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MODDING THE SAMSUNG VIBRANT TO HAVE A FRONT FACING CAMERA (FFC)
DISCLAIMER: It is NOT my fault if this Breaks your Device, or if you screw it up trying to do it. blah blah you know the drill. XDA is also not responsible. This WILL void your warranty. Luckily it is easy to do.
***THIS IS ONLY FOR THE VIBRANT***
Other phones are slightly different inside
Required:
-Compatible rom (Bionix fusion or eugene's froyo or any rom that the dev specifically says ffc compatiable)
-JAC's OC/UV Kernel. Stock kernel will not work, period. Voodoo should also work KK's kernel also does not work.
-An FFC, of course (see below for where to get it)
HOW TO DO IT:
1. Open your phone
2. Remove the 7 screws or so
3. Remove the internal battery cover.
4. Remove your Vibrant camera... it is snapped in under the cam chip.
5. Using Goof OFF! or denatured alcohol or something similar, dip a q-tip in the chemical, and slightly dab the whole where it is to go.
6. Let it sit for 10-20 minutes, and repeat (or if you are anxious, don't wait...)
7. Using something plastic for the safety of the digitizer glass, and scrape out the gunk.
8. Now, definitely let everything dry before putting your phone back together, and MOST definitely before you put the battery in and turn it on. Give it 20-30 minutes to be safe... depends on the chemical used.
I used a flat head screw driver, which is metal, but if you choose this USE EXTREME CAUTION!!
For more info, go to my thread in the General section as I may have missed something/got something wrong in this post. It has been a while since I first did this mod...
Useful tidbits:
If you get force closes when trying to use a the cam, then you did not read instructions. Use the proper kernel.
Banding is present in low light conditions. This looks to be a software issue. Popular belief is that the phone is powering both cameras at the same time when either is called, and is basically confusing itself. This is a work in progress.
Software that is known to work is Fring, various lame mirror apps, etc. Android video calling is only available in Froyo, but I have not tested it recently since Eugene's R3, so I cannot confirm that it working ATM. Tango may also work.
Attached the mach.aries file for those of you that wanna chip in and do some digging. Looks like most of the things we need are in there. Attached a .rar and a .zip file... for some reason I had both? It's been a loooong couple weeks.
Epic camera: thanks to KellyLewis3985 for the dl.
http://db.tt/0DEkw9X
How to Flash:
1. Download the ZIP and put it on the root of your INTERNAL SD Card.
2. Open ROM Manager and boot into ClockWorkMod (DO NOT use Stock Recovery) or boot into recovery the manual way.
3. Navigate down to "apply sdcard: select zip" and locate the .zip file in your internal SD card. Push the power button, navigate down to "YES" and push the power button once more.
4. Let it do its thing, and reboot. First boot *may* take an extra second... Play with new cam app.
To get a cam:
Just got some more cams ordered... should have them by the weekend, so any orders now will start shipping 11/8 in the order they are received.
Go here: http://bit.ly/8ZEPW4
UPDATES:
So, now my desktop is totally dead... makes noises it shouldnt right when i turn it on... have to replace... grrr
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Got some donations recently, just wanted to say thanks, but the good people here on XDA do not need to pay for one kid's dooschery. I returned the donations back to you. Here is the response sent with the refunds:
Hey man, I appreciate the donation... but the overwhelming support I received the other day on xda was more than enough. This one guy got me down for a night, and you guys picked me up. No one else on xda should pay for his dooschery. Again THANKS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel that there are some things more valuable than money. I wasn't pissed about losing $30 as I was about the principle and that someone would have the audacity to rip someone off that is trying to help. Again thanks.
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Well, due to over whelming support, i'm not done. Last batch has sold out, and some new options have presented themselves. Also, with the help of a few others, they are getting mad progress on diving through source code working on the banding issue... Keep following this thread for progress.
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So.... An ebay user who is also an xda member deliberately screwed me out of a camera and the money for it, so after this batch is gone, i'm done. He never updated his address with ebay or paypal, and of course i sent it to the address i had... and he got ebay to not only refund the full price but keep the fees for the sale and money transfer. Way to say thanks to the guy that got this started... asshole. oh! i get it. he is just out of high school and is a little slow to how the world works. probably because he "works on a farm with 70 dairy cows." <- quote from him.
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Next batch of ffc cams are coming in for those of you who do not have one yet. New listing, donating some of the process to breast cancer research/awareness...
eBay listing here SOLD OUT
Still settling in after the move and new job... Still w/o internet at my house too... So I am limited in what else I can do right now... Hopefully getting these out will help some of you.
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Breaking news available via my twitter feed of #vibrantFFC. my original thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7941083
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This thread is for android/software development of the FFC for the Vibrant. Software and ROM support is insufficient atm, so let's get that fixed.
To see how to add the FFC, check this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804142
To get a camera check this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804122 or hit up my ebay listing here. buying cams from the wholesaler in large quantities to provide them to you individually... Wholesaler had minimum order requirements.
Currently, I have only tested the FFC in JP3 and Bionix. Mirror app works fine, but is useless.
Video calling is doable, but not available in Bionix. Is available in JP3, but is broken.
Have not had a chance to test Tango, but Fring looks to be coded to use the rear camera...
UPDATE: there has been a lot of progress recently. Halfway through reading all of the threads... Seriously have note had much time, but should be able to finish compiling all of the info into this post soon.
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siirial said:
Currently, I have only tested the FFC in JP3 and Bionix. Mirror app works fine, but is useless.
Video calling is doable, but not available in Bionix. Is available in JP3, but is broken.
Have not had a chance to test Tango, but Fring looks to be coded to use the rear camera...
Any more ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, Siirial. Is that Bionix 1.7? I can't get Mirror app to work.
Tango doesn't work yet but I emailed the developers and they said it will be included in their next release
memorito said:
Hi, Siirial. Is that Bionix 1.7? I can't get Mirror app to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I am a little confused as to which thread I should be posting in. But here goes.
My FFC wont load in Mirror App using Bionix 1.8 Stock Kernel.
Here is the logcat. http://pastebin.com/biJmEhPr
----------- Edit -----------
Ok, so I finally got around to installing a Rom with a modified kernel. (Specifically Bionix 1.8 w/ Jacs)
The Mirror app now loads the FFC and the image is actually better than the rear cam at the moment.
So, it looks like whatever is going on in the kernel makes a huge difference. Perhaps someone can
take a look at the i9000 and Bell SGS Kernel's.
Posted this in the other thread and it was recommended that I post it here:
Just a thought to kick around some ideas, has anyone looked at this?
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/hardware/Camera.Parameters.html
Looks like there are a few options that could be tweaked, including 'antibanding' for 50 and 60hz
memorito said:
Ok, so I finally got around to installing a Rom with a modified kernel. (Specifically Bionix 1.8 w/ Jacs)
The Mirror app now loads the FFC and the image is actually better than the rear cam at the moment.
So, it looks like whatever is going on in the kernel makes a huge difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i believe the above it true, i am running bionix 1.8 with the kk kernel, and i cannot get the mirror app to work, will load in the jacs kernel and see the difference.
edit:
i reloaded Bionix 1.8 with Jacs oc/uv without voodoo, and can now confirm the front camera working with the mirror app, albeit grainy
Could not get FFC to work on Bionex 1.7 Stock kernel. Third the kernel info.
paradox4286 said:
i reloaded Bionix 1.8 with Jacs oc/uv without voodoo, and can now confirm the front camera working with the mirror app, albeit grainy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Grainy or blurry?
If blurry, you can rotate the focus ring on the actual camera. That's what Cobra did to fix his.
Received camera, installed and confirmed that mirror app works on Bionix 1.7 with JAC voodoo kernel(voodoo activated). Unfortunately, the rear camera problem still exists. Tweaking focus now via outer ring of FFC.
Just installed the new camera. Still on stock JI6 ROM. Banding happens. I recorded some video and can post it if people are interested. Might check if there is any logging that happens when the camera starts up.
memorito said:
Grainy or blurry?
If blurry, you can rotate the focus ring on the actual camera. That's what Cobra did to fix his.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ahh gotcha, i'll try that when i get home after work.
when using the rear camera in vignette, the area where the camera chip is gets very warm after not very much use.
maybe the stock vibrant camera data files don't place nice with the i9000 camera
Does any dev have a cam yet?
So here's a thought, can I use sgs tools-prop.editor and change the info there to mimic the i9000? I nelieve it will trick fring (and all other apps) into thinking my phone is an i9000, but I dont wanna brick my **** as my laptop is not with me to odin.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
orells said:
So here's a thought, can I use sgs tools-prop.editor and change the info there to mimic the i9000? I nelieve it will trick fring (and all other apps) into thinking my phone is an i9000, but I dont wanna brick my **** as my laptop is not with me to odin.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO IT! LOL
Um, I would try it but I am on a Mac... so even worse, should it brick.
orells said:
So here's a thought, can I use sgs tools-prop.editor and change the info there to mimic the i9000? I nelieve it will trick fring (and all other apps) into thinking my phone is an i9000, but I dont wanna brick my **** as my laptop is not with me to odin.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont think fring works on the i9000 either...
I read in another post that a person flashed the captivate Rom on to the vibrant and it worked..everything works good...what if we try to flash the i9000 Rom on to the vibrant...won't.that work perfectly since the settings for the camera is already set up...we should try it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Video Calls
orells said:
So here's a thought, can I use sgs tools-prop.editor and change the info there to mimic the i9000? I nelieve it will trick fring (and all other apps) into thinking my phone is an i9000, but I dont wanna brick my **** as my laptop is not with me to odin.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used SGS tools as you suggested and changed the ro.product.model to GT-I9000, rebooted, and the FFC works on the test call. I have yet to try it on Tango, because it is early in the morning and it takes two to tango. (Sorry could not resist)
Thats the ****! Where can I find the info to change it to?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
8So everyone begged for it and here it is, a beggining to end revamp of the ffc mod thread.
Original threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=770854
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=804146
(note im doing this from my phone, so please let ne know of any typos, broken links, or missed topics)
This will be in Q&A form, so lets get started.
1) Where do I get an FFC?
Globaldirectparts.com sells them in bulk, shipping is slow, so now your best bet is ebay.
2) How do I install it?
Start here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOvt6atrin8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Then here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=8436475&postcount=375
Video removed...
3) I got it installed, but how do I use it?
Most custom roms include support for the ffc. If yours does not there is a flashable zip here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11172683&postcount=1482
4) My FFC is blurry... wtf?
You need to focus it, there is a small ring on the FFC, play with it until you find the sweetspot for you.
5) There are red lines in low light, is there a fix?
Currently no, there has been signifigant progress on lowering the amount, but its not perfect yet. Be patient its coming.
6) How do I videochat?
First you need an app called sgstools, get it here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?xtw16417su40j7b
Next go into the .prop editor and select build.prop. Press menu, and then unblock. Now for every field that reads "SGH-T959" change it to "GT-I9000". Hit menu then save, now reboot. You can now go to tye market and download apps such as fring and Tango!
7) In the chat app, my image is rotated 90degrees.
Its an app problem. Ask the person you are chatting with if they see you sideways, if they say yes, uninstall the app and try changing your build.prop to SPH-D700.
8)What if I have more questions?
Ask them here, I vow to keep this thread flame free. (although there will be sarcasm)
9)What is SGStools?
Its a program used to install the i9000 cam, change build.prop, anf even access hidden features of your phone such as gps test and network status. You can find the latest version here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?xtw16417su40j7b
Thanks to Sirrial, Kellylewis, Scrizz, Master, Eugene, hell everybody, we've been working on this for 4 mos. and we are the reason the Vibrant 4g exsits.
Update: There is an update to sgstools. After you install, reboot then open your market. When you look at your apps list you will see an update, dont click it you'll get an error. Instead, long press it and select update.
(I didnt do this to step on toes. There was a huge demand for this. If you want faster production I highly advise on donating to Kellylewis, he is trying to juglle this project along with life and service to.his country, correct me if i'm wrong there. Also I purposefully left out the test kernals posted before because they aren't a full fix and have produced errors with kb1 roms)
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
orells said:
So everyone begged for it and here it is, a beggining to end revamp of the ffc mod thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say its a good idea.. A fresh start to a oh so very long thread.
maybe link the original thread also?
ipeench said:
I say its a good idea.. A fresh start to a oh so very long thread.
maybe link the original thread also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP updated, Thanks.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Thanks for the new thread it really helps outs. I'm just waiting until the V4G comes out to pull the trigger on the ffc.
Fear the beard...
Alright, clean slate.
We need to search the old threads for the updates or latest 'news' of what has happened to this.
I'll take my part in searching certain post by KellyLewis on what progress he's done to this, along with other users.
Also, OP, we need an extra space for all the post that has attachments, you know how it is, everybody will start asking "where can i find that one attachment that fixes...etc." on this thread. We don't need that such.
I believe Siiral had a one stop shop for the attachments, and i think we can just link that up for that particular post?
What you think?
ndwgs said:
Alright, clean slate.
We need to search the old threads for the updates or latest 'news' of what has happened to this.
I'll take my part in searching certain post by KellyLewis on what progress he's done to this, along with other users.
Also, OP, we need an extra space for all the post that has attachments, you know how it is, everybody will start asking "where can i find that one attachment that fixes...etc." on this thread. We don't need that such.
I believe Siiral had a one stop shop for the attachments, and i think we can just link that up for that particular post?
What you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I think it was the OP to second thread that had most of the attatchments.
I know I missed the i9000 camera apk. I couldnt find it from my phone, but it is included in that flashqble zip and SGS Tools.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
orells said:
Yeah I think it was the OP to second thread that had most of the attatchments.
I know I missed the i9000 camera apk. I couldnt find it from my phone, but it is included in that flashqble zip and SGS Tools.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok im on board with the new thread. Im talking to my kernel dev as I write this on more things to try. The issue were having right now isnt banding well what were used to anyways. We have color lines at the moment like greens and blues, we got rid of the red and white so far. We get rid of one and create another.
If your feeling generous.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9LJGLQUYYDZR2
KellyLewis3985 said:
Ok im on board with the new thread. Im talking to my kernel dev as I write this on more things to try. The issue were having right now isnt banding well what were used to anyways. We have color lines at the moment like greens and blues, we got rid of the red and white so far. We get rid of one and create another.
If your feeling generous.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9LJGLQUYYDZR2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats awesome, I wish I had coding experience, but alas I'm only good for testing.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I've a FFC mod, i'd like to know if it is possible to make a video call to a phone number, with no other application like tango or fring.
Thank's
As I have stated before I'm a amateur photographer and I have learned that in low light situations it is very important to understand that banding will always be a major hurdle. Since this is a "Fixed" lens, and the camera has no flash, post processing of video/pictures will IMO go the furthest with lessening/eliminating banding. Have you guys been able to find what (software) the I9000 uses for this? Can the Image Stabilization software be tweaked? ISO be increased or shutter speed be sped up. I know I am asking/presenting more problems than solutions but I really think that these are the key.
There's a nice little camera apk that can be flashed on page 149 of the main thread that could go in the op.
Fear the beard...
amwilliams9 said:
As I have stated before I'm a amateur photographer and I have learned that in low light situations it is very important to understand that banding will always be a major hurdle. Since this is a "Fixed" lens, and the camera has no flash, post processing of video/pictures will IMO go the furthest with lessening/eliminating banding. Have you guys been able to find what (software) the I9000 uses for this? Can the Image Stabilization software be tweaked? ISO be increased or shutter speed be sped up. I know I am asking/presenting more problems than solutions but I really think that these are the key.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is very true, as i am filmmaker and have been working with film for many years. if, like you say, it is an ISO problem, which it seems to be, it is all software, and we need to figure out how to let more light in, or somehow bring up the contrast (which might also fix the problem).
we need more light to go into the lens
We do need more light in the lens I took a video outside in the daytime and there was almost no banding only indoors or artificial lighting is where the banding is bad
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I'm on board as well, I did some work on grounding... succeeded in frying one camera, won't be so clumsy on the next.
I think it would help to incorporate some of the findings in one part of thread (op)
Then at least we can get rid of the redundancy and repetitive questions.
BTW my earlier Nikon DSLR's had banding issues as well in low light, so it is a common issue
has anyone been able to successfully swap out their vibrant (if necessary) with t-mobile after applying this mod? I have it done, and am thinking about trying the nail polish trick to see if i can get a replacement for dropped calls. just not sure if it will work.
ravigodhwani said:
has anyone been able to successfully swap out their vibrant (if necessary) with t-mobile after applying this mod? I have it done, and am thinking about trying the nail polish trick to see if i can get a replacement for dropped calls. just not sure if it will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did. Black finger nail polish works fine.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
blasian shadows said:
I did. Black finger nail polish works fine.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really? i've been trying but no matter what i do it's still kind of obvious that something has been changed there when you look towards that corner
I have noticed that prior to displaying a photo with the gallery that there appears to be some processing of the picture. I am wondering if the I9000 does that prior to saving a picture to memory. Has anyone tried to import (hope that's the right term) that APK and seeing if it helps?
I returned my vibrant with this mod as well.. So far no extra fees other than shipping since I don't have insurance..
At first I used spray paint.. I spray painted a paper and collected enough paint to let ONE drop drip into the hole..and with a toothpick I spread it around.. But it wouldnt dry and once it did I missed a spot. It was a pain. But I think it works most effectively if done right.. When I returned it however, I just used the black nail polish mentioned before. It was soo obvious but it worked. Btw my camera had goo-gone IN it which made every picture blurry.. (why I returned it) plus my vibration didn't work so....
You should be good
ravigodhwani said:
really? i've been trying but no matter what i do it's still kind of obvious that something has been changed there when you look towards that corner
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
RoZm X said:
I returned my vibrant with this mod as well.. So far no extra fees other than shipping since I don't have insurance..
At first I used spray paint.. I spray painted a paper and collected enough paint to let ONE drop drip into the hole..and with a toothpick I spread it around.. But it wouldnt dry and once it did I missed a spot. It was a pain. But I think it works most effectively if done right.. When I returned it however, I just used the black nail polish mentioned before. It was soo obvious but it worked. Btw my camera had goo-gone IN it which made every picture blurry.. (why I returned it) plus my vibration didn't work so....
You should be good
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome. thanks a lot! i found that using my sisters old mascara pen thing with a mixture of black nail polish did the trick. it's drying right now. will post back results in case anyone is wondering!
Hi All
This may be a noob question, but ive noticed this with my camera. As you can see on image 1010, its focus is on the sky, but then if i move it a few degrees down (1011) its focus is on the man across from me. These images have done this without me touching to focus or anything.
Is there a way i can get my camera to take a decent shot of both the sky and whatever is infront of me? without having to compromise a certain part of the image.
I took a lot of photos twice today in order to get both parts of the photo in good focus.
Im using:
Stock camera app
Project X v4
There is no Q+A sectin, so ive posted this here, it can be deleted once ive figured out this little annoyance.
Any information regarding this, work arounds, or why it does it would be great. Also, is this the case on all roms?
Vizzy
vizzy said:
Hi All
This may be a noob question, but ive noticed this with my camera. As you can see on image 1010, its focus is on the sky, but then if i move it a few degrees down (1011) its focus is on the man across from me. These images have done this without me touching to focus or anything.
Is there a way i can get my camera to take a decent shot of both the sky and whatever is infront of me? without having to compromise a certain part of the image.
I took a lot of photos twice today in order to get both parts of the photo in good focus.
Im using:
Stock camera app
Project X v4
There is no Q+A sectin, so ive posted this here, it can be deleted once ive figured out this little annoyance.
Any information regarding this, work arounds, or why it does it would be great. Also, is this the case on all roms?
Vizzy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think its just autofocus that does it. you will realise once you move the phone it comes up with the focus square
But surely there's a way to make it so it doesn't block out a section of the image just because it feels like it ?
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using Tapatalk 2
Pretty sire it can't focus on two things at once
The focus/lighting are related, so if you've focused on the man, the lighting will adjust so you can see the man and not the sky
Sent from my Nexus 7
Here it is camera 2.0 ported for 5.0.2... This took a lot of work, months of work to figure this out. Theoretically this should work on any 20.7 megapixel Xperia device running 5.0.2... Enjoy it... My Rom Is coming people... I've been very busy with school.
Flash in recovery
https://mega.nz/#!nE8ihK7b!9vk_AY7tnZ7Q80htdQhd-89PoqphOfUgYX--ajiZGZI
zachariahpope said:
Here it is camera 2.0 ported for 5.0.2... This took a lot of work, months of work to figure this out. Theoretically this should work on any 20.7 megapixel Xperia device running 5.0.2... Enjoy it... My Rom Is coming people... I've been very busy with school.
Flash in recovery
https://mega.nz/#!nE8ihK7b!9vk_AY7tnZ7Q80htdQhd-89PoqphOfUgYX--ajiZGZI
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using Internet Explorer Bro ?
Kidding...
BTW , it's already available in forum, Search a bit.
Black_Eyes said:
Are you using Internet Explorer Bro ?
Kidding...
BTW , it's already available in forum, Search a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using my phone... And are you sure this has been available for 5.0.2? I know it's been available for 5.1.1 Lollipop for some time now...Because I'm pretty sure as of a month ago (that's around the last time I searched this topic) it wasn't working on 5.0.2 because people were getting Force Close errors on all the Camera 2.0 ports.. A couple of the devs even said 5.0.2 was impossible with this... but if you know of a recent 5.0.2 port that I don't know about, let me know.. It's not that I doubt you, I'd just like to see it for myself since I sunk a lot of time into getting this to work for our Lollipop version...Thanks!
Black_Eyes said:
Are you using Internet Explorer Bro ?
Kidding...
BTW , it's already available in forum, Search a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Z3v is different from the rest of the Xperia line, and I've tried the port that was given out on the cross device board and it really does no one any good when you can't even open the camera anymore.
Black_Eyes said:
Are you using Internet Explorer Bro ?
Kidding...
BTW , it's already available in forum, Search a bit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
telling a devloper to use the search button... you should know what your talking about before you post.
This is the only way to get camera 2.0 on the z3v. Or use the other ports and watch your camera not work anymore and force close.
GigaSPX said:
The Z3v is different from the rest of the Xperia line, and I've tried the port that was given out on the cross device board and it really does no one any good when you can't even open the camera anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your other thread got Greg Bradlied
BladeRunner said:
Your other thread got Greg Bradlied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, at least the thread served it's original purpose.
BladeRunner said:
Your other thread got Greg Bradlied
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where can I find a list of improvements that will be had specifically to the z3V over the original camera software?
Also, can you please tell us what is different than the other downloadable installation file that's floating around here? They have the same timestamp and are the same size. I'm not doubting, just trying to understand.
Mr. Bradley, please, for the love of God, don't lock this thread down too.
AddictedToGlass said:
Where can I find a list of improvements that will be had specifically to the z3V over the original camera software?
Also, can you please tell us what is different than the other downloadable installation file that's floating around here? They have the same timestamp and are the same size. I'm not doubting, just trying to understand.
Mr. Bradley, please, for the love of God, don't lock this thread down too.
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There are no list of improvements specific to our device model, this is just the updated Sony camera app(s) ported from the Z5 to work on our devices. I wasn't aware there was another flashable camera port for the Z3v floating around here... Please link me to it. I assure you, you have nothing to risk by flashing this and that I am the original developer of this port... No one else by my knowledge should be circulating this file around for the Z3V or 5.0.2 in general. I'm making a flashable zip as we speak to revert back to the orginal camera should you not like the Camera 2.0's interface... I'm also working on an updated version of this port that will provide some camera improvements. When I'm done with both zips they will be posted in the OP along with some cleanup and screenshots. Thank you for your questions, it's great to ask questions... that's how we learn.. And its always good to know as much as possible before flashing anything to our phones. Should you have any more questions feel free to ask and I hope you enjoy the MOD.
Nope, not the same. When Mega DLs I end up with two of everything. Previous download zips were moved to my card and is the z5 2.0 at 10.5mb.
Will try this later and look for differences.
AddictedToGlass said:
Nope, not the same. When Mega DLs I end up with two of everything. Previous download zips were moved to my card and is the z5 2.0 at 10.5mb.
Will try this later and look for differences.
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Would you mind linking me to this other zip you're referring to? Thank you ��
EDIT: Nevermind I can tell by the size of the file you must be referring to one of the other Camera 2.0 ports here on XDA. You can try flashing those at your own risk if you'd like, but I'd kindly like to warn you ahead of time, those do not work on Lollipop 5.0.2... The reason my port is larger in file size is because the framework ported from 5.1.1 as well as permission files to run Camera 2.0 are included. It is worth noting however, you can flash any other Camera 2.0 port AFTER flashing mine and they'll work since mine installs the correct framework and permissions that are necessary.
Zach,
Thanks for putting this together. I've installed it on rooted 5.02 and it's running well. Note that a couple boots were required after TWRP install and the user will get an overheat if trying to use the camera immediately but after the phone acclimates it is just fine.
I had downloaded the z5 zip not understanding that the z3V was the only one not on the list. I actually almost installed it until I read that it could brick the phone.
The UI seems a bit fiddly but I guess each has it's learning curve. I took random dim indoor shots, including some macros, before and after in the sensors native 4:3 aspect ratio at 20.7MP usingthe original and your ported 2.0, but using Camera FV-5. I didn't tripod the phone or run any real range, just point & shoot of 28 shots all the same objects from the same spot.
So far I have not noticed a significant difference and when the photos are zoomed in on they show the same muddled look from what appears to be the same overcorrective software (I'm sure Sony didn't change that). I've read that the z5 camera hardware is identical to the z3V.
I'll put her on a tripod this weekend and do some real testing.
The original camera zip will make flipping back and forth easier for comparison testing.
Thanks for making this happen!
Thank you so very much for your time and effort to get this working for our device
So how many of us have actually installed this ROM? Is it worth ditching the setup we have right now? I mean I don't really know how this could provide better performance if Sony hasn't updated any soft for our phones camera. I could understand manual modes might provide greater ability to change fine settings, but point and shoot quality and overall use ability is was I am concerned about.
First off, it's not a ROM, it's technically just a mod. Secondly, Sony supposedly did update the software, and because the camera hardware in our z3V phones are identical to those of the z5 which was released with this updated software, it will do the same thing and be perfectly installable without having to port it. -And it is, on nearly every single z model but ours because the z3V is a Verizon Sony step child.
The UI is MOSTLY what's new and improved, but lower light shots do seem to be rendered better by the software. The ISO limits haven't changed and I doubt that Sony did something to alter their interpolation software, but something does seem different.
Until I can easily switch back and forth without having to flash to an entire restore that's 12Gb (in other words, simply flash back to the original camera as a zip), I'm not going to bother with tripod testing. Once I can do that, I will take shots with a tripod in varying light using the old and new camera zips and examine the shots and exif data. It could simply be that in manual mode the software defaults to better settings. I'm guessing that it's the default values values in lower light situations that have been changed, if anything.
At first I didn't like the user interface just because I wasn't used to it. But now I find I'm actually using it more than I used the old one (I normally use FV-5). It is a one handed, portrait friendly UI.
I highly recommend this mod. Simply make a backup and install it. You can always revert back to the old one via your backup or you could wait for zachariahpope to release the original as an installable zip.
I found I minor bug. The front camera wants to stay on manual. If you switch to superior auto, the camera closes.
JediDru said:
I found I minor bug. The front camera wants to stay on manual. If you switch to superior auto, the camera closes.
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Yup. Sure does.
GigaSPX said:
Welp, at least the thread served it's original purpose.
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AddictedToGlass said:
Yup. Sure does.
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Strange. Mine doesn't crash when switching to superior auto with the front camera.
Edit: It does if I try to switch while using the front camera. If I switch to Superior Auto for the rear camera and then switch to front camera it is fine.
So I got the XZ1C recently, it's on Android 9, came like that out of the box. I think it was an ex display model from Russia.
The thing is, the camera seems absolutely awful. I've attached a picture I took of a simple grey carpet in OK light conditions. As you can see if you zoom in, there's loads of yellow and blue dots that appear on the picture. Most pictures also come out really noisy, making details a blur.
I have an XZ3 Compact here and it takes better pictures than this, and has never had the coloured dots issue. Is my XZ1C faulty, or is this normal?
Appreciate any help on this!
Oh and my bad for having 2 threads up. I just figured this was quite a different topic but if a mod wants to merge it with the other one that's fine :good:
Hm yeah something doesn't look right at all. How zoomed in is that photo? I just took an up close shot in medium lighting and this is how it came out. Granted I'm running LOS 16 but I think the stock camera should be just as good if not better.
betacrypt said:
Hm yeah something doesn't look right at all. How zoomed in is that photo? I just took an up close shot in medium lighting and this is how it came out. Granted I'm running LOS 16 but I think the stock camera should be just as good if not better.
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It's not even zoomed in much. Here's a standard picture I just took. I've not got as good lighting, it's just with a dull light on but it's not exactly bad lighting.
When you zoom in slightly it's pretty easy to see the dots everywhere. A lot of my pictures are also immensely noisy, the detail is just completely lost on anything far away. It's like some sort of awful compression.
I tried messing around with some settings, It improved a little but it's still pretty bad. Even the pictures that come out better than my Z3C have the horrible dots everywhere.
Yours looks good though and more along the lines of what I'd expect from the Camera. What do you think it could be?
UndisputedGuy said:
I have an XZ3 Compact here and it takes better pictures than this, and has never had the coloured dots issue. Is my XZ1C faulty, or is this normal?
Appreciate any help on this!
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Have you looked in the service menu to see if the phone has been unlocked? An unlocked phone with no DRM would give you bad grainy pictures.
There's achance that it's been rooted and just had android 9 put back on it, which leaves the camera working, sort of.
Didgesteve said:
Have you looked in the service menu to see if the phone has been unlocked? An unlocked phone with no DRM would give you bad grainy pictures.
There's achance that it's been rooted and just had android 9 put back on it, which leaves the camera working, sort of.
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I thought it might be that, but I'd be very surprised if it has been rooted. When I checked the service tests on 9, it said "Bootloader Unlock allowed: Yes", but I'm not sure how to see if it has actually been unlocked
I flashed an Oreo .ftf with Newflasher though, and my camera doesn't work on Oreo. The service menu here states rooting status is unknown and mentions nothing about the bootloader. I'm not sure if I just made a mistake somewhere though and that's why that's happened, It'd be very odd if it was rooted before
If you have Oreo installed, just flash DRM fix, if this gets the camera working properly then problem solved.
UndisputedGuy said:
It's not even zoomed in much. Here's a standard picture I just took. I've not got as good lighting, it's just with a dull light on but it's not exactly bad lighting.
When you zoom in slightly it's pretty easy to see the dots everywhere. A lot of my pictures are also immensely noisy, the detail is just completely lost on anything far away. It's like some sort of awful compression.
I tried messing around with some settings, It improved a little but it's still pretty bad. Even the pictures that come out better than my Z3C have the horrible dots everywhere.
Yours looks good though and more along the lines of what I'd expect from the Camera. What do you think it could be?
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Yeah there's definitely something wrong. You'd know the bootloader was unlocked if when booting the device you get the screen this device cannot be trusted warning.
FWIW my device is rooted with no DRM keys and the photos are still coming out great. What I would do first is factory reset the device. If still no improvement, flash different Pie firmware using the flash tool, like Customized EU or Customized UK. Lastly see if the results vary with other camera apps.
Didgesteve said:
If you have Oreo installed, just flash DRM fix, if this gets the camera working properly then problem solved.
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https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...lopment/oreo-xz1c-drmfix-root-ricoff-t3727029
Is this the fix? Unfortunately I'm not rooted, not sure I really want to do it just yet with Google updating SafetyNet to block people with unlocked bootloaders from apps.
betacrypt said:
Yeah there's definitely something wrong. You'd know the bootloader was unlocked if when booting the device you get the screen this device cannot be trusted warning.
FWIW my device is rooted with no DRM keys and the photos are still coming out great. What I would do first is factory reset the device. If still no improvement, flash different Pie firmware using the flash tool, like Customized EU or Customized UK. Lastly see if the results vary with other camera apps.
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Oh yeah I've not seen that screen, I assume it's still locked then. I tried 2 Oreo firmwares, one was a German one, the other a UK one. The camera worked on neither.
I then tried a Global one (couldn't find one on the latest version of Oreo so it was a few versions back) and the camera worked. The same issues are still present though, maybe a slight bit better. I'm pretty baffled by what it could be.
UndisputedGuy said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...lopment/oreo-xz1c-drmfix-root-ricoff-t3727029
Is this the fix? Unfortunately I'm not rooted, not sure I really want to do it just yet with Google updating SafetyNet to block people with unlocked bootloaders from apps.
Oh yeah I've not seen that screen, I assume it's still locked then. I tried 2 Oreo firmwares, one was a German one, the other a UK one. The camera worked on neither.
I then tried a Global one (couldn't find one on the latest version of Oreo so it was a few versions back) and the camera worked. The same issues are still present though, maybe a slight bit better. I'm pretty baffled by what it could be.
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Have you not tried any pie firmware? I would flash one to see if any difference. If still no change I can only assume there being a hardware defect. Maybe you ended up with refurbished device.
betacrypt said:
Have you not tried any pie firmware? I would flash one to see if any difference. If still no change I can only assume there being a hardware defect. Maybe you ended up with refurbished device.
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On one of the firmwares, I think it was a UK one, I updated manually through the phone to Pie. No improvements unfortunately. I may try another one just for testing sake, good idea.
I did find something interesting though. I was looking online and saw a techradar review of the XZ1C. I've attached a picture that they took with the camera. It has the same coloured dots issue I'm experiencing with the phone.
I also tested my Z3C some more. When I'm in camera mode and I zoom in, I can see a similar issue with coloured marks, but once I take the picture itself, the post processing fixes everything and I get a nice clean image. The post processing on my XZ1C doesn't seem to do the same. It's a much faster camera but doesn't seem as clean. I took a screen recording showing this, not sure if it'd really help if I uploaded it for you to see though.
Okay - I see what you mean but I don't think you'll get a better picture than that to be honest, the camera software is just not great at post-processing to begin with. It's great in medium to high lighting, but anything in low light comes out grainy. My images look about the same if I view them on a large screen and zoom in. I had vastly superior results running GCam on my Xperia X Compact but unfortunately GCam on the XZ1C is not possible currently, if at all.
Also, if you still want to try, there's bunch of firmware here to download:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=235027
betacrypt said:
Okay - I see what you mean but I don't think you'll get a better picture than that to be honest, the camera software is just not great at post-processing to begin with. It's great in medium to high lighting, but anything in low light comes out grainy. My images look about the same if I view them on a large screen and zoom in. I had vastly superior results running GCam on my Xperia X Compact but unfortunately GCam on the XZ1C is not possible currently, if at all.
Also, if you still want to try, there's bunch of firmware here to download:
https://androidfilehost.com/?w=files&flid=235027
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Oh, so this is probably pretty normal for this phone then. I was worried my model was faulty honestly, I suppose it is a little relieving though disappointing to see. I flashed another Android 9 firmware, no difference. Thanks for all the help with this, appreciate the prompt responses and help!
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@betacrypt Last note about the camera. All my pictures from the front facing camera come out mirrored. I can't seem to find an option to turn this off. Any ideas?
UndisputedGuy said:
@betacrypt Last note about the camera. All my pictures from the front facing camera come out mirrored. I can't seem to find an option to turn this off. Any ideas?
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No option that I know of in the stock camera app. Best bet would be to use a different camera app. I know Footej supports flipping the image.
betacrypt said:
No option that I know of in the stock camera app. Best bet would be to use a different camera app. I know Footej supports flipping the image.
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Thanks, appreciate that! Seems bizarre that there isn't native support for it. Seems like a basic feature.