Audio RemoteShoot question

[Ernani]

Hi devs! I'd like to know whether  the 'Audio RemoteShoot' function could be used to trigger different camera actions, other than photo snap.

I ask it because I frequently use the M on a gimbal, and it would be really handy to trigger the half-shutter AF remotely, while the cam is up there.

I tried using the IR remote control, and it actually does the trick of calling the AF during video. Problem is, once focus is established, the camera will take a photo, which will send Magic Lantern into disarray.

I had already given up on this, but then I found out about this nearly unknown but really clever feature to trigger a photo by sound and now my hopes are high again. If anyone could help me...

Thanks all devs!

[names_are_hard]

Yes, it could be used to do something different, if somebody changed the code.

If an IR remote works, that suggests the cam is fairly nearby?  Would a remote trigger with half-shutter option work?

[Ernani]

Nice to know it may be possible. Yes, any remote option that triggers Half-shutter would do the trick!

[names_are_hard]

Then the easiest and quickest solution will be a wired cable release.  Unlike IR, these support half-shutter (not all do, check that the one you buy does!).

You can get two-part wireless remotes for a little more money that do the same thing, where one part connects to the wired cable release socket on the cam.

[Walter Schulz]

There is no wired cable release connector. No 2.5 mm TRS socket for EOS M. That's why audio remote shot is used.
You can connect wired remote to mic input and use "Audio Remote Shot" as a workaround. Which will not work like shutter release. Hence this feature request.

There are other cams with EOS code but without cable release:
4000D
M200

So we may have similiar issue with those cams once they got ML support.

[names_are_hard]

Thanks for the correction!

I even went as far as searching for remote triggers for EOS M to see if both kinds existed - but of course there is always someone willing to claim they can sell you something.

[Skinny]

It is kind of weird that Canon installed an IR sensor in the camera but the remote control can not trigger functions other than "take a picture" or "record video"..

If ML could read what is coming from this IR input it could be used to control the camera with something like a TV remote.
It would require some kind of "learn" function inside ML. So imagine, someone have some random old TV or DVD remote control, he press learn on the camera, then press any button on the remote and now the camera learned that this IR sequence will be a "shutter release", or "focus" or anything else.

This kind of feature could be very useful for a lot of people and really on the "hacking" side - no need for RC5 or any special camera remote   

[Danne]

Hi devs! I'd like to know whether  the 'Audio RemoteShoot' function could be used to trigger different camera actions, other than photo snap.

I ask it because I frequently use the M on a gimbal, and it would be really handy to trigger the half-shutter AF remotely, while the cam is up there.

I tried using the IR remote control, and it actually does the trick of calling the AF during video. Problem is, once focus is established, the camera will take a photo, which will send Magic Lantern into disarray.

I had already given up on this, but then I found out about this nearly unknown but really clever feature to trigger a photo by sound and now my hopes are high again. If anyone could help me...

Thanks all devs!

Maybe the remote can be used of ww manage to block fullpress of halfshutter.

[Ernani]

Could be a workaround. Even the old shutter bug that prevented photo snap with the 18-55 kit would do the trick, if you think about it....

[Ernani]

manage to block fullpress of halfshutter.

Dane, is that a feasible endeavor in Magic lantern? I'm still on a quest to find a solution.

[names_are_hard]

What do you mean by "feasible"?  If you mean "could be possible" - then yes, maybe.  Importantly: we don't know.  It also might not be possible.  And it depends which route you mean, which you don't specify.

Accessing events from IR trigger and changing behaviour is likely to be hard, and may be impossible.  To find out, somebody will have to spend many hours investigating.

Using a wired remote attached to mic input, in combination with Audio Remote Shot, as suggested by Walter, would require some software changes to ML but these changes should be small and this approach is very like to work.  Somebody will still have to do that work.

[Ernani]

Feasible as is "a reasonable endeavor". I ask because sometimes us regular users think a feature is within reason when it actually is obviously impossible due to inherent limitations known to developers.
Thanks for the reply

[im_bo_art]

If ML could read what is coming from this IR input it could be used to control the camera with something like a TV remote.
It would require some kind of "learn" function inside ML. So imagine, someone have some random old TV or DVD remote control, he press learn on the camera, then press any button on the remote and now the camera learned that this IR sequence will be a "shutter release", or "focus" or anything else.

Do you mean like the Flipper? The Flipper has such a feature, where you can read IR signals. But maybe the IR sensor in the Canon EOS M only reacts to those specific IR Signals that the Canon remote sends out. If it helps, i can share those IR files for Shutter & 2s Shutter which were read by my Flipper.

[names_are_hard]

A Flipper could act as the existing IR remote does, but that's not required, you can buy such a remote much cheaper.  The IR protocol for the remote is well known.  E.g. https://www.doc-diy.net/photo/rc-1_hacked/

What is not known is whether the layer ML runs at can access the raw IR data.  If yes, you can write an arbitrary protocol on top and control the cam however you want.  If no, it becomes harder, since that protocol doesn't support halfshutter-like behaviour.  You'd need to be able to suppress the IR remote taking a pic, at a minimum.

[Walter Schulz]

RE for RC-6: http://yu.xueming.org/2013/01/01/synchronize-multiple-canon-rebel-t4i-video-shooting-with-customized-remote-control/

[im_bo_art]

What is not known is whether the layer ML runs at can access the raw IR data.  If yes, you can write an arbitrary protocol on top and control the cam however you want.  If no, it becomes harder, since that protocol doesn't support halfshutter-like behaviour.  You'd need to be able to suppress the IR remote taking a pic, at a minimum.

Ok now i understand the problem. Is the firmware build ontop of the Canon Software or how does ML lantern function. I have no idea of ML on the dev side of things so this is why im asking ^^

[names_are_hard]

ML is not firmware, it's normal software that we get Canon to start for us early in boot.  It loads from the card.

https://github.com/reticulatedpines/magiclantern_simplified/blob/dev/developer_guide/03_00_architecture.md