[MOD] Hacked Camera.APK for better audio quality, usage with any battery life & MORE!

[Potatoman]

[MOD] Hacked Camera.APK for better audio quality, usage with any battery life & MORE!

Final Update-

Some people have been asking for sourcecode/instructions, so once more, this is the method I used, all credit to Rafalense.
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=10980448&postcount=268

Those of you wanting me to reupload the APK's, I'm sorry, I don't have them stored anymore, and I wouldn't put them up even if I did. They're based on ANCIENT firmware revisions, and whilst I can appreciate you still would like the functionality somehow, I'm not interested in taking on the project again at this time. Thank you very much for your continued use and desire for my work though, it's very flattering.

I won't be actively developing or supporting this anymore because of it's defunct nature. If you want something similar, I highly recommend the lgCamera app, which has a far better implementation of improved bitrates (select whatever bitrates you want in a menu.) You can get lgCamera on the market- I highly reccomend it.

Anyone who wants to pick up this project can feel free to discuss here or make a new thread, as you please. If you do, please include the link to the guide by Rafalense, as it was the basis for this mod and will doubtlessly be of use to someone.

(Original Post Below)
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In light of my new student status, and since my student loan doesn't even cover my accommodation... I have made a donate link.

If you use the mod regularly, please consider donating, it would really help me out. Don't worry if you can't though, the mod will always be free for all to use.



Thanks for all the support-

- Potatoman.

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Hey folks-

It's with great pleasure that I'm releasing a hacked Camera.apk for you all today! This is my first android mod, so be gentle

Info-
The apk replaces the stock Camera.Apk in the Galaxy S II (or Samsung Captivate!), and has the following features-

- Allows use of the camera & camcorder at any battery life
- Records Audio in 192kbps/44.1Khz quality (CD Quality) rather than stock (64kbps/16khz quality)
- Increased Video Bitrate in 1080 and 720p modes* (See 2nd post for info and download link for this version)
- Optional No Sounds versions (for Standard and Highbit versions!). All of the features, None of the noise! Yes, even the autofocus noise is gone!
- HyperX-'s SuperHighBit version now available (See 2nd post for info and download link for this version)

I have left the settings for the 320x240 and 176x144 resolution modes as stock, so they will be the same size and with the same audio. This is to ensure video messages are kept within the filesize limits

Before/After Comparison (thanks robbiekhan)-

Before:

After:

Treble is high for loud sources in this mod, I'm working on improving it in v2. for now, just stand further back like robbiekhan said - Potatoman
Treble seems high so apologies for that, car volume was higher than I realised ¬_¬

Additional info:
If you want to get rid of the shutter sound, create a file in /data called local.prop and add the line "ro.camera.sound.forced=0" and restart your phone. This removes both the shutter sound and the focus sound when your phone is on silent, but keeps the sound when it's not on silent. - llBlackenedll

Install Guide:
1) Root & install a file manager which lets you browse root
2) browse to /system/app, and rename your Camera.apk to Camera.apk.bak and your Camera.odex to Camera.odex.bak (for use as a backup to restore from)
3) Unrar my APK (password: potatoman@xda) and copy it over to /system/app.
4) Rename it Camera.apk
5) Close the file manager and run the Camera app from the main menu
6) IF the app fails to run, or the shortcut is missing, go back to the /system/app folder and try to install it (tap it in root explorer then "install"). This step is only a fallback, do NOT do this if it works already at step 5.
7) Enjoy!

ADB Install Guide- See 2nd post!

This mod was tested on my own Galaxy S II with KE2, KE7, KG1, VillainROM and CognitionROM firmwares.

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Thanks all, hope you enjoy! Thank if you like it
(Download: http://www.multiupload.com/KHRWLERS4J)
(Download with no sounds: http://www.multiupload.com/NNR1SYDYL6 Same password. Be sure to remove cam_start.ogg, cam_stopp.ogg, Camera_click.ogg, Camera_click_short.ogg, Shutter_01.ogg and videoRecord.ogg from /system/media/audio/ui as well!)

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Credits-
Potatoman - Sound implimentation & merging of features & Version Splitting/Maintainance
Soraxd - Original battery life functionality & upcoming music playing functionality
Rafalense - A great post which lead me through how to do this mod over on the Galaxy S forums
pulser_g2 - Original battery life functionality (with soraxD )
llBlackenedll - tip on how to disable shutter sounds
robbiekhan - Before/After Comparison videos
Antoniotdi - An excellent bugfix
hyperX - Great minds think alike eh? HyperX released a similar mod to this on the same day as me! Anyway, we'll be working together on cameramods from now on. Good news huh?
Knightnz - The ADB install guide

 

[Potatoman]

ADB Install guide (Thanks knightnz!)-

How to install using adb with phone connected to your computer:

Copy the new .apk to the root of the internal sdcard of the phone. then run the appropriate set of commands:

STANDARD VERSION:
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
cp -r /sdcard/Camera.apk /system/app/Camera.apk
chmod 644 /system/app/Camera.apk

NO SOUND VERSION:
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system
cp -r /sdcard/CameraSoundless.apk /system/app/Camera.apk
chmod 644 /system/app/Camera.apk
cd /system/media/audio/ui
rm cam*
rm Cam*
rm Shut*
rm Video*

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HyperX-'s SuperHighBit version released!
This is kept here because it isn't mine to remove, and I haven't heard from HyperX in a while. Please note I wont be able to support anyone with this if you choose to use it.

Since some of you know me... i imigrated from Symbian here to Android.
Now i am working on several mods with Potatoman to bring you more mods/tweaks stuff.
I have prepared a package, with the following settings:
1080p mode: Normal – 17 Mbit Fine – 24 Mbit – Super fine – 30 Mbit
720p mode Normal – 9 Mbit Fine – 13 Mbit Super fine – 17 Mbit
Both modes have audio at 48000 khz at 192 kbit
Download
Also for those, who are interessted, my site will be soon updated for an Android section.
www.hx-custom-roms.com

DISCLAIMER TO AVOID DRAMA-
I work on this in my own time as a project, as and when I see fit. At no point does using or donating to the development of this app entitle you to demand anything from me other than what has already been shared. The app is also for use "as is", with no warranty. Support is provided by me (and other helpful members) in this thread and in my PM box as and when we desire.
Anyone who takes an issue with this is more than welcome to not use the app, not post here, and otherwise avoid being a nuisance to the rest of us in this thread.

 

[kendragon]

thanks it works

 

[zxz0O0]

Nice will download it. But for version 2.. I am able film and listen to music at the same time now on KE7

 

[sorrowuk]

Cool . Are you able to make the power button work as a shutter key when in the camera app ?

 

[spyrale]

good work, thanks!

 

[padlad]

This looks great, can someone please upload it to an Android browser friendly file sharing site, like megashare.com for example. Many thanks.

 

[djase]

pin spot still here ?

 

[ermacwins]

Cool . Are you able to make the power button work as a shutter key when in the camera app ?

+1 Good idea

 

[mdaaddic]

Screen brightness low

Hi nice work, thanks. I have one problem with it. When I turn on Camera screen brightness turns to the lowest value, so it is very hard to see what I am filming or photographing.

 

[Richdog]

Info-
The apk replaces the stock Camera.Apk in the Galaxy S II, and has the following features-

- Allows use of the camera & camcorder at any battery life
- Records Audio in 192kbps/44.1Khz quality (CD Quality) rather than stock (64kbps/16khz quality)

Great work man!

Quesiton: does anyone think that there might be a little more video quality to squeeze out of the phone too, or is this already flat maxed out on 1080p at highest settings?

 

[robbiekhan]

^^ The video quality is already very good. low light sensitivity is a lot better than iPhone 4, for example. I have tested side by side and the ip4 is blocky in low light and motion isn't as good.


Before:

After:

Treble seems high so apologies for that, car volume was higher than I realised ¬_¬

 

[Sonic7]

really good job! Works like a charm !!!!

 

[trUePN]

Excellent, could you also fix the force close when running camera on LCD density 160?
It seems only working on the default LCD density 240.

 

[KLoNe1]

Mine is working fine at 182dpi. But we need a few modifications to the design. It only looks usable at 240dpi.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

 

[da blitz]

Thankssssssssssss waiting for v2

 

[ermacwins]

Samsung Galaxy S II gets 1080p 24 Mbit/s recording hack

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gets-1080p-24-mbits-recording-hack-31155902/

 

[Potatoman]

Wow, fast replies

Nice will download it. But for version 2.. I am able film and listen to music at the same time now on KE7

Really? Lucky you then when I tested on mine it closes the music player while camera app is open... but maybe it's because I'm not using stock music player. I'll test some more. Either way, enjoy:

Cool . Are you able to make the power button work as a shutter key when in the camera app ?

I was thinking about trying this, I'll look into it. Shouldn't be too hard.

This looks great, can someone please upload it to an Android browser friendly file sharing site, like megashare.com for example. Many thanks.

Done. Password is potatoman: http://www.MegaShare.com/3306744. Enjoy

pin spot still here ?

Can you explain what you mean? I don't understand

Hi nice work, thanks. I have one problem with it. When I turn on Camera screen brightness turns to the lowest value, so it is very hard to see what I am filming or photographing.

Was your battery very low? I know if the battery is VERY low the brightness on the whole phone dims completely, but this isn't something I can fix. If not, it's an odd problem, I can't seem to replicate it... mine retains the brightness it is set to. Can you try enabling the "Auto Brightness" in settings (Display -> brightness -> automatic brightness) and see if it works better then? If not you may have to resort to enabling "outdoor visibility mode" in the camera settings to use it until I can replicate it to fix it.

Great work man!

Quesiton: does anyone think that there might be a little more video quality to squeeze out of the phone too, or is this already flat maxed out on 1080p at highest settings?

Robbiekhan hit the nail on the head, increasing the bitrate doesnt necessarily increase the quality by a margin that is worth having... especially with the associated filesize increase. I managed to get it working at 32Mpbs bitrate, but the quality didnt warrant doubling the amount of space it used up.

^^ The video quality is already very good. low light sensitivity is a lot better than iPhone 4, for example. I have tested side by side and the ip4 is blocky in low light and motion isn't as good.


Before:

After:

Treble seems high so apologies for that, car volume was higher than I realised ¬_¬

Thank you for the comparison videos! I'll add them to the first post for people to see as an example (if you don't want me to just let me know :3)

Excellent, could you also fix the force close when running camera on LCD density 160?
It seems only working on the default LCD density 240.

Mine is working fine at 182dpi. But we need a few modifications to the design. It only looks usable at 240dpi.

As much as I'd like to, I'm not sure how to go about it. Did the camera app work before at those resolutions? I don't imagine it did, since I didn't change any of the graphics... which means its crashing because of something else. Probably needs a graphic redraw to suitable sizes for the resolutions, but that's quite time consuming and I can't really commit to something like that right now. Sorry.

Samsung Galaxy S II gets 1080p 24 Mbit/s recording hack

http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gets-1080p-24-mbits-recording-hack-31155902/

Yeah but I did it first Mine was ready a few days ago, I just waited for a reply from soraxd as a courtesy before releasing publicly.

The method is the same for changing the video settings as it is audio, but I felt when testing that the difference in quality was not worth the difference in filesize. When I shot a video at 1080p with 36Mbps (that was the max I could use without the phone crashing) it looked virtually identical to the original one, but used up twice the space. If enough people really want it (though I don't see why) I will happily add the functionality to this apk, so you can enjoy the other features as well.

Hope this helped-
Potatoman

 

[trUePN]

Wow, fast replies

As much as I'd like to, I'm not sure how to go about it. Did the camera app work before at those resolutions? I don't imagine it did, since I didn't change any of the graphics... which means its crashing because of something else. Probably needs a graphic redraw to suitable sizes for the resolutions, but that's quite time consuming and I can't really commit to something like that right now. Sorry.

Potatoman

It actually works on LCD density 160, but crashes when you try to scroll down at camera settings or change to videocam.

For now I switch density when I use my camera properly, np.

 

[ICDeadPpl]

Password on the file

Edit: My bad, wrong password...