Re: Dark Compression resets to Normal with power cycle!

Hi "Enquiring Minds....."

John, the new SW is a few days old, literally just arrived on our Service server. Our Panasonic policy for SW upgrades is basically the following:

If your camera is under warrenty, it's a freebie, call to ask the local service center for an upgrade.
If the camera comes into the service shop for some work, it will get the latest SW as a matter of course.
If a user would like the latest SW and the camera is out of warrenty, there is a nominal charge of the equivalent of a few hours labour. Loading the SW into the cameras requires some time, some equipment, and ascertaining that the camera is working correctly before the upgrade... that takes a while.

Similarly, responding to users requests for new features, or "simple" changes requires long hours of software investigation, the writing of new code, then the arduous process of the all important software QC.... Imagine testing for dumb stuff like switching to Film Rec, holding the Eject Button and C/BARs at the same time as you power up the camera, just to ensure that nothing "silly" happens, then multiply that by the huge matrix of camera operational features. That process takes many, many weeks.

Panasonic does listen, we value your input and comments on workflow and operation of the camera. We have added numerous features based upon user requests, User Settable frame rates, Dark Compression, CineGama, VFR, etc etc... Some things are possible, somethings are 'reltivly' easy, most are hard, all changes however take time to implememnt and all require testing.

VariCam will continue to grow and evolve, but rest assured it will be around for many years to come, as will our support for the cameras and you, our users.


Shoot good stuff!

Steve Mahrer (Panasonic Broadcast)
mahrers@us.panasonic.com (comments and suggestions always welcome)