Flir E4 Thermal imaging camera teardown

[mrflibble]

Question: If I make a mistake and set my system date to 2017 before installing the software then the software also make a mistake and give >1000 days trial time after setting the correct time.
Is this a bug or a violation of "terms of a license"?

Let's call it an honest mistake.

[Lu]

is there a downgrade firmware option ?

[Fraser]

@tomas123,

Regarding date shifting.......... that is very 'old school' and is normally stopped by the DEMO software. It should log the first start date and not permit a differential in date at each start if it is negative. i.e it stores 27 Jan 2017. Then when it next starts it 'sees' 27 Jan 2014....a negative 3 year error. Same occurs for month shifting. If the DEMO software does not protect itself in this way, its is open season on it  Whether date shifting breaches any software user licence will depend upon the wording of the End User licence. As I stated previously, TOOLS and TOOLS+ phone home, so that could be an issue on a demo version if it date checks with 'home' at installation, and not a local RTC.

Simpler to send FLIR a review on the TOOLS software with comments and recommendations for improvement and see if they send you a TOOLS+ activation key by way of thanks 

[mikeselectricstuff]

is there a downgrade firmware option ?

If the purpose of an upgrade is to make it non-hackable, probably not. However until we see anything, nobody can say what will or will not be possible.
Maybe Flir are running down stock of E5/6/8 to re-launch an E8+ at E4 price - unlikely but who knows?

[tomas123]

@tomas123,
 Whether date shifting breaches any software user licenec will depend upon the wording of the licence.

it was only a good old joke to show how low the security level is

Why hardware manufactures like Flir don't write terms of a license for the firmware?

As I wrote here Flir software/firmware is only low secured against hacks (in relations to the hard export limits)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/flir-e4-thermal-imaging-camera-teardown/msg370165/#msg370165

Flir must save the sensor limits inside the image processing FPGA

[mrflibble]

Anti fall-between-the-cracks repeat.

@tomas123:
Does the 16-bit radiometric video work on E4? Or was that only on the E40 and up? I recall your posts about the .seq file, but IIRC that was on your E40. But if there is some way to get 16-bit radiometric video on the E4 that would be really neat!

[Lu]

Maybe this is a silly question, but how to check the firmware version ?  I just find a small dealer selling it, but he do not know the firmware version.

[Fraser]

Quick check method....... get the serial number and compare to the list I have produced in the Useful information thread. The serial number is on a label on the outside of the box.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/flir-e4-the-useful-information-thread/msg332428/#msg332428

If the serial number is before 6391 0xxx it should have the 1.19.8 firmware or earlier 

[tomas123]

Does the 16-bit radiometric video work on E4? Or was that only on the E40 and up? I recall your posts about the .seq file, but IIRC that was on your E40. But if there is some way to get 16-bit radiometric video on the E4 that would be really neat!

Yes, it was a E40. We can only get the radiometric video over usb video and not as a rtsp stream.
The USB video contains multiple "streams" and the USB "Video player" must select the stream (like a usb webcam with multiple resolutions i.e. SD/HD).
The E40 delivers two video formats: a real video with display imprints and a radiometric 16 bit stream (a Flir proprietary format)
I checked it with an USB sniffer...

a interesting flir document (page 7/8)
http://www.workswell.cz/manuals/flir/hardware/A3xx_and_A6xx_models/AXXX_Control_Image_Interfaces.pdf


I have currently not a Flir E4 to hand.
Can somebody test a video recording with an E4 and Flir Tools+? This flir tools+ format is 16 bit radiometric (*.seq).

P.S.: I wrote here something about saving an internal seq.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/flir-e4-thermal-imaging-camera-teardown/msg363898/#msg363898
Nobody answered on my post
Where are the nerds?
Can somebody test it with an E4?

[sosdd]

Ok, I have the advanced menu installed, and I've tried several times to install the mod for my E4. Im still getting 80x60 resolution according to the info when I view a photo.

I'm quite computer literate and have no problem connecting to the camera and think I am doing everything right.
Ive seen posts of the e8.cfg file folks have punt together, but most of them are because they are having issues. Can somebody post a completely done e8 file that has worked so I can compare?

Let me guess, you installed the menu hack and assumed it's standalone (yeah, advanced user... ic)
Your personal to-do list:
a) install mike's hack (e8.cfg included there, see post #1), compute CRC01, take care e8.cfg is written lowercase on the camera (sorting order)
b) enjoy already installed menu mod

No I did not assume that at all. In fact I attempted Mike's hack several times with no success long before I did the menu hack.  I was just hoping to see a copy of a properly configured e8.cfg file to compare with my own. I am by no means an expert but not a novice either, (and I can read).

I just cant seem to get it to work although the installation sofware says it installed successfully. I was just hoping for a little help here.

[jlr134]

Ok, I have the advanced menu installed, and I've tried several times to install the mod for my E4. Im still getting 80x60 resolution according to the info when I view a photo.

I'm quite computer literate and have no problem connecting to the camera and think I am doing everything right.
Ive seen posts of the e8.cfg file folks have punt together, but most of them are because they are having issues. Can somebody post a completely done e8 file that has worked so I can compare?

Let me guess, you installed the menu hack and assumed it's standalone (yeah, advanced user... ic)
Your personal to-do list:
a) install mike's hack (e8.cfg included there, see post #1), compute CRC01, take care e8.cfg is written lowercase on the camera (sorting order)
b) enjoy already installed menu mod

No I did not assume that at all. In fact I attempted Mike's hack several times with no success long before I did the menu hack.  I was just hoping to see a copy of a properly configured e8.cfg file to compare with my own. I am by no means an expert but not a novice either, (and I can read).

I just cant seem to get it to work although the installation sofware says it installed successfully. I was just hoping for a little help here.

Same thing happened to me. I had a incorrect CRC01 number . If you add anything extra to E8.cfg you will get  an incorrect number.

[mrflibble]

Does the 16-bit radiometric video work on E4? Or was that only on the E40 and up? I recall your posts about the .seq file, but IIRC that was on your E40. But if there is some way to get 16-bit radiometric video on the E4 that would be really neat!

Yes, it was a E40. We can only get the radiometric video over usb video and not as a rtsp stream.
The USB video contains multiple "streams" and the USB "Video player" must select the stream (like a usb webcam with multiple resolutions i.e. SD/HD).
The E40 delivers two video formats: a real video with display imprints and a radiometric 16 bit stream (a Flir proprietary format)
I checked it with an USB sniffer...

Did you also do this check with your E4? I'm guessing no, but can't hurt to double check if I understood that correctly..

I have currently not a Flir E4 to hand.
Can somebody test a video recording with an E4 and Flir Tools+? This flir tools+ format is 16 bit radiometric (*.seq).

I just did a quick check under linux to try and access another UVC stream. And it just confirms something that I had already noticed before. The Flir implementation is rather non-compliant UVC. I mean, why stop at a non-standard RNDIS implementation when you can rape more standards. Weeeey! 

P.S.: I wrote here something about saving an internal seq.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/flir-e4-thermal-imaging-camera-teardown/msg363898/#msg363898
Nobody answered on my post
Where are the nerds?
Can somebody test it with an E4?

Yeah, I read that in the past, but I thought it 1) only applied to the E40 at that time and 2) if not you would surely check your procedure on your E4 as well. Or is the E4 not yours, but from works or something?

At any rate, next time I happen to be in windoze I'll give video from Flirtools (flirtools+ ?) a try. Does that radiometric video feature require a license? So far I haven't really bothered all that much with flirtools, plus or otherwise.

[stefbeer]

Hey sosdd!

I was just hoping to see a copy of a properly configured e8.cfg file to compare with my own.

The e8.cfg from the latest hack info (linked in the first post) is properly configured. Even the zoom function is already enabled in the latest version. You just have to add your serial number and calculate the correct CRC01 which you append to the e8.cfg file.
Only if the serial number of the file matches the serial number of the device and the correct CRC01 checksum confirms the integrity of the configuration file, the camera will "do as it says".

Hope this helps

[tomas123]

Yeah, I read that in the past, but I thought it 1) only applied to the E40 at that time and 2) if not you would surely check your procedure on your E4 as well. Or is the E4 not yours, but from works or something?

At any rate, next time I happen to be in windoze I'll give video from Flirtools (flirtools+ ?) a try. Does that radiometric video feature require a license? So far I haven't really bothered all that much with flirtools, plus or otherwise.

I can lent a E4 from friend. Privat I only use the better E40.
I had no time to test a *.seq with the E4.

You need the flir tools+ (windows?) to record a 16 bit radiometric stream.

[daves]

You need the flir tools+ (windows?) to record a 16 bit radiometric stream.

Probably only way. I was trying it under VirtualDub. It will show Flir device, connect to it. It knows that resolution is 320x240. But I could not get any video preview.
I was also trying Microsoft live movie maker. Also found flir video device, but could not connect to it. I did not tried Flir+, I am not so interested in video this time.

[Fisher]

Thanks for the post.  I have an order in to Grainger supposedly arriving tomorrow (ordered Jan. 22) and I read a post on some other site about the existence of a 2.0 firmware and I got worried.  I've scanned the latest pages of this thread and didn't see any 2.0.  I will, of course, post mine when it arrives.

Hoping someone may have a little more information on what appears to be a recall of sorts for the e series cameras.  I placed an order the other day for a flir e4.  I called midstate instruments today to check the status and was I informed they had to send all of the e4, e5, and e6 cameras back to the manufacturer. Cited problems with the devices. They had to be retrofitted, whatever that means. Seemed like a recent development so I thought someone here might know what exactly the issue was. And if it might be related to the hackability of the current units. Hoping not. Great blog here,  thanks in advance.

I just ordered one from Granger about 4 hours ago and was promised next day delivery. ( Thanks Nazar404 )

E4 just arrived from Grainger ( within 22 hours of  ordering it)

November 19 2013
Firmware  1.19.8

Did you receive the camera? Classic one: what firmware version is it?
Thanks.

[Macnasien79]

I am a bit curious, i got my E4 running with all the addition, but it self still reports it as a E4 in camera information.
it says:
Model: E4 1.1
Serial: My Serial
Part number: 63901-0101
Software 1.19.8
Is that correct or is it suppose to report itself actually as an E8 ??

[Scutarius]

I am a bit curious, i got my E4 running with all the addition, but it self still reports it as a E4 in camera information.
it says:
Model: E4 1.1
Serial: My Serial
Part number: 63901-0101
Software 1.19.8
Is that correct or is it suppose to report itself actually as an E8 ??

No, your hardware still is  "E4 1.1", you should edit that on the EEPROM, you can find how to do that on previous post (tip, use the search box)

[Macnasien79]

I am a bit curious, i got my E4 running with all the addition, but it self still reports it as a E4 in camera information.
it says:
Model: E4 1.1
Serial: My Serial
Part number: 63901-0101
Software 1.19.8
Is that correct or is it suppose to report itself actually as an E8 ??

No, your hardware still is  "E4 1.1", you should edit that on the EEPROM, you can find how to do that on previous post (tip, use the search box)

The Funny part though is that i got 320*240 resolution and all the added menu functions.
That is why i am a bit confused now.

[sosdd]

Hey sosdd!

I was just hoping to see a copy of a properly configured e8.cfg file to compare with my own.

The e8.cfg from the latest hack info (linked in the first post) is properly configured. Even the zoom function is already enabled in the latest version. You just have to add your serial number and calculate the correct CRC01 which you append to the e8.cfg file.
Only if the serial number of the file matches the serial number of the device and the correct CRC01 checksum confirms the integrity of the configuration file, the camera will "do as it says".

Hope this helps

Thats exactly what Im using, and what Im doing and it still won't work. Ive done it three times exactly as directed. I calculate the same CRC01 each time. It just doesn't work.

I guess I give up

[wilheldp]

What text editor are you using?  It might be screwing up the line feed.

[Macnasien79]

Is that maybe also the reason why Flir Tools+ does not enable the recording possibility. as my TIC got detected as E4 instead of an E8?
Thanks for everyone's support.

[mrflibble]

Is that maybe also the reason why Flir Tools+ does not enable the recording possibility. as my TIC got detected as E4 instead of an E8?

AFAIK recording is not an E4 vs E8 issue.

[Macnasien79]

Is that maybe also the reason why Flir Tools+ does not enable the recording possibility. as my TIC got detected as E4 instead of an E8?

AFAIK recording is not an E4 vs E8 issue.

Got it, so it might be that actually my FLIR tools is not properly installed or I found another bug.

[Taucher]

Thats exactly what Im using, and what Im doing and it still won't work. Ive done it three times exactly as directed. I calculate the same CRC01 each time. It just doesn't work.
I guess I give up

suggestion: give EZCRC01 a try, ensure you do not pack your ZIP file too deep or copy the e8.conf (lowercase e) by FTP, don't forget battery-re-insert(cold boot)