Panasonic Lumix GH4 on a DJI S1000 with GH3 Z15 gimbal?

The short answer is: YES it works! But…

I finally had all parts to build up a S1000, which was planned to lift a GH4.

I already tested and aproved early April that the GH4 fits the DJI Zenmuse Z15 GH3 gimbal. But I did not have time enough to find a solution to get fully working like I want it to be.

The GH3 uses a hdmi mini port and the footage is sent out in interlaced mode. The GH4 now uses a micro hdmi (thank you Panasonic..) and the basic way to get the footage out of that port is 1080p, 4:2:0 8bit.

There’s also an option to output 4K 4:2:2 10bit. But by choosing this method you won’t be able to record internaly. This setting is only usefull if you will use a external recorder like the Atomos Shogun.

panasonic-gh3_dji_z15_002-225x300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So two things have to be fixed to get it working.

I did it by using a external hdmi to AV converter fed by a thing customized hdmi micro to hdmi cable.

The converter then feeds its signal to a IOSD MARK II which send it to the fpv sender. We tried the one from DJI and also ImmersionRC versions. Both worked.

Here’s a pic of the used converter and how its wired up

converter  gh4-av

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a pic of the modified cable. I shortend the hdmi plu so it clears the tilt motor in movement.

gh4-microhdmi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So right now I can’t use the Z15 internal signal transmission and have to use a external cable.

This limits the turning capapility of the gimbal a bit. I’d say 2 full yaw turns will be fine. But afterwards the gimbal will need to be turned back to unwind the cable again.

Hopefully DJI will bring a cable and converter upgrade for the Zenmuse GH3 gimbal. This would be the best way to do it.

But until then this is probably the only way to get it working in this hardware combination.

I’d like to thank Panasonic Switzerland for loaning me a preproduction GH4 twice. Without them I could not have tested my setup in time for a upcomming shoot.

More information and some test shots can be found in my other S1000 GH4 test blog

 

Update 10.6.14

Someone posted a clip on how to wire the av convter for internal signal routing over the z15 gimbal.

Zenmuse Z15 GH3 naar GH4 ombouw from dji-store on Vimeo.

 

Update 18.6.14

I was at my suppliers shop Aerodron last week and had a short chat about on using a hdmi converter from the bmpcc z15 inside a GH3 z15, to solve the progressive stream problem.

They told me that they already tested and build such a solution about a week ago for one of their customers.

The bmpcc z15 converter board does not perfectly fit the GH3 Z15 board space and only one bolt of the whole pattern matches. Also the original GH3 Z15 converter cover does not fit. But they told me they checked 2 solutions.

Either you just warp it up and fix it some how, or you glue a bmpcc z15 cover on. Their customer wanted a sealed solution so they glued it for his application.

By using the bmpcc converter board you’ll be able to use it pretty much plug and play without soldering. Thats at least what they told me.

I will look into this solution my self in the near future.

I’ll let you know how it works out and will show you some pictures of it, as soon as I got the needed parts, time and made the changes.

So keep an eye on this post 😉