Can I get around the video time limit of a Canon T3i?

Question

Can I get around the video time limit of a Canon T3i?

Answer 1

I know this an old thread but I found in searching the exact question and I would like to add my two cents. I don't know about the T3i but the T1i has a 30min limit on video not because of hardware/thermal concerns or due to file size restrictions but because it was designed that way to reduce import tariffs. That device if it could record longer that 30mins would be classified as a HD video camera as well as a still camera and therefore would be subject to twice the import tariffs so the maker broke it in the firmware to avoid paying the extra tariffs. I guess the T3i has the same limit on video length and thus for the same reasons.

Answer 2

The 30 minute limit is hard coded into the system and you cannot change it without rewriting the firmware.



AVI files have a 2GB file size limit, MOV does not have such a limit. Canon uses MOV.

Answer 3

yes, these problems are fully overcome in a camcorder.



when a camcorder gets to 2 GB file size, it automatically closes the file and starts a new one. video editing software understands sequential files and makes this process transparent to the user. the reason for not using 4 GB is that Windows programs like WMM can't access a file of that size. But for that last 20 years digital video on computers have been using this convention and you need to adapt to it. Just because you just discovered video doesn't give you the right to change the world for the rest of us.



secondly as to the temperature issue, that is strictly vanity. the makers of dSLR cameras want to make them look just like SLR cameras so that puts the CCD directly on the back of the camera. With camcorders the CCD is placed centrally which gives room for mounting a heatsink. Some day, dSLRs will be re-designed ergonomically to be more like camcorders and be balanced, which would make them much easier to hold steady. what a thought.

Answer 4

You get around the time limit by using a device that is designed to shoot for much longer, i.e. a camcorder.



Simple fact is that the *camera* is only designed to use FAT or FAT32, regardless of what exotic filesystems you can format the card. Also, putting the DSLR sensor under that much strain (it is designed mainly for shooting still photographs) means you will soon have a dead camera.

Answer 5

You can format your card using exFAT and you will still only be able to run the camera for the same length of time. So it is not a file size issue. exFAT is used for SD cards larger than 32Gb, but I am not sure if the T3i has that capability.



It is generally a heat on the sensor issue. If you are successful in defeating the time limit, you may damage your sensor.