[Q] The Milestone 2 can capture 720p video, how can I on my D2G?

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After much searching on this forum and many others, I am still unable to discern if there is a method available to achieve video capture at 720p with my Droid 2 Global.

If I have understood correctly the pages-upon-pages of discussion and product specifications that I've read through in search for an answer, a mobile phone's ability to record HD video depends on the specification of its processor.

The facts seem to be that the D2G is technically capable of recording 720p video, whereas the vastly more popular Droid 2 is not, by nature of their differing processors.

The D2G's "TI OMAP3630-1200" processor, as stated by Motorola's Developer web page, is identical to those of the Droid X and Milestone 2 (the Euro-market version of the Droid 2) in all but its clock speed, "TI OMAP3630-1000." Both the Droid X and Milestone 2 are capable of capturing 720p video.

I am merely an enthusiastic user of my phone, and have never even dabbled with development. Yet it seems to me, given the many other 'miracles' I've witnessed accomplished on these phones, that there certainly must be a member of this assuredly knowledgeable forum that can offer me either an explanation as to how I can capture 720p video with my D2G, or at least why it will never be possible as it is with a Milestone 2.

Thanks very much; I'm waiting with bated breath for a reply.

-Benjamin

It can also be limited by the camera sensor, which I believe is the case with the d2g

Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using XDA App

Thanks very much for your prompt input. I do appreciate greatly any suggestion that might ultimately give me the answer I desire.

However, I must admit, without any data sheet to prove that the image sensors used in the Droid 2 Global and Milestone 2 are in fact different (and believe me, I've searched... and searched for such specific device information), I find this suggestion to be less than satisfying an answer as to why I cannot capture 720p video with my D2G.

In fact, I'm lead to believe by Motorola's Developer Website that the image sensors used in each the Milestone 2 and Droid 2 Global are identical (as is most all of the componentry used in the phones), by nature of there being no differences in the six lines of specifications listed under the "Camera" category on each of the phone's spec sheets. It's unfortunate Motorola has not seen fit to post the precise specifications of the sensors themselves.

And so I implore this knowledgeable community to yet point me in the correct direction of a satisfying answer--whether proving the image sensor in my D2G is different than that of a Milestone 2 and isn't technically capable of capturing 720p video, or providing me with a more positive solution.

many thanks,
Benjamin

I am curious a well. Developers pay little attention to such a great phone

I believe it has a lot to do with the hype. Droid X, Original Droid and Droid 2 get a lot more attention from Motorola and Developers. Noticed the number of ROMs for the D2G, not D2 ports. Updates roll pretty slow for the D2G as well.

Even if the D2G is capable of recording 720P videos, Motorola has to remember that the D2G exists and Verizon must approve of such updates and the company pushing out the update must not screw up.

OR XDA devs with an ugly duckling(D2G in this case), can make the very few owners of a D2G happy by finding a way to help us record 720P. Somewhat pointless at this point when everyone is targeting 1080P.

Don't you just hate how Android fragmentation makes 2-months old devices look like dinosaurs?

Rusty is correct, But there is much more than just the camera sensor involved. The Video SubSystem also has a lot to do with the ability of a camera to create trup 720P video.

It does however start with the camera sensor. the resolution of the CMOS determines the Native capabilities.
The sensor must be able to resolve enough pixels to make a true 720P (1280X720).
Anything less would not be a true 720P capture. That doesn't mean a phone could not then upconvert it to a 720P format which is what I expect the Milestone and Dx do via it's video subsystem if the cameras CMOS' are actually the same.

It's not true 720P as it really does not have the true resolution of a native 720P capture it is merely scaled to 720P by adding pixels (based on the pixels that surround it) and creating a 720P output from (ie) a WVGA capture.

Its kind of the same thing as DVD player with 1080P Upconvert does.
The DVD is really a 720 X 480 source that is scaled to 1080P but you get no extra detail from the original in that scalling.

Thanks to all who have replied thus far. Your responses have painted a clearer picture for me of what is necessary to capture 720p video in general, and why it's not currently possible to do so with the Droid 2 Global.


Asphynx:

It's not true 720P as it really does not have the true resolution of a native 720P capture it is merely scaled to 720P by adding pixels (based on the pixels that surround it) and creating a 720P output from (ie) a WVGA capture.

This makes sense, and I'm glad you brought this issue to light. I'd be extremely interested to know if the Milestone 2 does in fact capture video in this manner, rather than native 720p! If that is in fact the case, I'd be happy to just keep capturing in 720x480 with my D2G, and then upscale in post. (I'd imagine the superior power of a desktop's cpu, coupled with the correct video-editing software, could do a damn-sight better job of upscaling the video than a phone anyway.)


Neurotica:

XDA devs with an ugly duckling(D2G in this case), can make the very few owners of a D2G happy by finding a way to help us record 720P

I realize all too well that the D2G is an oft looked-over phone on the developing scene. And it's an outright shame. It's such a powerful, flexible phone; and when running the Fission 2.4.3 ROM, I find it hard to believe there's a better phone available on the market currently--to serve my needs at least.

I implore the talented developers of this forum to unlock the potential of the Droid 2 Global's hardware (if it does indeed exist) to allow video capture at 720p, using the Milestone 2 as a reference. You'd make a very happy man out of me indeed, and as it would seem, many others.

Thanks to all again for their time attending to my questions.

-Benjamin

It would be great if someone could make D2G work on CDMA and GSM network simultaneously as MOTOROLA XT800+ can (only for Chinese market).
I am looking for its radio to try it on my D2G
any ideas from your side guys?

Moved to General.

Originally Posted by Iff
Turns out 720p recording is even simpler than I thought. Assuming you're using Motorola's camera app and not the stock one, all you have to do is open /system/build.prop and find this line near the bottom:

ro.media.capture.maxres=5m

Change it to

ro.media.capture.maxres=8m

Then reboot your phone. After that, go to Settings -> Applications -> Manage Applications, find the Camera app in the All tab, force stop it if it's running and Clear Data and 720p video ready for you.