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Question

30 Minute Limit - Digital Cameras

Mar 3, 2014 4:59AM PST

I am looking for a digital camera that will let me video record for more than thirty minutes. I understand that Panasonics (at least some of them) purchased in North America will let me do this. I have gotten multiple and conflicting answers to some of my questions, so I am hoping that people with experience can help clear up my confusion.

1. GX7- I understand that I can record continuously (beyond 30) minutes for AVCHD, but not in MP4. Is this the case?

2. GH2 - Will the GH2 let me record continuously for all formats: i.e. AVCHD and M-Jpeg in the native firmware? Or will I need to use a hack? If so, how complicated would this be to do/use?

3. GH3-I understand this will let me record continuously in all formats? Is this accurate?

Thanks in advance

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
All inaccurate.
Mar 3, 2014 5:35AM PST

Let's find out exactly which one to look at and what country you are getting it in. I still see this limit in cameras for tax reasons. Why not a camcorder?
Bob

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Answer
European Commission
Mar 3, 2014 6:40AM PST

There are at least three reasons recording time is limited.
1. In 2007 the European Commission imposed a Tariff of approx. 5% on camcorders.
Anything that records 30 minutes or more is classified as a camcorder.
2. The normal recording in FAT 32 file system is limited to 4Gb for each file.
That can be less than 30 minutes depending upon the picture size used.
3. Some manufacturers limit the recording time due to possible overheating.

Some digital camera manufacturers (Panasonic for one) sell two models of some cameras.
A European model and a USA model.
To know for sure if a camera model will record as you want, you should contact the manufacturer.
I would not trust someone's best guess.
..

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Answer
re: 30 Minute Limit on US Pansonic Digital Cameras
Mar 3, 2014 11:26AM PST

>"1. GX7- I understand that I can record continuously (beyond 30) minutes for AVCHD, but not in MP4. Is this the case?"

Yes.

>"2. GH2 - Will the GH2 let me record continuously for all formats: i.e. AVCHD and M-Jpeg in the native firmware?"

No. AVCHD only. Also note that MJPEG on a stock/unhacked GH2 is not Full HD, only 1280x720.

>"Or will I need to use a hack?"

No difference. (Actually, there is a difference, but it goes the other way.) Even on a hacked GH2, MJPEG is lilmited to 2GB files. However, as implied above, the hack does make it possible to increase resolution to Full HD (1920x1080). (But increasing the resolution/bitrate causes the file to reach the 2GB limit *faster*, which means even *shorter* capture times.)

>"If so, how complicated would this be to do/use?"

I don't find it complicated at all. YMMV.

>"3. GH3-I understand this will let me record continuously in all formats? Is this accurate?

No. Like on the GX7, .mp4 does not support file chaining. Only AVCHD and h.264 do.

And lastly, note that shooting with NTSC frame rates in PAL territories comes with a whole slew of other issues - Mark

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Doesn't MP4 Allow (at least some) File Chaining? See Manual.
Mar 3, 2014 1:32PM PST

Thanks for your help.

Just to follow up: the GH3 manual says as follows:


- [MP4] (Recording with picture quality set to [FHD/30p])

Recordable time Approx. 240 min
Actual recordable time Approx. 120 min

So, this would seem to imply that some sort of file chaining is supported? Of course, I have no hands on experience, so was just hoping that you might clarify?

Thanks again.

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No, GH3 MP4 doesn't allow file chaining. See manual.
Mar 3, 2014 3:10PM PST

Per page 25 of the manual at:

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCGH3.PDF

"Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [MP4] is 29 minutes 59 seconrds or up to 4 GB."

Also note about halfway down the page:

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-GH3KBODY

"Continuous Recording
Seamless File Generation

When recording the video in MOV, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD, the DMC-GH3 automatically generates multiple seamless files for continuous recording."

No mention of mp4. While the chart just a bit below that specifically says, "No" in the Seamless file generation column under MP4.

Mark

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Checked manual--still a question?
Mar 3, 2014 10:18PM PST

I checked page 25, and the second bullet after the first seems to imply that you can record beyond 30 minutes? See below. I appreciate your response, but I also do not want to confuse an already complex situation. Do you have have personal experience trying to do this, or is your response based on your broader sense of the camera?

• Maximum time to record motion pictures continuously with [MP4] is 29 minutes
59 seconds or up to 4 GB.
• Though a [MOV] motion picture can be recorded continuously without a pause even
when its file size exceeds 4 GB, the recorded content is played back with multiple files.

Again, thanks.

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Never Mind-I Stand Corrected. Thank You
Mar 3, 2014 11:01PM PST

I see now--I am confusing .Mov an d MP4. Thank you, I am now clear.
The camera allows for continuous files for .mov and not MP4 (I was conflating them).
Thanks for helping to clarify a confusing situation.
All the best.