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0 pointsfps-hero3y ago0 comments

It’s so frustrating that the entire CSI camera module ecosystem has been completely handicapped by the choice of connector for the camera module.

The V1 camera module (OV5647) only supported two lanes, so it was a fair enough decision then, but they had a chance to change it when they changed connector on the PiZero.

The connector even had the 4 extra pins specifically to support 4 lane CSI, but it was as if it was forgotten about. The V2 camera came out not long after so the combination would have made for a massive upgrade.

I think they ended up back peddling from the new connector due to the horrific combination of a too thin custom flat flex cable with a connector that could barely meet its 10 mating cycle rating.

It didn’t have to be that way, a standard 0.5mm FFC with decent swing down latch connector is 10x more robust.

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threatripper3y ago

I think this is a typical case of nice-to-have but not-important-enough for >90% of customers. The decision is not optimal but the want-to-change is not big enough to overcome the existing installation base. The new camera reinforces this. We could have a new connector with more lanes and a cheap little adapter PCB to adapt to the old connector and cables. But even that seems too much right now.

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