Database Users

Blackstone Camera 2009 (HTC) Discussion

Guys,
I have applied all current tweaks and so on as I have seen throughout this forum (inc. searching) and my Blackstone Camera is still autofocusing/going blurry and is very slow at taking photos using the normal camera. On my Trinity it was instant and relatively alright. On this camera 5 out of 15 shots are alright and the rest have blurs which only occur after the standard delay in taking the photo! This changes depending on lighting conditions but is very annoying and makes the camera useless since you loose previous moment!
Scenario: Take photo and press to focus and it is a clear photo, the cross goes green and then it takes the photo and the image then goes blurred.
Known Issue: "the blur camera problem is because camera automatically goes to "night mode" in low light conditions, or even in not so low light conditions. if there any possibility to turn off that function"
Questions:
1) What is the manual focus method to override this?
2) Are there any camera software updates or hot fixes to sort this out?
3) What are everyones optimum camera settings?
4) Are there any tweaks that will sort this out?
5) Lastly, before I install it, there is a new Radio ROM update on the Wiki what advantages does this provide into sending MMS photos or using 3G - What are the bugs or downside of upgrading to the ROM update?
Update (15/1/09) - I have found that these so far to be the best optimum settings even with the :
HD Tweak > Camera >
Burst -> Enabled
Photo Theme -> Enabled
Sport -> Enabled
Video share -> Enabled
GPS Photo -> Enabled
Burst mode resolution -> 3 Mega Pixels
Sport mode resolution -> 3 Mega Pixels
Advanced Config > Camera
Save location -> DCIM (default)
Encode photos to portrait mode -> No
Capture key delay -> Enabled (default)
Key Delay -> Enabled (default)
Capture Key Delay -> 1
Camera > Settings
Resolution -> 5M
White Balence -> Auto
Camera > Settings > Advance
Widescreen -> On
Touch Focus -> On
Review Duration -> 3 Seconds
Quality -> Super Fine
Shoot Option -> Touch
Image Properties -> Contrast (+4) Saturation (+4) Sharpness (+5)
Metering Mode -> Center Area
Flicker Adjustment -> Auto
Cheers
Hawk

Nighthawk2050 said:
3) What are everyones optimum camera settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be interesting indeed.

i backup hawk.
very intersted also in improving xam performances
thanks to those that can help!

Good points hawk! Subscribed to this thread
My camera options are : Touch (not hold) to take photo, more sharpness ->+5 and more satureness and the other thing (sry not english rom) -> +4
but the photos are still look blured when not taken during daytime and outside...
Manual focussing would be great! Any other Photo making applications known?

i tried every single tweak even in registry, but nothin...50% pics are blurred.
I see autofocus delay depends on several things (light, distance to the object), I don't know why htc provided a so important bug in camera, but I hope there's no hardware problem.

Similar problem here. I did not realise until a few days ago that the camera has the Sony Touch focus feature and wondered if you touch on the screen first where you want it to focus that would help. I haven't tried it yet but wonder if it has been focusing somewhere else on the screen rather than around the centre area as I had not been setting it.
Anyone tried that?

It's true that compared to the cybershot of a sony-ericsson.... the camera of the T-HD ( event all the other's HTC) is CRAPPY ! No really the quality, but to have a good picture you should stay motionless during 3 "real" seconds !! and the thing on the picture too of course ! that's awful...
Ciao
Fred

The camera is very good in sunny conditions.. Examples:
http://one.xthost.info/mypicture****/example1.jpg
http://one.xthost.info/mypictures****/example2.jpg
The only thing I did was resizing them.. All settings on +3. I'll search for a regtweak; hope to find something.

Use Advanced Config app and go to Camera setting.
Enable "Capture Key Delay"
Enable "Key Delay"
Change "Capture Key Delay time" to 1.
In you Camera advanced settings, increase Saturation, Sharpness and Colour to 5 and make sure you choose super fine in image properties. Finally Touch only for capture key.
I am happy with the above settings.

Please don't put the sharpness to 5. It makes the pictures pretty ugly..

tboy2000 said:
Use Advanced Config app and go to Camera setting.
Enable "Capture Key Delay"
Enable "Key Delay"
Change "Capture Key Delay time" to 1.
In you Camera advanced settings, increase Saturation, Sharpness and Colour to 5 and make sure you choose super fine in image properties. Finally Touch only for capture key.
I am happy with the above settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I tried to set sharpness, saturation and colour to +5 but it is even worst in my experience. Somemore, I found that, HD camera could takes very good quality under the Sun, very good light condition, very low light condition such as in door (but not dark). However, the photo would goes blur when in door with medium light condition such as inside office no matter how I set camera setting.

For me personally, I am happy with the three options set to 5. I guess it is just down to user preference. Experiment yourself to see what settings make you happy.

tboy2000 said:
Use Advanced Config app and go to Camera setting.
Enable "Capture Key Delay"
Enable "Key Delay"
Change "Capture Key Delay time" to 1.
In you Camera advanced settings, increase Saturation, Sharpness and Colour to 5 and make sure you choose super fine in image properties. Finally Touch only for capture key.
I am happy with the above settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
I can't seem to find the above setting on my HD
Enable "Capture Key Delay"
Enable "Key Delay"
Change "Capture Key Delay time" to 1.
could you guide me through ??
Cheers

sgt_sidz said:
Hi there,
I can't seem to find the above setting on my HD
Enable "Capture Key Delay"
Enable "Key Delay"
Change "Capture Key Delay time" to 1.
could you guide me through ??
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need this tweaking tool to acess this values
Advanced Configuration Tool v3.3

If I set the Capture Key Delay Time to 1 (from 1500), would I have to enable the two Capture Key enabl;ed/disabled settings in Camera too? Currently they're both disabled (and I just now set the time to 1).
Hmmm... just softreset; the camera was just as slow... and the time was reset to 1500 miliseconds!
So now I have enabled the two settings and re-set the 1500 ms to 1ms, softreset and...
....WTF? the two setting have stuck at 'enabled' (good), but the time has reset back to 1500 (bad)! After screwing around a bit, I finally changed it to 1, long-pressed the entry and hit 'save', not softreset on the prompt (I softreset earlier as soon as I had changed, and it didn't stick/save the time setting) which seems to have done it when I re-entered AC. Now one more softreset...
Well, finally the settings have stuck/been saved...but the camera is still just as slow. It really sucks, because it does this whole "zoom full in, zoom full out, compare, find focus, prepare to save pic, finally save pic after 3 seconds" thing. It might be just a tad quicker now, but it doesn't really make a difference.
The camera app should be totally re-written. It's a nice camera, hardware wise, but software wise it's ****ed up. At the very least it should be finding auto-focus when you hit the screen to set touch-focus location, and then just take the picture when you hit the button. Or just have a way to turn off auto focus and manually focus with an onscreen slider (one which preferably replaced the zoom slider!!!).
Anyone know how open PPC is to this? I've been reading into Android, and have read that you have full access to raw CCD images as they stream from the camera, so it would be possible to totally re-write the camera application, or at least change it. Does Windows Mobile allow this kind of access to the hardware?

MacDegger said:
If I set the Capture Key Delay Time to 1 (from 1500), would I have to enable the two Capture Key enabl;ed/disabled settings in Camera too? Currently they're both disabled (and I just now set the time to 1).
Hmmm... just softreset; the camera was just as slow... and the time was reset to 1500 miliseconds!
So now I have enabled the two settings and re-set the 1500 ms to 1ms, softreset and...
....WTF? the two setting have stuck at 'enabled' (good), but the time has reset back to 1500 (bad)! After screwing around a bit, I finally changed it to 1, long-pressed the entry and hit 'save', not softreset on the prompt (I softreset earlier as soon as I had changed, and it didn't stick/save the time setting) which seems to have done it when I re-entered AC. Now one more softreset...
Well, finally the settings have stuck/been saved...but the camera is still just as slow. It really sucks, because it does this whole "zoom full in, zoom full out, compare, find focus, prepare to save pic, finally save pic after 3 seconds" thing. It might be just a tad quicker now, but it doesn't really make a difference.
The camera app should be totally re-written. It's a nice camera, hardware wise, but software wise it's ****ed up. At the very least it should be finding auto-focus when you hit the screen to set touch-focus location, and then just take the picture when you hit the button. Or just have a way to turn off auto focus and manually focus with an onscreen slider (one which preferably replaced the zoom slider!!!).
Anyone know how open PPC is to this? I've been reading into Android, and have read that you have full access to raw CCD images as they stream from the camera, so it would be possible to totally re-write the camera application, or at least change it. Does Windows Mobile allow this kind of access to the hardware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also experimented with these camera settings via Adv Config and I got the same results...the camera still takes forever to take pictures. I tested it indoors under the same lighting/angle/etc. The camera is probably the most disappointing thing about this phone...really amazing they would make it like this.

MacDegger said:
Well, finally the settings have stuck/been saved...but the camera is still just as slow. It really sucks, because it does this whole "zoom full in, zoom full out, compare, find focus, prepare to save pic, finally save pic after 3 seconds" thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the touch focus before pressing the capture button.. and if you're saving to the SDcard, I saw a tweak somewhere for speeding up access which might help as well.
I save to SD card and my captures take a fraction of what they used to take before applying the tweaks, somewhere round half a second.
I have 5Mp, superfine, whitebalance set to auto, all picture properties set to +4, and the metering mode set to center, perhaps that helps.

I usually do use the touch focus...makes no difference. I use pretty much exactly the same settings you do...still takes a long time. As for the tweaks you mentioned...would that be the SD tuneup.cab?

yep, that's the one. Sad it doesn't help on yours. I do also have quite a few of the optimisation tweaks in place, maybe they help the camera too.

any settings would not get this delay done.
in the light conditions, the autofocus really fast and shot!
in the dark/dawn conditions, the autofocus really slow then shot.

X1 Camera

I had a diamond before I got my Xperia, besides the little problems like the bluetooth turning off (fixed with good ol' mortscript) and stuff its awesome.All though the camera is realy bad, it gives a realy nice picture but the exposure time is way too long even with sport mode on. you've got to hold the thing perfectly straight for a second or two other wise its blur-city.
Is this just my X1 or are others having the same problem?
Can't say I use the camera much just would be nice to find some sort of reg key or something to make it a bit more functional.

Yes, the camera is virtually unusable as-is, because you have to keep it steady for ages.
And the problem is that if you give the phone to someone else to help you take a group picture, the long shutter time (which no one normally expects) means I have to go and explain to people to keep pressing for 2-3 seconds and not move at all.
It is stupid.

Yup, its a shame SE realy need to send out a few fixes for this phone, after all it is their flagship product at the moment, the O2 stores near me cant even get hold of them.
Bluetooth and Camera definatly need fixing

Unfortunately, since SE has decided not to use HTC to build their phones again, the Xperia X1's firmware is unlikely to be fixed ever again... sigh.

Eh, it doesn't matter if SE cooperates with HTC or not, they have their own WM department and a new firmware is already out according to this (czech) site:
Code:
http://semania.mobilmania.cz/content/view/3163/2/

One quick solution is going for infinity focus instead of auto-focus. Seems like the majority of the time is taken up by the focusing function.

the tw rom is newer in the rom thread.
as to the focus i tend to press it and leave it.

I'm trying to say that if you have focus set to auto (in the camera settings) it takes much longer to take a photo than when you have it set to infinity.

fards said:
the tw rom is newer in the rom thread.
as to the focus i tend to press it and leave it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not so easy to do this if you are at a party and want to take a group photo...
Maybe infinity focus is the answer...
btw do we know what the latest firmware is?

open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
the US x1 has a newer camera cab but it doesnt help the time it takes to take a pic

i use sport mode with focus set to infinity as default settings. this gives great results and no need to hold still that much as some were suggesing.
overall the camera is great and its clearly better than the T*Omnia 5MP camera.
lets hope the new camera application from the Asian rom improve things. is it avalable CABed someware?

Sport and infinate
Although the focus isnt as good as Macro or Auto it is an improvment for the capture speed.
Setting to Sport and Infinate works a hell of a lot better than what I was using. (Sport and Auto).
Cheers guys.

shadowmike said:
open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought this for ages, its not true it really just means it has a slower shutter speed (multi-frame shot) which is why most of your pictures that involve movement will come out blurry.
Also, here is a hint for taking pictures faster: The button has 2 pressure points, hold the button down to the first point to focus, do NOT let go--then push it down all the way to take the picture it should do it instantly

For me Sports + Infinite = instant picture.

shadowmike said:
open the phone and press the enter button once, or press the ok/center dpad once to start the process of the picture being taken.
also use multi shot this allows you to take pictures after another and then later delete ones that you do not want.
the US x1 has a newer camera cab but it doesnt help the time it takes to take a pic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot, I didn't know the entre button and do the work

Poetique said:
For me Sports + Infinite = instant picture.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
infinite=no autofocus

When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..

Fille84 said:
When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to press the down arrow on the bottom right side of the screen when in settings this will bring a more detailed settings page and you can set the default settings in there and your camera will use them everytime
Good luck

I'm a Touch Pro user but we don't have the ability to do infinite zoom. It's probably a registry value we're missing. Would anyone mind sharing any registry strings that seem to discuss focus or zooming? It would likely be in HKLM/Software/HTC/Camera
Thanks

Fille84 said:
When I change the standardfocus setting in the camera settings it won't save it. When I start the camera later it doesnt give me the right settings i choosed in camer settings. What am I doing wrong here? For example I wan't sport mode with macro, but I get sport mode with autofocus everytime I start the camera..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here. The default focus setting is infinite, but the camera is on auto everytime.

HTC Camera App on X1 - Sport Mode as Default?

I added the registry hack to the HTC camera app and enabled the sport and burst modes. It works great. The R3A camera takes better quality photos, but the HTC camera seeks quicker.
I have one question - can the HTC camera be set to use the sport mode as the default shooting method? Right now, I have to start up the camera and go to settings to set it to use sport mode. Is there a way for the camera to remember the setting and start up in sport mode? The X1 camera remembers the settings, but the HTC camera doesn't.
Thanks in advance.

Screen Mode for Iolite (change to portrait or landscape mode, rotate screen)

Hi, guys!!!
In Iolite there isn't option to change screen to portrait and landscape screen mode. So, I decided to write a small tool to do it. Hope it useful for someone.
Screenshot
Download
http://download.htcpedia.com/Roms/RMN/roo303oom/screen%20mode/Iolite%20Screen%20Mode.cab

anyone try this??????????????

I didn't, as i don't really see the point...
There is an option in the settings just for that (at least in custom roms).
If you have a stock rom, then it should be useful...

Blubster said:
If you have a stock rom, then it should be useful...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is neither true, a little registry modify is sufficient, but:
I tried it, it doesn't work, in a first moment it change portrait to landscape but, when you close the app, display come back to portrait it's unhelpful

Giampy21Iolite said:
This is neither true, a little registry modify is sufficient, but:
I tried it, it doesn't work, in a first moment it change portrait to landscape but, when you close the app, display come back to portrait it's unhelpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some app can't be displayed in landscape mode (for instance manila). If you close this program and then it's manila run, screen mode will become portrait. It's happening with phone, that have option to change screen mode (i checked it).
If you run apps, that can be displayed in landscape mode (windows media player, file explorer...), you can then run this program, change to landscape mode, close program. You'll see that screen mode will remain landscape mode.

ok, but is too work... after registry modify, you can to associate "rotate screen" function to an hardware button, I do it with long press "green horn", thus, I can change portrait to landscape and vice versa in every moment I want...

I have just found out how to enable option to change between landscape and portrait screen mode. I will include it in my next ROM
Best regards!!!

Did anyone tried this latest Google Camera HDR+ Port?

I'm just wondering if someone got this to work on there OP2. I did successfully installed and even took a couple of snaps but after a couple of snaps. It suddenly force closes. I see that there a lot of settings now, maybe one of you guys are following this port and got a setting that stabilizes the app functions for OP2.
This is the port that I'm referring to. "Google Camera HDR+ Port Updated with RAW Support, HDR Customization, and Major Bug Fixes"

If you want to use this port on our device without crashing, just install and go to" support level override " set on ZSL and after that, set the resolution to 8.3 pixeles (16:9)
You have to uninstall first and reinstall to be able to change settings.

Actually it works with 4:3 and 13Mpix and other settings when you just after install set "support level override " to ZSL and close app. If you after install just open and close settings app crashes even if you don't change any settings.

Thanks for the advise. I'll try it. And I also notice that when I try to take pictures on landscape mode. The camera icons don't go on landscape, it only does if I turn on Auto-Rotation. Is that the same case for you?

Thanks for the advise. I'll give it a try. And I also notice that when I try to take pictures on landscape mode. The camera icons don't go on landscape, it only does if I turn on Auto-Rotation. Is that the same case for you?