Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230 - General Help and Assistance on using CHDK stable releases

sx230user

22

Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230

« on: 12 / April / 2013, 15:47:15 »

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Here's my problem: I want to use RAW Develop and I want to save RAWs as .dng and I want the associated jpgs to be saved at Canon Fine resolution ("Override JPG Quality" OFF). The only way I know of to save the jpgs at Fine quaility is to use the non-exmem version of CHDK. That version does not do the dng to crw conversion on my SX230 (it looks like it starts but then nothing). So I have to save the RAWs in CHDK format to do RAW Develop, but then I don't have a dng file.

The simplest way, for me, would be to have 2 versions of CHDK on the same SDHC card. I'd shoot in the non-exmem version and save as dng and Fine jpg. Then when I wanted to do do RAW Develop I'd restart the camera, with the same SDHC card where all the dng files are, using a "stable" version of CHDK and do the dng to crw conversion and RAW Develop operation. Is this possible?

The only other way I can see is to copy all the dngs to another SDHC card with a stable CHDK version, but that requires a computer, another card, and lots of time and fiddling.

If no dual boot option is there another way? Thanks,

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reyalp

14110

Re: Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230

« Reply #1 on: 12 / April / 2013, 16:09:19 »

You should be able to do this. Set up the the CHDK version you want to use by default with the autoboot method. Then install just the PS.FI2 for the one you want to load manually. When you want to load it, just boot with the "firm update" method http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/%22firmware_update_method%22

Note the two builds need to be similar CHDK version, since the same modules will be used both builds. In other words, don't expect to do this with a 1.1 build and a 1.2 build. If you are using the unstable version (current 1.2) then you should expect incompatible modules changes to happen from time to time.

This isn't an option if your camera the "firm update" method doesn't work on your camera, but as far as I know this works on the sx230.

I suspect the reason the DNG->raw fails is that there isn't enough memory for the buffer used to read the file. If this is correct, an alternative would be just customize the DNG->raw conversion with a smaller buffer. It's currently 32k, and because it uses fopen rather open, another 32k is required for filesystem buffer.

FWIW, if you are running out of memory trying to allocate 64K, you are likely to run into "out of memory" problems in other situations too. The camera uses progressively more RAM as you take more photos, and various modes have different memory usage.

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sx230user

22

Re: Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230

« Reply #2 on: 12 / April / 2013, 18:57:20 »

Great, thanks. The dual boot works as described! My build versions are 1.2.0-2673 and 1.2.0 Rev2655 (nonexmem) and they work together, so far. My procedure has just one additional step given the limitations of the exmem version: I autoboot in non-exmem and take pictures, switch to exmem (1.2.0-2673) to convert from dng to crw, then autoboot back to non-exmem to RAW Develop. I do this because Developing in exmem leads to the same constrained (2.1 mb max) jpgs that shooting in that version yields, and I want Fine quality. It's not a problem, the card stays in the camera, all is good.

I'd also like to try allocating more memory but don't have a clue. I looked around a bit and the articles I saw on memory usage and modification might as well have been written in Linear B, to my non-programmer's brain. So a pointer to an explanation on how that's done that a beginner can deal with would be much appreciated.

Thanks again,

« Last Edit: 12 / April / 2013, 19:02:23 by sx230user »

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Microfunguy

4037

Re: Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230

« Reply #3 on: 13 / April / 2013, 05:02:11 »

Quote from: sx230user on 12 / April / 2013, 18:57:20

I want Fine quality.

You are going to a fair amount of effort to capture your images, I am just curious, can you post one of your in-camera-processsed images together with the Canon JPG.

Despite years of asking, no one has ever posted examples that convincingly demonstrate worthwhile 'improvements'.

Maybe you can ?

David

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sx230user

22

Re: Is a "dual boot" option possible with different CHDK versions - SX230

« Reply #4 on: 13 / April / 2013, 08:17:41 »

Quote from: Microfunguy on 13 / April / 2013, 05:02:11

Quote from: sx230user on 12 / April / 2013, 18:57:20
I want Fine quality.

You are going to a fair amount of effort to capture your images, I am just curious, can you post one of your in-camera-processsed images together with the Canon JPG.

I don't understand your request. In-camera processed images are Canon jpgs.

« Last Edit: 13 / April / 2013, 08:39:41 by sx230user »

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