Nexus One steps up to 720p HD video thanks to latest hack (video)

Just more evidence that rooting is the only true path of the geek. The indefatigable coders over at xda-developers have just pushed out a download that allows the Nexus One to start shooting video at 720p resolution. You'll need to have at least CyanogenMod version 5.0.8test3, but once you get your house in order, you'll be enjoying one of the big touted features of the latest handsets on your five-month old Googlephone. Pretty neat, and what's even better is that work is already underway to improve audio and the fps rate, as well as making the code compatible with Android Froyo, it all just requires a bit more tinkering. So, hit the source link to get the download or join us after the break for a quick sample video.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[whitesoxing Posted Jun 9th 2010 3:52AM]

This is just further proof that cell phones are the new video games of the entertainment world. You think you have all your bases covered and BOOM! You find a new hidden gem or exploit!

I'm sure the geeks at Google are laughing that it took that long for someone to figure out how to even do it!

And no cell phone needs 1080p. That's like a 32 inch TV having it. It'd be a waste of file size for each video recorded. Speed > Power when it comes to cell phones.

[Air2ground Posted Jun 9th 2010 3:59AM]

@ddddd What are you trying to say? I can't understand you at all...

[Bratyr Posted Jun 9th 2010 4:07AM]

@ddddd
These mobile phone cameras don't have shutters.

[gimmmick Posted Jun 9th 2010 4:08AM]

Awesome, can't wait too see more installments. I like the camera for the nexus one, hopefully the video will perform just as well!

[d3sc3nd3ncy Posted Jun 9th 2010 4:21AM]

Dear Google,

Please help them get this mainstream.

Thanks,
(a Nexus One owner)

[cdf74dc9 Posted Jun 9th 2010 4:31AM]

Like icing on Yogurt. Iphone is playing catchup now. Don't tell me I need a second camera because I don't and never use them.

[kyphem Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:51PM]

@cdf74dc9 And where are all the people who said they will never buy an iPhone without a front facing camera?

[Kuro01 Posted Jun 9th 2010 4:38AM]

Talk about getting that extra mileage out of my old phone. Hell yeah.

[TareG Posted Jun 9th 2010 5:04AM]

Cyanogen is just freaking amazing. You're really missing out if you're not using his mods.

[legola Posted Jun 9th 2010 5:05AM]

HA! Epic win. I knew getting a Nexus One would be a brilliant idea!

A 6 month old phone is catching up with the soon to be released phones with only modifying software! :D

In your FRUITY FACE!!

[Landwomble Posted Jun 9th 2010 5:23AM]

Yes, I'm keen to see this on the desire. No, doubt HTC will have screwed with the camera driver to make it harder than it needs to be though

[AWx Posted Jun 9th 2010 5:49AM]

Well, I don't know if this comes from YouTube encoding or from the video low light conditions, but I see no ultra-crisp HD in this video.
The fact that the API outputs a 720p video file/feed does not mean that it was actually captured at 720p.

We'll have to see the quality of the 720p output from the iPhone 4 sensor (+ processing pipeline) and compare it to the Nexus One hacked output and to other smartphones and compact/pocket HD cameras like the ones from the Flip family.

[d3sc3nd3ncy Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:12AM]

@AWx The sensor in the phone doesn't change because you update the firmware.

720p doesn't mean anything about the quality.

Resolution doesn't matter much in terms of quality. It only determines how large you can make the image before distortion happens.

[AWx Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:47AM]

@d3sc3nd3ncy That was actually my point : hacking the FW to output a 720p file does not mean that the output quality with magically increase.

The whole video pipeline has an impact on the quality : lens -> sensor -> low-level hardware -> driver. Here, given the low quality of the 720p sample, hacking the firmware does no good if from the lens to the low-level hardware, this increase in pixel count is not taken into account.

Since Apple is advertising 720p/30fps capture on its iPhone 4, I think we would able to see the added benefit of 720p (finer details) that we don't see on this video.

Now, 720p does nothing on low light quality, color accuracy, etc ... And a nice looking 480p video is better than an ugly-but-sharp 720p video.

[ebgolfin Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:34AM]

@AWx

I agree. The above video looks just terrible. I want to see some comparison videos.

[AWx Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:46AM]

@ebgolfin Here is another sample for N1 720p video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Abi0uI1kYM

The quality is MUCH better and MUCH closer on what you would expect for 720p video.

[thefjk Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:18AM]

I'm looking forward to rooting my Desire once HTC stops caring...

[jjrudey Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:26AM]

what about my droid!?

[SParklingCYaNide Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:34AM]

My Nexus One is Truly a God phone. No other phone has improved so much so Often and at the Rate that this phone has EVER. It continues to stay relevant every week and is fully of surprises we never thought possible!

[ebgolfin Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:36AM]

@SParklingCYaNide

Well, I think it should. I mean really, what is the difference between a N1 and an Incredible or EVO or whatever? If I was going Android, I would go with a N1 without question over those other phones. It has the same CPU and a good camera, and will probably be supported for a longer period of time.

[tareqhs Posted Jun 9th 2010 6:59AM]

Nice, but i wouldn't call that HD ...

[305BuddyLuv Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:32AM]

Every week I am happy that I didn't sell my N1. The possibilities are endless with this device. Hey google; how about a Nexus 2 with a 4" screen. And talk to samsung for that super AMOLED screen.

[boesky Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:43AM]

Sample I filmed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zck7-c3Tcek

[macfan406 Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:45AM]

The fact that not only iPhone 4 does this out of the box, sans jailbreak, but can also use a desktop class video editing program (iMovie) to make high quality HD videos from the thing you carry with you everywhere,makes the Nexus One old, and outdated. Personally, i'd like to see some iteration of Final Cut coming to either iPhone or iPad, but the fact iMovie runs on this device is reason enough for any iPhone owner, no matter when your eligibility date is, to upgrade.. Like I keep telling people, if you see yourself making every iPhone upgrade from here to the end of the product, make the jump NOW. This is a simply AMAZING device, and if you upgrade in June or July, you will be able to get every iPhone from now on the day they release for $199/$299. Sure, today you pay an extra $200 for the new iPhone, but it saves money in the long run. Think about it... Personally, I think this is a worthy upgrade for any current iPhone customer, and DEFINITELY one for anyone who hasn't experienced iPhone yet.. I will most likely sell my 3GS to Radioshack for $200-$300 and lay down $300 again for the new phone, and hopefully get a little extra $$ for a bumper..

[dbaboci Posted Jun 9th 2010 8:19AM]

@macfan406

And that is exactly the problem. You are willing to spend 200-300$ EVERY YEAR in addition to being perpetually locked to a carrier contract.

Nexus One Users can choose to get an unlocked device - a one time payment of 529$, switch carriers whenever they want, get better monthly rates, and additionally get a continuous stream of updates which makes it unnecessary to shell out $$ for new devices every year.

Nobody is saying the iPhone is a better or worse device. It all comes down to your finances and your willingness to engage more in-depth with your device root et al...

[boesky Posted Jun 9th 2010 7:58AM]

#2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU6bmAQMAq4
N1 haters please leave :D

[deepen03 Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:00AM]

that picture is hilarious.. lol

[OrsonX Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:06AM]

Engadget is showing me Laura Ashley dress adverts!!!

So much for targeted advertising! How many women here?

[Deviation Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:22AM]

I

[chipped Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:42AM]

Too bad the quality is still crap, that demo video was shocking.

[xnocturn Posted Jun 9th 2010 9:43AM]

Great feature!

[lightforce Posted Jun 9th 2010 10:07AM]

OWNED

[Clcross Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:02AM]

Maybe I'm getting old now, but based on this, I don't get why people call the Nexus One old. Yes, I get that six months is a long time in tech world standards, but still. What can you do on a Evo or Incredible that's significantly different and changes the experience from a Nexus? they're pretty much all the same phone with an upgraded camera here or there and maybe some extra memory thrown in. It's great though that Android phones are able to last this long. I wish I had the technical know how to root though. I barely escaped doing the manual upgrade to 2.2 alive....

[Knifed Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:12AM]

this some hectic stuff, but i m haapy to n1 got 720p recording, hope this one is at 30 fps, take that mr Jobs. Android > iPhone

[coolbho3000 Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:18AM]

I am one of the credited developers for this project (although I didn't do much, just note how the camera fps can be changed in the kernel).

I will clear up any misconceptions now: this is not really a hack. The camera is actually rated for 720p! The Nexus One was just lacking the necessary decoders before to encode 720p video.

I would not be surprised if this turned up in an official Froyo build or Gingerbread.

[airbag888 Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:57PM]

@coolbho3000

Thank you for your contribution

[AWx Posted Jun 9th 2010 11:46AM]

Another sample of N1 video. Much better quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Abi0uI1kYM

[ztycoonz Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:09PM]

I don't get it----I thought my nexus already did 720p? According to their spec sheet it says this: Video captured at 720x480 pixels at 20 frames per second or higher, depending on lighting condition

[airbag888 Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:57PM]

@ztycoonz

wikipedia 720p for more details. bottomline 720p = 1280x720 (16:9 ratio)

[Dumad Posted Jun 9th 2010 12:34PM]

Take that iPhone 4!!!

[Honestly77 Posted Jun 9th 2010 1:00PM]

So if the Incredible/Evo camera is rated at 1080p...will it do 720p better then the sample videos? I know it can't be done without root but that's only a matter of time. I mean if its rated higher shouldn't it accomplish something less a little better and easier? Also isn't the N1 quality so low because its lacking proper optimization? Give the community a little more time to tweak this and I'm sure we're gonna be swimming in quality video.

[ojuniour Posted Jun 9th 2010 1:08PM]

Here is a ..no the BEST sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zck7-c3Tcek

[ojuniour Posted Jun 9th 2010 1:11PM]

@ojuniour oops sorry It already been posted

[Revoltoso Posted Jun 9th 2010 1:20PM]

yeah BUT:
Show me the battery duration?
I bet it drains very fast.

[jayy337 Posted Jun 9th 2010 1:38PM]

niiiiccceee. i CAN'T wait until this gets official on my Nexus.

**looks down at nexus** looks like you're going to be staying with me a little longer.

I wonder what else this phone is hiding from us. maybe a front facing camera?! Just joking with that one.

[Kuro01 Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:38PM]

@jayy337 While a front facing camera is out of the question... Perhaps just 1 way video calling. lol ;o

[ojuniour Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:45PM]

OK guys all those video that others have been posting and even the one I posted eariler, SCRATCH ALL THAT

This is like the closest ever
Make sure you watch in youtube HD 720p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJuARdOWnOk

NOw thats is 720p , still running at 20 to 24 fps, Though maybe when froyo version comes out it will run at full 30fps, till then enjoy the quality of the video

[gimmmick Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:46PM]

I have two nexus ones. Might try to root the other one and see how it turns out. Anyone have a site that explains how to install custom roms?

[kyphem Posted Jun 9th 2010 2:50PM]

BUT ITS NOT 30FPS!!! Who wants that anyway?