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G Tablet FF Camera upgrade?

I'm just curious, and still have not found the answer I was looking for via search.
Can the 1.3mp camera be replaced with a better a 5mp camera on the G Tablet?...
Assuming The hardware exists, and that it is compatible, is possible I am sure a new kernel is needed, what about the possibility of adding 720 recording like the hd2(android version) or the nexus one?
Any thoughts would be appreciated, and thanks in advance.

I would personally love to see the addition of a 5 or 8MP rear-facing camera. Yeah, I know it would involve some massive hardware hacking, but it would be a nice addition.

Is that pain and suffering really worth the upgrade? There would be no way to use the camera effectively because you would have to have you back to what you were shooting. My opinion would be to go buy an HD video camera for $150. Cheaper and easier than hacking your tablet up.

This is one thing that frustrates me about my G-tablet. I took some videos of the family out in the snow the other day and it was a real pain trying to capture the video since the camera only faces forward. The video turned out alright since we were outside and in good light. I've found that unless you are in really good lighting, the camera does not perform well. The quality didn't even compare to most of the devices that are out on the market now (latest Android 720p phones, iPhone/iPod Touch).
I'm looking forward to the NI Adam's swivel camera. It should be really nice for not only video chatting (front-facing) but also being able to film other things from different angles. For example, it would be nice to angle the camera almost completely to the back to film other people in front of you or angle the camera perpendicular to the device if you want to lay it on the table and do a timed photo or something similar. The camera is supposed to be higher resolution on the NI Adam, but higher MP doesn't necessarily equal higher quality so I'm crossing my fingers.

I wonder if now that we have kernel source there wouldn't be some way to add support for usb webcams? I imagine the only reason no one has done it yet is because most android devices don't have usb ports.

joshua.lyon said:
This is one thing that frustrates me about my G-tablet. I took some videos of the family out in the snow the other day and it was a real pain trying to capture the video since the camera only faces forward. The video turned out alright since we were outside and in good light. I've found that unless you are in really good lighting, the camera does not perform well. The quality didn't even compare to most of the devices that are out on the market now (latest Android 720p phones, iPhone/iPod Touch).
I'm looking forward to the NI Adam's swivel camera. It should be really nice for not only video chatting (front-facing) but also being able to film other things from different angles. For example, it would be nice to angle the camera almost completely to the back to film other people in front of you or angle the camera perpendicular to the device if you want to lay it on the table and do a timed photo or something similar. The camera is supposed to be higher resolution on the NI Adam, but higher MP doesn't necessarily equal higher quality so I'm crossing my fingers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The FF camera is only meant for video chatting.

First off, thanks for the replies. I was looking for feedback and info and I need more, please keep them coming.
Second, I too like the idea of a rear cam pics and video, and yes I understand I wouldn't be able to take pics without my back facing, I still want it to be a web cam; The question is can I replace that cam with a better one, even if it may only be a 2.0 or 3mp? If you are going to do video chat, or maybe even streaming videos would a higher mp camera help or hurt?
Third from my understanding there may be room for a rear camera, as well as room for modules that can be added like gps. If I can get any more info and can keep the cost reasonable, I may look into both.
I like the g tab cause its a Do It Yourself-er that has tons of potential, and since I have some time on my hands, I am looking to make any one(or more) of these a potential project.
Thanks Again for the input

Skyydragon said:
First off, thanks for the replies. I was looking for feedback and info and I need more, please keep them coming.
Second, I too like the idea of a rear cam pics and video, and yes I understand I wouldn't be able to take pics without my back facing, I still want it to be a web cam; The question is can I replace that cam with a better one, even if it may only be a 2.0 or 3mp? If you are going to do video chat, or maybe even streaming videos would a higher mp camera help or hurt?
Third from my understanding there may be room for a rear camera, as well as room for modules that can be added like gps. If I can get any more info and can keep the cost reasonable, I may look into both.
I like the g tab cause its a Do It Yourself-er that has tons of potential, and since I have some time on my hands, I am looking to make any one(or more) of these a potential project.
Thanks Again for the input
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no way to install a rear facing camera. All these projects you mentioned have been looked into by others and have basically determined not worth it.

jfholijr said:
There's no way to install a rear facing camera. All these projects you mentioned have been looked into by others and have basically determined not worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they all have been looked into and determined not worth the trouble, then I will concentrate my efforts elsewhere, I wont waste my time.
Apologies for wasting valuable thread space on this, and thanks for the input.

levrin said:
I wonder if now that we have kernel source there wouldn't be some way to add support for usb webcams? I imagine the only reason no one has done it yet is because most android devices don't have usb ports.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FWIW, My Odroid T had a functioning USB webcam running android 2.1 and then 2.2. There were some driver issues, but they got them worked out.

Could this camera firmware can updated to Karbonn Titanium S5 ?

[Q] Video Conversion?

I would like to ask if anyone has converted a dvd over to there Sensation, if so...What program/settings etc did you use, and which format?...I accomplished this with DVD fab, and used the Generic setting at a resolution of 704x398..the video quality was excellent....but playback was a little laggy...but still pretty impressed overall....sounds great plugged in to a nice car stereo......I'm wondering how to get a better smoother playback...and can I get a better resolution?..I know this phone has a 900 x500(rounded numbers here) resolution, but maybe someone has a better program, or something?????

I never convert videos when i put them on mine.
It can easily play full HD videos without lag. Try something like MoboPlayer from the market

there has to be some form of conversion to get them off of a dvd to your phone....????

dirtylarry10 said:
I would like to ask if anyone has converted a dvd over to there Sensation, if so...What program/settings etc did you use, and which format?...I accomplished this with DVD fab, and used the Generic setting at a resolution of 704x398..the video quality was excellent....but playback was a little laggy...but still pretty impressed overall....sounds great plugged in to a nice car stereo......I'm wondering how to get a better smoother playback...and can I get a better resolution?..I know this phone has a 900 x500(rounded numbers here) resolution, but maybe someone has a better program, or something?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try format factory

dirtylarry10 said:
I would like to ask if anyone has converted a dvd over to there Sensation, if so...What program/settings etc did you use, and which format?...I accomplished this with DVD fab, and used the Generic setting at a resolution of 704x398..the video quality was excellent....but playback was a little laggy...but still pretty impressed overall....sounds great plugged in to a nice car stereo......I'm wondering how to get a better smoother playback...and can I get a better resolution?..I know this phone has a 900 x500(rounded numbers here) resolution, but maybe someone has a better program, or something?????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1166739

Record HDMI?

Is there some way to record the HDMI output of the screen?

... but anything that's being fed through HDMI is also on the tablet. This is a little confusing. If it were an HDMI INPUT i could imagine the desire to record, but what exactly are you displaying on an external display that you'd need to record?

elementaldragon said:
... but anything that's being fed through HDMI is also on the tablet.
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Yes and I'm asking if how to record that (like they can on the IPad)

Kermode said:
Is there some way to record the HDMI output of the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy. Why do you want to record your hdmi output of the screen?

goodintentions said:
It's easy. Why do you want to record your hdmi output of the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Easy like? How?
Why... I can think of two reasons to do it, first if you are a developer the video of your app can be pretty awesome recorded that way, and after editing you get a nice trailer that will make people buy it. The other one is doing video reviews.
From my point of view it's NOT easy: you need an HDMI video capture device and a computer fast enough to handle the massive flow of uncompressed video... maybe the computer part isn't as difficult as it might seem, however the whole HDMI capture device will be around 200 bucks.

You could just get a screen capture app. I don't know of any off the top of my head, but you don't need to capture HDMI....you just need to capture what is being displayed on the tablet screen.

AlexTheStampede said:
From my point of view it's NOT easy: you need an HDMI video capture device and a computer fast enough to handle the massive flow of uncompressed video... maybe the computer part isn't as difficult as it might seem, however the whole HDMI capture device will be around 200 bucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm, I see Hauppauge Colossus card has HDMI input - its unencrypted signals of course, but I don't know if the TF101 outputs encrypted or not?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116065

Kermode said:
Hm, I see Hauppauge Colossus card has HDMI input - its unencrypted signals of course, but I don't know if the TF101 outputs encrypted or not?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116065
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhm, nice price. Not full hd, but especially if it's for 720p that could be a good choice... still I have to admit I'm not sure about the kind of output from the Transformer. My guess is that it's encrypted to allow viewing of protected content... but it's just a guess.

You'd think the tablet could switch to protected if it was showing protected content, but i fear you are right.

- YouTube: Asus Transformer HDMI Screen Capture
- YouTube: ..and the accompanying HowTo
Many these will help - the first one has some suggested capture cards in the flaffle
..also be aware of HDCP before parting with any hard cash!
Note: HDMI out reported not working with Google Video

Yeah, we need a capture card, we already got that.
And if that first video is to be believe the transformer is outputting encrypted rubbish.

The whole idea behind HDMI is to prevent digital copying. A compromise by the major studios mandated before they would release their HD digital content

Rumbleweed said:
The whole idea behind HDMI is to prevent digital copying.
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Click to collapse
False. The idea behind HDMI is to transmit high resolution imagery in a digital format.
Copy prevention CAN be employed, but it doesn't have to be.
(and of course if the sole purpose is to make a copy of some copyrighted material that will always happen, all it takes is ONE person to succeed then it spreads like wildfire)

The resolution the TF101 outputs to the TV is exactly the same as the resolution of the screen (save the 80pixel on the bottom) making the HDMI out 1280x720. If you record the stuff screen, it should suffice quality-wise.

frosty5689 said:
The resolution the TF101 outputs to the TV is exactly the same as the resolution of the screen (save the 80pixel on the bottom) making the HDMI out 1280x720. If you record the stuff screen, it should suffice quality-wise.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean 'record the stuff screen' ?

Rumbleweed said:
The whole idea behind HDMI is to prevent digital copying. A compromise by the major studios mandated before they would release their HD digital content
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kermode said:
False. The idea behind HDMI is to transmit high resolution imagery in a digital format.
Copy prevention CAN be employed, but it doesn't have to be.
(and of course if the sole purpose is to make a copy of some copyrighted material that will always happen, all it takes is ONE person to succeed then it spreads like wildfire)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't it HDCP that is meant to prevent digital copying? And I believe HDCP is the reason why Panasonic LCD TVs are unable to show the output of the TF - am I wrong?

Kermode said:
What do you mean 'record the stuff screen' ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I was typing that at 2 AM. If you record the stuff on the screen, it will be the same if not better quality than using a Capture Card to record the HDMI out simply because they're both 720p but recording the screen will not record the extra grain that resulted as interference when transmitting signal out of the mini-HDMI port.

I can't speak to the Hauppauge card specifically, but I own a Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle, which captures HDMI just fine on other devices at up to 1080i / 1080p, and it won't work with the Transformer.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

vlbaindoor said:
Isn't it HDCP that is meant to prevent digital copying?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, HDCP is the "High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection" whereas HDMI is simply the "High-Definition Multimedia Interface "
vlbaindoor said:
And I believe HDCP is the reason why Panasonic LCD TVs are unable to show the output of the TF - am I wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about that - it displays fine on my Philips.
frosty5689 said:
Sorry, I was typing that at 2 AM. If you record the stuff on the screen, it will be the same if not better quality than using a Capture Card to record the HDMI out simply because they're both 720p but recording the screen will not record the extra grain that resulted as interference when transmitting signal out of the mini-HDMI port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But record HOW?
knoxploration said:
I can't speak to the Hauppauge card specifically, but I own a Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle, which captures HDMI just fine on other devices at up to 1080i / 1080p, and it won't work with the Transformer.
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's depressing.

So the conclusion is, you can't record the screen?

[KERNEL] Tweaking the camera driver ( 60FPS related ) Kernel developers needed

First of all, The CMOS Support up to 60FPS 1080P and 720P.
The second thing, the DPS seem stronger, than most smartphones, doing more than 40mbps withouth frame dropping thats a loot of power
and the DPS play fluid 1080P videos at 60FPS and 720P ( in hardware mode ), so there is a chance to do the same with recording.
IM NOT SURE IF THE ENCODERS ARE CONFIGURED FOR 60FPS, but the kernel is limited to 30FPS so can try to delete this limitation, and test then see what happens with that famous 60FPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, i assume, no one seems interested on this, yea! overclock, loot of roms, Cyanogen...etc ...etc but, what happens with the camera? is a good point to develop!!
maybe isnt a big deal but i think this can be improved a loot more, not only on the sensation, also on other smartphones.
Not only due less compression, can say the photos have a hard postprocess like the Optimus 3D, and is a bit weird the photos looks bad, iphone 4 photos looks much better, and its for REAL i have photos to compare and hell.. huge diference.
In part i think is because the photos looks oversharped and maybe the encoding format isnt the best, and because that, the picture, have less details.
Im trying to OUT a RAW picture format, is the best to apreciate the 100% of the CMOS power.
Now the important thing the DRIVER.
Actually im studying the driver carefully, for now only higher FPS to test if i can get the famous 60FPS at 720P or maybe with a bit of lucky at 1080P ( sounds like a joke this last haha )
Im not sure if there are any other thing to care, maybe in HEX.
Code:
#define S5K3H1GX_MAX_FPS 30 [COLOR="Red"]set TO 120FPS[/COLOR]
#define S5K3H1GX_MAX_FPS_PARALLEL 30 [COLOR="red"]set TO 120FPS[/COLOR]
I need some help from more advanced developers, please give me a hand with this i cant compile yet the kernel correcly so if someone can do this for me, thanks, me and a loot of people will apreciate this.
I ADDED THE KERNEL DRIVER with the first modification.
I do not have much time right now, but im gonna do my best, and finish that damn mod, hell!! haha
And again, like ever excuse my bad english, and no, no google traducer, i want to learn it myself without help of that **** called google traducer haha.
Thanks in advance, because together we can do better!

( reserved space for next step if can finallize the first one )

try this kernel:
http://www.multiupload.com/VYN9NZ76Q0

This kernel is compatible with all the roms? just the camera driver?
Im on Revolution HD.
Or you just patched the driver and compile?
Mdeejay what do you think about this? thanks this is a good start i think.
PD: This also need APK modifications right?

60FPS would be fantastic

Yea, now im on school, when im at home im gonna mod the cameraa to accept the 60fps and then, see what happens

I've said it in another thread and I will say it once here.
I hope somebody proves me wrong.
I think the most problems you're going to get are with the lens and the sensor, not the DSP or media engine or something else.
Compared to even a simple compact digital camera we have a very slow lens and aa crappy tiny sensor. You might reach 40fps, but anything close to 60fps will only result in an almost black movie, or to dark to see anything.
May I advise to first try to force the camera in taking a single picture with a shutterspeed of 15ms and ISO800? Just to see how the image would look at 60fps, and hopefully prove me wrong?
And as far as encoding goes, higher bitrates don't make it really harder for a DSP or hardware encoder. All the calculating comes from analyzing the picture with a certain sset of H264 features. Things like framerate, width & height and the amount of motion in a movie depends how hard the DSP needs to work. Bitrates only matters in the amount of data the phone can process (SD card write speed, bus speed on the DSP, etc...).
Good luck !

dipje said:
I've said it in another thread and I will say it once here.
I hope somebody proves me wrong.
I think the most problems you're going to get are with the lens and the sensor, not the DSP or media engine or something else.
Compared to even a simple compact digital camera we have a very slow lens and aa crappy tiny sensor. You might reach 40fps, but anything close to 60fps will only result in an almost black movie, or to dark to see anything.
May I advise to first try to force the camera in taking a single picture with a shutterspeed of 15ms and ISO800? Just to see how the image would look at 60fps, and hopefully prove me wrong?
And as far as encoding goes, higher bitrates don't make it really harder for a DSP or hardware encoder. All the calculating comes from analyzing the picture with a certain sset of H264 features. Things like framerate, width & height and the amount of motion in a movie depends how hard the DSP needs to work. Bitrates only matters in the amount of data the phone can process (SD card write speed, bus speed on the DSP, etc...).
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very explicit! thanks now my answer haha
Thats the fact, but really, you will never see the true potential of CMOS on smartphones, because they're limited the 100% of it's power...
Sometimes just because they want to sell you another device with the same camera, but with more features enabled, market strategy, they sell to you the same with higher price ( HTC Sensation XE maybe? Wildfire S? )
Actually the Optimus 3D shoots fast photos than before.
you actually, can shoot a photo on movement and you can see all the details, just modifying the exposure time and shutter speed.
You have seen a RAW photo from nokia n900 5MP?? Amazing just that, better don't watch a raw from a N8, that's just ****ing amazing, better than most bridge cameras, and close to the economic reflex.
About that fact of FPS, higher resolution = more shutter time needed, and more processing power.
I said this before, this Camera supports up to 60FPS at 1080P, so in theory is capable, why cant be this true?
There are digital cameras with phone sensors, actually recording at 1080P 60FPS and doesn't have to much better lens.
If youre right, okay, good but can try it out and see what happens, and then, well at least you try it, and youre sure about its impossible..
if you don't try it, you never know, and you ever feel wrong about it.

One thousand views... no more answers...
Give it a try,

|ErosizeD| said:
One thousand views... no more answers...
Give it a try,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i talked to show-p1984 (bricked kernel), he managed to get rid of the fps limit some time ago for testing purposes, but only result was crashing camera app, so you may talk to him
(for example in the IRC channel written in my sig)

hlenforcer said:
i talked to show-p1984 (bricked kernel), he managed to get rid of the fps limit some time ago for testing purposes, but only result was crashing camera app, so you may talk to him
(for example in the IRC channel written in my sig)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how to use an IRC? really i never use it
I think im gonna talk to him, and see what she discovered.

|ErosizeD| said:
how to use an IRC? really i never use it
I think im gonna talk to him, and see what she discovered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you only want to make a short conversation, the webchat aplet of the irc network should be enough: http://webchat.freenode.net/
our channel is named: #Sensation-Devs
if you need it more than once i recommend an IRC client software like mirc for windows or even better: xchat for linux/windows
irc server: irc.freenode.net

Is there any progress on this really cool idea???
I would like to have may camera working with 60fps at 1080p
Devs, could anybody help this guy? Unfortunately I'm not able to help him, because I don't know anything about compiling etc. - I'm just a simple user
Best regards, and - I believe in YOU (all)
cool400

u should talk to persiansown..he has a real knack for kernels and extra mods with them...made great kernels for the nexus with tons of extra features

Hi!
RAW format should be awesome!
Thanks to your kernel mod

@erosize: I see 120fps camera (kernel only) notes in the latest AndroidHD 3.6.2/4.1.2 changelog.
I'm curious, does that mean there is any progress?
Regarding my posts about the sensation sensor being too small and the lens aperture being too high, look the specs for the iPhone 4s, they addressed those points specifically

did anyone try iPhone 4 camera ?? it's so cleaaaar

-juanito- said:
did anyone try iPhone 4 camera ?? it's so cleaaaar
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Click to collapse
yea, super clear.... much more than sensation and other smartphones, with only 5MP...
and is because this android phones have weird RAW to JPG comversion...
ANd yes, there is finally a kernel with the 120FPS uncap limitation, thanks seems he listen to me!
Now need to work deeper in to the APK and system.

I think the next thing that needs to be done is to test the new "uncapped" kernel against an aosp camera since it's source is available, so we can get an idea of what we need to reverse engineer in the sense camera... my 2sentz

any new progress? i really like the idea to test this ...

Do these cheap ICS dongles show native 1080p image or is it upscaled?

I want to buy a very cheap, used Android TV stick for one reason only: to play 1080p video with subtitles on my HDTV. The only thing holding me back is the fear that the manufacturers aware of the limits of their hardware somehow blocked native 1080p feed and instead allow some upscaling. What is it like from your experience?

maciek1988 said:
I want to buy a very cheap, used Android TV stick for one reason only: to play 1080p video with subtitles on my HDTV. The only thing holding me back is the fear that the manufacturers aware of the limits of their hardware somehow blocked native 1080p feed and instead allow some upscaling. What is it like from your experience?
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Click to collapse
Hello Maciek,
While I have limited experience with Android HDMI sticks; the one i have (MK809IV 2GB Ram / 8GB Storage) does unfortunately upscale from 720p. However, on the bright side; it does lower bandwidth usage and lower network activity if you're worried about that. I think your best bet is to purchase a $150 USD Android Tablet with a 1080p screen by default and a Micro HDMI out port. I hope you find this information helpful.
Pixel~

iPixelation said:
Hello Maciek,
While I have limited experience with Android HDMI sticks; the one i have (MK809IV 2GB Ram / 8GB Storage) does unfortunately upscale from 720p. However, on the bright side; it does lower bandwidth usage and lower network activity if you're worried about that. I think your best bet is to purchase a $150 USD Android Tablet with a 1080p screen by default and a Micro HDMI out port. I hope you find this information helpful.
Pixel~
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think this upscaling could be disabled by tinkering with the system files?

maciek1988 said:
Do you think this upscaling could be disabled by tinkering with the system files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly; if you use a different ROM for the device (although it's tedious and a pain to do if it's your first time; plus, there's the risk of breaking your device)....
Pixel~