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General discussion

Buying a programmable camera

Dec 2, 2008 3:07PM PST

First, thanks for providing this service. I found it through http://forums.cnet.com/5208-13973_102-0.html?forumID=146&threadID=302020&messageID=2816789

I have a question similar to that thread.

I am considering buying a new camera. I need the camera to be programmable, so I am currently considering one of the green cameras on http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/For_Developers.

However, I have had good experiences with my Samsung cameras, and it rumour has it, that you are using free software in you cameras - maybe even GNU/Linux as operating system. So if I can program a Samsung camera, I will probably prefer buying a Samsung instead.

Do you know if it is possible to run my own software on a Samsung camera? Is there a description on how?

Discussion is locked

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Welcome!
Dec 4, 2008 8:28AM PST

ole.tange,

Welcome to the forum.

The thread you posted, respectfully, dealt with a single internal component, as the explanation below it specified.

The software included in most of our camera packs is the Samsung Master software, which is also not open source.

You are free to do development with the cameras, but as far as programmability and support, I'm unsure they will do what you want them to do. Are you looking at a specific model?

It is possible to run any photo software with the images from the camera by transferring them via USB to your computer, but that would fall under third party applications, and we wouldn't be able to offer support on how to use code other than what was packaged with the unit.

I hope that answers your questions.

--HDTech

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Programming the CPU in the camera
Dec 4, 2008 11:34AM PST

Thank you for your reply.

I am aware I can program my computer and that I can write programs that makes my computer communicate with the camera using USB. However, that is not what I am looking for, as some of the things I want to do has to happen as fast as a lightning (literately).

If you look at http://chdk.wikia.com you will see that people are programming the CPU in Canon cameras, so the camera can do new things without being connected to a computer.

A few examples:

* Take a picture every second without holding down a button until the card is full.
* Only take a picture if there is a lightning.
* Record a movie not with 30 fps but with 1 fps (time lapse)
* Bracketing (taking multiple pictures automatically with small adjustments in settings)

So I can basically get what I am looking for if I buy a cheap Canon camera. However, I am really happy with my Samsung NV3 camera, and have been happy with my previous Samsung cameras, too, so I would prefer not changing to Canon. As Samsung seems quite involved in developing Linux (e.g. http://opensrc.sec.samsung.com/) I would guess Samsung use Linux in some of Samsung's cameras.

So I am wondering if Samsung has a camera (preferably similar to NV3 - but that is not a requirement) that can meet the programmability of the Canon ones?

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High tech stuff!
Dec 4, 2008 7:01PM PST

Let me check around to see if anyone in the office would know. That sounds like pretty exciting stuff. (Careful, I get technically involved into this stuff before I know it's happening)

I honestly have no idea. But I'll ask around.

--HDTech