tested EOS Mov Rec

Tested version 0.3.1 beta of the open source EOS Camera Movie Record application! Incredible GPL software. It permits 720 HD video on Canon DSLRs with Live View but which did not have video originally built-in. Like the 40D, for example.

I shook down the software, acclimating to the unusual interface. Found it produced decent frame rates when the preview or "Show captured image" was shut off and when the image buffer, in the options windows, via O button, was increased beyond 1 MB!

I documented the interface along the way...

action	click or choose	key
set storage folder on computer	... button
start recording	(red circle) Write! button	r
stop recording	(black square) Stop button	s
set camera mode	mode menu: e.g. M, Tv, Av
set ISO sensitivity	ISO menu: 100 to 3200
toggle depth of field preview	DOF button	d
set aperture	AV menu: 4.5 to 29
set speed	TV menu: 30" to 1/8000
toggle previewed image	Show captured image check	i
software options, e.g. buffer size	O button
view About window	A button
re-establish connection to camera	USB button	o
move focus to near rapidly	Focus adjust <<< button	1
move focus to near	Focus adjust << button	2
move focus to near slowly	Focus adjust < button	3
move focus to far slowly	Focus adjust > button	4
move focus to far	Focus adjust >> button	5
move focus to far rapidly	Focus adjust >>> button	6
use experimental autofocus	AF button
use camera autofocus (>= 50D)	CAF button
zoom to white 5x rectangle	Zoom 5x button	z
show histogram	H button
set white balance	WB menu: Auto, Tungsten, etc.
set K (WB in Color Temp. mode)	temp. field: 3000 to 10000
specify time limit for recording	Time timer check
set maximum time (in sec.) to record	interval field
specify frame limit for recording	Frames count timer check
set maximum frames to record	frames field

The aperture values appear to be specific to the lens attached. YMMV. The camera mode menu didn't seem to do anything. I did not use the CAF button. The AF button didn't seem to do anything. The histogram did not appear to work. I saw only blue in the window.

This opens a door. The Canon can be used like a webcam...