I need a basic tutorial at DVinfo.net

Don Litten · February 21st, 2012, 01:08 AM

I'm stumped on some of the settings in the GH2. I called Panasonic and it was the blind leading the blind and I still don't have a clue. (I even read the manual).

Setting the resolution is straight forward but choosing a frame rate is not.

Tech Support, after considerable time looking it up on the computer, told me it was in the percentages under frame rate in variable movie mode.

So far I'd figured that but percentage of what?

After more looking, they said it was 30 FPS so 200% would be 60 FPS.

It looked like an Odd way to do it but it is what it is.

I shot a series of shots just to see what each setting came out at.
Shooting the default (auto) it measured 720-60

Moving to Variable Movie Mode and only changing the percentages (I didn't bother with the shutter speed)
It measured 1080 24 in every percentage increase.

I hadn't changed the resolution, just the percentage in the frame rate menu.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Andrew Rowe · February 21st, 2012, 06:31 AM

I've never used variable movie mode, but if you're talking about 'normal' frame rates, then that's entirely determined by resolution. In other words, you choose a frame rate when you select a particular 'movie mode' (top item on the menu).

So, for NTSC regions:
"24P Cinema" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p24.
"High Bit Rate" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p30.
"Manual Movie Mode" is 1080i60 OR 720p60, depending on which resolution you choose.
All of these are obviously NTSC frame rates, i.e. 23.976, 29.97 etc.

For PAL regions:
"24P Cinema" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p24*.
"High Bit Rate" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p25.
"Manual Movie Mode" is 1080i50 OR 720p50, depending on which resolution you choose.

*Note that the PAL model's "24P Cinema Mode" is NTSC (i.e. 23.976fps)!

Don Litten · February 21st, 2012, 07:33 AM

Thanks Andrew. That explains it!

I was looking for frame rate options within the same resolution like in Cannon.

They don't exist but the really confusing part was when Customer Support told me the standard 720 rate was 30FPS and I could adjust it with the percentages.

That completely threw me off. I'll know better the next time I have a question.

February 21st, 2012, 01:08 AM	#1
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	I need a basic tutorial I'm stumped on some of the settings in the GH2. I called Panasonic and it was the blind leading the blind and I still don't have a clue. (I even read the manual). Setting the resolution is straight forward but choosing a frame rate is not. Tech Support, after considerable time looking it up on the computer, told me it was in the percentages under frame rate in variable movie mode. So far I'd figured that but percentage of what? After more looking, they said it was 30 FPS so 200% would be 60 FPS. It looked like an Odd way to do it but it is what it is. I shot a series of shots just to see what each setting came out at. Shooting the default (auto) it measured 720-60 Moving to Variable Movie Mode and only changing the percentages (I didn't bother with the shutter speed) It measured 1080 24 in every percentage increase. I hadn't changed the resolution, just the percentage in the frame rate menu. Can someone point me in the right direction?

February 21st, 2012, 06:31 AM	#2
Andrew Rowe Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 39	Re: I need a basic tutorial I've never used variable movie mode, but if you're talking about 'normal' frame rates, then that's entirely determined by resolution. In other words, you choose a frame rate when you select a particular 'movie mode' (top item on the menu). So, for NTSC regions: "24P Cinema" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p24. "High Bit Rate" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p30. "Manual Movie Mode" is 1080i60 OR 720p60, depending on which resolution you choose. All of these are obviously NTSC frame rates, i.e. 23.976, 29.97 etc. For PAL regions: "24P Cinema" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p24. "High Bit Rate" Mode is ALWAYS 1080p25. "Manual Movie Mode" is 1080i50 OR 720p50, depending on which resolution you choose. Note that the PAL model's "24P Cinema Mode" is NTSC (i.e. 23.976fps)!

February 21st, 2012, 07:33 AM	#3
Don Litten Major Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 400	Re: I need a basic tutorial Thanks Andrew. That explains it! I was looking for frame rate options within the same resolution like in Cannon. They don't exist but the really confusing part was when Customer Support told me the standard 720 rate was 30FPS and I could adjust it with the percentages. That completely threw me off. I'll know better the next time I have a question.