@alcomposer
Thanks for the great summary. I used to own an EX3 and the external capture device truly transformed that camera. I'm just impatient perhaps.

@brainluce it is my understanding that the 'encoder' hack is progressing every day- and getting better. Remember that although 'stable' settings are not expected yet- the team have been able to get 65mbs stable- an amazing achievement.
To answer your question- in-camera recording is needed - even with the HDMI. This allows a backup workflow- where you can record in-camera and to external recorder.

Also- there may be situations in the future when you don't have access to the HDMI recorder or something breaks the day of filming... etc... having a backup plan is the best plan. (Also remember- that currently the GH2VK can record in-camera at HIGHER QUALITY than the AF100!!!!)

You mention that the 'potential of the hack is fairly limited'? I do hope you have been reading the forum- the compression that exists un-hacked is horrid... it may be a nice still image- but the minute you start moving the camera the video turns to mush.

The current 42mbs & 65mbs are fantastic - with basically NO artifacts. However AVCHD will always be a 4:2:0 codec- and in this respect HDMI could help this- giving us 4:2:2.

It is not right to think of the hack being limited - and the camera being 'so good unhacked'- let me explain: There is very little wrong with the 'hardware' of the camera(for the price point- and actually above the price point) - it is a super platform- so much so that experienced firmware engineers (VK) feel that Panasonic should consider re-building the Pro cameras under the Lumix team.

What is lacking is the firmware- Low bitrates- missing settings- intentional issues (PAL; 30min Euro Model; Possibly HDMI). Also- there is NO reason for Panasonic to spend time (time+engineers+firmware coders = time + money + money= money x 3= lots of money), and please remember that Firmware coding is one of the hardest areas of coding- as you are working within hardware & software domains. So Panasonic would rather sell you a more expensive camera - than fix the GH2. (Actually Panasonic would rather sell you a GH3 that you think is better- until you realize that its basically the same except for a firmware update!)

Also understand that VK has NO developer tools- nor SDK fro Panasonic- this is a totally grass roots effort- and in a very short time period there has been massive progress. Just be patient - in your spare time - test out the encoder variables- the faster that is done the quicker everything can move. (that and buy VK a coffee- or at least a beer- or a 6 pack or something!) :D

Oh good!!! I cant wait for the first HDMI patches....

If you need any help with this let me know. I have a nanoflash and BMD intensity ready to go. H

I'd be interested to see the gh2 working with the sounddevices pix220/240.
SSD recording/monitor/xlr preamp in one.
Should save a lot of syncing time too.

As @VK said- the Shuttle is inexpensive- but the SSD will make up for that saving... What I do think is amazing is the HD-SDI and in/out.
What I like abut the Ninja is the screen (which needs a Firmware update to do realtime playback) - but still love it... & the fact that you can get any 2.5 inch HDD and fit huge amounts of 4:2:2 ProRes onto it. (something like 4 hours per 500GB) Also the ProRes is already in an editable format- which the Shuttle is not in- as I don't even think you would want to edit uncompressed
:-P

@Aria
The issue with the HDMI output is: 24p packaged inside 50i (60iNTSC) with incorrect cadence. The jury is still out as to the issue with colour- but the patch in AviSynth simply blurs the RED channel (It first kills 4:2:2-> 4:2:0 then with blur-> 4:2:2).
I am just wrapped that @VK is seriously considering this for the hack.
What I like about the BMD Shuttle is that it accepts SDI & HDMI, with also output! Im not sure as to the USB port- I think that it can also allow remote control - (be good to work out in future what exactly the command is - especially for 3D Stereo capture)

I sure hope the GH2 can eventually accommodate external recorders painlessly. What are some of the inexpensive cams that can already utilize these types of recorders? Someone mentioned HV20?

I don't understand. Didn't we already have a way to extract the signal from GH2 HDMI recordings? I mean they tested this with Ninja and then AviSynth etc. What's the difference with using that same type of file conversion for Hyperdeck?

I also hear that Atomos is saying you can use Red Giant software called Grinder to extract the 24p from the GH2 HDMI file. http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/all/magic-bullet-grinder/

I think Hyperdeck will be a game changer. Price is great and product fits the needs of DSLR/Prosumer video community.

I am assuming VK@ this means that you are thinking seriously about GH2 HDMI recording?
S u p e r !

>I read that uncompressed HD means 400 Gig - 675GB an Hour. If that is correct, it means expensive SSD drives.

Do not rush with this calculations. They did not provide enough actual details, so we do not know, may be it implements some form of compression.
But it is not designed for long shooting :-)

>And what would be the hardware needed to deal succesfully with such a huge files???

I do not see any problems with hardware.
You could get gigabit media server with 8-12Tb of space for storage for very cheap (and it can use e-SATA for direct fast transfer).

Finally. Maybe I'll get one for my HV20 and ditch the tape :)

You are almost right.
Problem for traditional camera producers is that audio recorders with xlr and video recorders with low compression will be cheaper and cheaper with time. With FullHD small panels becoming cheap we'll see very good viewfinders.
Next problem is that Japanese companies are misinforming all people as usual about their current supply problems.