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5D3 firmware brings uncompressed HDMI out


Zach
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http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/10/canon-eos-5d-mark-iii-firmware-adds-hdmi-af-upgrades/

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[b]NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE FOR CANON EOS 5D MARK III DIGITAL SLR CAMERA PROVIDES UNCOMPRESSED HDMI OUTPUT SUPPORT AND IMPROVED AF PERFORMANCE[/b]
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., October 23, 2012 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced a new firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR camera that significantly improves the camera’s performance and usability. In response to requests from professionals working in the fields of cinema and television production, the firmware update enables the use of uncompressed HDMI Output support, making possible more efficient video editing and monitoring procedures. Additionally, the upgrade supports the advanced needs of photographers through improved AF performance when capturing still images.[/size][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Uncompressed HDMI Output Support[/b]
When shooting video, HDMI Output makes possible the recording of high-definition uncompressed video data (YCbCr 4:2:2, 8 bit) from the EOS 5D Mark III to an external recorder via the camera’s HDMI terminal. This, in turn, facilitates the editing of video data with minimal image degradation for greater on-site workflow efficiency during motion picture and video productions. Additionally, video being captured can be displayed on an external monitor, enabling real-time, on-site monitoring of high-definition video during shooting.[/size][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=3]
[b]Improved AF Functionality[/b]
Even when the EOS 5D Mark III is equipped with an extender and lens making possible a maximum aperture of f/8, the firmware update supports AF employing the camera’s central cross-type points (currently compatible with maximum apertures up to f/5.6). Accordingly, the update will allow users to take advantage of AF when shooting distant subjects, benefitting sports and nature photographers, particularly when using telephoto lenses.[/size][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][size=3]
The new firmware update will be available, at no charge, in April 2013 from the Canon U.S.A. website and can be downloaded by end users or through Canon Factory Service Centers.[/size][/font][/color]
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EOSHD Pro Color 5 for Sony cameras EOSHD Z LOG for Nikon CamerasEOSHD C-LOG and Film Profiles for All Canon DSLRs
April 2013. Maybe sooner? They are feeling the heat from other competition. Timing is critical as more cameras coming. The new Hero camera paves the way, although a different beast, it does show how technology has advanced. The BMC camera is taking $millions from Canon. You gotta love competition.
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[quote name='hoodlum' timestamp='1351009095' post='20172']
Must be concerned about the competition as they are announcing this firmware update 6 months in advance.
[/quote]Perhaps to compete with Nikon D800 that already has HDMI out the Canon Marketing Department just announced that this will be available leaving the Engineering Department six months to figure out how in hell they are going to provide this feature.
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It is legit. 6 months of competition coming. Why doesn't Canon give it now? Will Magic Lantern figure out how to give clean to the other Canon cameras? Why not 10 bit? Lot's of questions. At least it is a start and a good one. The long wait isn't the best. There was rumors in May that this was in the works. True.

[url="http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon/newsroom?pageKeyCode=pressreldetail&docId=0901e024806daf9c"]http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/about_canon/newsroom?pageKeyCode=pressreldetail&docId=0901e024806daf9c[/url]
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I suspect the code change looks something like this:

Current code:

#define DISABLE_CLEAN_HDMI_OUT

New code:


//#define DISABLE_CLEAN_HDMI_OUT

It's already done and was used during initial testing and development.

Hopefully the next change will be:


//#define ENABLE_MARKETING_CRIPPLE_H264_COMPRESSION_QUALITY
//#define ENABLE_RESOLUTION_REDUCING_GAUSSIAN_BLUR

This would enable higher resolution and high quality H.264 output. The combination of blur and low quality H.264 output puts limits on post sharpening due to compression artifacts.
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Thinking here.

The 5D3 image is downsampled to 1080p? Is it resolving 1000 lines? Canon will be giving uncompressed footage at 8 bit 422. Sound good. But what is the true detail of the down sampled image? Will the uncompressed footage give alot more detail? Or is that detail already taken out due to the downsampling? Will the uncompressed footage be alot more superior or slightly better or just better for grading? Questions remain. Remember Canon has other camera lines to protect...hmmm.
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Based on ML dev comments, the actual resolution might be 1620x910 (also matches resolution tests we did (~810 lines of horizontal resolution)). Hopefully the new firmware will provide something higher than that. 422 would double the color resolution, which is helpful.
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[quote name='nigelbb' timestamp='1351009850' post='20173']
... leaving the Engineering Department six months to figure out how in hell they are going to provide this feature.
[/quote]

As we have seen with the 650D, pre-production cameras probably already had clean HDMI out for testing. So this does not take 6 months of work. In fact, as JCS points out, it is probably involves changing just a few lines of code in firmware. After testing to make sure it is working, a day's work, max.

And let's not forget - Canon are not adding a new feature here. They are removing some of the deliberate crippling they introduced to protect the C300.
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Even if only one line of code change, some companies are very conservative and might take months of QA before releasing an update. Folks in the field will get early releases to help with testing. However, 6 months appears to be business timing related.
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[quote name='jcs' timestamp='1351032992' post='20202']
Based on ML dev comments, the actual resolution might be 1620x910 (also matches resolution tests we did (~810 lines of horizontal resolution)). Hopefully the new firmware will provide something higher than that. 422 would double the color resolution, which is helpful.
[/quote]

It won't give extra res, I don't think. You'll just be gaining 4:2:2 lossless i-frame via external recorders. Still good though. Perhaps ML will do it first. If not ML will work alongside this nicely i'm sure. 10-bit would be nice.
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Hi all ! new here, seem like the right time to join

been looking at the 5d markiii for awhile mainly for the ff and low light performance
now it will have 4.2.2 in the future. nice
but im not sure yet no swivel screen.... grrr
still want to see some video comparision of what sony and pannasonic can do
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