Jump to content

DIGIC: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Custom firmware: correcting focus bracketing explanation
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
'''Digital Imaging Core''' (DIGIC) is a proprietary [[application-specific integrated circuit]] made by [[Canon Inc.|Canon]] to perform high speed signal-processing and control operations incorporated inside Canon [[digital camera]]s and [[camcorder]]s.
'''Digital Imaging Core''' (DIGIC) is a proprietary [[application-specific integrated circuit]] made by [[Canon Inc.|Canon]] to perform high speed signal-processing and control operations incorporated inside Canon [[digital camera]]s and [[camcorder]]s.


Freeware from the CHDK project allows users to non-destructively modify the firmware and write custom programs with new features.
[[Free Software]] from the CHDK project allows users to non-destructively modify the firmware and write custom programs with new features.


==DIGIC==
==DIGIC==
Line 34: Line 34:
The '''DIGIC II''' and '''DIGIC III''' ASICs contain embedded 32-bit [[ARM architecture]] processors. Until around 2007, Canon point-and-shoot cameras ran a [[VxWorks]]-based operating system,<ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/DryOS_Porting#Short_ARM_ASM_Overview DryOS Porting - CHDK Wiki<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> however recent cameras are based on the [[DRYOS]] operating system developed in-house by Canon.
The '''DIGIC II''' and '''DIGIC III''' ASICs contain embedded 32-bit [[ARM architecture]] processors. Until around 2007, Canon point-and-shoot cameras ran a [[VxWorks]]-based operating system,<ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/DryOS_Porting#Short_ARM_ASM_Overview DryOS Porting - CHDK Wiki<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> however recent cameras are based on the [[DRYOS]] operating system developed in-house by Canon.


The [http://chdk.wikia.com CHDK project], started by Andre Gratchev, has successfully replaced the firmware for many [[Canon PowerShot]] cameras with a [[free software]] reimplementation.<ref>[http://www.linux.com/feature/118946 Linux.com :: How to give your low-end Canon digital camera RAW support]</ref><ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ CHDK Faq]</ref>
The [http://chdk.wikia.com CHDK project], started by Andre Gratchev, has successfully replaced the firmware for many [[Canon PowerShot]] cameras with a [[Free Software]] reimplementation.<ref>[http://www.linux.com/feature/118946 Linux.com :: How to give your low-end Canon digital camera RAW support]</ref><ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/FAQ CHDK Faq]</ref>


According to Slashdot, freeware from the CHDK project allows nearly complete programmatic control of cheap Canon point-and-shoot cameras, enabling users to add features, up to and including games and BASIC scripting. Features include shooting in RAW, USB-cable remote shutter-release, motion-detection triggered photography, customizable high-speed continuous (burst) Tv, Av, ISO, and Focus bracketing (increasing [[depth of field]]), 1 Gig video-size limit removed in earlier cameras, Shutter, Aperture, and ISO Overrides (shutter speeds of 64" to 1/10,000" and higher).<ref>[http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/08/05/06/2032216.shtml Slashdot,] Hacking Canon Point-and-Shoot Cameras, Posted by kdawson on Tuesday May 06, @04:56PM, from the now-don't-brick-it dept.</ref>
According to Slashdot, [[Free Software]] from the CHDK project allows nearly complete programmatic control of cheap Canon point-and-shoot cameras, enabling users to add features, up to and including games and BASIC scripting. Features include shooting in RAW, USB-cable remote shutter-release, motion-detection triggered photography, customizable high-speed continuous (burst) Tv, Av, ISO, and Focus bracketing (increasing [[depth of field]]), 1 Gig video-size limit removed in earlier cameras, Shutter, Aperture, and ISO Overrides (shutter speeds of 64" to 1/10,000" and higher).<ref>[http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardware/08/05/06/2032216.shtml Slashdot,] Hacking Canon Point-and-Shoot Cameras, Posted by kdawson on Tuesday May 06, @04:56PM, from the now-don't-brick-it dept.</ref>


In order to create modified firmware, it was necessary to obtain copies of the cameras' original firmware; in some cases this can be done via a pure software method, while others rely on an ingenious method of using a blinking LED on the camera as an optical serial port to transmit the firmware to a host computer.<ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Porting_the_CHDK#Hardware-software_solution Porting the CHDK - CHDK Wiki<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In order to create modified firmware, it was necessary to obtain copies of the cameras' original firmware; in some cases this can be done via a pure software method, while others rely on an ingenious method of using a blinking LED on the camera as an optical serial port to transmit the firmware to a host computer.<ref>[http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Porting_the_CHDK#Hardware-software_solution Porting the CHDK - CHDK Wiki<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Revision as of 06:23, 5 June 2008

Digital Imaging Core (DIGIC) is a proprietary application-specific integrated circuit made by Canon to perform high speed signal-processing and control operations incorporated inside Canon digital cameras and camcorders.

Free Software from the CHDK project allows users to non-destructively modify the firmware and write custom programs with new features.

DIGIC

The original DIGIC was used on the A520, Canon S1 IS, and other cameras. It consists of three separate chips such as a video processing IC, an image processing IC and a camera control IC.

DIGIC II

DIGIC II is a single chip (unlike the first DIGIC). This led to a more compact design by reducing the parts. DIGIC II also improved upon the original DIGIC by adding a larger buffer and faster processing speed. It uses high-speed DDR-SDRAM, which improves startup time and AF speed. Canon claims DIGIC II improves color, sharpness, and automatic white balance with its CMOS sensor in its digital SLR camera line.[citation needed] It is used in some advanced consumer-level cameras and many digital SLRs such as Canon EOS 400D and Canon EOS 5D. It can write to memory card at speeds up to 5.8 MB/sec.[1]

DIGIC III

Front view of Canon PowerShot A720 IS, shot by itself in front of a mirror

The DIGIC III Image Processor is the latest (as of 2007) version of Canon's proprietary DIGIC technology, supposedly delivering superior image quality, more responsiveness and an extended battery life compared to its predecessor. DIGIC III provides a speedier interface to the SD memory card for the Canon PowerShot G7 and G9, SD750, SD800, SD850, SD900, SD 1000, A560, A570 IS, A590 IS, A650 IS, A720 IS, and S5 IS. It also provides higher definition for their LCD monitors.[2]

Some DIGIC III cameras can be modified with the CHDK.

New features

DIGIC III also provides new Face Detection AF/AE, which finds and will track all the faces in the frame and sets the most suitable focus point, when the shutter button is depressed half-way. Exposure and flash are controlled to ensure proper illumination of both the faces and the overall scene, eliminating the common problem of darkened or overexposed faces. The system will also revert to the AiAF system if the subject is either not detected or not deemed to be a subject (based on the iSAPS database). The latter is useful at tourist spots where there may be many people around who are not supposed to be the subject of the picture.[citation needed]

Scene-recognition

iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon.[2] Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS also works with the DiG!C III Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.[2]

Dual DIGIC III

DIGIC III is also being used in Canon's latest (as of 2007) Digital SLR cameras. The Canon EOS-1D Mark III uses dual DIGIC III processors to achieve a capture rate of 10 frames per second at 10.1 MP (with a maximum burst of 110 JPEG images, depending on the speed of the attached storage) [3]. The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III also uses dual DIGIC III processors to achieve a 5 frame per second at 21.1 MP [4].

DIGIC DV

The DIGIC DV is used in Canon's single-chip CCD digital camcorders as well as the DC20 and DC40 DVD camcorders.

DIGIC DV II

The DIGIC DV II—the latest generation of Canon's DIGIC DV processor—utilizes a hybrid noise reduction system and a new gamma system. The processor is used in all of Canon's high-definition camcorders and, with the exception of the DC20 and DC40, all of their DVD camcorders including the new SD camcorders FS100, FS10, FS11.

Custom firmware

The DIGIC II and DIGIC III ASICs contain embedded 32-bit ARM architecture processors. Until around 2007, Canon point-and-shoot cameras ran a VxWorks-based operating system,[5] however recent cameras are based on the DRYOS operating system developed in-house by Canon.

The CHDK project, started by Andre Gratchev, has successfully replaced the firmware for many Canon PowerShot cameras with a Free Software reimplementation.[6][7]

According to Slashdot, Free Software from the CHDK project allows nearly complete programmatic control of cheap Canon point-and-shoot cameras, enabling users to add features, up to and including games and BASIC scripting. Features include shooting in RAW, USB-cable remote shutter-release, motion-detection triggered photography, customizable high-speed continuous (burst) Tv, Av, ISO, and Focus bracketing (increasing depth of field), 1 Gig video-size limit removed in earlier cameras, Shutter, Aperture, and ISO Overrides (shutter speeds of 64" to 1/10,000" and higher).[8]

In order to create modified firmware, it was necessary to obtain copies of the cameras' original firmware; in some cases this can be done via a pure software method, while others rely on an ingenious method of using a blinking LED on the camera as an optical serial port to transmit the firmware to a host computer.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.jirvana.com/news_pdfs/IDs_MarkII-WS_2.pdf
  2. ^ a b c Canon Powershot G7 digital camera
  3. ^ Canon UK - EOS 1D Mark III
  4. ^ Canon UK - EOS-1Ds Mark III
  5. ^ DryOS Porting - CHDK Wiki
  6. ^ Linux.com :: How to give your low-end Canon digital camera RAW support
  7. ^ CHDK Faq
  8. ^ Slashdot, Hacking Canon Point-and-Shoot Cameras, Posted by kdawson on Tuesday May 06, @04:56PM, from the now-don't-brick-it dept.
  9. ^ Porting the CHDK - CHDK Wiki
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=DIGIC&oldid=217251466"