What this means? Can you (if you know how to) hack (legal way) your videocam?

I'm shocked: sony is using Linux a lot (Sony Global - Linux Source Code Download page (http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/DI/category01.html)) and in theory you can modify the source code.

Direct link to sony:
Sony Global - Linux Source Code Download page (http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/DI/HDR-AX2000.html)

Reading the PDF manual I have found this words (page 108):

On GNU GPL/LGPL applied software
The software that is eligible for the following
GNU General Public License (hereinafter referred
to as “GPL”) or GNU Lesser General Public
License (hereinafter referred to as “LGPL”) are
included in the camcorder.
This informs you that you have a right to have
access to, modify, and redistribute source code for
these software programs under the conditions of
the supplied GPL/LGPL.
Source code is provided on the web. Use the
following URL to download it. When
downloading the source code, select HDR-
AX2000 as the model for your camcorder.
Sony Global - Source Code Distribution Service (http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/)
We would prefer you do not contact us about the
contents of source code.
Etc, etc.

Source Code for HXR-NX5:

Sony Global - Linux Source Code Download page (http://www.sony.net/Products/Linux/B2B/HXR-NX5.html)

Sometimes English words convey different meanings than intended. Did you mean "shocked" (implying a degree of moral outrage or something injurious like being "shocked" by electrical current)? Maybe you meant "surprised"

From your question, I'm guessing that you were surprised that Sony has made the NX/AX source code freely available and then said you could use it.

I suppose you could hack your camera. If you really screwed it up --- to the point that you could not restore by overwriting with downloaded firmware from Sony --- it would be like anything else you did to break your camera. You would have to pay Sony to try to fix whatever problems you created. Just as you would have to pay to repair the lens if you broke that.

Doubtless, the software is available for people to develop applications for use with NX/AX cams.

So, maybe some clever videographer with Linux programming skills will figure out a way to make downloadable and share-able picture profile presets like those available for the Canon XHA1?

I'm just looking for the bits I can set which enables the hidden histogram and shot transition functions.

Then watch out for the flying pigs.

It should be interesting though. Now I have to setup Linux again.

If a programmer can convert a Panasonic GH1 in to GH13 (activate hidden options), without ANY help of Panasonic, what can do a programmer if can access to the source code of a videocam?

The question is what is under this files?

I can't believe that Sony is open the doors to modify his cams, so I think that this code will be useless... or not.