Long Event DSLR Recording Options

At my job I mostly handle AV conferences, while I occasionally need to film interviews, etc. I'm now being asked to film a 2 day summit with the company's Canon T3i. I've stressed that it's an entry level DSLR that is not meant for long event use due to it 30 min recording limit, but they really would like to make it work with the equipment they have. I've researched and found that external media recorders like Atomos are not compatible. Besides finding logical breaking points to pause and start recording does anyone have any suggestions?

It really is the wrong tool for the job.

I have done events using DSLR's before, but usually with two cameras started at different intervals (so there is always an overlap in case one shuts down, overheats etc).

Usually you can find a break though and quickly stop recording and start recording again immediately (you only lose a few seconds). But its a major drag.

I explained that to them as well, but I'm not sure they understand the difference between DSLR and a conventional video camera.

Heck, a BMD pocket cinema camera would do better, long recording times, interchangeable lenses, etc.

Rbelfi wrote: ... they really would like to make it work with the equipment they have.…

A two days Event with one single camera .... ?
Sounds for me a bit … kamikaze ... :lol:

Not only for 'backup purposes', I would (minimum) use a 2nd device, even unmanned, just to have some solid timeline...

Audio? ...

And, hobbyist speaking, when I (ab)use my Sony NEX5 as 'camcorder' (shallow focus, yaddayadda), it gets hot... really hot! Those devices are not made for hours of recording...