707 hidden menu to adjust settings

[David (r00t)]

Andy,
When are you getting your 707?

Hmmm... Andy says that all Sony cameras have this feature, but
that we have to wait for him to get his 707 because he needs to
verify that it works on the 707. I wonder why he won't post the
details for some other Sony cameras then?

I'm willing to bet that these menus are only accessible with some
sort of repair mechanism plugging into some hidden socket. A
"hidden menu" would not have stayed hidden for so long on other
Sony digicams if one were possible without the repair facility...
repair guys would talk.

If you want verification, call an Authorized Sony Service Center
and ask about it.

Bryan

 

[Andy58717]

Andy,
When are you getting your 707?

My Sears receipt says the 23rd. Maybe it will show up earlier.

 

[Homer40784]

You guys are likely talking about two different things.

To UPDATE the software or run external diagnostics, I would bet that the connector you are looking at is a LANC connector. (LANC is the name of the protocol ) LANC has been used by Sony for different things for years. Do a search and you will find tantalizing pieces of info on the net.......or post a BULLETIN for Rodger CArter. I think he knows a bit more about it.

Aside from that.....there COULD be hidden menus that have certain preprogrammed functions in them. It would certainly not be the first time an intelligent device had such.

Homer

You have probably noticed that there is a little rectangular panel
next to the Memory Stick slot on the S75, 85 and F707.

... and F505V...

If you pop the cover on this with your finger nail take care not to
break it (the panel) you will see a multi pin connector, this is
the diagnostics and programming connector.

It requires the sony cable, interface and software to make any use
of this connector and that is only available at factory level as
far as i know.

Brian,

do you KNOW or ASSUME this ?

Frank C. wrote:
"When I had my S70 repaired last year, I was given the courtesy
of meeting the repair technician at his work place and
when I glanced at my camera I noticed never seen before menus
on the LCD screen, and as far as I remember, the camera
was not hooked up to anything.....so maybe their are
hidden menus accessible by the end-user. The only question
is- how do we unlock them?"
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&page=1&message=1596680

I´m waiting for Andy´s proposed key sequences...

As long as we have no EXACT information prooving the one or the
other theory, i´ll keep digging

Ivo

Ivo

When i went to my local Sony Centre to get my Car Stereo repaired
out of curiosity i asked if and how Sony cameras could be updated,
the engineer explained that the engineering test routines sofware
and hardware could be accessed through a connector in the bottom of
the camera and showed me the connector on a stock camera, he did
tell me he did not have the equipment to make use of the connector
and though it was for factory use only.

I thought no more of it till i saw all the threads regarding hidden
menu's, I will watch with great interest for the outcome of the
great hidden menu mystery.

Kind Regards.

Brian.

 

[Ivo34672]

Andy,
When are you getting your 707?

My Sears receipt says the 23rd. Maybe it will show up earlier.

 

[David (r00t)]

Any news?

Andy,
When are you getting your 707?

My Sears receipt says the 23rd. Maybe it will show up earlier.

 

[fbx]

I was just thinking about Andy and his idea that there were special menus, etc., wondering where he'd gotten to. Surely he's got his 707 by now and checked the access to these special menus? If there are such menus I would certainly like to hear about them (though I'm not keen on messing with menus that might negatively impact the camera or the warranty).

fbx

This is HOT and I feel that this needs it's own thread...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&page=1&message=1588178

Andy -- PLEASE keep us posted.... Thanx!

This is all I can find on their camcorders. If anyone has more
info, please post.

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&selm=20010428112511.26596.00001369%40ng-ma1.aol.com

 

[FourierTransform]

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[David (r00t)]

I know. I would just like to see what is on the menu system. Not that I would change anything.... ;-)

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[KCTrio]

r00t et al:

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[David (r00t)]

Agh, the dream is gone. Well it was fun thinking about it. Thanks for the info Mike, but if you find them.... let us know.

David
(still hoping)

r00t et al:

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro
elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were
accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face
plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software
only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the
color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should
probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their
distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd
better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

 

[Bob Andersen]

Sony uses a device called the RM-95 to adjust and perform service maintenance on video cameras such as the VX1000, VX2000, and the PD150. This may be the same device that Sony uses for its digicams.

The Rm-95 connects to the vidcam via a LANC cable. The LANC connector looks like a mini-headphone jack only SLIGHTLY smaller. I think there is an accessory jack on the F707 that might be a LANC jack. I have an RM 95 and will check tonight if I can plug it into the F707.

There as a lot of info on the RM-95 a couple of years ago when Sony introduced DV cams that had analog inputs so you could use them to record programs like a VCR. Sony disabled the ability to record in the vid cams that it shipped to many European countries because there would be a higher tax on them if they had record capabilites. Well the Europeans figured out that they could enable the record capability using the RM-95.

The RM-95 has a little LCD display on it. You connect it to your vid camera and press a couple of buttons and then you adjust the codes you see in the RM-95 display.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ADJUSTING THE INTERNAL CODES WITH AN RM-95. I think you could "diasable" your camera if you put in the wrong codes, and the only way to fix it would be to take it to a Sony service center.

BTW: THe RM-95 is also a great wired remote for vid cams. It can trigger record, play, focus, etc. (it has control buttons for this). I think I will see if I can use it as a remote to take F707 pictures.

BTW #2: I bought the RM-95 for around $70.

I hope this is helpful.

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro
elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were
accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face
plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software
only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the
color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should
probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their
distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd
better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[David (r00t)]

Here is the picture and a link with some info.



http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/accessories.html#rm95 - click on RM-95.

David

There as a lot of info on the RM-95 a couple of years ago when Sony
introduced DV cams that had analog inputs so you could use them to
record programs like a VCR. Sony disabled the ability to record in
the vid cams that it shipped to many European countries because
there would be a higher tax on them if they had record capabilites.
Well the Europeans figured out that they could enable the record
capability using the RM-95.

The RM-95 has a little LCD display on it. You connect it to your
vid camera and press a couple of buttons and then you adjust the
codes you see in the RM-95 display.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ADJUSTING THE INTERNAL CODES WITH AN
RM-95. I think you could "diasable" your camera if you put in the
wrong codes, and the only way to fix it would be to take it to a
Sony service center.

BTW: THe RM-95 is also a great wired remote for vid cams. It can
trigger record, play, focus, etc. (it has control buttons for
this). I think I will see if I can use it as a remote to take F707
pictures.

BTW #2: I bought the RM-95 for around $70.

I hope this is helpful.

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro
elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were
accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face
plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software
only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the
color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should
probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their
distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd
better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[Ivo34672]

Here is the picture and a link with some info.

Some RM95 clones:

http://home.t-online.de/home/hifiaalen/ue_rm95c.htm
http://www.rwc.yertiz.com/eilanc.ht
http://irdeo.de/eirdeo.htm

Explanation of LANC:

http://home.t-online.de/home/mb.koenig/lanc.htm

(I doubt that the Cybershots don´t implement LANC, AFAIK it´s called ACC protocol)

Ivo

http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/accessories.html#rm95 - click on
RM-95.

There as a lot of info on the RM-95 a couple of years ago when Sony
introduced DV cams that had analog inputs so you could use them to
record programs like a VCR. Sony disabled the ability to record in
the vid cams that it shipped to many European countries because
there would be a higher tax on them if they had record capabilites.
Well the Europeans figured out that they could enable the record
capability using the RM-95.

The RM-95 has a little LCD display on it. You connect it to your
vid camera and press a couple of buttons and then you adjust the
codes you see in the RM-95 display.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ADJUSTING THE INTERNAL CODES WITH AN
RM-95. I think you could "diasable" your camera if you put in the
wrong codes, and the only way to fix it would be to take it to a
Sony service center.

BTW: THe RM-95 is also a great wired remote for vid cams. It can
trigger record, play, focus, etc. (it has control buttons for
this). I think I will see if I can use it as a remote to take F707
pictures.

BTW #2: I bought the RM-95 for around $70.

I hope this is helpful.

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro
elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were
accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face
plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software
only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the
color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should
probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their
distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd
better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[Bob Andersen]

Well I hooked my RM-95 up to my F707 accessory connector. The power button on the RM-95 turned the 707 on. However:
1. the focus buttons didn't seem to work
2. the "off" switch didn't work
3. the record switch didn't cause a icture to be taken

The RM-95 probably is used to tweek parameters on the F707, but I'm not messing with mine.

There as a lot of info on the RM-95 a couple of years ago when Sony
introduced DV cams that had analog inputs so you could use them to
record programs like a VCR. Sony disabled the ability to record in
the vid cams that it shipped to many European countries because
there would be a higher tax on them if they had record capabilites.
Well the Europeans figured out that they could enable the record
capability using the RM-95.

The RM-95 has a little LCD display on it. You connect it to your
vid camera and press a couple of buttons and then you adjust the
codes you see in the RM-95 display.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL ADJUSTING THE INTERNAL CODES WITH AN
RM-95. I think you could "diasable" your camera if you put in the
wrong codes, and the only way to fix it would be to take it to a
Sony service center.

BTW: THe RM-95 is also a great wired remote for vid cams. It can
trigger record, play, focus, etc. (it has control buttons for
this). I think I will see if I can use it as a remote to take F707
pictures.

BTW #2: I bought the RM-95 for around $70.

I hope this is helpful.

I used to work for a manufacturing company that made micro
elecronic gear. The gadget had hidden menus, and they were
accessed by placing a magnet over a part of the body near the face
plate.

I am sure that Sony is going to change their settings via software
only, to fix the BFS problem, and they might be able to fix the
color algorithms. However, accessing the hidden menuis should
probably be done by a Sony representative. This way, none of their
distribtors know how to access the service menus.

Now, if I had knowledge of how to access these hidden menus, you'd
better believe I'd play with them.

Kind regards.

Mike

David

I understand that Andy is still trying to figuring how to use the
service menu probably.

but other than adjusting the colour saturation...etc

what other hidden features are accessible thru hidden menu???

how abt Histogram Display??

thanks Andy!

 

[Rich_1]

The accessory connector on the 707 uses an accessory protocol, not a LANC, like many video cameras.

Rich

 

[Ivo34672]

The accessory connector on the 707 uses an accessory protocol, not
a LANC, like many video cameras.

Rich,

do you have more information ?

LANC is documented well, but no one know even the correct name of the "ACC" protocol...

Ivo