[G2 Android Development] Heatshiver:
I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY NEGATIVE IMPACTS OR CONSEQUENCES ON YOUR PHONE IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO USE THIS GUIDE.

It had come to my attention that recording for long periods of time will result in large file sizes when using my mod. For this reason, I have now created different profiles to increase quality in either images or video/audio, including a

new

experimental version!

It has been stated that stock 1080P video runs around 20Mbps on the G2 (I consistently have 30Mbps). These mods can increase 1080P video to approximately 40-50Mbps. 720P, images, and audio Kbps can also be increased to max potential. The following steps help you unleash the best quality on the G2 camera!

WARNING: INCREASED BITRATES MEANS MORE STORAGE SPACE IS TAKEN UP.

PREREQUISITES

1) You MUST be rooted.

2) You MUST have recovery installed.

3) Download 1 of 6 media profiles:

media_profiles.xml (Increases to Image/Video/Audio)

media_profiles.xml (Increases only to Image)

media_profiles.xml (Increases only to Video/Audio)

media_profiles.xml (Stock)

media_profiles.xml (Experimental - Further Increases to Image/Video/Audio)

media_profiles.xml (Experimental - Further Increases solely to Image)

NOTE: I have tested the experimental Image/Video/Audio version. The image is a tad bit better. The video seems more stabilized and averages around 45Mbps. Audio stays about the same.

4) Download either Jishnu Sur's version 1 or version 2 mod (I prefer version 1). He now has version 2.5, 2.5.1, and 2.5.2, but only 2.5.2 has been successfully tested with my mod.

5) Download the stock file to revert from Jishnu Sur's versions.

MOD METHOD #1 (RECOMMENDED) - Requires most files from above.

1) Place all the downloaded files somewhere in the phone.

2) Boot into recovery.

3) Flash the stock zip.

4) Reboot system.

5) Boot back into recovery.

6) Flash the Jishnu Sur mod downloaded.

7) Reboot system.

8) Use a file explorer (like Root Explorer) app to open the folder where the downloaded media profiles file is.

9) Rename the media profiles file to be "media_profiles.xml".

10) Copy the media_profiles.xml file.

11) Navigate up to the root folder and go the "etc" folder.

12) Paste the media_profiles.xml file.

13a) A message may appear asking for rewrite (R/W) capability. Select "yes".

13b) A message will appear asking to confirm overwriting the current version. Select "yes".

14) Reboot the phone 1-4 times.

INSTALLATION METHOD #2 - Requires only the media_profile.xml and Stock file from above.

1) Place all the downloaded files somewhere in the phone.

2) Boot into recovery.

3) Flash the stock zip.

4) Reboot system.

5) Use a file explorer (like Root Explorer) app to open the folder where the downloaded media profiles file is.

6) Rename the media profiles file to be "media_profiles.xml".

7) Copy the media_profiles.xml file.

8) Navigate up to the root folder and go the "etc" folder.

9) Paste the media_profiles.xml file.

10a) A message may appear asking for rewrite (R/W) capability. Select "yes".

10b) A message will appear asking to confirm overwriting the current version. Select "yes".

11) Reboot the phone 1-4 times.

REBOOTS: The reason for the last step is that it needs

at least

one reboot (but probably two) to increase the quality of video. The images should already be at their highest quality.

AUDIO ISSUES: If the issue where audio can no longer be heard occurs, it has been confirmed that going back to stock and repeating the steps fixes this.

QUALITY INCREASES: I found that after at least one (as many as four) reboot I was getting extremely high video bitrates; between 38Mbps and 50Mbps! The image quality should increase above stock as well as above Jishnu Sur's mods. Audio increases between 190-210Kbps.

MOD DIFFERENCES: I found a few differences in these mods. Jishnu Sur's version 1 seems to help with focus and a few other things. His version 2 adds to his first by restricting high ISO or low FPS in low-lit areas. His newer versions decrease bitrates. My mod increases the quality of images and videos above Jishnu Sur's, but does not have the other features.

PREVIEW OF IMAGES AND VIDEO: Here is a large zip file of images I took while testing. There were an abundance from my reboots, but I only chose one set per folder since the file is almost 70MB!

HOW TO CHECK QUALITY:

Images

- Check the storage sizes of two or more images. Open an image in Preview or any viewer that can zoom. Zoom in on the curtains. Open the other image(s) for comparison and perform the same amount of zoom. Compare the clarity (sharpness) of the images.

Video

- Check the storage sizes of two or more videos. Right-click on a video and click Properties. Click the Details tab. Check the bitrate of the video. Right-click on the other video(s) and perform the same actions. Compare the difference in bitrates.

A quick lesson on Lighting (ISO, FPS, Exposure)

: The higher the ISO the more light for the camera, but with more noise in the image. The lower the frame rate (FPS) the more light for the camera, but less smoothness for video. Exposure can help you compensate for images (or parts of images) that come out too bright or dark. Exposure should be used when optimal ISO or FPS settings have been found and changing them will alter quality in some manner.

Credits: Jishnu Sur for his mods.