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htc email about 30 fps issue

WaSTeLaNd

Android Enthusiast
May 12, 2010
414
98
rosenberg tx
Thank you for contacting HTC about your Sprint Evo. I understand you are interested in exactly how fast the screen renders. Since the HTC EVO 4G employs a unique HDMI output to deliver video in HD quality to an external display, the hardware graphics driver interface on the HTC EVO 4G uses significant resources for the HDMI output, and thus displays graphics at 30 frames per second on the integrated display. It
 
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They have about 4 days to either release the source or fix this issue before my return policy ends. After that I will possibly be returning my phone for either a Droid X or Epic.

Depending on who responds to the support inquiry we get a different answer. Some say it was intentionally limited for battery life, some say it is hardware, some say it's because movies run at 30 FPS. At this point they should just release the source code and leave us be. The community will handle the rest.
 
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They have about 4 days to either release the source or fix this issue before me return policy ends. After that I will possibly be returning my phone for either a Droid X or Epic.

Depending on who responds to the support inquiry we get a different answer. Some say it was intentionally limited for battery life, some say it is hardware, some say it's because movies run at 30 FPS. At this point they should just release the source code and leave us be. The community will handle the rest.

Droid x sounds good but every phone will have its quirks
 
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Because I don't know: What are the adverse effects (real world, current uses) of the 30fps cap? What am I not able to do right now that makes this a concern for me?

It's everything with graphics. Gaming, watching videos, recording videos. U could put my old moto droid side by side and tell the difference. It's laggy honestly barely. But it should not be outdone by a phone released last year running half the cpu speed. I call bull on this hardware limitaion.
 
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Yeah my #1 choice is the Evo that was sold to me on paper. I waited months for this phone just to find out HTC disappointed again. Either way I need to exchange my phone because I have really bad light leak/screen separation and I just found out today my headphone jack is defective.


Maybe this will fix your headphone jack issue:

http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g/98880-fixed-microphone-jack-problem.html

I mentioned in my edit to the original post that I wound up putting a stack of tape squares on top of the jack to keep the contact down.

It occurs to me that the first thing to try, before bending anything, is to just put a similar stack of tape on top of your jack. When the cover is put back on the pressure the case puts on the stack keeps the contact from bouncing.

This in itself might be enough to fix most peoples problems without risking any damage. At least it's a quick and easy thing to try.
 
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what a weird thing to say about an android phone


You have to read between the lines. And go back and read some of the previous responses to these emails.

They said they are "investing" which I assume he meant investigating claims that the phone can run more than 30 fps. This is no doubt the result of emails/videos/posts about the XDA hack on the phone that allows this. And also why they follow it up by saying they don't advocate using 3rd party content on the phone.

They know their flagship phone is catching a lot of flack for this and possibly want to rectify it. Whether they are actually trying to fix it or shooting lip service is another deal altogether.


The means the HTC is aware of the XDA hack and seemingly exploring it. Hopefully something will come of it.


Now here is the catch. Seems like he may have been suggesting you look up the hack, but giving a disclaimer because they really don't intend on trying to fix this. If not that means the other guys who have responded to emails were lead wrong by an technician (who could be losing his job for not knowing better). Or were just possibly giving lip service to shut people up. But now there is proof that the phone can do it and I think they will work it out.


I'm still more concerned about the camera. HTC/Sprint could knock the wind out of the Droid release with a Camera and FPS patch being that it already has more features. The processor speed is negligible and the EVO has better and more features.

It's crunch time.
 
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It's everything with graphics. Gaming, watching videos, recording videos. U could put my old moto droid side by side and tell the difference. It's laggy honestly barely. But it should not be outdone by a phone released last year running half the cpu speed. I call bull on this hardware limitaion.

Really? Your Moto Droid would actually record video at over 30 fps?

Film - movies - are at 24 fps. Most video is at 30 fps (yep, 60 fps is possible, but that's been supported only for 480p and 720p so far - and of those two, 720p/60 you'll find for some broadcasts - as there are no 480p broadcasts, that's net stuff).

As far as other video quality goes - you'll want a higher codec than the one stock Android uses for cameras (MPEG4 Part 2).

So - right now, you can play back 720p/30 fps easily.

So - it's not everything that runs at that rate, it's some.

And - while you're calling bull on this hardware limitation, kindly remind me - did that phone running at half that cpu speed have an HDMI port and an output res capability of 1280x720p? As many radios built in as this beast?

No - and it's processor was at half speed. And that took less power, too.

I've no doubt that you're entitled to 60 fps or more on your phone.

And when it's officially uncapped, I'm hoping that they'll have the option for me to keep it throttled - because not all of us need those frame rates in a phone for gaming as much as we need longer battery time for videoconferencing - and that tends to cap at around 20 fps (although, I've seen it go as high as 30) - on desktop applications.

And FWIW, did I not read that on this update, they've upped the throughput limit from 6 Mbps to 8 Mbps?

Those of us that can keep our shirts on aren't feeling as ripped off as others.
 
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I'm still more concerned about the camera. HTC/Sprint could knock the wind out of the Droid release with a Camera and FPS patch being that it already has more features. The processor speed is negligible and the EVO has better and more features.

What we really want is H.264 for that camera.

Wasting time on high frame rates means lower bit density per frame.

Higher bit rates are required without a superior codec - WAY higher bit rates.

And the bit rate limitation has been just a small part of the max frame limits.

30 fps H.264 video with a high enough bit rate would put us in striking range of any phone/camera - except for those with better lenses and sensors.

In my opinion. Because I'm right. :D
 
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I don't care how they fix it, because that is over my head. THEY JUST BETTER FIX IT. I use my camera for broadcasts and such. Would be nice if the videos didn't look like garbage.

I would say if you are using the device for professional broadcasts, that you might be better served by investing in something other than a camera on a cell phone...

My .02
 
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I got a different response from HTC yesterday. It looks like they aren't sending "canned" responses. She does talk about an "update" and makes it sound like there will be one eventually.

Thank you for contacting HTC Technical support via email with your inquiry about the HTC EVO this is Anna. I understand how important it is for you to have this information about your device. The EVO 4G does have a maximum frames per second (FPS) of 30. This decision was made to enhance the overall performance of the device. At this time, we do not have any information on when or if a software update will be available to change the FPS. There is also a customer survey that you can take as well at HTC Online Survey about your recent contact to HTC.
 
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It's everything with graphics. Gaming, watching videos, recording videos. U could put my old moto droid side by side and tell the difference. It's laggy honestly barely. But it should not be outdone by a phone released last year running half the cpu speed. I call bull on this hardware limitaion.

I call bull on your whole post.

99% of video is 30fps or lower, thus irrelevant.

Video recording on the device can't break past 30fps regardless of the cap, even the iPhone 4 can't manage that.

Most 3D games where it would matter can't achieve 30fps anyway, due to the Snapdragon having a weaker GPU.
 
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Well, HTC is ignoring the fact there is a problem, much like Apple and its antenna issue. Looks like there will NEVER be a HTC fix for this. If they ignore this, surely they will not add H.264.

PS, a higher FPS increases quality of EVERYTHING, Scrolling looks better, flicking between screens look better, etc...
 
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Yes. The main gripe with this is not gaming or videos. It's with the smoothness of the UI and touch responsiveness, which affects everyone whether you like multimedia or not. just because you don't notice it doesn't mean its not there. last night I was using my friend's now ancient G1 and his scrolling and touch was so much smoother. I will have to get a video of it.
 
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The problem is there have been so many EVO's sold already and we are such a small handfull in the mix. If we all complained we are such a small percentage of EVO owners in the grand scheme of things that HTC really doesn't care about the geeks who actually know about the 30fps cap or what that even means.

Now if we were like Apple users, there complaints make it on the news so Apple needs to address them to the world. We onthe other get some generic emails just to satisfy you that they replied.
 
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I call bull on your whole post.

99% of video is 30fps or lower, thus irrelevant.

Video recording on the device can't break past 30fps regardless of the cap, even the iPhone 4 can't manage that.

Most 3D games where it would matter can't achieve 30fps anyway, due to the Snapdragon having a weaker GPU.

Like I said in another post. Perhaps the issue isnt the number... (fps) but it is undeniable that my moto didn't lag and the evo does. If I must dig up some old vids and post them I will. The point is even my storm didn't lag like this phone, Or my lg? (Forgot model number, first 5mp cameraphone) those are years behind and no lag! And in case u didn't see the video xda made more fps is attainable with software and does fix the issue.
 
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