CHDK/FAQ

=FAQ=

Q. What does HDK firmaware do?
A. After loading of HDK firmware you can get the following functionality:
 * Shooting in RAW
 * Live histogram (RGB, blended, luminance and for each RGB channel)
 * DOF-calculator
 * Scripts execution
 * File browser
 * Text reader
 * Some fun tools and games :)

Q. What models of camera is supported by HDK firmware?
A. Currentely, HDK firmaware is available for Canon digital cameras of the following models: In a theory it is can be modified to support any cameras based on DIGICII processor.
 * A610, Fw: 1.00D, 1.00E, 1.00F
 * A620, Fw: 1.00F
 * A630, Fw: 1.00C
 * A640, Fw: 1.00B
 * A710, Fw: 1.00A
 * S3 IS, Fw: 1.00A

Q. How can I get my camera original firmware version number?
A. To get version number you need to create a file ver.req in the root of your SD, then switch on the camera and press [set]+[display] buttons together. You will see string like Firmware Ver GM1.00E. The 1.00E means the firmaware version.

Q. Where I can download HDK firmware?
A. The latest binaries of HDK firmware from GrAnd is available here.

Q. What is the procedure of loading HDK firmware into my camera?
A. You have to copy file PS.fir into root folder of your SD-card. Then switch on your camera in play mode. Go to the menu and select Firm Update. Select OK. After that the HDK firmware will be loaded into camera memeory and started. If the HDK firmware is loaded successfully the camera will reboot, blink by blue led and show on the LCD screen splash screen with HDK firmware version. If camera hang or switched off during updating process (this means that this HDK firmware is not compatible with your camera) and does not respond on power button, relax. Just open up the battery compartment and remove the batteries to turn the camera off. Stick them back in and everything should be fine.

Q. When I switch off my camera and than switch it on, HDK firmware does not work. What's wrong?
A. When you update your camera by HDK firmware it doesn't touch the original firmware. Because it is just a some kind of resident programm and it remains in camera memory until camera is shutdown. So, if something goes wrong and camera does not respond you never get your camera toasted, because after switching off/on your camera will back with originalk firmware. Recently, HDK firmware got the ability to autoload (see the next answer).

Q. How can I make HDK firmware loaded everytime?
A. You have to do the following actions: From now, HDK firmware will be loaded every time upon camera is switched on. (see notes below) Camera can report that SD-card is locked. Do not care about this message, camera is still able to store pictures on flash card.
 * Copy into root folder of your SD-card PS.fir and DISKBOOT.bin files
 * Load HDK firmware using legacy method
 * Select Make card bootable... in Debug parameters menu
 * Switch off the camera take out SD-card
 * Lock your SD-card (This is mandatory!)
 * Insert SD-card back into the camera

Note Unfortunatelly, autoload does not work with FAT32-formatted SD-cards. And sometimes, if the camera is switched on directly in record mode.