[Cg Coffyn]

I’m at NAB, but have been in classes. Today, Monday, is of course the first “booth” day. I have lots of questions for the Panny gang, but it will have to wait till later in the convention. So someone else will likely know before me, but I”ll post if I hear anything.

Having switched from Sony cameras for most of my video career, I’m trying to get my head wrapped around the Panny way of doing things, specifically audio on the 160. The manual is just not detailed enough. We do love the camera though, even if some of my friends are shooting/experimenting w/DSLR.

[Cg Coffyn]

I don’t think this first update that I just did actually offers that. I looked as well and did not see it, so I’m wondering if it’s actually coming soon or during NAB.

[Cg Coffyn]

Thanks Noah!

[Cg Coffyn]

Thanks Noah!
Do you know if the “audio” setting switch on the side of the camera and the internal menu limiter functions differently? The manual really adds no clarity.

[Cg Coffyn]

OK, for those that google like a mad man and can’t find the answer here it is.

To do the firmware update:
DO NOT go into the menu, as step 3 indicates on the Panasonic PDF.

After turning the camcorder on and in the camera mode hit all three buttons at the exact same time and hold your breath or make a funny face 🙂 And the “UPDATE” selection will appear, the follow the rest of the instructions from Panasonic PDF. I had to try it a few times to get the selection exactly right.

The three buttons are the ones listed in the pdf, “Menu”, Exec” and the “Stop” tilt lever in the down position. Happy updating!!

[Cg Coffyn]

I’ve been trying to do the firmware update for the last hour. Wow, the instructions are not correct from the Panasonic PDF document I downloaded.

Does anyone have any idea how to do this? I’m sure other Panasonic cameras must be similar.

[Cg Coffyn]

Excellent, thanks Steve. The only bit I knew was what little was said in the spiel when I downloaded the 1.11 update. It’s cool new features can be added like this.

I trust your next camcorder purchase will be a good one with no bugs.

[Cg Coffyn]

Hey Stephen,
Thanks for posting. I”ve been a Sony guy forever and had looked at all the various cameras shooting AVCHD at NAB last year. I really like the 160p, but have yet had time to really try it out on an actual shoot. I’ve been up to my ears trying to finishing lots of stuff already in the can.

I’m so sorry to hear about your issues. Our baby step into HD 5 years ago was with the Sony Z1U. I really didn’t like HDV, but it worked best in our workflow back then. We had major issues with the back focus on this camera as did a friend of ours.

Anyway, all that to say I have not actually done the firmware update on the 160. Was not aware that the firmware update actually added any features, but I would think the bitrate, as it’s still AVCHD, would all be the same. Sounds like you should look at the AVC Intra camcorders.

[Cg Coffyn]

You can sign up on the Panasonic website. It may have been when I registered the product, so it came by email. It’s a bit confusing as it’s titled, “P2 Asset Support System (PASS)” The email did not include any release notes, but maybe there is something on the site that I missed.

Here’s what they sent me:

P2 Asset Support System (PASS) Information, February 1, 2012 / Issue 51
———————————————————————-
[Update] AG-AC160 series Version 1.11
Stability of process in HE mode has been improved.
———————————————————————-
Download
https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/p2ui/ShowContentsDetail.do?screenId=UI_P2UU_801&contentId=1078

Please visit below if you cannot open the above website:
https://eww.pass.panasonic.co.jp/pro-av/support/cs/csregistp2m/ep2main/soft/upgac160_e.htm

————————————————————————-
This is distributed to PASS members.
To be removed from the mailing list, please change the subscription status
in your “Customer profile” at the PASS members site:
Log in: https://panasonic.biz/sav/pass_e
————————————————————————-

[Cg Coffyn]

It looks like a very cool answer is coming for Premiere Pro users. Check out a quick glimpse of Adobe Prelude:

https://www.philiphodgetts.com/2012/01/adobe-prelude/