Video Capture
Video capture is available with all recent Canon DSLR, mirrorless, and PowerShot cameras.
General Operation
Canon cameras can only capture video to the camera’s memory card and only with live view enabled.
To capture video:
- Ensure the camera has a memory card with sufficient free space.
- Set up the camera for video capture (see camera-specific sections below).
- Select live view and press the Rec button to start and stop recording.
During video capture, a small red circle and approximate duration are displayed in the bottom-left corner of the live view image. At the end of capture, a small thumbnail with a .THM file extension is downloaded to Remote Pro and displayed in the main window. This is for identification only — the main .MOV file is stored on the camera’s memory card.
To download the movie file to the PC:
- Close the live view window.
- Select Download movies… from the Camera menu, or right-click the thumbnail and select Download movie.
After a successful download, movie files can be automatically deleted from the memory card (enable this in Preferences). The memory card can also be formatted by selecting Format memory card… from the Camera menu.
Normal live view focus and histogram options are available during live preview and video capture. The zoom option is only available during live preview and can be used to check focus.
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Use firmware version 2.0.4 or later for best results. In camera settings, set the live view function to Stills+movie and screen settings to Movie display. Set Movie rec. size to the required resolution and frame rate on the camera, as these cannot be set remotely.
Select live view (Ctrl+L) to display the live view window with shaded areas defining the frame extent. Press Rec to start recording; press again to stop. A small thumbnail is automatically downloaded when recording stops.
The camera’s LCD must be turned on to use the camera’s own controls for video capture — right-click the live view display and select Display live view on camera LCD, or press the live view button on the camera.
Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, EOS 5D Mark III, EOS 7D, EOS 6D, and EOS 70D
The EOS 7D and EOS-1D Mark IV have a dedicated movie/camera switch. Options vary by switch position:
Movie/camera switch in movie position when camera turns on: Press the start/stop button once connected. Start/stop video using the camera’s start/stop button or from the PC via Ctrl+L and the Rec button.
Movie/camera switch in camera position when camera turns on: Capture video from the PC by selecting live view (Ctrl+L) and clicking the Video button. Press Rec to start and stop. Alternatively, move the switch to the movie position to use the camera’s start/stop button.
Right-click the live view display to select video resolution and frame rate. These cannot be changed during capture.
Canon EOS 60D, EOS 550D/Rebel T2i, EOS 600D/Rebel T3i, EOS 1200D/Rebel T5, and EOS 1100D/Rebel T3
These cameras have a dedicated movie setting on the exposure mode dial.
Exposure mode dial in movie position: Start/stop using the camera’s record button or from the PC via Ctrl+L and the Rec button.
Exposure mode dial not in movie position: Video capture can only be controlled from the PC. Select live view (Ctrl+L), then press the Video button. Press Rec to start and stop.
Right-click the live view display to select video resolution and frame rate. These cannot be changed during capture.
Canon EOS 500D/Rebel T1i
The exposure mode dial must be set to the movie position to capture video. Access to the camera’s controls is required.
Exposure mode dial in movie position when camera turns on: Once connected, press the start/stop button on the camera. Start/stop using the camera button or from the PC via Ctrl+L and Rec (when Save to camera only is selected).
Exposure mode dial not in movie position when camera turns on: Normal live view is available but video capture is not. Turn the dial to the movie position to enable video. The resolution and frame rate are displayed in the live view title bar but can only be changed from the camera.
Troubleshooting
- If busy is displayed on the camera’s LCD when Rec or Start/Stop is pressed, movie mode needs to be selected on the camera (turn the mode dial to movie or set the switch to movie).
- If nothing happens when Rec or Start/Stop is pressed, try selecting Save to camera only from Remote Pro’s Camera menu.
- If the live view window does not display live images, try pressing the Rec or Start/Stop button on the camera.