if you use 16x9 and 30fps (frame mode) the cinegamma is invoked automatically, eh? So no 16x9 and 30fps WITHOUT cinegamma?

ME:
Who said that? I didn't say it for one.
My shots are 16:9, 30fps, frame mode and without cinegamma.

To make it clear, procinema means 16:9, 30fps fram mode and cinegamma.

wide mode means 16:9 @ 30fps, and you can select frame mode from menu.

wide mode means 16:9 @ 30fps, and you can select frame mode from menu.

Don't think so. Wide mode means 16:9, then you have the option to set recording mode to either normal interlaced or frame (at 30fps). Default is normal interlaced.


Regards

Cine-like gamma is not invoked under Cinema mode. In fact, both Wide and Procinema modes are not available under Cinema mode (and vice versa). Both recording modes are available though (Normal and Frame) under Cinema mode.

Unlike Wide and Procinema modes, Cinema mode doesn't widen the horizontal view, but it's the only option for 4:3 TV owners (that includes me) if they want to have the 16:9 look, as video taken under Wide and Procinema modes will be stretched vertically when viewed on 4:3 TV.

<<<-- Originally posted by Allan Rejoso : wide mode means 16:9 @ 30fps, and you can select frame mode from menu.

Don't think so. Wide mode means 16:9, then you have the option to set recording mode to either normal interlaced or frame (at 30fps). Default is normal interlaced.
-->>>
Sorry. My mistake. True, it is not 30fps considering that I've intepreted 30fps as being progressive also. I more like reffered to 30fps like the NTSC frame rate, even if interlaced, which is 29.97, so about 30fps.

You're still awake Marius.

I just woke up..enjoying my summer holidays!

Still awake Allan... my bed hour is 02:00[AM], so 8 minutes to go.
As about hollydays, I'll have one month off and far from here in less than two weeks :)

Wish you a great time... BTW, I think you'll be missed here...

ciao,
marius

We'll just be in Tokyo this year as the company allowed me only a week off... well, that's better than nothing. it's about time to shoot.

Cheers

Will all these filters make sense?

UV filter
flourescent filter
Polarize filter

and

Wide Angle lens or filter?

UV filter - IS this filter to protect the lens or just to take picture which reduces the bluish UV in the earth while taking the long or wide shot. For me it should make sense,

but about flourescent and polarize, whether useful for gs100k?


Wide Angle lens, covers more area than 16:9?

Any guys using any of these filters in gs 100k and certainly did it make any difference in quality of the stills or video?

Will all these filters make sense?

UV filter
===
YES, LEAVE IT ALL THE TIME ON, AS IT PROTECTS YOUR LENS FROM DUST AND OTHERS...

flourescent filter
===
NOT FOR ME


Polarize filter
===
YES. VERY GOOD.

and

Wide Angle lens or filter?
===
WOW WOW WOW... GIMME GIMME GIMME :D

UV filter - IS this filter to protect the lens or just to take picture which reduces the bluish UV in the earth while taking the long or wide shot.
===
DEPENDS ON THE FILTERS HOW MUCH UV THEY DROP.


Wide Angle lens, covers more area than 16:9?
===
YES. MUCH MORE.

Any guys using any of these filters in gs 100k and certainly did it make any difference in quality of the stills or video?
===
I HAVE SO FAR: UV, skylight and ND(neutral density) 4x. ND is used for reducing the light that gets into the lenses. usefull when you shoot with shutter being very fast, it reduces a lot the strobo effect since less light gets in.
I'll get a circular polarizer very soon(B&W)

ciao,
marius

Marius,
can you suggest which is the best UV filter, and where to get from, and the cheap and the best, i have to get one

or some reliable web sites good for these filters?

Sam, I have no idea where you could buy some online, because I bought mine from a local store. What I have is Hoya UV multicoated. These are not the best, but good for the money, 14 Euro. Much better would have been B&W but that costs like 40 Euro, too much for my budget.

For a circular polarizer I will get B&W, that's about 55 Euro, but it's one of the best polfilter.

ciao,
marius

In the US, you can buy a B+W multi-coated UV filter from www.bhphotovideo.com (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/?BI=155). B+W is the best.

If you want a wide angle, check out the Raynox HD-6600 Pro 43mm also from bhphotovideo. Raynox is here http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/video/egwidehdxl.htm. The key features of this lens are unusually low barrel distortion and it is zoomable. If you are shooting anamorphic it really opens up the scene.

Here is an excellent website comparing wide angle converters with actual frame grabs.

http://www.ferrario.com/ruether/WA-converters.htm

Thanks Marius and Eng Yew Lee

so Raynox costs around 120 bucks

b+w MRC uv filter around 36.50

Have to see my wallet!!!!