topic Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

NUESVXUFV — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:11:03 GMT

Hello, I have an SX720 camera. For years, I have been able to view photos from my computer on my camera, even after converting them to Canon format and giving them the same name as the other photos in the folder. Unfortunately, I have never been able to import and view videos on my camera. Even though I converted to the same encoding and format, I was told as an option that the problem is that, unlike the vast majority of existing files, whose file structure is:

Header
MD$
Data
(MD$
Data
and so on)
Footer
Canon videos have a different (and reversed) structure, first the Data and then the MD$.

I am looking for a way to overcome the problems and change the external video files so that I can view them on my camera. This is very, very important to me, and I have invested a lot of money and time in this. I understand that the camera is not designed to be viewed like a computer, but I am still asking for help and guidance from Canon experts because this is very important to me! And not just for me but for my entire community [we are tens of thousands of people who don't like using computers and we all own Canon cameras] We have been doing everything we can to succeed for years, and if you can help us it would be really, really special!!!

Thank you very much!

Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

John_Q — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 22:34:35 GMT

Hello NUESVXUFV,

I'm really sorry to say that we do not have a remedy for what you're looking to do. The camera is not likely to "see" files that have been converted or changed in any way from a computer. I must say that I am happily surprised that it worked for your still images. I apologize for any inconvenience that may cause you.

Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

NUESVXUFV — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 18:02:15 GMT

Thanks for the answer,
I just don't fully understand yet,
After all, the Canon experts who created the software and the file structure should surely know the answer,
So could you direct the question to them?
I'm sure whoever programmed the camera's files knows, right?

Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

normadel — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 18:26:44 GMT

Your first sentence says " For years, I have been able to view photos from my computer on my camera,"...

Did you leave out the word "not"? This sentence contradicts everything else you said.

Anyway, you are looking for something that doesn't exist anywhere. The camera is a device to RECORD and PLAY BACK. Not to be a viewer of what's on outside devices/media.

Expecting Canon or other camera makers to re-engineer cameras to be external viewers for computers isn't reasonable. Do you know of lots of folks in the Canon Community who want this?

Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

NUESVXUFV — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 18:43:23 GMT

I mentioned in my question that I know a lot of people who would find this very helpful. All in all, I need to collaborate with one of Canon's programmers to guide us on what software can convert to the format available in the camera.

We can upload photos for free, they just need to be in a similar format, but videos probably need guidance from Canon on how to change the file structure to suit the camera.

Re: Viewing external video using the PowerShot SX720 HS

NUESVXUFV — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 20:43:00 GMT

I have a surprising and original idea to solve the problem,
Install CHDK from here https://chdk.fandom.com/wiki/CHDK
I guess it will help to display external video files like it displays TXT files,
Do you know if my hypothesis is correct?