Hardware Feature Request: EOS R with SIM Card Slot

[livestreamer]

5G is coming, and so is livestreaming.

Please can future versions of the EOS R include a SIM Card Slot so that the device can connect to a 5G mobile internet relayers, and stream uncompressed 4K with Stereo Audio.

Now *that* would be quite something.

No more cables, no more WiFi, no more BlackMagic, no more Sony.

[livestreamer]

Removing the SD Card slot and replacing with a SIM Card slot would probably add some additional cost in the short-term - I acknowledge this. Thank you.

[livestreamer]

> This would only appeal to people who aren't using the camera for photography.

With respect, I don't agree. A SIM Card slot would provide a way for photographs to be backed up remotely, to a cloud-based server. It could also be instantly put "up for sale" in exchange for crypto-currencies... how much would you pay for the most recent snap from @John_SD?

[livestreamer]

> Most of the video implemetation is done through software. All of the parts to do video are already present in a digital camera.

This!

These cameras have lovely sensors in them, and are more than capable of capturing light whether being used as single stills, or a series of frames in a video sequence.

[livestreamer]

Right.

And right now, when the EOS R presents a video feed to EOS Webcam Utility, it's sending a 576p (1024x576) video signal (limited in previous cameras by the USB 2.0) interface...

I wonder whether it's downsampling the 4K (3840x2160) on the device, hence the overheating problem?

It should be presenting an uncompressed 4K feed over USB-C (capable of such data-rates), with audio included.

Further, if there was a SIM Card slot (and software, obviously), it could push all this direct to the livestream - 4K with synced Audio... and then all downsampling can be done with specialist hardware, using things like livepeer.org - could this remove the need for Digics?

[livestreamer]

Per response above... I'm sure the R is overheating because it's downsampling from 4k to 576p, to present a webcam stream designed for USB 2.0. It should be presenting 4K over USB-C - it's capable of it... Logitech do it with their Brio 4k

[livestreamer]

I didn't see the article, but I would say that a general trend in technology solutions these days have been towards private / public cloud-based solutions, and decentralised storage (IPFS), with value-exchange via e.g. Ethereum blockchain, cited as a catalyst in this space.

Much of this has been driven by a requirement to offload client-side processing to better-specialised hardware (like `NVENC` chips on GPUs), and also to provide backup storage for important items.

Since giving up the desire to "store" or "record" content - in favour of "livestreaming" it... I am much more creative, and end up with much less time in post-production (which personally I hate).

So... I believe we're moving towards a world of more "in the moment" creativity, and indeed value-sharing - where the most real / believable news will be that reported by individuals pointing a camera up at the sky.

Inclusion of a SIM Card slot would connect Canon Cameras with a whole world of photography, videography, and sharing on public permissionless video infrastructure networks, with micropayment royalty sharing in real-time (you took the snap, someone instantly paid you $100 for it).

It would open new channels into cloud-based decentralised storage solutions for photographers and videographers alike.

I don't think I would ever want to use my camera as a smartphone... but I would certainly want to do some of the things that I do with the camera lens in my smartphone.

I campaign for a SIM Card Slot in all future Canon EOS Cameras.

[John_SD]

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@livestreamer wrote:

I campaign for a SIM Card Slot in all future Canon EOS Cameras.

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Who cares. You're posting to the wrong forum. 

[livestreamer]

@John_SD

> Who cares. You're posting to the wrong forum. 

Thanks for highlighting this...! Doh!

Thank you for all your feedback, I've created a consolidated response here:

https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Software/A-Roadmap-for-Livestreaming-Canon-Software-and-Hardware/...

I invite you all to comment @kvbarkley @Waddizzle

[Alex88]

While integrating a SIM card slot in cameras like the EOS R might seem futuristic, it's important to consider the current capabilities of SIM technology. For instance, TM SIM Registration ensures secure and compliant usage of SIM cards, which could be beneficial if such features were implemented in cameras. Check out <unverified third party link removed per Community Guidelines> for more on how SIM technology is being utilized today.