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Pages: 1 ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting       #5286380 - 06/24/12 08:08 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Changed the title from PC-tether to Android-tether. There is no PC involved . There is a post in DSLR subforum here describing such Android app. It is not easy and the work is heavy-duty/highly technical so I'd like to discuss the effort in the software sub-forum. I was initially skeptical about Android device's CPU speed and its potential of handling USB bandwidth requirements, but I was surprised. Before getting excited, I'd like to mention the number one roadblock: the Android device must have the USB controller which support Host mode and the Android OS kernel has to be patched to support USB Host mode. Some documents said the Android used needs to be rooted. That is really not the key point, the key is how you'd get the right type of kernel to have the proper USB controller driver included. With that driver in place, the USB external world is yours. At this point, rooted or unrooted is no longer the factor. So two experiments: Hardware prerequisite: get a USB OTG (one-the-go) cable, a.k.a. (USB Host cable) for your Android device. Some Android devices' USB controller does not even support Host mode at all. First experiment: a recent Samsung smartphone, official ICS 4.0.4 OS, unrooted. Found out the official kernel does not have the right (S3C) driver included. Found a replacement kernel. Need root to install it. Will I do it? (Getting the phone unrooted is not a problem.) Probably not. Because I will be changing the stock kernel and don't know if that kernel is compatible with my official ICS (and may brick the phone). I may change my mind later. For now, I will go for the experiment 2. Besides, the phone's screen is not too larger than DSLR's own LCD panel. Second experiment: Samsung Galaxy Note, rooted with unofficial kernel (bells and whistles), ICS 4.0.4. Experiment result: it's a success and it looks great. Let's read on (second post to continue.) Clear Skies! ccs_hello Edited by ccs_hello (06/24/12 06:23 PM) Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether [Re: ccs_hello]       #5286486 - 06/24/12 10:23 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Before getting excited, please go to the company's site http://dslrcontroller.com/ to read the FAQ and check the supported Android devices/OS versions, as well as Canon DSLR model supported. Extremely important, before buying the Beta software (yes, it's a Beta but still with many features), get a free software from the same company "Remote Release" to test if there is even a chance the Android device can communicate with the Canon DSLR you have. Of course, you'll have to use the OTG cable I mentioned in the first post. Only when it passed the "Remote Release" test (can trigger DSLR to take a picture), then it is worthwhile to consider the paid app/software "DSLR Control". (Note only refundable thru Google Play within 15 minutes.) Clear Skies! ccs_hello Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ccs_hello]       #5286566 - 06/24/12 11:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Now the actual review of using he DSLR Control" on my Galaxy Note (5.3" 1280x800 Super AMOLED screen) Android 4.04 ICS. With the larger screen size, remote tethering stats to make sense. It can do LiveView and the screen refresh rate is very high (almost instant) and the movement is smooth without delay. I estimate the frame rate definitely is higher than 10 fps. It take a shot from the DSLR and immediately download to the Android to display. It can also playback what's recorded in DSLR's memory card. Many of the DSLR settings can be controlled thru this Android app's touch interface, including selecting the AF area. It can display 5x zoom for focus adjustment. What I don't see is EOS_MovRec, BYE, APT's movie record function or zoomed moving record function. It probably won't surprise me too much since Android device (1) does not have a lot of built-in storage space and (2) it's inconvenient to move files in-and-out of the Android device. I.e., it's not a PC after all. I would guess the number one question people may ask is Can this app replace BYE? My opinion is it is not. It is just a Beta product (but still full of features) and its primary focus probably is the day-time DSLR shooters. Give it some time, let it mature a bit. There is some hope. To me, I feel the initial $8 app fee is worth the investment. (1) Future version 1.0 software will cost more but I will get free upgrade, and (2) it's a donation for the developer willing to break the box to do something that is unusual and hard (e.g., Canon only has SDK for Wintel and Mac OSX -> Intel Linux flavor and it is in compiled binary form, Android is ARM Linux based but he has to do a lot of reverse engineering). I'll take some screenshots and post them later. Clear Skies! ccs_hello Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ccs_hello]       #5288899 - 06/25/12 06:27 PM Attachment (80 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Screenshot of the Android device (tethered DSLR: Canon 1000D) Post Extras:       JoseBorrero Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/04/09 Loc: MI Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ccs_hello]       #5305543 - 07/06/12 02:50 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My HTC EVo 4G doesnt support the firmware for this app wow after I order the cable to china lol Called HTC EVO customer support and said all other newer android device has an updated firmware version, but there's no date when they will send the update to OLD HTC. wow Edited by JoseBorrero (07/06/12 02:56 PM) Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: JoseBorrero]       #5306189 - 07/06/12 11:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jose, Assuming your HTC's USB Controller also supports "USB Host" mode, then at least there is hope . If factory or wireless carrier is not releasing the new firmware with USB Host mode driver, then XDA-Developer forum probably would be the last resort. Clear Skies! ccs_hello Post Extras:       JoseBorrero Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/04/09 Loc: MI Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ccs_hello]       #5307163 - 07/07/12 06:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'll check this XDA forum as the app doesn't even open on the HTC before getting the meesage and then close. And the guy neither as refund me. Post Extras:       ebusinesstutor Pooh-Bah Reged: 07/01/09 Loc: Nanaimo, BC, Canada Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: JoseBorrero]       #5399515 - 09/02/12 12:00 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I just purchased this app. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Note. The apps worked great in my first test and I am looking forward to trying it at night - perhaps I will start with the moon. Post Extras:       Gvs member Reged: 05/19/11 Loc: Texas Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ebusinesstutor]       #5494086 - 10/29/12 04:43 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Been using this App for a long time now. its Great! Asus TFT101 / TFT201 / Nexus7 / Ti2 Post Extras:       JoseBorrero Carpal Tunnel Reged: 09/04/09 Loc: MI Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: Gvs]       #5713547 - 03/04/13 10:44 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   can this app do imaging plan like canon utility? Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: JoseBorrero]       #5715491 - 03/05/13 10:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   In its option: - Timed bulb shot - HDR / Auto-exposure bracketing - Focus Bracketing - Timelapse May not be that feature rich, but for a smartphone... not too bad. Post Extras:       ccs_hello Postmaster Reged: 07/03/04 Re: Canon DSLR Android-tether shooting [Re: ccs_hello]       #5715517 - 03/05/13 10:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Other similar apps CamCap - DSLR Controller USB DSLR Camera Controller For Nikon: Remote Your Cam USB Pro BETA Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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