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[Q] Z3 Camera Degradation

My Z3 is coming in the mail today and I have read a lot that rooting your phone will cause camera degradation due to the loss of Sony DRM keys. I was wondering if there is anyway around this? I have a feeling I'll be okay with Sony's firmware (or whatever it's called) for a time then I will want some more customization. Is there a fix for this or any progress towards a fix?

You can root with bl locked. Backup drm. Unlock bootloader, place back the drm.
Sent from my D6603 using XDA Free mobile app

To clarify this: rooting (without unlocking Bootloader) has no effect on any features of the Z3. Once you unlock your bootloader the TA partition with the DRM keys gets deleted and you lose some features like low light processing and PlayStation remote play (for more info search with google).
But as Aightu said, if you root you can backup your TA partition to save it. Once you unlock your bootloader you can then relock it if you want to, flash a stock firmware and restore your TA partition to get access to said features.

Quick questions about flashing 32.2.A.0.305

I have not received the 32.2.A.0.305 update for my Z5 yet, so I went to XperiFirm to check which region my device's firmware is from. It turns out the firmware is CDA 1298-2996 (South Africa).
I live in Australia and wish to flash the Customized AU firmware with CDA 1298-7277. I want to do this so that my device will be updated and will be using the Australian firmware.
My bootloader is locked; is flashing possible without unlocking the bootloader?
Will flashing a different firmware potentially cause damage (my device is not network locked, and single sim E6653).
Will this affect my warranty / DRM keys?
Thank you in advance, I appreciate any help :angel:

You are safe to flash almost any E6653 Firmware onto your E6653
Obviously dont flash test firmwares or ones that May lock your sim
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app

Envious_Data said:
You are safe to flash almost any E6653 Firmware onto your E6653
Obviously dont flash test firmwares or ones that May lock your sim
Sent from my E6653 using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you And the DRM keys should not be affected? I have read that unlocking the bootloader only affects the keys.

csfrank271 said:
Thank you And the DRM keys should not be affected? I have read that unlocking the bootloader only affects the keys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing a FTF shouldent touch DRM At all.

Envious_Data said:
Flashing a FTF shouldent touch DRM At all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again, I appreciate the knowledge!

csfrank271 said:
I have not received the 32.2.A.0.305 update for my Z5 yet, so I went to XperiFirm to check which region my device's firmware is from. It turns out the firmware is CDA 1298-2996 (South Africa).
I live in Australia and wish to flash the Customized AU firmware with CDA 1298-7277. I want to do this so that my device will be updated and will be using the Australian firmware.
My bootloader is locked; is flashing possible without unlocking the bootloader?
Will flashing a different firmware potentially cause damage (my device is not network locked, and single sim E6653).
Will this affect my warranty / DRM keys?
Thank you in advance, I appreciate any help :angel:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can flash and what ever with your device, DRM keys are safe!
when u ulock bootloader, the device WIPE user Data and sony partitions (TA (trimArea) partitions) and DRM keys and FIDO keys will be lost!
this $h!t is with sony only!!
i rooted my fone and having modified kernel having DRM stimulation installed. its working fine now.
- at any given day, to a thirsty user who wants to CONTROL his Xperia to the most. i would say, ignore drm keys and make a deal with devil to have root access
- however since Xperia Z5 (unlike latest xperia Xseries) came out on LP kernel. so u can FLASH LP kernel and root it with app like kingroot and extract your DRM keys to windows pc and back it up. now u can flash the LASTED Android back on you Xperiaz5 and unlock your boot loader to have root access.
check this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-...ting-xperia-z5-z5p-variants-drm-keys-t3437902

YasuHamed said:
you can flash and what ever with your device, DRM keys are safe!
when u ulock bootloader, the device WIPE user Data and sony partitions (TA (trimArea) partitions) and DRM keys and FIDO keys will be lost!
this $h!t is with sony only!!
i rooted my fone and having modified kernel having DRM stimulation installed. its working fine now.
- at any given day, to a thirsty user who wants to CONTROL his Xperia to the most. i would say, ignore drm keys and make a deal with devil to have root access
- however since Xperia Z5 (unlike latest xperia Xseries) came out on LP kernel. so u can FLASH LP kernel and root it with app like kingroot and extract your DRM keys to windows pc and back it up. now u can flash the LASTED Android back on you Xperiaz5 and unlock your boot loader to have root access.
check this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z5-...ting-xperia-z5-z5p-variants-drm-keys-t3437902
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice, I will look into it in the future when CyanogenMod improves and I need to unlock the bootloader to install it. My main incentive for this would be to greatly improve the camera, which we all know takes very washed-out photos.
I have just gone through the firmware flashing process. Thankfully there are many guides available and it all worked just fine, so I am using the current, correct firmware now
The worst part was just the waiting and suspense (feels like a lot could go wrong).
Thanks again Envious_Data and YasuHamed!

csfrank271 said:
Thanks for the advice, I will look into it in the future when CyanogenMod improves and I need to unlock the bootloader to install it. My main incentive for this would be to greatly improve the camera, which we all know takes very washed-out photos.
I have just gone through the firmware flashing process. Thankfully there are many guides available and it all worked just fine, so I am using the current, correct firmware now
The worst part was just the waiting and suspense (feels like a lot could go wrong).
Thanks again Envious_Data and YasuHamed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had flashed Cm13 on XperiaZ and inbuilt camera app of CM13 was worse than xperia! and if you think you z5 camera isn't working properly then God Help you when you won't have DRM keys in place! because the DRM keys actually enables feature of camera which wont be activated if DRM keys are lost
nothing will go wrong! be confident! sony devices are Hardcore stallions! once you nail them! they will be your pet!

DRM

Ok sorry for idiotic question, but what are DRM and why do i need them? i backed them up on start before rooting, now i have tested few roms and stuff. But do i need to restore DRM for better photos or something? Or os not possible to restore DRM on costum rom. Its my first sony in years

I don't know that much on DRM and Development, I'm just a passionate guy, so what am gonna say is perhaps wrong so dont blame me
DRM (Digital Right Management) are keys used to "protect" the phone.
Those keys are sets by the firm (In this case SONY)
To enable some functions on the phone.
When you buy a new phone, DRM are already set up and everything works fine, but some phone functions require those keys to work (on the Z5 x-realty photos, bravia engine display needs them to work) .
If you unlock your bootloader, you delete by the same time those key located on the TA partition and so, X reality and Bravia cease to work,
I know that on the Samsung devices the fingerprint sensor is completely disabled if you lost DRM I don't know if it's the same on the Z5.
Once deleted you can't recover them, they're lost for ever, even if you relock your bootloader !
Actually I don't know if you can recover the keys if you have backed up your TA partition, but according to what I've read you can't, BUT you can emulate them.
DRM aren't only for phone, you can find some in video games protections, computer, or that kind of stuff

So is missing bravia noticable on phone?

Actually I can't answer, I'm waiting for a locked bootloader root in order to keep the originals DRM.
Guess you should ask someone who has unlocked his bootloader and lost DRM to see if there are some noticeable changes?

I don't see a big difference regarding X-Reality, but where there's a big difference is in the photos taken without the DRM keys.
If you want to root your phone and keep the DRM keys, read this: http://twigstechtips.blogspot.ch/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=1
I'm currently trying to get the TA partition restored on a stock non-rooted ROM

Ivory flaw is only available on lollipop?
I'm f*cked then I'm running Marshmallow and I don't want to flash a new Rom wiping everything :crying:
Thanks but I'll try later if there no root for Locked BL on Marshmallow

Nayibmc said:
I don't see a big difference regarding X-Reality, but where there's a big difference is in the photos taken without the DRM keys.
If you want to root your phone and keep the DRM keys, read this: http://twigstechtips.blogspot.ch/2016/04/sony-z5-compact-root-without-losing-ta.html?m=1
I'm currently trying to get the TA partition restored on a stock non-rooted ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
keep me posted, i have TA partition backuped, it would be nice if i could restore DRM keys and use stock rom

[noob question] unlocking the bootloader

Hi all.
I've got my XZ since one week now, and I'm missing the possibilities of rooting my device.
My Z2 was LB, so I never could ever try to unlock my bootloader. therefore, I don't know anything about it.
I've read a lot of thread here and there, and some points are not that clear to me.
Will the procedure of unlocking the bootloader erase everything in the phone (like photos, contacts, etc...)?
Unlocking the bootloader will kill the DRM keys forever, if I understood well. but flashing Androplus Kernel will recover them, right?
Is it possible to relock the booltloader after? if yes, will the DRM keys be restored?
Last thing, to be sure of what I should do.
1-unlock the bootloader with IMEI via sony site.
2-install TWRP via adb command
3-flash Androplus kernel.
Am I right, or do I miss something?
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the noobish questions.

sensei_sai said:
Hi all.
I've got my XZ since one week now, and I'm missing the possibilities of rooting my device.
My Z2 was LB, so I never could ever try to unlock my bootloader. therefore, I don't know anything about it.
I've read a lot of thread here and there, and some points are not that clear to me.
Will the procedure of unlocking the bootloader erase everything in the phone (like photos, contacts, etc...)?
Unlocking the bootloader will kill the DRM keys forever, if I understood well. but flashing Androplus Kernel will recover them, right?
Is it possible to relock the booltloader after? if yes, will the DRM keys be restored?
Last thing, to be sure of what I should do.
1-unlock the bootloader with IMEI via sony site.
2-install TWRP via adb command
3-flash Androplus kernel.
Am I right, or do I miss something?
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the noobish questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey sensei_sai,
Im unsure if unlocking will erase your data but its always best to backup everything in the internal memory just in case something goes wrong.
Androplus will NOT recover your DRM keys but kernels with DRM fixes try to replicate the features that are permanently lost as a result of unlocking your boot-loader.
In the future it may be possible for you to re-lock the boot-loader but even then this wont restore DRM keys, the only way to restore DRM keys would be to back up your TA partition (This contains your DRM keys) before you unlock your boot-loader but to do this you need root access with your boot-loader still locked.
How to backup TA
Unfortunately at this time nobody has figured out a way to get root with a locked boot-loader although a newly found exploit (Dirty cow) may help us do this very soon so if you care about re-locking and keeping your DRM keys I advise waiting until a locked boot-loader root solution is around!

Sonic Dash said:
Hey sensei_sai,
Im unsure if unlocking will erase your data but its always best to backup everything in the internal memory just in case something goes wrong.
Androplus will NOT recover your DRM keys but kernels with DRM fixes try to replicate the features that are permanently lost as a result of unlocking your boot-loader.
In the future it may be possible for you to re-lock the boot-loader but even then this wont restore DRM keys, the only way to restore DRM keys would be to back up your TA partition (This contains your DRM keys) before you unlock your boot-loader but to do this you need root access with your boot-loader still locked.
How to backup TA
Unfortunately at this time nobody has figured out a way to get root with a locked boot-loader although a newly found exploit (Dirty cow) may help us do this very soon so if you care about re-locking and keeping your DRM keys I advise waiting until a locked boot-loader root solution is around!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply.
Too bad for the TA partition.
So we have two possibilities. Take the risk of loose some features forever, but benefit of the root or wait till someone make some magic to use an exploit to obtain root without unlocking the bootloader.
Risk and go... Or wait and safe... Dilemma...
Sent from my Xperia XZ

I think that the era of DRM lock is over, we've been using DRM fixes for all the latest xperia phones, the dirty cow is a bad exploit and it's more dangerous than useful.
I was unsure about unlocking the bootloader but now that I did it, I rooted and I regret nothing, the only downside of unlocking is the warranty loss, but who cares as long as the phone doesn't magically explode.

Venom71 said:
I think that the era of DRM lock is over, we've been using DRM fixes for all the latest xperia phones, the dirty cow is a bad exploit and it's more dangerous than useful.
I was unsure about unlocking the bootloader but now that I did it, I rooted and I regret nothing, the only downside of unlocking is the warranty loss, but who cares as long as the phone doesn't magically explode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point for you... I think i will take the risk.
Sent from my Xperia XZ

I'm about to....

sensei_sai said:
Good point for you... I think i will take the risk.
Sent from my Xperia XZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
caqo71 said:
I'm about to....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so did the bootloader unlock erase your data? Did you use the sony way or Flashtool?

I wrote a complete guide just here : https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/how-to/how-to-unlock-bl-kernel-twrp-root-t3541648
Please use the search

nathan30 said:
I wrote a complete guide just here : https://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-xz/how-to/how-to-unlock-bl-kernel-twrp-root-t3541648
Please use the search
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I've seen that guide, seems like it's not possible to unlock bootloader without factory reset.

tempurastyle said:
Thank you, I've seen that guide, seems like it's not possible to unlock bootloader without factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's not possible

tempurastyle said:
Thank you, I've seen that guide, seems like it's not possible to unlock bootloader without factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but it worth it!! Save all your datas and go for it!

Is it necessary to backup DRM keys before unlocking HTC device?

So do HTC devices also have DRM keys in the TA (trim area) partition that must be backed up before unlocking the bootloader ?
Similar to Sony devices? Thanks for the answer.

lebigmac said:
So do HTC devices also have DRM keys in the TA (trim area) partition that must be backed up before unlocking the bootloader ?
Similar to Sony devices? Thanks for the answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nop

What is it ? Never heard of it drm keys what are those

Aftab_khatri said:
What is it ? Never heard of it drm keys what are those
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DRM keys in Sony Xperia smartphones are located in the TA (trim area) partition of the phone.
When unlocking the bootloader, the TA partition gets erased and you lose your phone's unique DRM keys forever unless you backed it up first.
Without the DRM keys you lose a lot of special functionality such as special camera features like BionZ, built-in noise-cancelling, X-Reality engine, Bravia engine, Track ID, Miracast etc...

lebigmac said:
DRM keys in Sony Xperia smartphones are located in the TA (trim area) partition of the phone.
When unlocking the bootloader, the TA partition gets erased and you lose your phone's unique DRM keys forever unless you backed it up first.
Without the DRM keys you lose a lot of special functionality such as special camera features like BionZ, built-in noise-cancelling, X-Reality engine, Bravia engine, Track ID, Miracast etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks alot mate

Galactus said:
Nop
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Click to collapse
Are you 100% sure about that? On HTCDev bootloader unlock website it says:
Some content on your device may also be invalidated and cannot be accessed any more because of invalid DRM security keys. This includes content that you may have purchased through a 3rd party vendor and through HTC. Furthermore, although you will still be able to receive updates to your device via FOTA (“firmware over the air”), we do not guarantee that updating your device via FOTA will not render your device unusable. Please understand that you will not be able to return your device to the original state and going forward your device may not be held covered under the warranty for all claims resulting from the unlocking of the bootloader. HTC bears no responsibility if your device is no longer usable afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

lebigmac said:
Are you 100% sure about that? On HTCDev bootloader unlock website it says:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC devices might have the DRM keys and that partition, but when unlocking you won't lose anything, so you're good to go with unlocking BL and do custom stuff

lebigmac said:
DRM keys in Sony Xperia smartphones are located in the TA (trim area) partition of the phone.
When unlocking the bootloader, the TA partition gets erased and you lose your phone's unique DRM keys forever unless you backed it up first.
Without the DRM keys you lose a lot of special functionality such as special camera features like BionZ, built-in noise-cancelling, X-Reality engine, Bravia engine, Track ID, Miracast etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but if my ROM it rooted i can fix this by root? no (i use sony) im searching for answer over the net
bottom point ill stil have my camera (im gonna use custom stock base kernel) maybe lionage ROM later on

Superrman said:
but if my ROM it rooted i can fix this by root? no (i use sony) im searching for answer over the net
bottom point ill stil have my camera (im gonna use custom stock base kernel) maybe lionage ROM later on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you use sony, got to sony forum, afaik there is no real fix for that. there is some work, you can check it in xz premium forum