ETI Camcorder reborn

[dfdzgz]

Two years ago around this time, I was locked in my Beijing apartment. The city was incredibly serene, thanks to SARS, and I finally had the time to learn how to program Symbian and write that piece of software I had wanted to write all along for my then spanking new Nokia 7650 -- a camcorder that does not quite after 10 seconds. A month later the ETI Camcorder was born.

Long story short, I tried to market it but could not support it -- 70,000 downloads a month is more than I could handle in my spare time. Not wanting to annoy my customers, I shut down the Handango account and handed the product over to a Beijing-based retailer. ETI Camcorder was officially gone.

Much has changed in two years. Almost all mobile phone camcorders are doing this "unlimited recording" thingy, and offering an UI with instant-on view finder and non of those "New Recording", "Save Recording" non-sense. You don't really need ETI Camcorder anymore.

But is there room for a better camcorder program? I thought so. Thus, after two years, I give you Camcorder2 -- a completely re-written, faster, prettier, and above all much more fun ETI Camcorder!

Since I'm no longer the sole creator/owner of this program, I cannot give you an exhaustive list of the features before the official release date (in the next couple of weeks we will start the Beta testing program. You are more than welcome to participate - just drop me a message here). However, I have managed to attach a couple of screenshots here for your viewing pleasure.

Some features I'm allowed to disclose:

- 100% faster MPEG-4 CODEC for much smoothier recording
- Themed recorder UI (user can create own theme too)
- 2x smooth digital zooming
- Output to standard DivX AVI
- 24/7 customer support, handled by full-time support specialists
and, more importantly --

THE SAME, UNBELIEVABLE LOW PRICE! Even better, legitimate owners of the old ETI can enjoy a 50% discount!

Okay, that's enough. I know I'm sounding more like marketing now ;-) Rest assured, I have not lost my programming skills, and those involved in creating this new version are all top-notch programmers. The software is still created by small group of people with love and passion -- the spirit never dies.

Stay tuned, my friends!

Sincere,

Gary

[snowpig]

Yay! I can't wait for its release. Id be happy to beta test for you and give you any feedback you would like. My 6680 is arriving in 5 days so I can test it on that.

[willbrady]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
The only program to touch yours was Phillips Camcorder Pro, but they have not released an update since the launch of the 6600.

The market NEEDS a decent video recorder, the built in applications are crap - WELCOME BACK!!!!

Will

[themafia.69]

id be very glad to test this out for you on my 3650 and my 6680! (for generation compatibility issues)

[dfdzgz]

Originally Posted by willbrady

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
The only program to touch yours was Phillips Camcorder Pro, but they have not released an update since the launch of the 6600.

The market NEEDS a decent video recorder, the built in applications are crap - WELCOME BACK!!!!

Will

Hi Willy,

Long time no see! I didn't expect to see an old friend here, as it has been such a long time since I last visited this forum. Man THAT feels good!

I always thought the built-in camcorder has made pretty good progresses in terms of usability (other than the fact they didn't use the Hantro CODEC thus the encoding was a bit on the slow side). You seem though to think otherwise. Care to share your insights with me so I can avoid the same pitfalls before it's too late? (Beta starting in 2 weeks).

Cheers,

G

[EinZtein]

ETI is the only camcorder me or any of my friends can get to work on the 6600.

WOW, output to avi and mp4, I can beta test the new version on all fw of 6600 and 6620.

Even the built-in camcorder on the 6620 is limited to 10 minutes and produces only a .3gp file.

[willbrady]

Well, phones and technology has improved in 2 years, but the quality of video taken on my wifes 3650 using ETI is still better than what my 6680 takes using the builtin app, sure the 6680 records at 25fps but the artifacts and mosaicing on movement is VERY noticeable, ETI is non exsistant.
The extra quality was and still is worth all that extra fuss converting the .eye & .ear files to AVI.

If ETI now encodes to AVI divx and (fingers crossed) 25fps on higher end phones then I'll be in heaven.
Hope the video gallery still has thumbnail icons? Nokia built in gallery STILL does not have thumbnails for video!

The functionallity on the original ETI was spot on.

Cheers - can't wait!!!!!


Will

[themafia.69]

yeah will just what you said!, btw i just got my 6680 so i can start testing asap!

[dfdzgz]

Originally Posted by willbrady

Well, phones and technology has improved in 2 years, but the quality of video taken on my wifes 3650 using ETI is still better than what my 6680 takes using the builtin app, sure the 6680 records at 25fps but the artifacts and mosaicing on movement is VERY noticeable, ETI is non exsistant.
The extra quality was and still is worth all that extra fuss converting the .eye & .ear files to AVI.

I have not got my hands on a 6680 so I don't know the performance, but according to the spec it has got a 220Mhz CPU, vs. the 108Mhz used by the 6600. On the 6600, our latest test achieves 12.5 FPS (recording to MMC. Somehow recording to the phone memory is noticeably slower) -- no inserted null frames to fake a higher frame rate. And roughly 5 FPS for 320x240 sized recording. I have not seen the test result on the 6630 which uses the same CPU as the 6680, but at least the CODEC speed more than doubles. Not sure if it will be actually 25FPS as I don't think the camera can actually capture at that fast rate. Chances are the advertised 25FPS is achieved via the null frame approach mentioned earlier.

Higher quality picture take considerablly longer to produce, thus affecting the frame rate. In our office people seem to split into two camps - one advocates smoother motion and willing to sacrifice quality, while the other group simply cannot bear to look at lousy pictures. Sometimes it is hard to please everyone

G

[willbrady]

Did you say 320*240


JESUS!

Obviously I would like to beta test this app ASAP!!!

[dfdzgz]

Originally Posted by willbrady

Did you say 320*240


JESUS!

Obviously I would like to beta test this app ASAP!!!

Yeah that's right, no typos here. It is possible the frame rate is even higher than 5FPS but I have to remain conservative for the time being.

Here, another eye candy for the impatient (myself included) This one showcases the instant setting UI. Enjoy!

[AvvaX]

Whole thread looks like a fake.

[dfdzgz]

Originally Posted by AvvaX

Whole thread looks like a fake.

When I first announced my camcorder two years ago many also thought I was fake, some even go as far questioning my screen name. I think I'm enjoying this feeling of deja vu...

[willbrady]

Originally Posted by AvvaX

Whole thread looks like a fake.

This guy is for real - search this forum for ETI CAMCORDER.
In fact, search google for ETI CAMCORDER.
Go take a look at www.eyemail.com.cn

Rgds

Will

[AvvaX]

Originally Posted by willbrady

This guy is for real - search this forum for ETI CAMCORDER.
In fact, search google for ETI CAMCORDER.
Go take a look at www.eyemail.com.cn

Rgds

Will

I know that this program exists. So if they developed new version, where is it?