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Topics - FTP

#1
Hi,

I have some few questions  :)

My context: I want to use my 5D Mark III as a webcam, for video calls and maybe streams one day, as its image quality is much higher than the one of ordinary webcams.
My only problem: the 30mn limit.

I've already successfully tried the following options:

  • Using EOS Utility + OBS Virtual Camera. With the appropriate settings there's a clean image, no 30mn limit, but the image quality is not that good as OBS is just copying a preview with lower resolution and fps than 1920x1080 30fps.
  • Using EOS Webcam Utility 1.1. It could have been the easiest & best option if it was not limited to 1280x720p.
  • Using the HDMI signal + Cam Link + OBS Virtual Camera + EOS Utility. This time the image is great but we have to manually go to EOS Utility every 29mn to change a small setting in order to extend Live View by an addtional 30mn.
  • Using the HDMI signal + Cam Link + OBS Virtual Camera + SparkoCam. Again, great image, SparkoCam is here to lift the 30mn limit, using the HDMI signal we avoid the watermark, but OBS and SparkoCam often have a conflict where they fight to control the shutter (in some context the shutter keeps on opening>closing every 2 to 3s). It can work fine in some context, but it's not very stable.

At last, the Magic Lantern + Cam Link + OBS Virtual Camera option.
I've (I think) carefully read the documentation on the website and forum, and here is what I've already done:

  • Found that Magic Lantern could be the solution
  • Identify that I probably need the 1.2.3 firmware version as I need clean HDMI video
  • Identify that I probably need the Lua_fix build as the "Powersave in LiveView > 30-minute timer > Disabled" setting is the up-to-date best way to lift the 30mn limit
  • Successfully downgraded my 1.3.6 firmware to the 1.2.3 one
  • Successfully installed the Magic Lantern Lua_fix build version 1.2.3 on the SD card
  • Set Powersave in LiveView > 30-minute timer to Disabled
  • And controlled that indeed, everything is now working very well, with no 30mn limit any more.
Perfect!  :)

However, I still have some few remaining questions for which I could not find detailed answers.

1/ 1.2.3 vs 1.1.3?
The 5D Mark III is the only camera for which Magic Lantern is available for 2 versions of firmware. It should deserve somewhere, anywhere, an explanation of the pros and cons of each option.
Ok, I've read several time from DeafEyeJedi that the 1.1.3 is advised against 1.2.3, except for clean HDMI.
1.2.3 to get the clean HDMI ok, fine. But why advising the 1.1.3 for any other use? What's wrong with the 1.2.3?
There's never any supporting argument. Where can we find the 1.2.3 vs 1.1.3 table, discussion, FAQ or wiki? The list of pros and cons to make our own opinion?

2/ Stability of the Lua_fix build vs the Nightly build?
Same. Ok, I've read in the FAQ that the Lua_fix build and its "Powersave in LiveView > 30-minute timer > Disabled" setting is the up-to-date way to lift the 30mn limit.
But this also means advising to use an experiment build!
Some people are already a bit concerned by installing Magic Lantern, there's disclaimers everywhere saying to use it at your own risk, it can damage our camera, so what more recommanding people to use an experiment build?!
So regarding the stability of the Lua_fix build, is there any summary of the specific current issues of this build vs the equivalent more stable Nightly build?

3/ What about dual card in the camera?
I've nearly seen no where this topic discussed or seen any advises regarding the issue (except one advise with no supporting argument and a contrary argument immediately after).
For my personal setup, I've installed ML on a new dedicated SD card and plan to insert back my CF card with all my pictures and videos.
But what's the recommendation?

  • With ML, use only 1 card not 2, or 2 cards is perfectly fine?
  • In any case, install ML preferably on the SD or CF card?
  • We can mix ML and pictures/videos or should preferably separate them on 2 different cards?

Thanks for your help!