"Chewing gum" dv cam - firmware settings?

dghutt · Sep 21, 2009, 01:34 PM

I just received one of those Chinese "chewing gum" video cameras purchased from eBay and would like to get access to its settings. For instance, by default it's applying a date and time watermark to all video. Also it records at 15fps, which will make aerial vids pretty jerky. My sense is that this may also be capable of manipulation in the firmware (since other similar cameras advertise 30fps).

Is anyone here aware of an app for manipulating the camera's internal firmware? I know this is a long shot but worth the ask. Thanks in advance for all replies.

Dave

quailbird · Sep 21, 2009, 04:08 PM

I have one and my first ground video was 29 fps which is good enough. I would like to find out how to get rid of the time date thing. I'll be watching this thread and I think several folks will be.

randall1959 · Sep 22, 2009, 07:40 PM

Subscribed

the-cat007 · Sep 22, 2009, 10:44 PM

here you go ....

see in the description under the video.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...48&postcount=1

dghutt · Sep 23, 2009, 01:31 PM

Thanks Cat! For anyone looking to save themselves a click, Cat's link provides instructions on removing the date and time as follows:

Quote:

Do not show time :
you make a text file with the date and time in the following format with the letter N (NO)

2009.01.01 12.01 N

to update the time replace the Letter N to Y .

save it as time.txt in the devices root directory and when you switch the device on again the time is set .

I'm still cautiously hopeful there's a way to change the framerate from 15 to 30fps. I know this was an accessible setting in my old eDVR 5-in-1, for instance, which appears to be the grandpappy of the current gum cams. Anyone got any advice?

EDIT: I'll note here as well that you can buy one of these cameras from the_Cat007 by way of his link, above.

the-cat007 · Sep 23, 2009, 02:34 PM

Thanks dgutt

guyg · Sep 23, 2009, 03:25 PM

TX allot dgutt
Guy

Dave Barrow · Sep 23, 2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cat007

here you go ....

see in the description under the video.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...48&postcount=1

I tried your time/date removal text file directions, it did not work on mine, time/date is still there.

quailbird · Sep 23, 2009, 09:57 PM

When I plug my gum camera into the usb port, it opens up a file that says: "REC" and it is empty. I tried making a txt file on my desktop and then drag it to the "REC" file but It isn't working. I'm not sure what is meant by 'root directory'?

the-cat007 · Sep 23, 2009, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the-cat007

Do not show time :
you make a text file with the date and time in the following format with the letter N (NO)

2009.01.01 12.01.01 N

to update the time replace the Letter N to Y .

save it as time.txt in the devices root directory and when you switch the device on again the time is set .

I'm sorry i forgot to add the sec. look the correction above.

dont drag/save it to the "REC" folder .
just to the Main drive(f:/) And it will work for you

the-cat007 · Sep 24, 2009, 09:22 PM

any luck?

quailbird · Sep 24, 2009, 10:51 PM

I made a file with the numbers you said, I saved it to my desktop then hooked up the gum camera to the usb port and opened up that drive, then I saved the file to that drive and unplugged the camera turned it on and the time is still there. I tried dragging the file to the camera file same thing. You know, I'm inept at this kind of stuff, don't you? I can't even get the gum camera to do what I want. LOL! I guess the time date thing will stay. Thanks for all your help.

the-cat007 · Sep 24, 2009, 11:35 PM

Really weird .... it works for me
Do not despair ...

Let's do it step by step:

1. Turn off the camera >connect it to the computer > Open the removable disk> Should be f:/ Or a different letter that appears
click the right mouse button on blank space of the root directory of the device.

Quote:

you will see the REC folder ,dont drag/save it to the "REC" folder .
just to the Main drive(f:/ Or a different letter that appears) And it will work for you

Move the Mouse cursor on "New"option of the pop-up menu> select "Text Document"> Named time.txt .
2. In the document file, in put the time setting as Follows: 2009.01.01 12.01.01 N .
3. Close the file and save.
4. uninstall the device .
COMPLETE SET-UP TIME. The time set up will be saved to the camera inside.
5. Hope it helped

what are you trying do to with the camera...capturer video or pic ?

guyg · Sep 25, 2009, 05:45 AM

HI
TRYED IT TWO TIMES..NONE!!
But!! now time and date are correct ...so..
No big thing..OK for me
Guy

quailbird · Sep 25, 2009, 12:10 PM

I followed the instruction to a "T", but it still shows 2007 bla,bla,bla. When my son-in-law gets home from work I'll have him follow the instructions and it might work. I'm sure it is me and not the camera.

Sep 21, 2009, 01:34 PM	#1
dghutt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 94	"Chewing gum" dv cam - firmware settings? I just received one of those Chinese "chewing gum" video cameras purchased from eBay and would like to get access to its settings. For instance, by default it's applying a date and time watermark to all video. Also it records at 15fps, which will make aerial vids pretty jerky. My sense is that this may also be capable of manipulation in the firmware (since other similar cameras advertise 30fps). Is anyone here aware of an app for manipulating the camera's internal firmware? I know this is a long shot but worth the ask. Thanks in advance for all replies. Dave

Sep 22, 2009, 10:44 PM	#4
the-cat007 the best cat in town. :) Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 133	Remove/change time and date . here you go .... see in the description under the video. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...48&postcount=1 Last edited by the-cat007; Sep 22, 2009 at 11:32 PM.

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Sep 21, 2009, 04:08 PM	#2
quailbird Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rich Hill Missouri 64779 Posts: 5,643	I have one and my first ground video was 29 fps which is good enough. I would like to find out how to get rid of the time date thing. I'll be watching this thread and I think several folks will be.

Sep 22, 2009, 07:40 PM	#3
randall1959 Just an eye in the sky... Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Posts: 3,811	Subscribed

Sep 23, 2009, 02:34 PM	#6
the-cat007 the best cat in town. :) Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 133	Thanks dgutt

Sep 23, 2009, 03:25 PM	#7
guyg TEL-AVIV ISRAEL Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ness- Ziona Posts: 2,014	TX allot dgutt Guy

Sep 23, 2009, 09:57 PM	#9
quailbird Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rich Hill Missouri 64779 Posts: 5,643	When I plug my gum camera into the usb port, it opens up a file that says: "REC" and it is empty. I tried making a txt file on my desktop and then drag it to the "REC" file but It isn't working. I'm not sure what is meant by 'root directory'?

Sep 24, 2009, 09:22 PM	#11
the-cat007 the best cat in town. :) Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 133	any luck?

Sep 24, 2009, 10:51 PM	#12
quailbird Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rich Hill Missouri 64779 Posts: 5,643	I made a file with the numbers you said, I saved it to my desktop then hooked up the gum camera to the usb port and opened up that drive, then I saved the file to that drive and unplugged the camera turned it on and the time is still there. I tried dragging the file to the camera file same thing. You know, I'm inept at this kind of stuff, don't you? I can't even get the gum camera to do what I want. LOL! I guess the time date thing will stay. Thanks for all your help.

Sep 25, 2009, 05:45 AM	#14
guyg TEL-AVIV ISRAEL Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ness- Ziona Posts: 2,014	HI TRYED IT TWO TIMES..NONE!! But!! now time and date are correct ...so.. No big thing..OK for me Guy

Sep 25, 2009, 12:10 PM	#15
quailbird Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rich Hill Missouri 64779 Posts: 5,643	I followed the instruction to a "T", but it still shows 2007 bla,bla,bla. When my son-in-law gets home from work I'll have him follow the instructions and it might work. I'm sure it is me and not the camera.