writing codes for digital camera control tfs 6/4/2007 11:52:01 AM I would want to write some code to control a conventional digital camera (note: not a DV camera) which is connected to a PC with a USB cable (try to opt out the IEEE ???? or FireWire option if possible). The following list is my desirable functionalities: - to query what functionalities it can be controlled, e.g. zooming, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. - to be able to change those camera settings - to be able to take a picture shot by sending a command from PC to the camera - to be able to download any picture stored in the camera's memory card I knew that there is something similar available out in the world, but they are either costy, or use the IEEE option, or even simply out-dated. Somehow I believe that it shouldn't be too hard to be done at the programming level, but just don't know where to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Re: writing codes for digital camera control "Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media]" <neil[ at ]nospam.com> 6/4/2007 6:16:39 PM On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 04:52:01 -0700, tfs <tfs[ at ]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: [Quoted Text] >I would want to write some code to control a conventional digital camera >(note: not a DV camera) which is connected to a PC with a USB cable (try to >opt out the IEEE ???? or FireWire option if possible). The following list is >my desirable functionalities: > >- to query what functionalities it can be controlled, e.g. zooming, >aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. >- to be able to change those camera settings >- to be able to take a picture shot by sending a command from PC to the camera >- to be able to download any picture stored in the camera's memory card > >I knew that there is something similar available out in the world, but they >are either costy, or use the IEEE option, or even simply out-dated. Somehow I >believe that it shouldn't be too hard to be done at the programming level, >but just don't know where to start. Good ask but "I dunno". My inclination would be to head off to the open source end of the community, in particular any linux drivers are likely to be a good stomping ground for code samples. http://www.teaser.fr/~hfiguiere/linux/digicam.html Typical search keywords might be "PTP, mass storage" See also these informative pages : http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/resources/photo-files.xml http://www.linux.com/howtos/Kodak-Digitalcam-HOWTO/x13.shtml HTH Cheers - Neil http://www.teaser.fr/~hfiguiere/linux/digicam.html ------------------------------------------------ Digital Media MVP : 2004-2007 http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

Re: writing codes for digital camera control "Chris P." <msdn[ at ]chrisnet.net> 6/4/2007 10:20:00 PM On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 04:52:01 -0700, tfs wrote: [Quoted Text] > I would want to write some code to control a conventional digital camera > (note: not a DV camera) which is connected to a PC with a USB cable (try to > opt out the IEEE ???? or FireWire option if possible). The following list is > my desirable functionalities: > > - to query what functionalities it can be controlled, e.g. zooming, > aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc. > - to be able to change those camera settings > - to be able to take a picture shot by sending a command from PC to the camera > - to be able to download any picture stored in the camera's memory card > > I knew that there is something similar available out in the world, but they > are either costy, or use the IEEE option, or even simply out-dated. Somehow I > believe that it shouldn't be too hard to be done at the programming level, > but just don't know where to start. > > Any help will be greatly appreciated. 2 options that I know about. - Windows: WIA. Limited in functionality, you won't get the tight control you desire. Upside any camera with a WIA driver works. - Canon: SDK. Cannon has a comprehensive SDK which can do everything you desire depending on camera model. You have to sign up and get approved to download the SDK - I didn't have a problem. Downside, works only with Canon cameras and there are different SDK's for different camera "series". http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=SDKHomePageAct&keycode=Sdk_Lic&fcategoryid=314&modelid=7474&id=3464 -- http://www.chrisnet.net/code.htm [MS MVP for DirectShow / MediaFoundation]