Found this on Philip's blog – thought it was significant enough to report to you… user Earz62801 on youtube has posted that he'll be delivering a firmware hack to allow the Canon Rebel T2i/550D (reviews) to record video in 2k, 3k, and 4k at 24fps. Since it comes out of the blue, who knows whether this is valid or a prank. We'll have to see.

Chat LIVE with us about this on the HDSLR chat room – log in with Twitter or Facebook ID.

Updates at bottom of post!

There isn't really much to learn yet other than what is in the teaser (below) – we've contacted the author to see if we can get some additional info and as we do we'll update this post. Since it is pure rumor at this point, who knows if it is true and what this can even do – and whether there's a chance of overheating LOL.

oh, and it isn't related to Magic Lantern as far as we know.

Here's a screen snap from the video showing the back of the Canon Rebel T2i/550D and the firmware setup:

Not much in this teaser video but thought you should see…



UPDATES

1) got a reply (Philip got a similar reply as well)

“I checked out your blog. I will admit when we first started to work on this firmware a little over two months ago, the overheating was an issue. We were actually missing some steps. But When Magic lantern came out, it opened our eyes and then we filled in the missing steps. Last night was the first night we've slept in 6 days haha. We've come to the conclusion that the processor for the t2i wasn't exactly opened up to it's full potential. Kinda like a kids dirtbike with a limiter on it. Opening it up was like watching a flower bloom. Whatever questions you have, send them my way. I'll try to get more technical without giving anything away. “

2) New comments on the youtube page:

“QA: You Can run your Magic lantern at the same time. Although Qscale cannot be used. AGC on Lantern can be used with this firmware. You must, and I mean MUST..get all of your iso, fstop settings and what not…ready. Then you have to input the same settings into our firmware before you do anything. There's a feature in our fimware called memory card control. The firmware will adjust the bitrate(constant) to whatever class memory card you are using. There are 3 brands of memory card that work with this firmware and that's after testing over 50 other memory cards. Sandisk Extreme III class 10 8gb and above. Transcend class 10 16gb and above and Lexar Pro class 10 32gb. Class 6 cards will work, but only up to 3k filming. 4k just won”t happen. Just stick with the same brands.

Using a Sandisk Extreme III class 10 32gb card gave these results. 2k: 175mb/s = 91 seconds of footage

3k: 175mb/s = 32 seconds of footage

4k: 175mb/s = 6 seconds of footage.

Note: Lowering the bitrate for 4k does not give you extra recording time. This is something that we have to work out. Also, you will not be able to shoot 4k in 45mb/s. It must be 65mb/s and above. For those of you worry about heat…trust me, at first that was an issue but now… It's not. We've actually put our own limiter in the firmware so that way everyone doesn't brick their cameras. I'll be answering more questions through out the day.”

3) Another reply to my questions:

“Starting from the bottom up haha. 4gig cards for 4k won't happen. We've built the firmware that way. You have to use 8gb and above. Out of the 50+ memory cards we've used, We came up with 3 brands that offer superior performance. Sandisk Extreme III 32bg class 10 is best suitable. Second to that is Transcend Class 10 16gb and above. Lastly, Lexar Pro class 10 32gb.

Everyone is thinking…'HOW?” That's what we thought at first. How can you shoot 4k, heck how can you shoot 2k at 175mb/s using only an SDHC class 10 card? Well…it wasn't an easy task.

We are going to charge for it after we release 1.03 in one month. So 1.04 will be $50. Why? Because we add framerates.”

4) New video to show that it isn't a fake?

5) This update from Philip Bloom (read more on his blog) on 1/1 at noon EST.



“I have just had an email from the shooter who was told by Ronald Aiello on that very long USTREAM that he had chosen him â€œas he was doing good workâ€ to be given the firmware last night to shoot with and post footage. Well I have just heard from Luke that he has told me he didnâ€™t get it as they told him they had been â€œbought out by Canonâ€ for $650,000. Whether this is true or not I donâ€™t know. I am simply reporting what has been told to me. THEN poor Luke has dragged into this sorry saga was contacted again saying they had told Canon it was not enough!”

Luke also posted this on his youtube page:

Dod3032 – I still haven't gotten the firmware. Not sure if this means it's a hoax or not. Maybe they just didn't want me to have it first. I, for one, will not be holding my breath waiting for it because I have already wasted enough time on these guys. Still…I hope it's real. Twixtor tutorial to come soon 🙂

(Photo credit: snap from the video)