building usb-remote-cable

caveman

Hi Everybody,..I'm new to CHDK having just installed it on my Canon IXUS 105,SDM is ok but i'm having trouble with video output into my lcd screen..currently i'm using VC-DC400ST" video cable plugged into the USB port on camera, achilles said that he was made it with usb splitter, but in my country it is very difficult to find that things. so all I can do right now is to connecting cable, from 4 cables, red, white, green and black..but still did not show up.is there anyone here can help me, how to configure this cables... i'm not using audio...thanks.

achillies

Hi caveman. I checked into the IXUS 105, and the cable supplied with it is the "AVC-DC400" not the "AVC-DC400ST". I do not know the difference in the cable pinouts, but the cables are not the same (one has stereo, the other does not). If the pins for video are the same, the "green" plug should be video (and should be yellow), and ideally, one or the other audio plug (red or white), will match the pin for audio. The only black connector is the USB, except with the "AVC-DC400", where there is one video connector, and one mono audio connector (which is also black)..
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-AVC-DC400-composite-connector/dp/B001L658L8
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-AVC-DC400ST-Stereo-AV-Cable/dp/B002P3LD7Y

If you plug the usb of the cable into your camera, the LCD should blank, and video/audio will be output to a TV, VCR, etc.. If this does not work, the cable must not have the same pin configuration.

Does any part of this work for you?

caveman

yup, you are correct..Achillies, the cable is avc-dc400..today,i've been look inside at the avc-dc400 and what I see is that cable is using 6 pin. but i can't see the configuration of the cable. too much glue at the head of cable..I can use the SDM with my remote shutter running good, I made it my self with 4 cables ( red,green,white, and black)... with 4 cables i've been trying to configure each cable one by one to connect with a/v cable. but still no picture on my video..I'm using A series USB Connector for the remote shutter... what's wrong with my cable ? Should I change the cable with 6 cable like AVCDC400 ?, perhaps you could help me to configure this cables..

achillies

caveman
I made it my self with 4 cables ( red,green,white, and black)... with 4 cables i've been trying to configure each cable one by one to connect with a/v cable. but still no picture on my video..I'm using A series USB Connector for the remote shutter... what's wrong with my cable ? Should I change the cable with 6 cable like AVCDC400 ?, perhaps you could help me to configure this cables..

Ok, I understand better now. The critical part is the USB cable. If you are building this yourself, you must start with an 11 pin Enhanced USB cable. I think this one is an 11 pin, but I would make certain before ordering. -> "CR-Camera USB Cable for Canon" at http://vp-systems.eu/order_cr.html#CABLE-CANON-N3 You may also be able to find them elsewhere, but this is why I used the htc splitter in the first place (I couldn't find a cable!)

Pins 1-5 (labeled 1,2,3,x,4 on standard diagrams) will be connected to a standard USB cable or port (for connection to computer, remote switch, etc.). The video and audio signals are on pins 6-11. Here is the pinout for AVC-DC400ST. (only for reference - your cable may be different).

** NOTE - The AVC-DC400ST does not actually have pins 1-5 - only pins 6-11 are physically available!
(not in canon cable) Pin 1 - 5V
(not in canon cable) Pin 2 - Data -
(not in canon cable) Pin 3 - Data +
(not in canon cable) Pin 4 - N/C
(not in canon cable) Pin 5 - Ground

Pin 6 - Video out enable (typically grounded, but may be switched **only tested on sx130is)
Pin 7 - N/C
Pin 8 - Right (red) Audio +
Pin 9 - Left (white) Audio +
Pin 10 - Composite Video +
Pin 11 - Video/Audio - (GND)
** NOTE - The AVC-DC400ST does not actually have pins 1-5 - only pins 6-11 are physically available!

For the SX130IS (possibly more), if pin 6 is grounded (as it is inside the canon cables) , camera output is via video cable. If pin 6 is open, camera output is to LCD. Hope it helps.

caveman

thank's for your quick reply and your explanation..I will try first,then let you know about the progress..hope it works properly, thanks..

achillies

I edited that message, because I incorrectly stated info about the standard USB pins, which are not present in the Canon AVC-DC400ST video cable.

So if you would like simultaneous video out as well as USB you must get a different cable or USB connector.

caveman

it's ok...today my plan is buy some new HTC splitter like you said..but usually the it takes about 2 weeks shipping to my country..just be patient.. :'(

achillies

@caveman - The scenario in your JPG should work just fine. You will take care of the pin differences (mono vs stereo) I'm sure.

caveman

thanks achillies, your knowledge and solution about how to work with this usb cable is very helping me...may God Bless you...thanks.

achillies

Here is another example of building your own 11 pin cable. -> http://arch.ced.berkeley.edu/kap/discuss/comments.php?DiscussionID=2164

CaptKAOS

Pauls9
Yup - ferrite bead. This will work fine for a remote control.

Thanks... I found another cable without the ferrite bead and made my remote from that...

n1evh

I just started to use CHDK with my Canon Powershot SX30 camera. I'm interested in tryingthe USB Remote Shutter. However... with my vision... trying to build a cable might be a little bit difficult (before my vision problems... I was an electronics technician for 25 years).

Is there anyplace where a pre-made USB Remte Shutter cable can be bought???

Just curious,
Thanks

Mike

waterwingz

n1evh
Is there anyplace where a pre-made USB Remte Shutter cable can be bought???

Google the Ricoh CA-1.

And there is also http://www.flickr.com/photos/fvdk3d/sets/72157624151791739/ and http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentwire/usb.htm

n1evh

Yhanks for the info.

I Google'd Ricoh CA-1 and seen prices anywhere from $25 with free shipping to $40 + $12 shipping. However... with only about a 2 foot cable... will probably have to look for a mini-USB extension cable.

cam

I'm trying to get a remote trigger to work with the SD790IS. A DIGIC III with combined USB and Video output jack on the camera.

My first attempt did not work. I cut up a standard USB extension cable (male -> female full size USB) and wired a switch and 3v into the red and black on the female end. I then plugged it into the "out of box" usb connector cable that came with the camera. It does not trigger the shutter. 🙁 What should my next step be?

Thanks

zeno

Many cameras require more than 3v to trigger the shutter. I presume you've established that plugging your camera into a computer (which will deliver 5v) works. If so, try using 3 1.5v cells rather than 2.

cam

3 1.5V batteries did the trick. -Thanks-

NightPhotoNoob

Over Christmas break (on Christmas Eve morning, to be specific) I decided to make myself a USB remote for my camera(s), so I thought I'd share my fully functional (yet very sketchy-looking) design. Unfortunately I did not take pics of the procedure, but I can explain it well enough and show the finished product.

What I did was I used an old cellphone battery as the power source. One similar to this:

It being 3.7v, it was perfect for both my PowerShots; my old A530 and my new SX150 IS. I then soldered in the push-button switch, but I also added in a 2-way switch. When turned on, this switch will charge the battery when the cable is plugged into a USB power source (it also works for taking continuous shots when in continuous mode). This switch is show here:

Then I simply put electrical tape over any exposed connections and duct taped the whole setup to an old cellphone toy. This is the finished product:

Professional-looking? No (except maybe for suicide bombers.) Functional? Yes.

Anyway, just thought I'd share that.

~NightPhotoNoob

fvdk

NightPhotoNoob

It being 3.7v, it was perfect for both my PowerShots; my old A530 and my new SX150 IS. I then soldered in the push-button switch, but I also added in a 2-way switch. When turned on, this switch will charge the battery when the cable is plugged into a USB power source (it also works for taking continuous shots when in continuous mode). This switch is show here:

Charging your battery with 5V from the USB port is a very bad idea and might cause the battery to explode and set your house on fire. The fumes from exploding Li-ion batteries are also very toxic.

From battery University: http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries

Lithium-ion operates safely within the designated operating voltages; however, the battery becomes unstable if inadvertently charged to a higher than specified voltage. Prolonged charging above 4.30V forms plating of metallic lithium on the anode, while the cathode material becomes an oxidizing agent, loses stability and produces carbon dioxide (CO2). The cell pressure rises, and if charging is allowed to continue the current interrupt device (CID) responsible for cell safety disconnects the current at 1,380kPa (200psi).

Should the pressure rise further, a safety membrane bursts open at 3,450kPa (500psi) and the cell might eventually vent with flame.

There are plenty of video's on Youtube that show what happens if a Li-ion cell explodes.

http://youtu.be/SMy2_qNO2Y0

Frans

NightPhotoNoob

fvdk
Charging your battery with 5V from the USB port is a very bad idea and might cause the battery to explode and set your house on fire.

I must say I find the above comment quite insulting, for three reasons:

1. The output voltage for most cell phone chargers is 5v, as I confirmed it is with the charger from my old phone (which is where the battery I used came from).

2. I am not foolish enough to leave the battery charging unattended or for prolonged periods of time.

3. The above YouTube clip was of somebody that was INTENTIONALLY blowing up Li-ion batteries, and for all we know he could have been charging them with 10x the designated operating voltage.

If I should stop posting within a few weeks I have probably died of Li-ion toxicity or burnt my house down. If that happens I will be sure to modify my USB remote accordingly. Thank you for your concerns.

P.S. Despite feeling slightly insulted by your comment, I do appreciate the constructive criticism.

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