The wait is finally over!

Panasonic has updated the Lumix GH5 http://amzn.to/2smPp5o firmware to include 4:2:2 10-bit ALL-Intra 400 Mbps HDR to 4K and full HD video recording modes, as well a a bag full of other great updates.

The new 400mbps is probably the most anticipated update in the new firmware 2.0, so let’s have a look at this.
Before we do that, let’s quickly clear up what ALL-Intra video means.You can download the GH5 2.0 Firmware http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/fts/dl/gh5.html to take advantage of all these new goodies right now.

400mbps ALL-Intra video vs Long GOP

Prior to the recent 2.0 update, the Panasonic GH5 http://amzn.to/2sJ7ycE used video codec known as Long GOP (very weird name, I know) to record either the H.264 MOV/MP4 at the max of 150mbps in 4K 60p 8bit 4:2:0 or 4K 30p 10bit 4:2:2.

What Long GOP does, is only saves (write to SD memory card) certain key frames. The codec then predicts how the pixels are moving from one keyframe to the next, then artificially fills in the gap frames based on the one before it. Similar to if you were using Adobe Premiere Pro to slow down footage. Premiere Pro fills in the gaps using software calculations, as those frames don’t actually exist.

So basically (as a rough estimate based on the bitrate of 150mbps), it will only save every 3rd keyframe and the artificially fill in the other two in-between when in Premiere.

Long-GOP Downfalls

Because these frames between the keyframes don’t actually exist, it does save a lot of memory card space, which was essential in order to able to deliver 40K 60p, in under 150mbps. So while this is a space saver, it comes with two downfalls.

Editing Slowdown

Because the codec is skipping frames, it causes a massive burden on your editing software, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Davinci Resolve and PC. The editing software has to compute the missing frames in real time, every time you try to play the footage, causing massive unnecessary computations just to play a basic clip. This brings even a powerful PC to its knees.

Decoding Workaround

We then had to come up with a workaround, by often decoding the footage into Apple’s ProRes and Avid’s DNx HR first, basically creating and saving (baking) the missing frames into the new file and then edit with that. By doing this we are freeing the editing software from having to do it in real time with each playback.

Dropped Frames

Using the Long-GOP codec is a risky way to record to your SD Card, because if a keyframe should be dropped (not saved by the SD Card), you not only miss out on that keyframe, but also all the in-between artificial frames, until the next key frame is saved to the SD Card.

This could cause a blank flash in your footage, which we definitely don’t want.

While most SD Memory cards are fast enough to record either Long-GOP or ALL-Intra, rarely giving dropped frames, it does unfortunately happen. When recording either Long-GOP or ALL-Intra, it’s best always best to get an SD Card http://amzn.to/2sniLQM that is faster than the bit rate that you are trying to record in order to prevent it as much as possible. You can read more on what the best SD memory card for the GH5 are here.

Along comes ALL-Intra to save the day! Hooray!

ALL-Intra records keyframes on every single frame, so no more artificially created frames, meaning our PC’s will run much faster during edit time! Because every frame is being recorded, should one frame be dropped and not saved to the SD card, it really won’t be noticeable.

Apple ProRes and Avid’s DNx HR are both ALL-Intra which is the reason they are used by professionals

However, with the increase in keyframes comes the requirement of a higher bit rate, thus the need for the increase from 150mbps to 400mpbs.

400mbps doesn't mean better quality

There won’t be any increase in pixel quality from 150mbps to 400mbps.

Yes, it is true unfortunately. But why?

Because all the extra bitrate data is going into those missing keyframes I spoke about, turning them actual data, instead of artificial data. This requires mbps.

There is however a nice bump in bit color depth from 8bit 4:2:0 to 10bit 4:2:2, allowing us to now also shoot in HDR. Beyond this we gain, the two benefits of not having our PC’s coming to an abrupt halt when editing, and no risk of lost footage while shooting, are both great advantages to using ALL-Intra and sacrificing lack of quality increase for better workflow.

No ALL-Intra 60p in 4K only FHD
Looking at the ALL-Intra shooting chart, we are only able to shoot at either 4K 30fps 10bit 4:2:2 (400mbps) or FHD 60fps 10bit 4:2:2 (200mbps) when shooting in ALL-Intra at 10 bit 4:2:2.

If we revert back to Long-GOP, then we would be able to shoot 4K 60fps at 8bit (150mbps) or 4K 30fps at 10bit (150mbps), but then we will need to deal with the key frame skipping issues that come with Long-GOP.

If we wanted to shoot at 4k 60fps ALL-Intra, we would require a much higher frame rate, such as that of ProRes 4:2:2 LT with a bitrate of 821mbps.

As you can see, this is basically double the bit rate requirement, which is what happens when you double the frame rate. In my article about the best SD memory cards for the GH5 SD or SSD Memory storage, head on over to my Panasonic GH5 Memory cards article http://www.capetowntours.photography/best-memory-cards-panasonic-gh5/, I go into specific detail on this, so please check that out.

External Recorders

To record at the minimum ProRes 4:2:2 LT Codec or better, you would need a external recorder such as the Ninja Inferno http://amzn.to/2usQ0Ux for your GH5. If you would like to shoot 4K 60fps internally (without the Ninja Inferno) you need to sacrifice bit depth from 10bit (all-intra) to 8bit (Long GOP)

I cover the bit rates and what type of storage you will need from A-Z in my best SD cards from GH5 article, so make sure to read through this from top to bottom, as its a vital foundation. It will certainly help you to better understand how megabytes relate to megabits and what you will need, not only in terms of your camera gear, but also SSD storage http://amzn.to/2tPa1Xv and computer components in order to store the increased data rates http://amzn.to/2sJvpJj and file sizes that come with the Pro Res codecs.

Beyond it ProRes recording features, the Ninja Inferno for the GH5 is an amazing HDR screen, color calibration screen to use in the and works in full daylight with its 1500nits brightness levels. It also records professional XLR audio and has everythign from waveforms to zebras to use during your shoot. An amazing product and well worth the extra investment.

Data Rate Sacrifices

So just in case you haven’t picked up the trend here yet, this is how data rates work in relation to resolution, frame rate and bit color depth:

In order to increase from either one of these three elements, to it’s bigger brother, you need double the bitrate.

NB: This also needs done using to be the same codec, as the Long GOP obviously works very differently to ALL-Intra, as we have just covered.

Bitrate vs Features

Resolution
FHD (1080p) to 4K UHD (2160p)
Eg. FHD 30fps 10bit 4:2:2 (200mbps) to 4K 30fps 10bit 4:2:2 (400mbps)

Frame Rate
30fps to 60fps
Eg. 4K 30fps 8bit 4:2:0 (200mbps) to 4K 60fps 8bit 4:2:0 (400mbps)

Color Bit Depth
8bit (4:2:0) to 10bit (4:2:2)
Eg. 4K 30fps 8bit 4:2:0 (200mbps) to 4K 30fps 10bit 4:2:2 (400mbps)

See-Saw Data Rates

The naturally if you change two elements in each side, they will balance each other out and use the same bitrate

Eg. 4K 60fps 8bit 4:2:0 (400mbps) to 4K 30fps 10bit 4:2:2 (400mbps)
On the left we have a higher fps, but lower bitrate compared the right which is a lower fps and a higher bitrate, creating the same data rate on each side.

I hope you enjoyed this short article on how amazing the new ALL-Intra codec is for the Panasonic GH5 http://amzn.to/2sJ7ycE. This feature along makes the GH5 worth a buy if you were still holding out.

As I mentioned before, if you want a better understanding of how bit rates work and what is required on terms of SD or SSD Memory storage, head on over to my Panasonic GH5 Memory cards article http://www.capetowntours.photography/best-memory-cards-panasonic-gh5/ for an in-depth write up.

This article can be found on my website http://www.capetowntours.photography/panasonic-gh5-all-intra-firmware-update-10bit-400mbps-hdr/