EOS M100 Clean HDMI

Archived clean HDMI & keep-awake script for the Canon EOS M100 as posted by user srsa_4c on a CHDK Forum here.

Motivation

The Canon EOS M100 is a suitable entry level camera for vlogs, streams or as a better webcam. While Canon's EOS Webcam Utitlity is great but doesn't work with the EOS M100, there are $9 (USD) HDMI grabbers that allow you to utilize the EOS M100 as video camera live on a PC.

Install Instructions

All steps are on your own risk. You need to know what you're doing.

I can only confirm it running with Firmware 1.0.1, so please don't update it if you really don't need to. Other fw versions are handled in the script, though - so it should run on other fw versions.

• Format your SD Card with your computer, must be FAT32.
• Download this repo as .zip file or clone it via git.
• Copy the two files from src into the root folder of the SD card.
• Download and run EOSCard. Mirror: Archived Download
  • Check the script option and click save. The SD card can run scripts now.
• Eject the SD card from your computer and insert it into the camera.
• Do not power on your camera.

Running the Script

This needs to be done each time you power on the camera.

You can adjust your settings ahead of running the script, e.g. face-detection focus and switching the main mode dial to the video mode. The camera remembers all of that you you can set it up to some usable settings.

• Do not use the power button to switch the camera on!
• Camera must be off. Switch the mode switch to video.

1. Press play (switches the camera on).
2. Press set once.
3. Press play to leave into the record mode.

Now your HDMI output should look clean and contain no overlays, not even the face detection box.

Useful Accessories

• $9 (USD) HDMI grabber gives ~720p visual resolution despite claiming full HD
• A DC Adapter so you won't wear down your batteries
• A micro HDMI adapter or cable
• A ring light that can adapt a camera mount

How to use the M100 as a webcam

Since most users will prefer windows, here is a simple workflow using OBS:

• Install the newest version of the Open Broadcaster Software, OBS.
• The newest version already contains a virtual webcam, you don't need plugins.
• Go to File > Settings > Video and set both resolution parameters to your preference. If you want a 4:3 ratio webcam, use something like 1440x1080.
• Add a Video Capture Device to your scene, select the HDMI grabber.
  • go to it's settings (e.g. by double clicking it in the_Sources_ list)
  • Set Buffering to disable
• Click Start Virtual Camera in the Controls section.

Now you can use the "OBS Virtual Camera" in most conference programs.

Remember, if your video appears squeezed in your conference, go to the OBS output settings and change the resolution to another aspect ratio. It seems most conference solutions prefer 4:3 sources anyway.

Those HDMI grabbers aren't really Full HD

The suggested cheap HDMI grabbers claim to sample 1080p, but it rather looks like something around 720. Have a look at my example comparison, which is captured at 1080p desktop resolution and 1080p capturing resolution, original screenshot on the right:

The quality doesn't look that bad on real world camera footage, though. This is the reason why I would still recommend them for a budget setup, especially, if you're just using it as a webcam.

Troubleshooting

I still see overlays

• This means the script did not start. See the other troubleshooting suggestions.

Script won't run

• Try to use EOSCard multiple times
• Use another card, another size
• Make sure the SD card is FAT32-formatted (some small SD cards get auto-formatted to FAT)
• A user recommended to retract the kit lens, another suggested to disconnect the HDMI before running the script, deleting all images from the camera. I never needed these steps, though