• Subscription Options:

    Subscribe via LinkedInSubscribe via FlickrSubscribe via YouTubeSubscribe via Pinterest

GH5 DMW XLR1 Audio Adapter Setup and Tests

With my new Lumix GH5, I bought the DMW XLR1 Audio Adapter to add XLR connector audio to the camera. This optional adapter is powered by the camera with no cables. It slides intro the hot shoe of the camera and makes a direct connection. It is very lightweight and compact. The are all the controls that one needs for getting great audio. This the first still hybrid camera that is a true video (motion picture) camera because of the audio adapter.

On the unit there is plenty of controls. It has 2 XLR inputs with line, mic and mic plus 48 volts for phantom power switchable independently. Gain controls of +20db, 0db, -20db independently. Low cut of 160 hz, 16 hz and Off. 2 audio gain knobs. The choice of channel 1 and channel 1 on two audio channels for a mono signal or channel 1 and channel 2 for a stereo signal. All this is controlled by independent preamps

We will do some tests with it to see how it sounds with voice. More GH5 videos coming soon.

Its Here! The Lumix GH5

The camera has arrived. The Lumix GH5 is here. Panasonic has pulled out all the stops on this one. They did not hold back. They did give us the farm. This is the camera that has changed the independent filmmakers dream. At $2000 it is not a cheap camera but thousands less than the competition.

This the first still hybrid camera that is a true video (motion picture) camera. It can record as long as you want with a long lasting battery. There are two SD card slots so relay recording (swap cards out while recording) can be done. It has XLR audio with an optional adapter than is powered by the camera with no cables. It Does Not Overheat! It is whether sealed (I don't know of any video cameras that are). All manual controls for every aspect of the camera. White balance, ISO (DB), shutter (angle), audio, frame rate and image size up to 4K video.

There are things that new as well. In body image stabilization is long overdue. Now any lens mounted on the camera can be stabilized even all manual lenses. The 4K mov files can be recorded at 60 frames per second for slow motion. The 4K and can now be recorded with 10bit 422 color. (Right now does play well on my MacBook Pro Touch Bar so I have transcoded it to ProRes.) XLR adapter for audio. Waveform and vectorscope displays on the free angle LCD.

We will be testing and using this camera so check FrugalFilmmakers.com for more videos. Coming soon are tests of the audio adapter, the Menus and more!

Here is the introduction.

GH5 First Look

GH5 vs GH4

Mark Toal from Panasonic was at Kenmore Camera on January 23 to demo the new Lumix GH4. This is an exciting new camera from Panasonic introduced at Photokina and revealed at CES this January. This is a preproduction sample. He had 2 for being looked at. These cameras were still being finalized and had beta firmware. Some of the menu items did not work. The camera will be available at the end of March for $1999.99.

The camera is bigger and a little heavier than the GH4. The camera no longer has a built in flash. They have added a joystick for pointing to an autofocus point. One of the wonderful things that did not change was the battery which is already great. The 4K video is no longer cropped smaller than the sensor. Dual I.S 2.0 stabilization is added so any lens is stabilized. The camera now has 2 SD card slots. There is now a full size HDMI port with an adapter that can be screwed into the body to lock the cable from pulling out while recording.

The best improvement is the new audio adapter that sits in the hot shoe. The DMW-XLR1 audio adapter will be available at the same time as the camera for 399.99.. It has a direct connection to the camera and is powered (not extra batteries to charge) by the camera's internal battery. Bad news for cage owners, as it mounts only on top of the camera.

Overall this is a major upgrade over the GH4.

Here are some of the specs about the camera:

It includes cutting-edge 4K 60p (4:2:0 8-bit) and 30p (4:2:2 10-bit) in-camera cinematic video, 5Ghz Wi-Fi + Bluetooth for fast connection and image transfer, lightning fast DFD focusing, Dual I.S 2.0 stabilization and exposure technologies not possible with traditional DSLRs. With the exclusive LUMIX 4K PHOTO (~8MP, 30/60 fps) & brand new 6K PHOTO mode (~18MP, 30 fps), simply pause that perfect moment from vide to produce printable high resolution photos.
20.3MP Four Thirds sensor with no low pass filter.
4K Video: Internal recording at 4K60/50p (4:2:0 8bit) & 4K30/25p/24p (4:2:2 10bit).
Variable Video Frame Rates 4K: Max. 60fps & FHD: Max. 180fps.
5-Axis Photo/Video Dual I.S. 2.0 up to 5 stops with compatible LUMIX MFT lenses, plus in-body stabilization support for classic non-O.I.S lenses.
DFD focusing system for fast and accurate focusing utilizing LUMIX 480 fps and Venus Engine 10
Full size (Type A) HDMI terminal with cable lock included & twin SD Card slots (UHS-II U3 Compatible).
3.5mm mic & headphone terminals – optional DMW-XLR1 microphone adaptor.
Eye viewfinder 3680k-dot OLED, 21mm, 0.76x.
V-LogL recording with (Optional) DMW-SFU1 paid upgrade.

Here is a video with Mark Toal.