Real-time preview for digital SLRs ???

Does anyone here know of ANY software commercially available that permits real-time preview on a computer monitor when connected to a digital SLR? In other words, I want to see on the monitor what the camera is seeing, in real-time. I do NOT want to have to press a "Preview" key and look at a captured image. This is for an industrial application, so any software will be considered.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

I suspect you might have trouble finding that. I was going to suggest that you get the Canon SDK and get program written for you - considering its an industrial application that would be your best choice. However, I see that the SDK supports remote video on the PowerShot and A-series and G-series but not on any of the DSLR's.

I think that (other than hacking) if anyone was writing software for Canon cameras they would use the Canon SDK - so the answer to your question is there probably isn't any such software.


http://www.usa.canon.c​om …=314&modelid=74​74&id=3464

Cant you do this with the 40D with its live view feature and then use the EOS Remote software?

I thought someone said you could...hrm.

if you have one of the lastest gen canon cameras (the 40D, or 1D/1Ds MKIII series) the camera has live view which is easily usable using the included software. but if you have an older camera it is not possible.

Billginthekeys wrote in post #4270902
if you have one of the lastest gen canon cameras (the 40D, or 1D/1Ds MKIII series) the camera has live view which is easily usable using the included software. but if you have an older camera it is not possible.

Are you saying that you can see the Live View video on your PC with the EOS Utility and the 40D?

Thats what the OP is looking for

Paul_Skvorc wrote in post #4270827
Does anyone here know of ANY software commercially available that permits real-time preview on a computer monitor when connected to a digital SLR? In other words, I want to see on the monitor what the camera is seeing, in real-time. I do NOT want to have to press a "Preview" key and look at a captured image. This is for an industrial application, so any software will be considered.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

If your camera has live view just use the EOS utility to do that.
If not you can also try http://www.breezesys.c​om/ for some very good software. It's more like remote control with downloading to the PC via cable, which is sort of the same but not full time "live".

Thanks, I'll check out the 40D and 1D/1Ds specs.

Do you folks know of a Canon technical services "location" where I can talk to a Canon technician/engineer about the possibility of using the SDK to program the 400D for real-time preview?

Thanks again.

Paul

WaltA wrote in post #4270913
Are you saying that you can see the Live View video on your PC with the EOS Utility and the 40D?

Thats what the OP is looking for

Yes.
The hardware is what is needed, and the 40D and Mark III's have this.

Paul_Skvorc wrote in post #4270973
Thanks, I'll check out the 40D and 1D/1Ds specs.

Do you folks know of a Canon technical services "location" where I can talk to a Canon technician/engineer about the possibility of using the SDK to program the 400D for real-time preview?

Thanks again.

Paul

From their website link I gave you ...

But it specifically says the SDK does not support video out on EOS cameras

1. Who is eligible to apply for the Canon Digital Camera SDKs?

Does it absolutely have to be dSLR?
As WaltA already mentioned, most of today’s P&S cameras will give you even more flexibility than 40D and 1D3: you’ll be able to zoom in and out remotely.
Some of higher level P&S’ have pretty decent resolution these days..

I actually got to talk to a real human at Canon, and they corroborated what was posted above: namely that ONLY the 40D and 1D MKIIIs are capable of this. Furthermore, even with an SDK, the 400D cannot be made to provide remote, real-time preview.

Thanks for all your help.

Paul

Hermeto, apparently we were composing simultaneously. Are you refering to Canon P&Ss? And "NO", it doen't need to be ann SLR.

Paul

Paul_Skvorc wrote in post #4271042
I actually got to talk to a real human at Canon, and they corroborated what was posted above: namely that ONLY the 40D and 1D MKIIIs are capable of this. Furthermore, even with an SDK, the 400D cannot be made to provide remote, real-time preview.

Thanks for all your help.

Paul

Hermeto, apparently we were composing simultaneously. Are you refering to Canon P&Ss?

Paul

Not only that but they don't support remote video using the SDK on those 2 cameras. So they want everyone to use their EOS utility and not be able to build their own app.

I agree with Hermeto - and have done this in the past with Canon and (gasp!) other brands of P&S as well as CCTV and webcams.

Calling Canon tech support back, I was told that models A640 and A620, as well as ALL G series cameras have remote, real-time preview capabilities.

Oh yeah, what other brands of cameras... if it isn't gauche to ask sucha thing at a Canon forum?

Thanks for the help.

Paul

Paul_Skvorc wrote in post #4271105
Calling Canon tech support back, I was told that models A640 and A620, as well as ALL G series cameras have remote, real-time preview capabilities.

Thanks for the help.

Paul

??? I thought I said that.

Paul_Skvorc wrote in post #4271105
Calling Canon tech support back, I was told that models A640 and A620, as well as ALL G series cameras have remote, real-time preview capabilities.

Oh yeah, what other brands of cameras... if it isn't gauche to ask sucha thing at a Canon forum?

Thanks for the help.

Paul

My experience happens to be with Panasonic - only because I had access to their SDK and they had P&S as well as CCD cameras we could use.
I'm sure there are others as well.