Remote Control; Chdk Remote Control Functions - Canon Camera Hackers Manual

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C H A P T E R 4
The Remote parameters submenu can
be reached via ALT > Miscellaneous
Stuff > Remote parameters. It has two
sections: one for simple USB switches,
as shown in section 4.9.2, and one for
remote controls supporting the Ricoh
Teach Your Camera New Tricks
how to create advanced time-lapse movies with the help of the CHDK—in
HD quality, of course.
4.9
Most Canon compact digital cameras do not come with a remote control—
neither an infrared (IR) remote control nor a wire-bound unit. In contrast,
some other manufacturers do provide such a unit—in most cases, an IR
remote control. Such controls, however, have a few disadvantages: The dis-
tance between the IR sender and the camera is limited, and the IR sender
must usually be positioned in front of the camera.
Many more advanced cameras, such as DSLRs provide the option of
controlling the camera through the USB port. The advantage here is that
different devices, such as wire-bound remote controls or radio frequency
(RF) based controls, can be connected to the camera.

4.9.1 CHDK remote control functions

The CHDK equips most Canon compact cameras with exactly such capa-
bilities. You have the choice between simple devices ( battery and switch)
and more complex devices that support multiple functions or that can
hook up to a RC control system used for model airplanes and the like.
The native mode for simple USB switches is enabled in the upper sec-
tion of the Remote parameters submenu:
Enable Remote. Enables the USB remote function. When enabled, the
f
camera can be controlled through the USB port. This setting applies
both to scriptless and script mode.
Figure 4-43
Note: You must disable this entry if you want to transfer images through
the USB port to a PC. Otherwise, the PC would be recognized by the
camera as a remote control.
In scriptless mode, the camera must be in normal shooting mode and be
operated through the button of the remote control. You can make the cam-
era focus with a short click to the button of the remote control (equivalent
CA1 protocol.
to a shutter button half-press). To take a shot, you must perform a "reverse
click"—releasing the button and immediately pressing it down again.
On some cameras, the USB remote can even be used in playback mode:
clicking the remote control will advance through the pictures (in reverse
order) just as if you clicked the
back while your audience gathers around the display.

Remote control

LEFT button. This can be nice; you can stand