DVXuser forum user “Someone1.00” was able to make a first step into Sony SLT and NEX camera hacking. He is asking for support: “If any community will be able to support me I will share algo and key.” I hope some of the smart programmers here are reading this and may can help him out to create a hacker group for Sony cameras. This would be amazing!
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89 Responses
Go for It!!
Stuff like this is the bees knees.
That’s some very good news!
NBD what is that? Do I need to have seen the movie in question to know?Reply by on August 12th, 2009 at Wednesday, August 12, 2009 @ 12:55 am@bluepaintred, it stadns for no big deal .Reply by on August 12th, 2009 at Wednesday, August 12, 2009 @ 1:58 am@Avitable, To be a cool person in the interwebs, that’s something I should have known, huh?Reply by on August 12th, 2009 at Wednesday, August 12, 2009 @ 8:14 am@bluepaintred, or maybe just draw logical inferences from context.
I think now we have to start a hack features list. I will donate if it is possible to:
– have face detection when video on NEX-3
– take HDR pictures without changing the picture size to JPEG. Just take 3 RAWs and generate the HDR JPEG in camera
+1 all of these would be good plus Stewe’s suggestions
Time lapse mode on the 5N!!!
Autobracketing on 5 different EV for HDR.
I will support anybody who succeed in giving me tethered shooting from computer or 120fps in 720p.
+1 I second 720p120. Would be amazing.
how can i help man?
If you’re good in embedded linux you can try to compile kernel and run it under qemu. This may help. Another way is already described in my post.
Think about it…it is not as much for stills because the hacker has posted in a video site. This is about turning NEX APS-C’s and exploiting processor and imaging resources for video like the hacked GH2 has (by many considered the best video, hacked, under $15,000 able to produce higher and more details than even a 5D MK III and on par with Canon C300)
This is a modification especially wanted by people that like the NEX for video as much as for stills.
Although the stills hack also modifies some things in stills (I cant remember waht my friend’s hacked GH2 had) it isnt as important for the video hackers as the video decompression (which, seeing what the GH2 can do now, could place any NEX in C300 territory or better)
For a33 i really wanted these features:
-more iso levels (with step of 25, like 125/150/175 e.c.);
-time laps photography (with step of 5, like 5/10/15/20/25 minutes);
-disable noise reduction on jpeg, make several presets of noise reduction;
-higher fps burst on lower resolutions (like 20 fps on 720p);
-clean hdmi video output;
-more resolutions for video mode (like 320p/480p/720p/1080p/2048p);
-more fps for video mode on lower resolutions (like 120/240 fps on 480p);
-more control of sound in video mode;
-aperture / shutter speed control in video mode.
+1, add in dealaddicts list and we would have a fantastic camera!
Some of these even A77 owners would love to see 😉
yes, plz (Sony or Someone) att lower rez high speed shooting.
+1 on clean hdmi out
A mode with fixed shutter speed, fixed aperture, and auto ISO.
(No, I can’t suggest auto ISO in manual, because the kneejerk reaction from some smartass will be “There can be no auto in manual!”.
I needed that today! I wish I could fix the A&S and let the ISO float within a range.
This is really exciting, these cameras produce worse video out of the box than the gh2 but look how much hidden potential that camera has, if even half as much can be squeezed out of an nex the results would be impressive. I bet you the nex-3 and 5 can both do full 1080p easily and the 5n and 7 probably have the potential to record at much higher bitrates. Think what could be done with that sunset profile as well!
NEX-7 doing 4K video!
This can be a way to ruin your camera.
….or a way to HUGELY improve your camera. Hackers would listen to the community and do what they can to provide potentially awesome features.
LIKE THIS. and small program can check shutter count of alpha
Maybe this would light a fire under Sony to look at some of these ideas and incorporate them in future firmware.
Proper HDR bracketing, and/or intervalometer would be fantastic… about the only things I miss when I use my nex-7
+1
Actually, once I read about it at the linked page, I am a little sceptical.
This guy has not shown anything except a directory listing and some files in the hex editor (video), both of which can be made up.
But he’s already asking for money to support his work, before having released anything. Let’s see how it turns out.
I tend to agree. He should at least hack one model, before asking for donations.
Just give me option to do 24p on my nex 5
I don’t believe you guys, openly discussing hacking your cameras. If it goes wrong where will you get support, ok on old unsupported models but new, doh!
Si
It’s worth it. Just for video its worth a GH2 for the detail it offers.
The first thing a hacker should worry about is a safe way back 😉
For me no hacking would be needed if Sony gave us more flexibility in bracketing.
+2
I just wish hacking a camera and creating functions was that easy.
I predict there just be a lot of menu/function name changes. By the time someone actually creates a usable mod that isn’t just a skin, the next version of the camera will probably have already been released.
If a new model is released, the old ones can be used for hacking.
If you expect to see new features for stills, don’t fool yourself.
These hacks are made by video guys for video guys.
I’m sure they’ll appreciate your “support” though.
Hacking actually increases sales. Look at the market it created for the GH1 & GH2 series. There is no disputing those numbers. So Sony would be smart to make the firmware hackable. It’s would boost sales.
Not just cameras, anybody remember DVD region hacks? The popular players were the ones that could be made region free.
No doubt at all that opening up your firmware sells more. Trouble is, it opens up your lower end cameras to features that are found on your higher end ones, so you could lose sales of higher end kit.
The way a company like Sony solves that is that they allow the firmware on everything to be accessed and modified. High end – low end. On the higher end stuff you allow the camera to go from 1080 60P to 2K or even 4k with user mods. You allow a camera like a A77 to be hacked to get higher AVCHD bit-rates and possibly higher frame rates. You allow someone to get clean 4:4:4 output with a simple hack to the top APS-C and FF cameras. Maybe a hack allows for tethering on all models – though I would not hold my breath on that one.
Otherwise folks that want those features will just go with the GH line or the Canikon camera that can be hacked or already have the feature built in and Sony will lose sales. Because no one that wants clean 4:4:4 output and an still photography is simply going to put down another 6 grand for the FS700. They will simply give their money to the competition and that does nothing for Sony’s bottom line.
DO IT MAN! I agree on the fact that being hackable increased the demand of the GH1 & the GH2, this also goes for Canon for having the Magic Lantern. I strongly believe that Sony’s current lineup has a lot of locked potential, be sure to include the following in the hack though:
1) A safe way back.
2) 5/7 step exposure bracketing with 1EV~2EV difference.
3) 24p/25p/50p/60p frame-rates for 1080p video (unrestricted for regions).
4) high frame-rate mode for 720p (e.g. 120fps).
5) Built-in time-lapse.
Clean HDMI output on NEX-7, to use an external recorder.
+1 for clean (10bit uncompressed) HDMI output!
This is great news. I always wanted to see someone hack the heck out of these cameras but no one had the balls till now. If I knew how to program I would help. Maybe I can be the beta tester 🙂
Nothing to test yet. Firmware is pretty mad for my sight. I want to run it under qemu and find a way used to signal and respond to signals. So it’s the best help so far to run the kernel under emulator.
Can this hack make Sony give us the lenses we actually want?
lol good one! While it will be nice to have the hack, I agree that having some lenses to go with my NEX is a bigger concern for me at the moment. The bodies themselves are pretty good already 🙂
Please kidnap Vitaly.K to complete this until VK is deliver this 😛 lol…
Seriously, someone show the talent whack the the SONY firmware please, just make it like the GH2 hack, pushing to the limit 🙂
Panasonic Hack – PT tool
Canon hack – Magic Latern
Sony hack – N/A (Sad!!!)
Nikon hack – Nikon Hacker
No need to kidnap Kiselev. He want this algo. We have some discussion but don’t get to conclusion.
I am interested in assisting if you want help and I am qualified. Contact me via my profile.
I cannot see your profile. You can pm me on http://www.dvxuser.com
Please,trim the noise engine so we can have the same good pictures as Nikon and Canon have in high ISO:s.
PR
this is illegal
This is not illegal!
-User use unofficial firmware at own risk
-Unofficial firmware void warranty, that it
this is legal 🙂
Modifying the firmware may get the original author into hot water with Sony’s legal department.
That remind me about anonymous hack & whack the sony website 😀
Anyway, if anyone were arrested due to hack sony imaging device fw, I will quit sony 😀
Better HDR bracketing , and better video. And trim the NR !!.
Fantastic news. Thanks so much for putting work into this for the community. I’m an A77 user and it’s fantastic for video. Would be a killer camera if hacked to record at a higher bitrate and/or clean HDMI out.
Let us know how to help!
Do it, and make Sony a respectable brand in the Video DSLR market!
For what i know the firmware is very encrypted, and i’m sure that Sony will make anything possible to stop any hack on their products.
But will be nice to have a clean HDMI output.
Good luck
Read the quote above. “…I will share algo and key”.
Just one: Get rid of the auto audio gain.
+1 on this one. Then the Sony mic could be the onyl mic needed without an external recording device.
+1
+ hiss reduction
I would even pay money for it!
I want:
1) Proffessional autobracketing. I.e. RAW
2) Time lapse
3) User profiles
For NEX cameras, I meant.
I am interested in assisting if you want another head and I am qualified. Contact me via my profile.
My dream is wired remote shutter release that plugs into the USB port — on a NEX —- somehow????
1) time-lapse (with the LCD screen off, or the battery would die in less than 1h.)
2) the ability to set a minimum shutter speed for those of us using old manual lenses without stabilizer (needed to prevent hand shake blur in Auto, A and P mode)
3) full manual control in Video mode for 1st gen. NEX
4) the ability to save RAW files when using Picture effcts on the jpegs, and also save the 3 RAWS when shooting in Auto HDR
5) 1080p clean HDMI output
I own, use and love the Sony A57, NEX-5n and VG20 and a Panny GH2. (Previously owned A77, 5Dii, 60D and D7000).
Unhacked / out-of-box, Sony brings more overall to the video table than the rest: peaking / focus assist, IBIS on the Alphas, Zeiss glass options that AF (and IS on Alphas), continuous AF tracking during video that actually works, and 1080/60p.
But, Sony should not lose sight of the benefits awarded to Canon and Panny thanks to Vitaly and Magic Lantern. The manufacturer scores huge through this collaborative process.
There are excellent suggestions already posted here. Favorites include: Clean HDMI Out, Time Lapse, Variable Frame Rates, Higher Bitrates, Floating Auto ISO in Manual (fixed shutter speed and aperture), and Audio Gain Control.
How about full resolution (preferably RAW) still capture during video capture?
…and longer recording times. Unlimited or hour + lengths would be great, or auto-restart in video recording after the 0:29:59 mark hits and prints. Longer record times would do wonders for B, C, D cams at events and concerts, especially when you have more cameras than operators.
If they’ll release working hack and there will be some support for it’s future – I’m ready here, my cash is waiting 🙂
Seriously – go guys for it, if you got enough skill and talent – many people will appreciate your work!
I’d donate for A77-hack if it includes at least some of that:
– possibility to deactivate the video-button against unintended video-start
– possibility to remap the help-button
– possibility to turn off the NR completely
– HDR and multiframe noise reduction in RAW
– thetering
– …
actually all of these tiny things and minor variatons are just simple-to-do and to release in a proper FW-update… actually… but SONY seems to have no interest on bringing this unpolished A77-diamond to shine 🙁
I pledge $100 to this project and will donate that money as long as firmware will support a77 and will allow to do at least 3 of the following features:
1. set auto ISO in M mode
2. autofocus working in M,S ad A video modes
3. Clean HDMI
4. Increased bitrate
5. Video recording triggered by shutter button in video mode (to use remote control)
6. No crop in video mode when steady shot is off
7. Timelapse
8. DRO has effect on video
9. Manual audio gain
I also pledge $10 when the firmware will just get up and running with minor changes (hello world) and be reversible.
My wish list(A77):
– Auto ISO mode.(Not sure I need it but for completeness and symmetry.)
– Cancel in menus. Long-press on help or whatever. I ‘hate’ scolling thru settings alternatives to find that none was there for me, and then not be able to just back out without changing anything.
– Complete key-remappings, not just some selected option for each and every button.
– Lo Rez, hi fps video modes. Not everything is about making movies….
– Video modes that are not restricted by region!
/E
It would be very nice to be able to change contrast and brightness on the EVF of the NEX-5N without changing JPGs.
Would directly donate for manual video on the NEX-5 (and NEX-VG10) (and mic in through usb if technically possible)
The only hack I really need is to force the video mode to be activated once the video button is pushed for 2 sec. It is too #%^* easy to switch to the video mode right now.
hi everybody
I’ve got a question for you
I just want to know if it is possible enable a contrast detection autofocus (as in the nex camera ) in my slt a33 camera
if it is possible it would be great.
I’ve already answered you. Nobody else can give you more info.
I understand that your effort in decrypting has not been an easy one and you don’t want us to consider it a deserved gift, anyway please consider any possibility of sharing your findings, among the Nex users is full of good coders and things can speed up a lot if more brains work togheter.
Nobody contacted me with any help suggestions. I do not count VK. He just think that he able to find linux specialist but did not find anybody yet.
Share this without straight site of a custom firmware is not an option at all. I do not want to allow manufacturer to close this without any results.
For NEX-7, I would LOVE to see an option to record a lower compression / higher visual quality codec, such as Avid DNxHD or Apple ProRes HQ, which have 4:2:2 color subsampling and 10 or 12 bit per color color depth. The color depth is especially important to facilitate color tweaking among the scenes in post-processing.
If Sony has any sense, it will champion and assist hacking of its Alpha firmware.
Bringing Alpha Users into the formulation of Alpha firmware will increase user participation in the development of the entire Alpha product line. This is a good policy, as the development of computers has demonstrated.
Direct user participation in product development makes the user an active and enthusiastic partner as a customer and as a product designer who has intimate connexion with user needs and wishes.
This is a combination from which any company would benefit massively.
I interest in all of wish lists. But I have one more feature what to add in wishlist.
it is Nikon D4 like crop movie format
Multi-area mode Full HD D-Movie that enables a variety of expressions in three formats. It is possible to record 1,920 x 1,080/30p Full HD and HD movies in three formats that are FX-, DX-based and 1,920 x 1,080 crop movie format.
if to modify nex-5r firmware and cancel restriction for the video – apperture no less than 3.5, it could be possible to use f/1.8 f/1.4 lenses with adapter
😉 in that case nobody will buy overpriced nex-vg20 camcoder))
Clean HDMI output on Nex-5n!
Any news?