Stock based vs aosp rom plus ul bootlaoder question

[tronjojo]

I have been reading this forum as long as I have had my phone (over 2 years) and I have finally decided it's time to move past the concept rom.

I am unfortunately inexperienced w/ flashing roms on the z3 compact (I last loaded custom roms on my moto defy, but only flashed .sbf files on my razr m) and I just want to clear up a few questions.

I hope that 7.1 will make it to z3 compact in a stable rom eventually, so that is my end goal, but for now i am considering going with one of the stock roms out there (slimm, etc.) First question is about UL bootloader, drm and the camera. If I back up the DRM does that mean i can relock the bootloader, transfer the drm keys back to the phone and the camera will be useable? will i be able to use an aosp if i relock the bootlaoder after flashing the rom? It's unclear if custom roms need ul bootloader all the time or just for install.

Also, custom kernels need ul bootloader to run correct? i cannot load a custom kernel, and custom rom, and then re lock the bootloader?

I love this phone (will probably get a second just in case) and don't see anything out there to replace it. That's why I requesta bit of help from the xda community for this. If there is no xz compact in the works, i'd be happy w/ z3 compact for a while (assuming i can get newer roms plus a working camera)


Thank you

 

[tomascus]

1. The Camera is usable regardless of whether or not you have DRM keys. However, certain features such as noise reduction during the night do not work without DRM keys.
2. "If I back up the DRM does that mean i can relock the bootloader, transfer the drm keys back to the phone and the camera will be useable?" - Yes.
3. You need unlocked bootloader for all AOSP ROMs since the kernel is different.
4. "I cannot load a custom kernel, and custom rom, and then re lock the bootloader?" - Nooo, your phone will just stop booting up. Unless you're fully stock don't bother relocking. There's a "DRM Restoration" patch for unlocked bootloaders anyway http://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/xperia-z1-z2-z3-series-devices-drm-t2930672

When you go back to stock, you'll probably feel how slow and bad it performs compared to Concept haha. I went right back after I flashed stock for a day.
Also, camera on AOSP ROMs have a fish eye effect for now.

 

[tronjojo]

Thanks. I wasn't sure if the DRM fix would fix the fisheye problem in AOSP Roms. I guess my best bet is to see what happens now that they've released the concept kernel source? Meaning I'll be on concept for a while longer.

Hopefully there will eventually be a 7.1 ROM stable with for use on my primary phone? I just don't want to lose camera functionality (since it's not that great to begin with)

 

[tomascus]

The thing is people hope hope hope and never actually help with development, so it's a little slow.
Camera is limited to 15 fps for reasons which I think will stay that way and fish eye can be corrected by anyone who can be bothered. Also DRM fix doesn't matter in AOSP since AOSP doesn't use DRM stuff.
And so what if they released kernel source ? There's really not too much to do on it and I don't see any demand for a custom kernel so I haven't released mine here.

 

[tronjojo]

You're right. I wish had the know how to help out here. Also, I guess my ignorance is clear to you real devs out there, since I thought that having the kernel source might make it easier for the devs to work with the concept ROM