I have a project that I am using a camcorder for the screen and the lens. If I can use whatever software it comes with(i dont know if thats an operating system) and change everything about it that would be great. The tasks I want to do is use basic things like a compass, timer, and using the lens of the camera for recording. Also, is there is a way to get voice control to choose the task I want to perform?
Creating or editing an operating system
- Thread starter akramer08
- Start date
i_hate_toms
New Member
By most chances, this isn't possible due to hardware restrictions.
As an example, you cannot install Android on a nokia N95.
forcefully attempting to do so would either fail with an error message, or kill your device, and would definitely be a EULA violation.
and yes, the camcorder has an operating system. Almost every modern gadget has an operating system, it's called an embedded operating system.
As an example, you cannot install Android on a nokia N95.
forcefully attempting to do so would either fail with an error message, or kill your device, and would definitely be a EULA violation.
and yes, the camcorder has an operating system. Almost every modern gadget has an operating system, it's called an embedded operating system.
i_hate_toms
New Member
From a pure engineering point of view, it is possible.
But, for security reasons, an OS runs in privileged mode, and the underlying device architecture would, by most chances, refuse to allow privileged instructions to run unless the software is digitally signed by the device manufacturer. If your hardware allows running the processor in privileged mode without requiring digital signatures, if it is truly 'unlocked', it would let you run your custom made OS.
To write an OS on your own, you will need to learn the ISA (http://bit.ly/VKaCSC) used by the processor. This varies from device to device. If it's a consumer electronic device like a camera or a TV, the instruction set used by it would not be publicly available, and you cannot write a real OS "kernel" for it. Sad, but true.
Last edited:
If I was an electronic company I would do the same so I can understand that. What do you think would be the best route to go on this project? I want a screen about the size of a camcorder's, the lens for video capability, then a couple of basic applications like timers and counters. Thanks for all the help so far by the way.
Motoxrdude
Active Member
Wear a watch? There's a lot of watches with compasses, timers, gps, altimeters and a whole bunch of different stuff.
http://www.rei.com/product/846716/garmin-fenix-gps-abc-watch
http://www.rei.com/product/846716/garmin-fenix-gps-abc-watch
Geoff
VIP Member
Get a Galaxy Camera. It's an Android-based digital camera with video recording. They already have root available and I believe custom ROM's are either out, or on their way.
This project doesnt call for a wristwatch, especially a $400 watch($400!?). The galaxy camera seems pretty sweet, but too expensive for what my goal is. I was hoping I could just get a cheap or broken camcorder that I could mess with. If it wasnt a camcorder then I would need some small hardware I could put an operating system on to hold just a minimal number of applications.
i_hate_toms
New Member
Trying to hack into a protected device would be a breach of intellectual property rights, and anyone attempting to help you with illegal stuff here would be inviting the moderators/ admins to get his/ her account terminated.
So, the first thing to do, would be to find a truly open "Linux" based device. Not just open at the software end, but open at the hardware end too (not just running pure embedded linux that's source code is publicly available, but being able to run a modified linux without breaching the device manufacturer's TOS).
Once you find that (post a link to the device here), you would need to determine the version/ build number of the embedded linux being used.
Next, if you want a truly custom OS, you would need to learn about the processor being used by the device, and the ISA being used by that processor.
Next you'd need to edit the OS source in a computer, and find a way to write the edited version back to the memory system that houses the device firmware.
It's a pretty involving task and is not as easy as it might look like.
I'm only in my second year of engineering. I'm sorry but I haven't yet mastered breaking into consumer devices. I'm sure someone with more experience here can help you out. But first things first, find a truly open device (whose price is worth the importance of this project) and post a link here. Best of luck, it sounds like a really awesome project
So, the first thing to do, would be to find a truly open "Linux" based device. Not just open at the software end, but open at the hardware end too (not just running pure embedded linux that's source code is publicly available, but being able to run a modified linux without breaching the device manufacturer's TOS).
Once you find that (post a link to the device here), you would need to determine the version/ build number of the embedded linux being used.
Next, if you want a truly custom OS, you would need to learn about the processor being used by the device, and the ISA being used by that processor.
Next you'd need to edit the OS source in a computer, and find a way to write the edited version back to the memory system that houses the device firmware.
It's a pretty involving task and is not as easy as it might look like.
I'm only in my second year of engineering. I'm sorry but I haven't yet mastered breaking into consumer devices. I'm sure someone with more experience here can help you out. But first things first, find a truly open device (whose price is worth the importance of this project) and post a link here. Best of luck, it sounds like a really awesome project
DMGrier
VIP Member
No, I am going to get one after I get my new laptop this year but you can find plenty of guides of what to do with them on google and they do have a support forums. When it comes to the operating systems they run Linux which many of us can help you with when it comes to managing your OS and installing packages.