Features that are NOT possible - please don't request them

Started by a1ex, May 24, 2012, 02:02:23 PM

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a1ex

Features copied from another Canon camera
Copying Canon code or functionality may carry legal risk for us. We do respect the Canon company and love their products and we are strict about staying on the right side of the law.

1080p 60fps, 2K, 4K, RAW video...
The best we could do was 1080p 35fps on 60D and 600D. Update: 4K works, but has major limitations.

Custom codecs
Codecs are not implemented on the general-purpose ARM processor. We can only use what Canon has already included in hardware (H.264, JPEG, LJ92) and fine-tuned their parameters (such as the H.264 bit rate).

The lossless compression used for raw video is the same "codec" Canon uses for CR2. The same processing path (codenamed JPCORE) might be able to handle (M)JPEG. However, we cannot implement additional codecs (such as H.265, JPEG2000 or ProRes). Even if these might be able to run on Canon's image processing hardware, we simply don't know where to start.

Things that can be done in post
Why spending development time on things like in-camera HDR? Magic Lantern is not a replacement for Photoshop ;)

Previewing is OK (e.g. HDR preview, anamorphic preview, fisheye correction preview).

Real-time video processing (e.g. stabilization, sharpness algorithm)
We can't program the image processor. These things can only be done if the functionality is already in Canon firmware (i.e. some parameters that can be tweaked - like in the Image Effects menu).

AF microadjustment
Not possible to control AF outside LiveView. Update: dot_tune works on cameras where AFMA is present in Canon menu.
Not possible on other cameras, with our current knowledge.

Image on both LCD and external monitor at the same time
Not possible (unless proven otherwise by DIGIC investigation).

AF confirmation without chipped adapters
Not possible (camera refused any attempts to fake lens info).

Timecode
Very difficult (see http://www.magiclantern.wikia.com/wiki/Timecode ). The 5D Mark III has it.

Continuous AF in movie mode
Very difficult to do it right (we couldn't).

Scrollwheel controls
It's not possible to remap them while recording. In standby, ML menu uses a trick: it opens some Canon dialog in background to steal wheel events from it, but this trick doesn't work while recording.

1D support
These cameras are way outside our reach. Even if we could buy them, very few 1D users would benefit from ML.
There are also legal concerns regarding Canons Pro line of cameras.




Sure, at some point, some of these might become possible, but chances are extremely small. Spending time on those is effectively searching for the needle in the haystack.




A detailed explanation by dmilligan, on why Magic Lantern cannot increase the FPS of cameras. 

Quote from: dmilligan on May 02, 2014, 11:57:05 PM
Your question really boils down to this:
"Why can't I capture more information, by throwing away information?"

Now from a more practical standpoint:
Compression (what you refer to as "lowering the bitrate") is a difficult, computationally intensive task (it's also impossible). It is not a magical process where you throw some data in and it comes out smaller. The only way to get enough of an effective compression ratio for the incredibly huge size of a video data stream, is to just throw away some of it. The goal here being to throw out the least important information, but we are throwing away information nonetheless. The better an algorithm is at throwing away data (i.e. the better it is at figuring out what data is unimportant), typically the more complex it is. There are very easy ways to throw away data, such as reducing the resolution and line skipping, and there are very hard ways of throwing away data such as DCT

Lets now consider (a very oversimplified) pipeline that a video stream goes through in the camera:
Sensor -> Raw Data -> Image Processing (demosaic, wb, pic style, curves, etc.) -> H.264 Encoder -> Storage

When you talk of "bitrate" you are only talking about the bitrate at the very last step of this pipeline, the bitrate out of the encoder to the storage media. There are many other steps prior to this to consider. If you want a 1080p stream out of the encoder, you also need that 1080p stream to make it's way through the rest of that pipeline (at 60fps). That's where the limitation is, in fact there are probably many, I'll just go over some of the possible ones:
1. The H.264 encoder, can't handle 1080p of video data coming into it at 60 fps (remember it has to do something very complex and computationally intensive with the data and then spit out that result very quickly)
2. The image processing electronics can't handle 1080p of raw data at 60 fps
3. The internal buses that move the raw data from the sensor to the image processors can't handle that much data (1920*1080*14bit*60fps = 1.7 Gigabits per second)
4. The sensor itself isn't fast enough to sample 1080 lines at 60 fps (it takes some finite amount of time to read out each line, and they are read one by one)

I'm not saying that all of those are true, but at least one or more of them are, and that's why 60p mode is a lower resolution. Overcoming any of these obstacles is possible, but it would require more transistors (i.e. faster, more complicated electronics), which would make the camera more expensive. So without more expensive internal electronics, the only way to get enough "compression" to be able to even get our video data to the encoder, is to "compress" the data starting at the sensor itself, and what's the only way to do that? line skipping and reducing the resolution -> basically don't read in as many pixels.

Michael Zöller

A1ex, should 1080i/p HDMI out be on this list, too? Or is there still some hope?
neoluxx.de
EOS 5D Mark II | EOS 600D | EF 24-70mm f/2.8 | Tascam DR-40

a1ex

There is a small hope for 5D3, from the digic investigation thread.

nanomad

Adding a bit of FAQ to FPS since it's a hot topic

When looking at FPS in video mode we have several limits:
- Canon's firmware. This includes the encoder used to compress video. Each firmware has multiple encoders, one for each combination of supported resolution AND FPS

- Video buffer, this is linked to the previous point. The camera can process only much information before running out of it. You'll notice that when using ML bitrate control, for example.

- Processor and sensor readout speed (the latter limits live view to about 39FPS)

- SD write speed, the least important of the group if you ask me.
EOS 1100D | EOS 650 (No, I didn't forget the D) | Ye Olde Canon EF Lenses ('87): 50 f/1.8 - 28 f/2.8 - 70-210 f/4 | EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 | Metz 36 AF-5

poromaa

Just forget what I just wrote... I have read around some more now. Seems to be impossible anyway :)

Keep up the good work!

Audionut

With AF microadjustment, since focus step can be controlled, wouldn't it be possible to code, shutter pressed adjust focus step by user defined amount, capture frame?

Don't expect the code to be fast enough to caption motion, but it would work fine for portraits.

a1ex

I don't see any point for this in LiveView - the only mode where it may be possible.

Furthermore, this is a recipe for trouble - if ML sends focus commands while taking a picture, it will freeze.

garyess


nanomad

EOS 1100D | EOS 650 (No, I didn't forget the D) | Ye Olde Canon EF Lenses ('87): 50 f/1.8 - 28 f/2.8 - 70-210 f/4 | EF-S 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 | Metz 36 AF-5

garyess

Is anybody working on this?  Can I help by testing or trying new code?

Johng

Hi all,
Is shooting full 18meg photos in Video mode on the 60D possible? Right now the camera can take HD widescreen photos during video record. I shoot a lot of videos and photos switching back and forth. It would really save me time if I can shoot both without changing modes.

John gerard

zaikar


meta-fm

> Continuous AF in movie mode
> Very difficult to do it right (we couldn't).

In your opinion,
1) Would it be doable on a 5D3 and STM lenses?
2) Is there room for such a logic in the 5d3?
3) Can some on the 650D code be reversed and patched into the 5D3?

thX

a1ex

1) I don't think STM will help, it only reduces noise.
2) Yes.
3) No, and will probably break Canon's copyright.

apocalypse

is it possible now to get 60fps on 5d mkII jon 720p or lower?
If not, will it be possible in future?

Superka

Is it possible to force sensor to use all pixel in movie mode and average pixel, not to miss the lines? That would be the most wanted feature for me, and many, I suppose.

ilguercio

Quote from: Superka on October 30, 2012, 10:17:57 AM
Is it possible to force sensor to use all pixel in movie mode and average pixel, not to miss the lines? That would be the most wanted feature for me, and many, I suppose.
Try with a gun to the head of the processor.
Canon EOS 6D, 60D, 50D.
Sigma 70-200 EX OS HSM, Sigma 70-200 Apo EX HSM, Samyang 14 2.8, Samyang 35 1.4, Samyang 85 1.4.
Proud supporter of Magic Lantern.

sfmurph

It seems that Canon Picture Styles features should be added to this list of "Won't do"s. Another request came up today.

One one hand, there is some interest in having more than 3 user-defined styles. Adding a 4th into what the Canon firmware is doing seems like it'd be really hard. Reading more Picture Style .pf2 files off the SD or SF card and plugging it into, say, User Style 3 might be interesting, as would the idea of "Picture Style Bracketing" (applying a selection of Picture Styles to a single image).

However, it would seem that these ideas would fall under the "Things that can be done in post" reason. There may also be a problem with encrypted files. For stills, you can take the picture in RAW, then apply any and all picture styles in Canon's Digital Picture Pro software.

For video, it might be interesting to allow for loading on-card .pf2 files, but I doubt this would happen.

MichalB

Can be in future in ML some function for set front and back focus(for canon 550d)? I think that it will be good for many user.

1%

Focus adjustments didn't work on 600D... assuming they won't work on 550D either.

iambeo

Hello,
this is my first time on ML forum, but I use the ML firmware for a long time in my 500d and my 5dmkII.
Actually I use some manual focus lenses:
Takumar 50mm F/1.4
Takumar 30mm F/2.0

I installed the af confirm chip on my M42 adapter and by half shutter I rotate the focus ring and stop when the confirmation light turn on.
Going on to turn the focus ring I notice that the AF confirmation light turn on not just in unique position but in a little range, so I must press half shutter many time and rotate the focus ring to find exactly the center of the range focus within the af confirm light is on.

Could be possible to keep the AF focus confirmation light still on? However I must press half shutter quickly to find the focus range and its center. I would like the AF lamp turn on when in focus and turn off when not. Not just blinking!
I thank in advance for any answers.
Sorry for my english.

Bruno

fauxtographer

So is 60p really impossible? Like 6 months ago, would you think there was a chance this lv_Rec would exist?
6D | 24-105 f/4 | 70-200 f/4 | 28 - 35 - 50 - 50 - 135 |

1%

The yuv won't even update at 60p... fps override has 2 points one where encoder starts jerking and one where image collapses.. there is a point where you can pull it up to something recognizable but nowhere near 60p.

LeNC17z

In light of the recent events with RAW recording and cropping within the chip, could it be possible to crop the sensor to say a 1/3 chip?
Why? With the start and stop function with ML this would/could give me the opportunity to shoot long narrative without always having to fight focus so much, Could it be less forgiving and more like a Video Camera.

I just tried 640x320 on my Markiii RAW and it ain't half bad... however, the viewing size in live view is brutal.

Thanks in advance for any response I may receive,
Len Hasemann

2 Canon 5D Mark2's and a Mark3 (I bought today, because I've been glued to this forum for the last two weeks)!

a1ex