Camera: LaView L2

[pawilli]

@techNeffect

Thank you for providing instructions on how to open the LaView L2 camera on https://github.com/themactep/thingino-firmware/wiki/Camera:-LaView-L2.

Can you elaborate a bit more on what to do next to get thingino installed on these cameras please?

[techNeffect]

Sure, I'll update that page in a bit. Short version: requires a ch341A programmer and the clip (cheap) and a few easy commands to flash the chip directly.

[pawilli]

Thank you very much. I will keep monitoring that page. In the meantime, I will buy me a ch341A programmer and clip from Amazon.

[techNeffect]

OK, wiki's done (I hope, heh). Hope it helps. I tried to make it so that a newbie (like me) could pull it off.

[OldWarez]

@techNeffect

Just to let you know, the LaView L2 can be flashed from fresh using the exact same method shown here for the Wansview G6, just with the firmware replaced on the microsd, of course...where the 'atbm' version is for the 2.4GHz only one, and I guess the 'ssv' one is for a dual-band version, since that's the same wifi hardware variant that my dualband G6 uses.

I originally got the G6, flashed it, then saw the L2 come up for even cheaper and took a gamble. Worked perfect after I got the tricky timing down of how long you need to short the pins on powerup: too short, and the camera boots stock like normal <10 seconds later (and plays a sound as it tests the motor limits)...too long, and the camera just sits there and never reads the microsd. It really is a narrow margin, like between 1 and 1.5 seconds.

[techNeffect]

I've seen this mentioned a time or two, but hadn't got any solid confirmation. I'll add it to the wiki then. A screwdriver and SD card more readily available for most. Thanks.

[pawilli]

@OldWarez Yes - success!! This method worked faster than the delivery time for my programmer. Thank you both very much!

[wojmal0930]

@OldWarez @pawilli
Could any of you guys share how you prepared the SD card? I've tried and failed multiple times to flash the camera.
I've tried both:

• formatting card as FAT32, copying the file to the root and changing name to "autoupdate-full.bin"
• "sudo dd if=./thingino-laview_l2_t31l_atbm6012b.bin of=/dev/sdb bs=512 seek=34"
  Any help appreciated

[pawilli]

Nothing fancy

1. I used a 64GB SanDisk Ultra formatted as FAT and copied the file over and renamed it to "autoupdate-full.bin". Nothing else is on the card.

2. Load the card in the SD slot on the camera.

3. The tricky part is getting the timing of the "shorting" of the pins right. I put a small precision flathead screwdriver in place across the pins and then ask someone else to switch on the power, count to 6-8 sec and release. That worked for me but it took a couple of tries.

Watch this video for some inspiration - it failed the first time he tried it too...

Once the update is done you will find an "autoupdate-full.do" file on the SD card as well indicating that the update was successful.

[wojmal0930]

@pawilli That clears up everything for me, Thank you!

[pawilli]

What's the optimal resolution for this camera? I was using 3840 x 2160 pixels with the app but that is hanging thingino.

[gtxaspec]

The native resolution of the sensor is recommended to use. Anything higher is up scaling.

[wojmal0930]

I'm trying to flash the same camera so I'll hijack the thread. What I'm confused about is whether I'm preparing the SD card correctly. I have the 2.4 Ghz model so I've downloaded the "T31L, SC3338, ATBM6012B, 8MB" file. Then I've used the command "sudo dd if=./thingino-laview_l2_t31l_atbm6012b.bin of=/dev/sdb bs=512 seek=34". I've got the message that the data was written succesfully. I'm not sure if it matters whether the SD is mounted or unmounted at the time (not great with linux). U can't get the camera to flash, so now I'm wondering if I can't get the timing right on the short, or I'm doing something wrong while preparing the SD. Any tips appreciated, Thanks!

[techNeffect]

I think you have to name the bin file autoupdate-full.bin.

[wojmal0930]

So I just place this file on the SD card with that name? I don't have to do copying with the command?