Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

A540_Focuser

5

« on: 09 / February / 2015, 05:11:45 »

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Hello, Thank you to all who support this software. I'm new to it as of today, and have spent the whole day trying to troubleshoot this problem.

I have a Canon A540
4GB SD card
Formatted to FAT16
CHDK Boot with Write Lock 'ON'
Stable 1.3

No matter the settings it seems, I cannot auto-focus the camera while recording video without the camera freezing 80-95% of the times tried.

It was a rare event, but I was able to record a clip while playing with the autofocus. Then, file after file, the camera would freeze/crash and have to hard restart.

Has this happened to anyone else. I searched the forums for Freeze and Crash, but couldn't find a topic that covered this.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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reyalp

14118

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #1 on: 09 / February / 2015, 13:35:47 »

I tried this on my a540 running 1.4 and didn't encounter any crashes. I'll try 1.3 from the autobuild later.

If you can get a romlog, that may be helpful: http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/Debugging#Camera_crash_logs_.28romlog.29

Please check that the time in the romlog matches when the crash occurred, some crashes don't save a romlog.

Note if you use shutter as focus shortcut, stopping the video gets weird because it tries to do an af scan as you stop recording, which can make it seem like it's hung for a little bit.

I am investigating an issue with freezes/crashes when zebra or histogram are enabled. For me this only happens on builds built with gcc 4.8 / eabi, but it's possible the underlying bug affects other builds too. I haven't tried the autobuilds yet.

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A540_Focuser

5

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #2 on: 09 / February / 2015, 14:41:59 »

I tried all the "Autobuilds" just now (Including 1.4). Each with the same result. Some videos I'll get one or two focus attempts to work, but by a 5th (If not on the 1st try) the camera locks up, then powers off shortly after. I also was afraid that the zebras and histogram were the culprits, but I turned everything off including the OSD with the same result. Is there a way you could forward your build to me? I'm not much of a software engineer, so I (at this moment) wouldn't know where to start to compile a version of my own. I'm going to try some hardware changes, other card brands, external power supply, another A540; anything I can think of till I find the culprit.

Here is a copy of the ROMLOG.LOG

Í
2015:02:09 01:10:49 @ MovieRecorder.c xŠ. tImageSens ÿ „

1 îîîî äw. HÈ/ 4ã xz. |’/ 4Â ÌÖËÿxŠ. „z. xz. t’/ $¤ìÿD’/ ,Pîÿ’/ xŠ. †. hðìÿ ìˆ. |¥Óÿ ¤, °, S D5 ;Àÿ ÜÓÿ¤, ¯Óÿ ¤, °, À?Éÿ Läîÿ Œ. PŒ. ÀŒ. € x ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ00004240: DispSwCon_MuteOffPhysicalScreen

00004240: MuteOffPhysicalScreen

00004240: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x11 )

00004250: _DecideModeDial

00004250: No Change Capture Mode

00004250: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x10 )

00004480: PressTeleButton

00004480: _MoveOpticalToTele

00004480: ActivateZoomController

00004480: SS:MoveOpticalZoomToTele

00005470: UnpressTeleButton

00005470: _StopOpticalZoom

00005470: SS:StopOpticalZoom

00005840: ShootSeqToUI:0x200b:adr:0x6,Para:6

00005840: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0xf, 0 )

00005840: DeactivateZoomController

00005840: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x20 )

00005850: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x2a )

00005850: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x2b )

00005860: LogiEvnt_NotPowerType:0x0984:adr:0x0,Para:0

00005860: LogiEvnt_NotPowerType:0x0982:adr:0x0,Para:0

00006460: PressSwOne

00006460: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x27 )

00006470: SS:FlushWriteCache

00006470: ShootSeqToUI:0x201b:adr:0x0,Para:0

00006470: _InitCheckBuffer() == FALSE

00006470: _EmptyBuffer

00006470: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x25, 0 )

00006510: LogiEvnt_NotPowerType:0x0981:adr:0x0,Para:0

00006510: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x27 )

00006510: _ActionPrepareCapture

00006510: MviCon_Activate

00006510: Window:EffectiveLockPhysicalScreen

00006520: Window:IneffectiveLockPhysicalScreen

00006530: LogicalEvent:0x3135:adr:0x0,Para:0

00006530: ZoomCon_SetZoomForMovie

00006530: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x20 )

00006530: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x2a )

00006530: DSI_DisplayShootInfo( 0x2b )

00006530: DigitalZoom for Movie

00006530: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x41, 0 )

00006530: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0xe, 0 )

00006530: SS:PrepareCapture

00007430: ShootSeqToUI:0x2006:adr:0x701,Para:1793

00007430: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x42, 0 )

00007430: LogicalEvent:0x314b:adr:0x0,Para:0

00007430: Window:EffectiveLockPhysicalScreen

00007470: Window:IneffectiveLockPhysicalScreen

00008490: PressSwTwo

00008490: _EntryActionOnPreMoving

00008490: _EntryActionOnMoving

00008490: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x60, 0 )

00008530: SS:RecordMovie

00008540: ZoomCon_UnsetZoomForMovie

00008540: STARTUP_OPTICAL_ZOOM_NOT_MIN_POSITION

00008770: UnpressSwTwo

00009500: UnpressSwOne

00009570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x1,Para:1

00009570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 1 )

00010560: LogicalEvent:0x3149:adr:0x0,Para:0

00010560: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x64, 0 )

00010570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x2,Para:2

00010570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 2 )

00011570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x3,Para:3

00011570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 3 )

00012570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x4,Para:4

00012570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 4 )

00013570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x5,Para:5

00013570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 5 )

00014570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x6,Para:6

00014570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 6 )

00015570: ShootSeqToUI:0x201f:adr:0x7,Para:7

00015570: DSI_ControlShootInfo( 0x63, 7 )

Side Note: I have a few of these on hand. I'm an animator and and I decided to turn one into a stop motion camera with a unique breakaway cable that controls every function (except the 2 mode switches, zoom, and power)and wanted to show the results that can be created with this camera and this amazing firmware. Just having the Zoom in video mode is much appreciated; the RAW photos and the scripts for HDR and Timelapse work fine. It is just the focus... I love that feature; and I'm one of those people that will try nearly every setting to find a work around; I tried all day yesterday with no success. That's why I came here to ask. I'd love to share the work that can be made with it!

Not to ask too much: if Manual focus in video mode was available that would be amazing.. like half button press and zoom toggle with a OSD bar indicator similar to the canon's in manual photo mode. Maybe I am asking too much and should just get a cell phone? I do enjoy the life this software has brought back into this camera; so even this many new features is much appreciated.

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A540_Focuser

5

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #3 on: 09 / February / 2015, 15:56:19 »

OK, I did a few more tests.

Changes Tried: 2GB Card, Different Batteries, External Power Source, 4GB with native cluster size (instead of boot Fat16, just to try), another Canon A540. All with the "Autobuild" 1.3 and 1.4 small and complete packages. No change.

You can quickly replicate it with the autobuild software.
1) create a freshly formatted boot card (2GB or 4GB same result for me)
2) power camera directly into video mode, or into another setting then change (with tests, powering into other modes then switching made no difference in comparison to direct booting into video mode)
3) Go into CHDK menu and choose your focus button (both options didn't change results produced for me)
4) begin video recording. zoom into a subject then attempt to focus, still working? zoom out, zoom in into the digital zoom, attempt to focus again (a few time in a row if necessary)

I could just start recording, and repeat focusing (sometimes) without issue, but once I introduce a zoom into the operation, a focus command would soon crash/freeze the camera.

other than that, everything else seems to work perfectly; all these test have just made me more acquainted with this software.

Thank you for any assistance. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated

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reyalp

14118

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #4 on: 09 / February / 2015, 16:50:41 »

Thanks for the additional info. Please attach the romlog, it contains binary data that doesn't come through in the post.

I followed your instructions using the 1.3 autobuild, but I haven't been able to reproduce the crash even after focusing dozens of times. Maybe there's some Canon firmware setting involved.

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A540_Focuser

5

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #5 on: 09 / February / 2015, 17:28:03 »

Thanks for your assistance. I'd sum it up to being 'just my equipment' if I didn't just try it on a second A540, plug-in power, new batteries, alternate SD cards. Not much to change in the Canon menu, aside from auto focus and volume. I turned off what I could and got the same.

I'll try switching the video mode to PAL. Not that I think it will make a difference, just because I think that's all I haven't tried to switch. ALSO I'll try making the boot card from another computer. I do know that not all SD readers are created equal. I'll hook a USB cord directly to the camera and try another computer.

The attached file is a new file from v1.3 autobuild. the text I posted above was from a 1.4 autobuild that I formatted over, then reinstalled 1.3.

I'll update if positive results come from formatting from another computer.

ROMLOG.LOG (3.45 kB - downloaded 26 times.)

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reyalp

14118

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #6 on: 09 / February / 2015, 17:37:27 »

Quote from: A540_Focuser on 09 / February / 2015, 17:28:03

I'd sum it up to being 'just my equipment' if I didn't just try it on a second A540

I believe the problem is real, I just haven't been able to reproduce it yet.

Quote

I'll try switching the video mode to PAL. Not that I think it will make a difference, just because I think that's all I haven't tried to switch. ALSO I'll try making the boot card from another computer. I do know that not all SD readers are created equal. I'll hook a USB cord directly to the camera and try another computer.

My guess, if it's a canon setting it will be something like AiAf, AF assist beam, point zoom, maybe the video frame rate or size... something related to focusing or video.

There shouldn't be any need to try different computers, cords etc.

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A540_Focuser

5

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #7 on: 09 / February / 2015, 19:14:35 »

Tried turning off all available options in the Canon menu (AiAF, AF-Beam, Red Eye), unfortunately same result.

I'm just grateful everything else seems to work flawlessly. I love the scripts and the RAW picture functionality. PLUS being able to optically zoom during video is a HUGE gain!

If there is anything you want me to try, I'm willing. Sometimes compatibility comes in the order things are done. I'll try resetting the Canon Firmware to Default and then boot to see if there are any changes. Only other thing I can think to do would be to send you one of these A540's to inspect in person; if that becomes necessary.

Thanks for your time!

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reyalp

14118

Re: Freeze when Focusing in Video Mode + Canon A540

« Reply #8 on: 09 / February / 2015, 22:57:07 »

I was able to get a hang a couple times after switching the video mode to 640x480 15 FPS. I previously had it set to 30 FPS. I don't know if this is actually relevant, or I just got lucky. (edit: looks like FPS wasn't related)

This gave the me the hang and shutdown after ~10 seconds, but didn't generate a romlog. I was 1.3 autobuild 3993.

The romlog posted earlier doesn't provide too much in the way of clues. The assert is in sub_FFD3ADB0, on the result of TryPostMessageQueue. That probably means the something is hung up somewhere else, and the actual problem is not in the code where the assert is.

Decoded romlog for anyone interested.

Code: [Select]

Assert MovieRecorder.c line 832
Occured at 2015:02:09 01:10:49
Task ID: 3050104
Task Name: tImageSens
Stack:
0xffc03b0c     -4179188
0x00000000            0
0xffd3addc     -2904612
0x00032ca4       208036
0xffd3af0c     -2904308
0x00000000            0
0x00000001            1
0x00032ca4       208036
0x00032cb0       208048
0x00000000            0
0xffc93fc0     -3588160
0x00000000            0
0x00000000            0
0x00000000            0
0x00000000            0
0x00000000            0
0xffeee44c     -1121204
0x002e8c20      3050528
0x002e8c50      3050576
0x002e8cc0      3050688
0x00000580         1408
0x00000210          528
0x00780108      7864584
0xffffffff           -1
0xffffffff           -1
0x0107ffff     17301503
0xffffffff           -1
0xffffffff           -1

« Last Edit: 10 / February / 2015, 02:25:43 by reyalp »

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