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(English) Panasonic Lumix GH4 on a DJI S1000 with GH3 Z15 gimbal
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Über den Autor: Mathias Häcki
Get all Information in the About me section http://www.riot.ch/ueber-mich/
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Very interested in your GH4 Zen GH3 modification with the converter. Do you make the micro to hdmi cable?
Nope, I’ve got that cable from a local supplier and just shortend the plug and made it a 90 degrees angle.
can you clarify- with this set up, you cannot record 4K onto the camera/SD card?
You can record 4k 24fps 4:2:0 and UHD 25fps 4:2:0 on the internal sd card without any problems. The GH4 will down convert any recording format to 1080p 4:2:0 for the micro hdmi out.
The only format, where there is no internal recording possible, is 4k 4:2:2 hdmi out. In this case you will need a external recorder as the camera just sends out the stream. But any other format is no problem at all.
I’m still testing 4k and UHD in the air. But it seems the rolling shutter issues in these formats don’t make it worth for me. Best aerial format I found yet is 1080p, 50fps, 200mb/s ALL-Intra.
But that might change when I have done further tests.
Hello,
Very interesting review.
Do you think it would be possible to use the AV output of the GH4 (not the HDMI output) and connect it directly to the Analog video output of the DJI HDMI converter so you would not have to use an external cable which limits the number of turns you can do with the gimbal?
Man I cannot get this going for the life of me. I must be missing something. I am using this adapter from amazon, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009A4Q1WI/
I am not even trying to send something wireless If i plug the HDMI from the camera into this box and then a composite cable from the box to a monitor I am not seeing any live video. If i switch into playback mode or go into a playback menu I can see video, looks like 480p maybe? If i simply plug the HDMI cable into my monitor I can see live video fine, so it has something to do with the signal I am sending into the converter box.
How the heck are you getting live video to some out of this converter?
Are you sure you set the dip switch Pal/NTSC to your corresponding signal?
This might work. I thought about it too, but did not try yet.
We are set to NTSC and in your latest comment I think you meant to put a link? I don’t see anything.
I do get video out through the box when I am in playback mode but not live video 🙁
Try setting the GH4 to a 25fps mode, put the converter to PAL and see if that works.
This is how I use it.
I had a minor bug a few times, when I’ve started the copter and only got some kind of test pattern on the fpv screen. But that always went away when I’ve restarted the GH4.
Hi
Thanks for the review! I am afraid we can find the proper converter here isit possible that you would prepare the whole thing for us and we buy it from you?
Thanks a lot
Lee
I’m no dealer, but i’ve got my stuff from http://shop.aerodron.ch I’d say they will be more then happy to service you.
It seems there are a lot of fake converters on the market that look just like the one I use. So If you buy one from some unknown source it might not work.
I’ve spoke to Aerodron yesterday, and they said they tried a few ones that did not work untill they found the right source where they got the original one that works.
Thanks a lot we really apprecciate it!
Hi!
i just ordered a s1000 with zenmuse and a gh4, but after reading all the revies im getting worried that the fpvv wont work… have you come upp with any good way to fix it? if i understand corectly the main problem it that it outputs 1080p not 1080I, maybee the easyest solution is to get some kind of converter for that? perhaps a red converter? http://www.ebay.com/itm/BlackMagic-Pocket-Cinema-camera-Panasonic-GH4-HDMI-to-AV-Red-Converter-/221376116326?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item338b0b7666
What do you think? 🙂
Keep up the good work!
best regards from sweden
Hello Kasper
I’m flying fpv with the solution mentioned in this blog. The only drawback is the extra cable, which I’m trying to getting rid of.
Its ok for starters. But it limits the capability on max turns plus you will always have to unplug the camera when you repower the s1000. This because of the initial 360 turns the Z15 does to calibrate the gimbal.
All we need is a light progressive hdmi converter that can be fixed to the gimbal and feed its signal trough it. Or even better would be a swap out hdmi converter from DJI. But I’m pretty sure they will go a different route with creating a dedicated GH4 Z15 and not offering upgrades. Well we will see. Keep us informed on how you are doing.
Guys.. the red converter works and keeps the full pan, tilt and roll unhampered.
Which red converter are you talking of Jamie?
The best would be if panasonic just could let us choose output resolution on GH4 with an updated firmware and almost all problems would be solved (just a mini-hdmi to hdmi converter needed)
Especialy since the GH4 sends out a interlaced signal in clip replay mode. Live mode is always progressive. The question is, if the GH4 gots enough power to convert a progressive signal to a interlaced one, while internaly recording 4K or UHD.
Hi,
you can make use of the internal Zenmuse cabling. You need to undo the HDMI2AV converter from the box. De-solder the Cinch connector plate from the board. From the GH4 you connect it via this cable: https://aerialpixels.com/shop/audio-video-cables-accessories/hyper-thin-micro-hdmi-to-standard-hdmi-flat-ribbon-cable-30cm/ with the HDMI2AV converter. Solder a video-out and ground wire in the HDMI2AV converter there where the yellow cinch formerly was positioned. Solder the other ends of the two wires at the original Zenmuse converter board which is on the bottom of the zenmuse (remove the cap for soldering)…. et voila… your solution is fully integrated into the original wiring…
Regards,
Norbert, drones4everyone.com
@ Norbert, drones4everyone.com: that sounds very good Norbert, can you give me some advice ?
I dont get it, why can I use the internal Zenmuse Z15 GH3 hdmi to analog converter with a GH3, but not with a GH4 camera? The GH4 let me choose between 560p 1080p, 1080i, etc and „auto“ but when I connect it with an micro to mini hdmi adapter set, I dont get an image what ever output I set the camera to. When I use an external adapter like descrivbed abough it works? What is the difference between the exteral little box and the internal of the Zenmuse? I would like to order the box somewhere in Europe and try the wiring you suggest. Not fully shure yet how to do it, but I will try it. Thanks for answering to my questions! Kind regards, Andreas
The answer is pretty simple and already answerd here 😉
The GH4 outputs only 1080 4.2.0 in progressive mode. No matter what kind of file you are recording internaly. There’s also a option for 4k 4:2:2, but then you must record externaly. As the GH3 Z15 hdmi convereter can’t yet deal with a progresive stream there is no way the stock parts can be used.
The Gh4 only outputs inbterlaced when switching to replay mode. But as there is no way to see a live image in that mode its useless for the Z15. Maybe Panasonic adds this feature in a future firmware upgrade.
So as of now the only way is to work with a addon hdmi to av converter.
and what about the dji’s bmpcc hdmi av bord?
it’s supposed to convert 1080p from bmpcc…
I would love to try that, and both has micro hdmi conector…
I though about that too.
The questions is on how to get one, will it fit, does it use the same connections?
As far as I know the bmpcc is build for HD so the internal routing of the GH3 Z15 might not work as its build for AV.
Norbert,
Sounds like an interesting solution but I’m a little confused by your description. Would you be able to link to some photos if you have already made this yourself? I think this would help a lot.
Best,
Sam
Hi, great review. Just wondering how you powered the convertor?
Thanks
The converter gets powered trough hdmi. So it gets fed by the GH4
Herewith a ’small‘ movie about how to upgrade the Zenmuse GH3 to GH4.
The movie is in Dutch but the footage will speak for itself.
Regards,
Norbert – drones4everyone.com
http://vimeo.com/97723913
Hey,
Thank you for the info guys. Norbert, Im assuming there is no remote shutter control, mode switch and other functions.. Just the video out correct?
Hi Roman M,
no that is not correct. You still have remote shutter control because you also make use of the Zenmuse converter board also. You only cut of the black and brown wire of that which you will solder on the HDMI 2 AV board so the rest of the controls are wired via the original board. In other words, you only bypass the video signal 😉
Regards Norbert
Any plans on testing this with Lightbridge?
The lightbridge will need a external cable to get use of the full hd feature. So if you dont want to use a external cable you’ll get the same signal like you get with av.
They will fix this problem in future parts. But as of now you’ll need a workaround. I might be wrong, but I’m also unsure if its smart to leave trusted ways on controlling the copter. I’ll watch a year or so to see if it really works out well and they fixed the first glitches and add missing functions.
I’d also like to see the guts of the Zen BMPCC stuffed into a Zen GH3 to see if it will work with the GH4.
Please someone hurry and do this!!
Hi everyone,
is it risk to buy now gimbal Z15 GH3 and set it up for lumix GH4 or wait for gimbal directly for GH4 ?
I’m just worried that when I got Z15 GH3, the Z15 GH4 gimbal shows up in one or two months. What then?!
Thanks
If you are worried about a possible GH4 gimbal then wait. I’m pretty sure there will be one in the next few months. If you can’t wait, there are some good options to use the GH3 Z15 for the GH4.
I posted an update regarding the use of a bmpcc z15 hdmi converter board on a gh3 z15 gimbal. Read above in the main post 😉
The Panasonic GH4 has an analog out, is this output active while recording or playback only?
Hi Mathias!
Thanks to you i got the gh4 up an running on my s1000 and it works perfect! Big thanks for all the info on your blog 🙂 Im just wondering, what gains are you flying on? i got mine online and dont think there so good..
Best regards Kasper Bröns!
This page is by far the best page with info on zenmuse z15 and GH4. I just started to assamble mine and have a question.
1. I have Dji A2, is it possible to have two radio-controllers to control the Zenmuse with one A2? Or do i need another flight controller?
It depends on what you want to do.
I tried first to use a second Futaba receiver alongs the A2 for gimbal control. But ended up with 2 Futaba FASSTest receivers and not using the A2 as a receiver at all.
I don’t remember what the problem was, but with the kind of chanel mapping we tried to do, there was a problem, because the A2 only supports FASST but not FASSTest.
I’m in the process of building up another S1000 (the first one broke :o/ ), but will go with a single operator setup this time. I’m not sure yet, if I will use the receiver of the A2 or use a trusted Futaba receiver instead again.
Ok, thanks for answer. First i thought it would be great to have two operator, but I think I just go for single operator even if it gives me a lot of buttons to keep track on. I actually building two at the same time, one rctimer s1100 and one dji s1000. Both based on dji A2. Thought the setup should be easy but it takes time since you always missing parts and have to wait for deliverence. Both have Iosd mark II and dji bluetooth datalink.
Sorry to hear that you broke your first 🙁 , crash?
yikes, my first s1000 self-destructed as well, did you have issues binding to the internal A2 receiver?
I was shootin/flying at a completly windless day on a golf course. Right when I was near a high tree, a very heavy boe came out of nowhere.. The tree and my s1000 made some love and the s1000 fell from 10m+ exhausted to the ground. So in my case it was just very bad luck.
I’ve got all parts together to build a new one, except of a GH3 Z15 which I’m still waiting on. DJI really has a problem when delivery parts. My dealer has 6 S1000 sitting around, which he can not build up for waiting customers because of some missing parts.
Hello There
Please check this link.
http://kopterworx.com/zenmuse-gh4-hdmi-to-av-converter-mini-micro-hdmi-thin-soft-cable.html
Best Wishes
Josko
Hi,
I’ve done the same modification on as of the 10/6/14 update, but it seems it unbalances the z15 significantly on the pitch axis. I rebalanced roll but can’t do anything for pitch except trying to add some weight tape on top of the gh4. When I don’t do anything the z15 won’t complete the calibration process without help when trying to go 360° on the pitch axis. Also when in work, the pitch motor often goes into some kind of resonance which makes it vibrate at a high frequency. May rebalancing the gimbal fix this?
Thanks for your input
Great blog.
I was gonna do the same, but decided to wait for a few more days.. and I’m glad that i did..
DJI have announced the Z15 GH4 HD gimbal. So already ordered that one from my local dealer.
That with DJI Lightbridge will be awesome 🙂
Yeah, we knew there would be a GH4 gimbal. Waiting for it in April was not an option.
After a DJI announcement it takes usualy about 3 month least to reach Switzerland. But lets hope you’ll get your’s soon 😉
I thought about the lightbridge but decided to not trust a single „DJI“ Connection for Holding it up in the sky. I let others do the tests and will wait another year or two.
If you put the hdmi converter on the camera part of the gimbal you will certainly need to rebalance it.
The squeking noise from the gimbal motors is also a sign of it being out of balance, as they Need to work all the time.
On a well balanced gimbal you can set the cam in any position and it will hold without any Motor force. This way the motors will only have to work when they really need to balance.
There’s ab better solution now, by using the bmpcc z15 hdmi converter. It also does not straight fit. But at least the wire conections are plug and play 😉
Hi Mathias
Just wonder how you fit the mounting ring to to gimbal, seems impossible to get the ring around the lens and get it in the gimbal? (trying with GH4 and Olympus 12 mm.
There seems to be no room for sliding it in at all?
Also the eyecup seems to be hitting the top of the gimbal? So tired of thes gimbal now…;)
Hello Peder
The lense ring is a very thight fit. I pushed it from the rear on.
You’ll need to remove the eyecup, but its no problem, as its just a slide on design.
Hi guys,
I`m airborne with my second S-1000/ Z-15 Mark III. I`ve got two questions for you…
1) Does anyone have any experience with loosing GPS signal while airborne? Mine did. Flying at low level altitude with now obstruction or tall buildings in the vicinity, my dear went totally uncontrollable in just a second. I had no time to counter react by switching to manual mode, so the aircraft went upside down and the impact to the ground was a fact. Totally demolished.
2) Buzzing around with my 5D in my new one – does anyone have any experience with the GH4 gimbal that the gimbal flips up and down occasionally ? Mine does. Very annoying when in the middle of a shoot.
Any advise or comments will be highly appreciated!
Txs guys!
Morgan mine GH4 does the same (flips up and down) i will try to change the endpoints in the transmitter to see if it helps. Mine biggest problem now is that i get no video output other than in 24Hz cinema mode, but thats not only me, hopefully Panasonic will add an update soooon!
I’m used to fly Phantom but I realize i have to be more careful with the DJI s1000 when i make fast turn or quick stop since it seems like it will flip if i pull it backward to fast? Or I’m I only chicken and in fact I can push it more then I think?
Terrified for the flip of death..*scary*
Oh..forgot..if anyone has a good tip on a good Immersion TX holder for DJI S1000 please give me a link. Have it on one side now but when the TX gets in shadow of my FPV video reciver i get bad connection. Thinking on placing it on top instead, but that might be a bad idea since it will disturb GPS signal? what do you think?
Hello,
great blog and good job guys here, but my question is is zenmuse for GH4 will work with GH3? Swapping the cable from micro HDMI to mini HDMI will do the job?
DJI writes „Built for the Panasonic GH4/GH3“ in the GH4 Z15 specs. So it should work.
They probably just switched the hdmi converter as we use the GH4 with the GH3 gimbal since a while 😉
Thanks Mate! Your blog helped solve the flickery video problems with the GH3/Zenmuse setup!
Hi Mathias,
I purchased the GH4 hdmi board and cable to install into my GH3 gimbal.
The board is a direct fit, but the cable from the slip-ring has 8 pins, and the connector on the gh4 hdmi board has 9 pins.
Can you tell me how many slip-ring pins the BMPCC board has? (I assume only 8 to make it plug and play?)
Or has anyone got a photo of the gh4 gimbal slip-ring plug so I can compare pinouts?
Thanks
matt
Hello, excellent info here. I have been going nuts yesterday and today cause I just bought an Align M690L with a gimbal design for the Panasonic GH4 but today another person with the same copter and same camera told me that when the GH4 has something connected to the HDMI port it only gets 12MP pictures, is this true?
My Align OSD only accepts AV signal. there is a signal converter that goes into the HDMI of the GH4 so it converts and send the signal to the OSD but my Align dealer told me that I can connect directly the OSD to the camera if the camera has AV signal. Does the GH4 has this Av signal so I can use that port instead of the HDMI so I can use the 17MP?
Thank You very much for the help
Hello Jorge
Its well know that the GH4 swaps away from 4:3 to a 16:9 and 12MP as soon as you connect a source to video out.
Panasonic knows about this. There’s a thread in the s1000 Facebook group about this. Would be cool if you could post in there too, as Panasonic was informed about thgat thread and might read along.
I don’t have a direct link. But scroll down a bit and you should find the post https://www.facebook.com/groups/DJIs1000/search/?query=gh4.
Hello Mathias
I just found out about this issue. I am just starting in the hobby. so there is nothing we can do about this matter? Do the GH4 has an AV signal? I was told by Align that if the camera do has the AV signal I could connect it directly to the Align OSD and I will not use the HDMI so I would have the full 17MP. is this possible?
I will sure follow the link, read and post there. could this issue be fixed via a firmware update by Panasonic?
AV out only works on replay, not on live out. So this is no option.
The only way to get this solved is by a fix of Panasonic in the GH4 firmware.
Would be great if you could send a e-mail to your Panasonic support too. There’s a higher chance of a fix, if more people will send in requests. Ask em for a 16×9 vs 4:3 photo and also interlaced video output as an option fix.
Hi Mathias, THank You for the reply. Sent a message to Panasonic and they repply saying my problem needed more information and gave me a phone number so I could call.
Cool. They actually should know about the problem already as I and many others have sent those inputs and talked about it.
We might get a better chance of getting heard as more people contact them about it.
A Panasonic dealer that makes a lot of professional filming talked to them today and they told him they are working on an update to fixz the problem. Not sure if it is true or not, just repeating what he told me. He said that we should all keep sending emails to maintain the pressure.
hello Mathias, do you know if Panasonic has a case that would fit the GH4? if not, could you or someone direct me to a good case? I got the camera a few weeks ago and will use it for the first time but has no case so I have no way to transport it and protect it. I don’t have any accessories at the moment so a small case would be better.
thanks,
Jorge
We fly a S1000 with the Z15 and the GH4 as one of our most popular UAVs for aerial footage. We made a quick video showing just the gimbal in motion, with some close-up footage, which helps to understand how the GH4 camera and Z15 gimbal fit together.
Jorge – Pelican cases with pick-n-pluck foam work great for a custom case to protect gear.
Pick-n-pluck foam is unneeded pain in the arse 😉
You’ll get tiny, static loaded foam parts everywhere and will have to clean stuff like lenses all the time.
Plus it will fall and rip apart over time.
Why spent tons of cash on a copter and safe a few bucks on quality for a water jet cut foam?
Sure pick-n-pluck wil work but is, atleast in my opinion, a very bad choise for such a big product.
Has anybody solved the problem of the pictures format (16:9 12MP) with the HDMI cable ???
I’m very disappointed !!
Thx
Fabrice
Panasonic hasn’t fixed it yet. So the answer is no.
There’s another rumored firmware update for the next couple of days, that might also bring V-Log. So that would be the next chance for a possible fix.
But thats really up to Panasonic. There’s no other way to solve it as long as you grab a image stream from the hdmi port.
Ok !
Many thanks for your quick answer !
Wait and see …
Just found some unconfirmed information, that sounds like a light on the end of the tunnel 😉
Some great news for GH4 users!
This is from Panasonic in regards to the GH4 only delivering 12mp 16:9 images when plugged into the HD Zenmuse.
„I have some good news. I was overseas meeting with engineers last week and we are making progress on a proper solution for you. They are looking at having a fix implemented in a firmware later this year. Until then the composite output is still your best bet.“
Hi! I have a problem With my GH4 gimbal.
i only get a „hadshake“ With the gimbal when i am in ntsc mode 59.98 hz.
when i start it up in 24hz and run cinema 4k it will not send video to my fatshark
the gimbal is in av mode. have on downscale to 1080p
any solution?
Whats your setting for hdmi out on your GH4? Makes sure its 1080p.
Otherwise it might be a 24fps firmware bug in rendering the 1080p.
The new firmware is there !!!
Anybody tested our 12MP problem ?
Hi!
Could you tell me what is actual the best way to use Z15-GH3 with GH4?
I tried to use the original Z15-GH4-HDMI Cable, but video works only in AVCHD format, and 1080i.
Someone wrote too that the cable can be used with BMPCC. It is working with GH4 camera? Which one is better?
Regards,
Matt