Someone 1.00 releases Sony Alpha A55 hack tool - donate now for further test camera bodies

[Andrew Reid]

Please note: Download and install at own risk

Donate now!

It's real. Sony A55 owners rejoice, for Someone 1.00's first hack is now available and can be downloaded from the EOSHD forum. The patcher app is able to overcome the A55 firmware encryption and is the basis for adding bitrate patches and new menu options later on.

The NEX 5 patcher I believe will also be offered down download soon.

Now Someone 1.00 is looking for A55 testers (view relevant thread here) to test new features and find their way as a team with the firmware, plus donations for NEX 3, NEX 5N and A77 bodies for testing and opening up for analysis. The firmware will need to be dumped and decrypted, for that he needs the actual camera hardware in his hands and more than one body. So the more people who can donate, the better!

[richg101]

just donated $50. lets hope people follow. if 50 people do this too it'll be on, and Someone1.00 will have access to a camera from each product line/era meaning others are likely to be hackable too.

[jgharding]

With so many hacks going around for Sony, I hope someone hacks the RX100! It really does have a special market position, and being able to access 24/25p as well as much higher bit rates than 28mbps would be wonderful. It'd also be great to be able to change the speed of focus using the ring, and a couple of other tweaks.

[jdv]

Andrew -

Since you've limited discussion to certain NEX cameras perhaps asking for donations across the board is a bit much. To wit, when I asked about the VG20 you posted "Let's concentrate on the step by step plan Someone 1.00 has provided to narrow and focus the forum a bit more. NEX 3, A77 and NEX 5N bodies. A55 testing."

Now I can understand one developer wanting to concentrate on certain models, but if we can't query about all NEX cameras, then I'd say you're limiting the number people who might otherwise donate. In other words, it shouldn't hurt for us to ask if certain models are hackable (esp when some of them -like the 5N and VG20 - share the same sensor).

My initial question regarding the NEX VG-20:

[Andrew Reid]

Thanks to the first donator - Rich.

jdv - I am not limiting discussion, but we need to focus on what is technically achievable and if Someone1.00 wants to go about things in a certain order, with a specific structure for technical reasons, I need to facilitate that in the community. The VG20 thread will be alive and well in the NEX Hack Forum so those who want that camera to be hacked like yourself will get a say. To my knowledge the VG20 is very similar in terms of hardware and in terms of the firmware encryption used to the NEX 5N. So I fully expect the patches to port over, once (if) the new breed firmware encryption is overcome by Someone1.00. At the moment, the first gen encryption is overcome so we must concentrate on patches and testing on the A55 until the new cameras arrive at his door, thanks to generous donations like the one Rich just made.

Please everybody donate. I can't stress this enough! Even if you don't have a Sony camera. The hack could make a NEX, VG or Alpha so desirable you will want to buy one. This was certainly the case with the 'GH13'.

[Andrew Reid]

That donate link again - http://www.eoshd.com/comments/topic/1096-donate/

[REVENGE]

Andrew -

Since you've limited discussion to certain NEX cameras perhaps asking for donations across the board is a bit much. To wit, when I asked about the VG20 you posted "Let's concentrate on the step by step plan Someone 1.00 has provided to narrow and focus the forum a bit more. NEX 3, A77 and NEX 5N bodies. A55 testing."

Now I can understand one developer wanting to concentrate on certain models, but if we can't query about [i]all[/i] NEX cameras, then I'd say you're limiting the number people who might otherwise donate. In other words, it shouldn't hurt for us to ask if certain models are hackable (esp when some of them -like the 5N and VG20 - share the same sensor).

My initial question regarding the NEX VG-20:

http://www.eoshd.com...089-vg-20-love/

If the kernel source code is any indication, then Sony has been using the same core CPU platform across the board, be it an FS100 or a CyberShot. The firmware encryption also seems to come in generations, but it's impossible to tell for certain until Someone1.00 gets his hands on a camera.

I'm sure he'll be more than happy to look into if we buy him a VG-20.

[jdv]

If the kernel source code is any indication, then Sony has been using the same core CPU platform across the board, be it an FS100 or a CyberShot. The firmware encryption also seems to come in generations, but it's impossible to tell for certain until Someone1.00 gets his hands on a camera.

I'm sure he'll be more than happy to look into if we buy him a VG-20.

Good Lord, if I could do that, I'd just buy the FS700! EIther way, I'll send him some dough next pay check.

[fa23]

Andrew, should we expect a hack for NEX 7 to follow?

[FilmMan]

Guys and Gals,

I think I can hack an Alexa. Perhaps start a fund to raise me $100K to purchase an Alexa? Just kidding. I couldn't resist.

This Sony hack could open up alot of doors with their line of cameras. Fun stuff.

By the way, the ML can be downloaded for free now. http://www.magiclantern.fm/releasenotes

[FilmMan]

Any programmers out there or those interested in some possible developments read thru this:

http://www.magiclantern.fm/forum/index.php?topic=1565.0

Perhaps they'll improve the video quality. Looks like they are on to something significant which is possible.

[VeEuzUKY]

This is great news and a GREAT development!

Personally, I need this for an NEX-7! These patches need to be built and developed for the top end cameras first and then down the list, not the other away around. People that normally pay for higher end products are more easily motivated and capable of donations, its just common sense! And I believe a developer should have his work compensated for his/her time and talent! I'm donating 50 bucks now! First time I donate for anything of this kind, but SURELY worth the developer's commitment to this and the money already spent on my NEX-7! Thanks and hope to see it happen soon:)

[pietz]

before people start to think that bitrate is ALL that matters, i just want to point out the following:

H.264 can be seen as a programing language with different elements and rules. then companies start to build their own encoding engines within this set of elements and rules, so that what comes out of these encoders can be called H.264 Video. but these implementations can differ quite a bit. for example, if theres a faster processor inside the camera more complex calculation can be done in real time, which can result in a lower bitrate with the same level of quality.

the point im trying to make is Pansonic's 40mbit video stream is not necessarily better than Sony's 24mbit stream.

and dont get into thinking that you need 24mbit to have a good looking full hd video. depending on the source you can easiliy get this down to 8mbit without seeing a difference.

[emerille]

In for $20. Can't wait!

[HurtinMinorKey]

you can easiliy get this down to 8mbit without seeing a difference.

... on an SD tv?
I'll take that pepsi challenge any day of the week. Why do you think blu-ray is 25-30Mbit? Do they like wasting space?

[Andrew Reid]

NEX-Hack.com now open

The interest in the NEX and Alpha hacks has been HUGE! Therefore I've decided to setup a dedicated site for Someone1.00's project at NEX-Hack.com

You can login with your own existing EOSHD forum username and password.

And if you haven't already donated please do so now! The more donations, the more types of camera Someone1.00 will have at his disposal to make his Linux based patcher tool compatible with.

Donate here

Read the full story here

[sandro]

One question here that I have to ask... what is the point of all this troubles if the NEX cameras have basically the same res and moiré problems as the Canons? I mean the bitrate won't change how the processor works. Made sense for the GH2 but not now. Am I missing something?

[richg101]

One question here that I have to ask... what is the point of all this troubles if the NEX cameras have basically the same res and moiré problems as the Canons? I mean the bitrate won't change how the processor works. Made sense for the GH2 but not now. Am I missing something?

this is not the case. canons are old technology and old sensors. res is vastly different. they cannot be put in the same league as the nex range imo. the nex5n can handle 60p full hd. meaning if it can be written it could also handle data rate of 120p 720. lets not even bring the rx100 into the equation. this stamps on everything bar the hacked gh2 for detail. if it gets the hack i'll be looking at removing the fixed zeiss lens and adding a rollei qbm mount ready to accept my distagon 25mm+anamorphic adaptor. the small sensor will be a superb match for anamorphic where smaller sensors are better and shallow dof is less of a demand for the cinematic look..

[Kjeld]

I can not login to that forum using my EOSHD account @Andrew

[apiece]

I inquired about the officiality of the nex hack site, as there appears to be more than one, and both are related to someone.100 in the other article, and suddenly comments are removed, and the thread is locked for comments. why? because of conflict of interest? I raised the question for the community. why it is censored?