Hi there,
I just got my Sony Xperia Z and I have a few questions. I went to the FreeXperia website and looked up if there was anything missing from CM. Under Fusion I found that there is nothing listed under "Not working".
So is the Xperia Z hardware 100% supported?
Is there any reason to wait on flashing CM?
Do I lose any specific functionality? Things that come to mind here are the NFC tags or the stuff that you can find in the "Xperia" settings, like Mirrorlink. What's Mirrorlink anyway?
I have seen that there is something called Bravia Engine. Do I need it?
Beside that I am wondering if I should unlock the bootloader. The CM wiki describes an installation method which includes unlocking the bootloader. I have found another method though, which doesn't require to unlock the bootloader.
So is there any gain from unlocking the bootloader apart from notifying Sony that you have void your warranty? :silly:
Thank you in advance.
xelra said:
Hi there,
I just got my Sony Xperia Z and I have a few questions. I went to the FreeXperia website and looked up if there was anything missing from CM. Under Fusion I found that there is nothing listed under "Not working".
So is the Xperia Z hardware 100% supported?
Is there any reason to wait on flashing CM?
Do I lose any specific functionality? Things that come to mind here are the NFC tags or the stuff that you can find in the "Xperia" settings, like Mirrorlink. What's Mirrorlink anyway?
I have seen that there is something called Bravia Engine. Do I need it?
Beside that I am wondering if I should unlock the bootloader. The CM wiki describes an installation method which includes unlocking the bootloader. I have found another method though, which doesn't require to unlock the bootloader.
So is there any gain from unlocking the bootloader apart from notifying Sony that you have void your warranty? :silly:
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think all CM installs require unlocked BL as they use different kernel. I recall reading somewhere that camera and speaker phone (in call) are not working. The BE is used only in albums and movie play. It is responsible for improving picture quality. I think some ROMs support BE as well.
I think there are ways to re-lock your BL before heading to Sony repair desk. Try looking in dev section.
swrajjoshi said:
I think all CM installs require unlocked BL as they use different kernel. I recall reading somewhere that camera and speaker phone (in call) are not working. The BE is used only in albums and movie play. It is responsible for improving picture quality. I think some ROMs support BE as well.
I think there are ways to re-lock your BL before heading to Sony repair desk. Try looking in dev section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I see. Then the method I read about for getting CWM on the phone can only be used for stock-type ROMs, I suppose. So AOSP-type ROMs require an unlocked bootloader. Tha clarifies things.
What good would it do me to relock the phone? Using the official way to unlock the bootloader requires me to go to a SONY website and notify them of me unlocking it. I even have to leave my e-mail address.
So CM still has some bugs that severe? It's strange that they even released an RC version then.
I read somewhere that CM does have terrible battery life for usage, because screen-on does suck the battery dry like vaccum pump. Maybe that's because the display isn't properly supported?
Thank you for clarifying about the Bravia Engine. Would be interesting to know how exactly it's able to improve picture and video rendering.
xelra said:
Thanks. I see. Then the method I read about for getting CWM on the phone can only be used for stock-type ROMs, I suppose. So AOSP-type ROMs require an unlocked bootloader. Tha clarifies things.
What good would it do me to relock the phone? Using the official way to unlock the bootloader requires me to go to a SONY website and notify them of me unlocking it. I even have to leave my e-mail address.
So CM still has some bugs that severe? It's strange that they even released an RC version then.
I read somewhere that CM does have terrible battery life for usage, because screen-on does suck the battery dry like vaccum pump. Maybe that's because the display isn't properly supported?
Thank you for clarifying about the Bravia Engine. Would be interesting to know how exactly it's able to improve picture and video rendering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CM 10 problem is with camera is because Sony hasn't release driver codes for working with camera. I don't know the story behind speaker phone issue. The biggest benefit of CM 10 is that you get the latest 4.2.2 with lots of extra goodies like pie control, additional boot options and numerous MODs and special configuration options.
Hey Guys, I have a question.
I had no idea about DRM key loss and its results untill I unlocked my c6603
Now everything seems OK except camera. When I take picture, they too noisy.
Quality doesn't satisfy me. Do you know any solution to increase the picture quality?
P.S DRM restore tool doesn't seem to work for me(
Muhammadsoli said:
Hey Guys, I have a question.
I had no idea about DRM key loss and its results untill I unlocked my c6603
Now everything seems OK except camera. When I take picture, they too noisy.
Quality doesn't satisfy me. Do you know any solution to increase the picture quality?
P.S DRM restore tool doesn't seem to work for me(
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you had backed up your TA partition just before you unlock bootloader for first time ,then you could restore that backup using TA backup/restore tool and get your DRM keys back, this is the only way to re-enable sony noise reduction system.
but for picture quality you can use 3rd party apps in market like camera fv-5 but don't expect miracles.
press thanks if you find this helpfull.
Hello everyone I open this discussion to discuss together on a possible way to root the device.
Since I'm new to Sony I've heard a lot of different things about the root method, so that's why I prefer to gather here to avoid believing anything and everything on the internet.
Thanks you
Is root a taboo on this phone ?
I can't seem to find any clear information on wether it's rootable or not.
I don't care about DRM or stuff, I just want my stock ROM rooted, would KingRoot do the job ?
JackyJacks said:
Is root a taboo on this phone ?
I can't seem to find any clear information on wether it's rootable or not.
I don't care about DRM or stuff, I just want my stock ROM rooted, would KingRoot do the job ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a hack under development by sToRm// for our XZ1 compacts. It's working for XZP's.
You don't want to use kingroot, your IMEI number will be cloned as well as malware being installed in your phone.
The DRM stuff, no camera is not an option for most phone users, so I would urge you to care about it a little.
There is the AOSP project launched by Sony, but it does require some development skills to get it set up and it's not bug free.
I think there will be a root process within the next few weeks, keep looking here on the forum.
JackyJacks said:
Is root a taboo on this phone ?
I can't seem to find any clear information on wether it's rootable or not.
I don't care about DRM or stuff, I just want my stock ROM rooted, would KingRoot do the job ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not a taboo subject, it just isn't possible, at the moment, to "just get root".
In order to get root, you must also have an unlocked bootloader.
Sony has a developer's program, under which, you can submit your IMEI and they will email you a code you can use to unlock your bootloader.
Once you do that, the following things will happen:
- Your camera will stop working.
- Other Sony "DRM" enabled functions will stop working.
- Your warranty will be void.
- You can never "re-lock" the bootloader and go back to an un-modified state.
- You can install whatever boot and system modifications you like, including root (so long as you disable RIC and dm-verity).
I blame Sony for confusion regarding the term "root" among those who own Sony phones.
Sometimes they use it to refer to super-user permissions, and sometimes they use it to refer to the bootloader lock state.
That has led most people here in the Sony forums to use the term ambiguously and interchangeably as well.
So if you only want super-user level permissions, then there is no way to do that.
If you want to unlock your bootloader, then there's no secret at all. Just go to Sony's open devices site.
JackyJacks said:
Is root a taboo on this phone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's more a matter of the "consequences" of rooting Xperias.
Sony lets you unlock the bootloader (unless you got your phone from a locked down source), so in theory you can flash any ROM you like with whatever root solution you prefer.
So what's stopping people from just unlocking the bootloader? See, Sony decided that it was a brilliant idea to bind some of their assets to DRM keys.
The kicker is, unlocking the bootloader wipes those precious DRM keys, which means you lose certain functionalities.
Unfortunately, there's no way to unlock without permanently losing those keys. Furthermore, those keys are unique to each device, so you can't just use someone else's without bricking your phone.
Now, it wasn't as big of a deal for pre-2017 Xperias, because the features you lose are relatively non-essential.
For example, X-Reality, which supposedly enhances the image in specific Sony apps, is nice to have but does not affect functionality, so not that important relatively speaking.
The biggest loss is Sony's advanced low light noise reduction algorithms for the camera, it makes a very noticeable difference in picture quality. But you'd still be able to use the camera normally otherwise.
For many people, the trade-off is worth it; the benefits of having root far outweighs the ability to take less ****ty pictures in places with ****ty lighting or enhancing the pores on your selfie.
It also helps that people eventually found exploits in earlier Android versions that makes it possible to backup those DRM keys and restore them.
However, for most of the phones released this year (models starting with designation G), Sony figured it has had enough of its customers enjoying their phones.
In a display of the traditional roots of Sony-style hyper obsession with DRMing and locking down the hell out of their stuff, now when you unlock the bootloader, the camera simply stops working.
Well, not entirely - the camera app launches as usual, and you can still see the live view on screen, tap to focus and change settings and all that.
But no matter what you do, it will only take one type of photo, a canvas of pure, solid green. It's effectively broken.
Obviously, that **** move causes hesitation with people interested in rooting their phones. They'd want their cameras to at least be able to take pictures.
Currently, aside from building and flashing Sony's AOSP ROM yourself, or a handful of third-party camera apps, or developing your own solution, there's simply no way of restoring the camera function after the bootloader has been unlocked.
Lots of people just want root on top of the stock firmware, but it's not possible without breaking the camera.
So in conclusion, no, it's not a taboo, rooting is just ridiculously undesirable for now given the conditions.
This is total BS. I might cancel my Amazon order and go with a non-Sony phone now. Maybe the Galaxy S8. I was very excited about the XZ1c.
Didgesteve said:
There is a hack under development by sToRm// for our XZ1 compacts. It's working for XZP's.
You don't want to use kingroot, your IMEI number will be cloned as well as malware being installed in your phone.
The DRM stuff, no camera is not an option for most phone users, so I would urge you to care about it a little.
There is the AOSP project launched by Sony, but it does require some development skills to get it set up and it's not bug free.
I think there will be a root process within the next few weeks, keep looking here on the forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the details.
I did not know camera was impacted by DRM, I thought this was only streaming apps like spotify or netflix...
I'll wait patiently then
JackyJacks said:
I did not know camera was impacted by DRM, I thought this was only streaming apps like spotify or netflix...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that kind of DRM. Ironically, those will work with an unlocked bootloader assuming you're using them as intended.
Hello, i have a few question about x performance. i would like to ask you if it is possible to root with locked bootloader? Second, if i unlock my bootloader, that said i will losing drm key etc, which will lead to breaking some of sony feature, most annoying thing is decreasing of camera quality. Is it possible to unlock bootloader while still having drm key? Thankyou very much
Is it possible to root the stock rom without losing functionality on the latest firmware?
If so, can you point me to a guide?
I don't care about custom roms, weird mods or unlocking the bl or doing anything too crazy. Just plain old root to debloat and use adblocker + firewall.
I'm going to buy either the XZ2 or the Compact version soon. I assume the procedure is the same.
Sooo, this is what I was able to find out by googling and lurking XDA extensively.
The phone can be unlocked but you lose all kinds of sh*t by doing so, because on this one unlike the XZ1 you can't backup the DRM keys. It is still a mistery to me as to what gets lost. I heard camera quality, camera filtering, video effects including slow motoion, and audio enhancements. Rumor has it that you may lose the camera altogether if you unlock.
There also doesn't seem to be a way to trick the device into thinking it's unrooted or to bypass the DRM keys like on the XZ1 (drmfix). So once you lose these keys there's no turning back (cue dramatic music)
So, unlocking the device if you want to keep the stock camera working should not be done
Using temp root exploits is doable on some old firmware, but if you modify the system partitions the device will lose DRM keys forever anyway (so what's even the point?)
Also
The phone cannot be relocked once unlocked, just like the XZ1
Camera will work again on LineageOS
But camera quality is dogsh*t on LOS and lacks all the fancy slow motion effects
And you cannot get any of that back
IS THIS LIST CORRECT?