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Just a simple question that may help some others like me. Is it worth it to install cyanogenmod and install another rom with the new kitkat update coming?
Thanks in advance!
bludsugah said:
Just a simple question that may help some others like me. Is it worth it to install cyanogenmod and install another rom with the new kitkat update coming?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on your tech savvy. Personally I don't mess around with roms when I have everything I need in stock, especially on my primary phone. Sometimes you also mess up your connectivity to your carrier (this is called EFS partition, back it up!). I've messed with Xperia phones before and I like the stock roms on them. I say don't put cm, unless you HATE your stock rom. Even then you can just theme it with Xposed if you're on that level or use a 3rd-party launcher for beginners and of course you gotta root it Rooting is more for system tweaks tho, only after you install Xposed you can do theming.
Hope this helps,
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Personally, I disliked Cyanogen mod because I was so used to the look of my phone. Cyanogen mod changes the entire feel and asthetics of your phone to increase its efficiency. I personally couldn't put up with it, but it may be different for you! I would just stick to stock rom unless you intend to stretch your phone to its absolute limit, in which case Cyanogen mod will help you!
camera quality will be lost, battery life is the same like stock, im using it since jan, sometimes annoying bugs are present..
there is no efs on sony and there are no problems with those like on samy or lg.
Sent from my Xperia Z using XDA Free mobile app
I went to cyanogenmod last week, it's fine so far and has many features which can make you excited. the CM based ROMs are super fast and smooth, them can give you another feeling comparing with the stock.
If you want to install CM, you need to unlock your Bootloader, it means you will lost your Bravia Engine forever unless you relock it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z/development/tutorial-xperia-z-zl-bootloader-t2153261
As far as I am concerned, I always want to explore something new and XDA forum is better than SONY. believe me
Sony fw is actually based on AOSP/CM itself.. But if u r bored with stock, u are always welcome to try CM ROMs.. They provide their own features, customizations and a different theme engine.. Plus CM11 actually gives u more battery backup and better RAM management.. Hence an upgrade in the performance level.. But both are good in its own ways.. :good:
Only time I've moved to cm is when the manufacturer stops development for the phone, or if the standard rom is just bad. I had a Moto Atrix that was worth the move to cm. The Xperia is fine without cm and I can't think of anything useful it would add.
Sent from my C6603 using XDA Free mobile app
its nice to take a break from sony's ui. ive tried PAC and PA and some others for a month or so, in the end i ended up going back to sony because CM nightlies are too buggy atm.
its really up to you, both offers slightly different things, CM has more themes to choose from and like i said its a nice break from sonys ui if you got bored of it.
So I have a Nexus 5 that's screen is dying for the second time and I'm considering my options including a replacement phone. The Z3c is obviously a great spec phone and nicely built... I'm attracted to it by it sensible size also. The Nexus 5 I'm coming from is about the limit of size I'm willing to go. However I'm afraid of moving from the open world of easily being able to install custom ROM's and do whatever I like to the phone. I've read up on what's involved in doing this on the Z3c but I still have some reservations:
How stable are the ROM's available for the Z3c, I'm really just interested in a close to stock ROM with bloatware removed, I'n not looking for experimental features/customisations. I've used Cyanogenmod before on another device, and other ROMs and there always seemed to be something that never worked quite as well as the stock ROM. (CM had bluetooth problems for me)
If you go the route of unlocking the bootloader, are the DRM protected features that are lost deal-breaking? Is it possible to achieve what I want (clean ROM, root) without unlocking the bootloader?
Thanks for your help in advance!
I am facing prettu much the same problem...
But i am moving away from a lg g2. ( it does not have the best custom rom support, but it works)
Anyway, i am willing to give a shot to the stock sony android... because of the DRM keys..
Well.. lets see what the people have to say!
RoryHa said:
How stable are the ROM's available for the Z3c, I'm really just interested in a close to stock ROM with bloatware removed, I'n not looking for experimental features/customisations. I've used Cyanogenmod before on another device, and other ROMs and there always seemed to be something that never worked quite as well as the stock ROM. (CM had bluetooth problems for me)
If you go the route of unlocking the bootloader, are the DRM protected features that are lost deal-breaking? Is it possible to achieve what I want (clean ROM, root) without unlocking the bootloader?
Thanks for your help in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: The Roms here are really stable and most of them are close to stock Roms so you won't have to worry about that, since most of them are near stock Roms you won't have to worry about the stability either.
2: Only you can judge if you're going to miss the DRM features, I didn't and still don't I couldn't wait for root, so I unlocked my BL and I never regretted my choice.
The only downside to this phone is the camera in my opinion, so gather some info about the camera first.
When unlocking the BL you also lose some camera quality (only really noticeable in low light conditions tho).
See my topic (in sig) for pictures).
And you don't have to unlock your BL at all if you don't want to, only if you want to use another Kernel.
Thanks for the info
Dsteppa said:
The only downside to this phone is the camera in my opinion, so gather some info about the camera first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a look at the photo there and they are not as good as I thought the camera is.. still they are not bad. The Nexus 5 I currently have is not amazing either so it's not really a deal breaker for me. It seems to be the one thing all non-flagship phones compromise on is the quality of the camera.
Hi,
I'm picking up a Xperia Z1 C6903 for a friend. She basically checks email and takes photos with her phone, so Camera/Video and Battery Life are priority.
Can anyone please recommend a good Rom and/or Mods for me.
I usually get more obscure phones for myself (never had a Sony) without so many options of mods and custom roms, so its a bit harder than I'm used to to sort through the pages on XDA... there so much to go through here so any help to narrow things down a bit for me would be appreciated.
Thanks!
rich333 said:
Hi,
I'm picking up a Xperia Z1 C6903 for a friend. She basically checks email and takes photos with her phone, so Camera/Video and Battery Life are priority.
Can anyone please recommend a good Rom and/or Mods for me.
I usually get more obscure phones for myself (never had a Sony) without so many options of mods and custom roms, so its a bit harder than I'm used to to sort through the pages on XDA... there so much to go through here so any help to narrow things down a bit for me would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you /she is not big fan of custom ROM (aospa, paranoid, CM, DU, PAC etc.) I would say just root the phone and use stock ROM.
Stock ROM is best for battery and photos together.
Rooting is good in case she wants Xposed and all the modules.
Don't unlock the bootloader since this will remove some propriety code for display and camera.
I haven't used any stock ROM so can't talk about them.
Sent from my Xperia Z1 using Tapatalk
Thanks, I often find custom roms better for battery life. And can see that there's a few camera mods available. So I assumed a custom rom (either with a Stock based or not?) and camera mod would be the way to go? Also, is the stock camera app the best performer (in terms of image quality?)
Really can't see any need to meddle with the standard rom.
The Xperia range of phones all have outstanding battery life and excellent photo/video software built in as standard.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
I was thinking this sound good: [MOD] Z1, Z1C & Z1S 8th Edition - Camera… | Sony Xperia Z1....
And there seems to be a few scripts which claim to improve battery life & speed like Fly-on-Mod...
I guess i'm just not used to stock being the best option!!! I cant help but want to change something
If you want to meddle then root and Xposed would be the simplest option.
But given the original criteria are already met by the standard rom and the fact that it's not your phone I still can't see the need.
Do you really want your friend coming to you with every minor niggle they can dream up, thinking that you caused it by modifying their phone?
Just make sure they upgrade to 5.1.1 which is due out any day now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
thanks.
I've got it running stock KK, rooted, locked bootloader with xposed & dual recovery.
I decided not to update to LP until 5.1.1 is out (any day now it seems...?) due to slow downs in 5.0.2
From what I can see I'll have to update with Flashtool (if I can find the "Customized AU" file) or updated via Sony PC Companion and re-root & re-install recovery.
will both methods will result in a data wipe?
When it does come out - is there a way to update without loosing here data/settings? & will current rooting methods still work (I used easy root?)
Thanks for your help everyone!
Hi guys,
My knowledge of ROMs and rooting isn't the best so please bare with me if this question seems dumb. And before anyone says, I have read this thread (and countless others) but would like some clarification.
I've always wanted to install CyanogenMod to my Z3 Compact because my car, an E46 BMW has not been able to pair with my phone since 4.2.2 when a change to bluetooth.default.so was made - Cyanogenmod has the fix.
I have seen recent posts on this forum that suggest if the phone is rooted and a custom ROM is installed, I'm still able to maintain my camera quality which previously was limited (fish-eye effect and low light poor quality) due to the loss of DRM'd software due to a DRM restore fix created by one of the forum members. Is this correct? This was the only thing that ever stopped me rooting my Z3 as camera quality is of high importance to me.
I've been using an iPhone 5s since my screen smashed last month and I planned to buy an iPhone 6s this weekend but if it seems I can use the Z3 Compact for all purposes ( In-car Bluetooth, stable Android, good camera and battery life) then I will definitely get the screen repaired tomorrow!
Thanks in advance.
This is a link explaining the Bluetooth issue I'm talking about.
tsmr said:
Hi guys,
My knowledge of ROMs and rooting isn't the best so please bare with me if this question seems dumb. And before anyone says, I have read this thread (and countless others) but would like some clarification.
I've always wanted to install CyanogenMod to my Z3 Compact because my car, an E46 BMW has not been able to pair with my phone since 4.2.2 when a change to bluetooth.default.so was made - Cyanogenmod has the fix.
I have seen recent posts on this forum that suggest if the phone is rooted and a custom ROM is installed, I'm still able to maintain my camera quality which previously was limited (fish-eye effect and low light poor quality) due to the loss of DRM'd software due to a DRM restore fix created by one of the forum members. Is this correct? This was the only thing that ever stopped me rooting my Z3 as camera quality is of high importance to me.
I've been using an iPhone 5s since my screen smashed last month and I planned to buy an iPhone 6s this weekend but if it seems I can use the Z3 Compact for all purposes ( In-car Bluetooth, stable Android, good camera and battery life) then I will definitely get the screen repaired tomorrow!
Thanks in advance.
This is a link explaining the Bluetooth issue I'm talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is true, I am using DRM fix for my Z3c because I didn't backup my DRM keys (duh!) and the camera quality seems perfect, although the fix says it also restores X-Reality and whatnot but I haven't got to get the engine working, I fixed that with Color Control to match my saturation and colors needs...
As for the Bluetooth issues, I've kinda experienced problems with it too, I have a Bluetooth gamepad, and whenever I'm playing an Android game that supports controllers, it disconnects, but when I play on emulators it doesn't happen... I don't know if there's a fix for that but oh well.
DRM fix works only on stock based roms and on Concept roms.
It doesn't work on custom roms like Cyanogenmod.
istux said:
DRM fix works only on stock based roms and on Concept roms.
It doesn't work on custom roms like Cyanogenmod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I don't actually need CyanogenMod, I just need to be able to edit the bluetooth.default.so file as per the thread I linked so that in-car Bluetooth works with my handset. Is this possible whilst maintaining camera quality?
Also when you say 'only works on stock based ROMs' - does this mean that I could install stock Android 6.0 to my device with a custom bluetooth.default.so file, then install the DRM fix and it will work as normal? This would be amazing!
PS. What is a Concept ROM?
I'm so sorry for asking what are most probably stupid questions but I'm fairly new to the Android scene thus still learning.
Of course its possible, you don't need unlocked bootloader to edit system files lol. Unlock bootloaders are used to install custom kernels or firmwares not made by Sony, like CyanogenMod or AOKP and etc.
Concept, is the "Alpha" Edition of Marshmallow that Sony plans to ship out within the next few months, they let a select a number of people to test out the rom and help them debug it. I don't recommend installing it as it is near beta stage and the number of bugs really don't make it suitable as a daily driver for you phone, stick with Lollipop until we get the official stable update unless you know what you're doing.
Good luck!
Revontheus said:
Of course its possible, you don't need unlocked bootloader to edit system files lol. Unlock bootloaders are used to install custom kernels or firmwares not made by Sony, like CyanogenMod or AOKP and etc.
Concept, is the "Alpha" Edition of Marshmallow that Sony plans to ship out within the next few months, they let a select a number of people to test out the rom and help them debug it. I don't recommend installing it as it is near beta stage and the number of bugs really don't make it suitable as a daily driver for you phone, stick with Lollipop until we get the official stable update unless you know what you're doing.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for explaining what Concept is. I guess that's not something that I need right now! To clarify; are you saying that to be able to edit system files, I don't need to unlock my bootloader? I was under the impression that to do this I'd need to:
a) Unlock bootloader.
b) Root device.
c) Access/edit the bluetooth system files.
Any advice on the steps I need to take to have my Z3 Compact work with my car whilst maintaining original camera quality would be much appreciated!
PS. Due to the prompt, positive responses in this thread, I've just taken my Z3 to a local to store so the screen can be repaired. Thanks all for the help - such good folk!
tsmr said:
Thanks for the reply. I don't actually need CyanogenMod, I just need to be able to edit the bluetooth.default.so file as per the thread I linked so that in-car Bluetooth works with my handset. Is this possible whilst maintaining camera quality?
Also when you say 'only works on stock based ROMs' - does this mean that I could install stock Android 6.0 to my device with a custom bluetooth.default.so file, then install the DRM fix and it will work as normal? This would be amazing!
PS. What is a Concept ROM?
I'm so sorry for asking what are most probably stupid questions but I'm fairly new to the Android scene thus still learning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you need only the root in order to work on that bluetooth file, you can do it without unlocking the bootloader.
Follow this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343
You will be able to get root without losing DRM keys and else you will make a backup of DRM keys So, if in the future you need/want to unlock the bootloader, you have a safe copy of your keys. :good:
istux said:
If you need only the root in order to work on that bluetooth file, you can do it without unlocking the bootloader.
Follow this tutorial: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343
You will be able to get root without losing DRM keys and else you will make a backup of DRM keys So, if in the future you need/want to unlock the bootloader, you have a safe copy of your keys. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. Will try this in the morning and hopefully I will be able to use Bluetooth in my car once again!
tsmr said:
My knowledge of ROMs and rooting isn't the best[...]I have seen recent posts on this forum that suggest if the phone is rooted and a custom ROM is installed, I'm still able to maintain my camera quality[...]camera quality is of high importance to me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My suggestion (solely based on the points your described):
Either get a Z3c and stick to stock ROM
Or get an iPhone (seriously)
Now don't get me wrong, I am not being against custom ROMs. I am running CM myself and the first think I do before buying any android phone is to check if it has official CM support But you need to know that custom ROMs come with their own cost, and it depends whether you're willing to pay the price.
Reasons for my suggestion to you is that the road to unlocked bootloader and custom ROMs is a rough one. You'll be adding more mods and flashing more updates and you quickly end up with a phone which gets into the way and needs constant maintenance. Then there are issues with warranty, security, bugs, etc. Checking the forums for changelogs, kernels and ROMs will become a normal routine.
If you're regular user who wants his/her phone to just work, accept one of my suggestion and save yourself some pain. However, you might choose to be adventurous, then welcome to the community
PS: I'm myself exploring Z3c and iPhone 5s for my next phone.
Honestly, the road to rooting and properly running a rooted software is really not that long and rocky if you follow the linked thread perfectly. You also don't NEED to unlock the BL to get most of the advantages (there are many pre-rooted customized ROMs available without needing an unlocked BL). Follow the thread, stick to a good stable ROM or customization (I'm on Max Fury right now and she did some amazing work, check it out), and you'll be just fine. My BL is not even unlockable, doesn't bother me one bit. You can use Nova for a more Google-ish feel, and Sony's 5.1.1 is already pretty good at not being "Sony-fied".
Anyhow, this is the best phone I've ever owned, not looking back (I've had MANY more than just in my signature).
hv6478 said:
NOTE: annotated snippets from original comment
- if you follow the linked thread perfectly
- you also don't NEED to unlock the BL to get most of the advantages (it's upto you to figure out that just which advantages follow under that "most" category)
- follow the thread
- stick to a good stable ROM or customization (it's upto you to figure out whether you need a rom or customization)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. This proves my point even more! Now just compare this to getting a phone that just works
Although ROM customization is a beautiful and powerful idea, it's not for everyone, and comes at a cost (read: complexity). If anyone is ready to handle the complexity, please dive right in
Please don't mistake me. I'm not trying to disrespect the devs or offend custom ROM users, I'm both. I'm just trying to list down the pros and cons.
Randomly enough I'm an Android developer that this section could make use of.
So my question is: Is the community interested in CM based ROMs? (due to the fact that we lose DRM when we unlock the bootloader)
If there are indeed people who are interested. Do you have any ROMs which you wish to be ported for Z3C?
Tbh i guess the biggest issue is that people think that unlocking the bootloader turns the camera into to a old toaster. Atleast that is what my fear was before unlocking. After unlock i can barely make out a difference. Not to mention DRM fixes exists.
What really bothers me however is the lack of kernels for 6.0 and stock roms. Myself5 and Someone777 got custom kernels covered for 5.1 but nothing really exists for 6.0.
I read somewere about them planning 3.10 linux kernels based on Sony AOSP. Unsure for what type of roms tho.
Myself I run two things on my phone
1. Stock Rom + Custom Kernel.
2. Paranoid Android or CM based. PA prefered. + Custom Kernel.
This community could sure use an extra dev tho.
I'd use CM/AOSP based rom in a heartbeat had it not been for that reversed fish eye bug
However they are even now pretty stable other than that bug, I've tried couple of them, and with the removal of Z1 platform camera blobs, we might even see that being fixed. Someone reported that with latest camera blob updates, camera quality was improved though.
That aside, custom rom I have loved was SlimRom, as I have used it on my old S2, and it's still loaded on it, but that's not CM based.
I don't know, it doesn't matter much which rom, just as long as it's stable and has all basic functions working well
---------- Post added at 17:42 ---------- Previous post was at 17:24 ----------
Exzu said:
After unlock i can barely make out a difference. Not to mention DRM fixes exists.
I read somewere about them planning 3.10 linux kernels based on Sony AOSP. Unsure for what type of roms tho.
This community could sure use an extra dev tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The difference in quality is noticeable when you run into conditions with less light (let's say when ISO goes over 400), but even that can be improved with further camera blob releases. DRM fixes do not apply to CM/AOSP because framework and noise reduction algorithms differ from stock Sony roms.
It would be very nice to have a 3.10 branch kernels
Yep, an extra dev could be really helpful, considering the lack of devs and development for this device. IMO the devs around here did quite a good job, but any extra hand is welcome.
Not really for myself. I would like the last android n preview. I prefer to have the "aosp" rom from Sony than a buggy rom, it's so much work for dev to get something stable. Than the Sony concept rom, which are working so good.
I ran RR for quite a while, and as always enjoyed running something AOSP / CM based (especially coming from Nexus). I lived with the camera being ****ty and all was fine. But as nelvinchi disappeared, I tried put SLiMM (stock based), and to be honest - I absolutely love the camera quality! I can't imagine going back to that ****ty camera.
But whatever happened to Sonys OS camera project?
Hi,
I would really love to see AICP (probably the best CM based rom at this point) for our Z3c.
I don't care much about pictures quality. Using camera only to scan documents or to take notes.
Now running Concept rom with unlocked bootloader.
Yeah sure but good luck getting a working camera ...there isn't a cm rom out there with a properly functioning camera...
The only big issue is the fish-eye bug.
No fix, no party.
istux said:
The only big issue is the fish-eye bug.
No fix, no party.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say, for my requirements, it is the only issue keeping me away from AOSP/CM. I can say that I use camera often, so I need something with decent quality (without any kind of fish-eye of course). I have used MultiROM, but it is time consuming to reboot in stock ROM to capture the moment. On top of that, new MultiROM v33x is not working, and Myself5 is nowhere to be seen so I lost hope for a fix.
Cirra92 said:
I'd say, for my requirements, it is the only issue keeping me away from AOSP/CM. I can say that I use camera often, so I need something with decent quality (without any kind of fish-eye of course). I have used MultiROM, but it is time consuming to reboot in stock ROM to capture the moment. On top of that, new MultiROM v33x is not working, and Myself5 is nowhere to be seen so I lost hope for a fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOBODY likes to have a broken camera and that's the reason why EVERYBODY keeps away from AOSP roms, like you.
Frankly I gave up on development for this phone MANY MANY months ago.
We'll never get a fix for the fisheye bug, let's face it.
istux said:
NOBODY likes to have a broken camera and that's the reason why EVERYBODY keeps away from AOSP roms, like you.
Frankly I gave up on development for this phone MANY MANY months ago.
We'll never get a fix for the fisheye bug, let's face it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the people over at paranoid android tried but failed miserably with their recent initial release for MM and haven't heard a peep from them since...i'm sure it will get removed from their supported devices...
I wish blisspop would be ported to the z3c.
i'm pretty sure OP would be a god in this community if they produced a working CM/AOSP rom with a fully functioning camera.
istux said:
NOBODY likes to have a broken camera and that's the reason why EVERYBODY keeps away from AOSP roms, like you.
Frankly I gave up on development for this phone MANY MANY months ago.
We'll never get a fix for the fisheye bug, let's face it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We won't probably, because Sony doesn't want to release proper blobs, not that they can't, they don't want to.
Fictional Reality said:
the people over at paranoid android tried but failed miserably with their recent initial release for MM and haven't heard a peep from them since...i'm sure it will get removed from their supported devices...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, the PA team have realized probably what crap they have put themselves into. Let's face the simple fact, which should be pretty obvious: people from Sony just don't want to release proper blobs/drivers for Z3 series. Why? That's something we can only guess. But the fact that they have released blobs/drivers for Z1 series (which have been used on Z3 series up until let's say 2 weeks ago) and have now added X camera blobs is something beyond logic. Why did they leave out Z3 series (which has different camera lens compared to Z1, but used Z1 blobs anyway)? It's not like Qualcomm forbid them to for Z3 series specifically, since Z1 has also proprietary DRM functions, yet it has working AOSP/CM with proper drivers released.
Not that I know anything about android drivers/blobs, coding and building, but this is what devs here were discussing, and I would trust them more than Sony officials.