User manual | pco.dimax family pco.

user manual
pco.dimax family
S / HD / HS
pco.
PCO asks you to carefully read this manual before using the
pco.dimax camera system and follow the instructions.
In case of any questions or comments, please contact us at PCO.
telephone
+49 (0) 9441 2005 50
fax
+49 (0) 9441 2005 20
email
[email protected]
postal address
PCO AG
Donaupark 11
93309 Kelheim, Germany
The cover photo shows an exemplary PCO camera system.
The lens is sold separately.
Copyright © 2016 PCO AG (called PCO in the following text), Kelheim,
Germany. All rights reserved. PCO assumes no responsibility for errors or
omissions in these materials. These materials are provided as is without
warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to,
the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or
non-infringement. PCO further does not warrant the accuracy or
completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items
contained within these materials. PCO shall not be liable for any special,
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation,
lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of these materials.
The information is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
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documents, which you make, shall retain all copyright and other proprietary
notices contained herein. Each individual document published by PCO may
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conferring by implication or otherwise any license or right under any patent or
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nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring any license or right
under any PCO copyright. Note that any product, process, or technology in
this document may be the subject of other intellectual property rights
reserved by PCO, and may not be licensed hereunder.
Released August 2016 © PCO AG
pco.dimax User Manual V2.13 © PCO AG, Germany
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
5
1.1 MAIN FEATURES
5
1.2 INTENDED USE
6
2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
7
3. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
8
4. INSTALLATION
9
4.1 DRIVER
9
4.2 CAMWARE
10
5. QUICK START
11
5.1 PREPARATION
11
5.2 START
11
5.3 YOUR FIRST IMAGE
12
6. CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
13
6.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
13
6.2 CAMERA OVERVIEW / LIST
14
6.3 CAMERA PROPERTIES
16
6.3.1 TIMING
17
6.3.2 IMAGE SIZE
24
6.3.3 SENSOR CONTROL
25
6.3.4 MEMORY
26
6.3.5 RECORDING CONTROL
26
6.3.6 I/O SIGNALS TAB
30
6.3.7 CONVERT CONTROL
32
6.4 IMAGE OVERLAY
34
6.5 RECORDER TOOLS
35
6.6 VIEW WINDOW
37
6.7 RECORDER (IMAGES)
38
6.8 SETTINGS OVERVIEW
40
6.8.1 AUTO SAVE
6.9 CAMWARE MENU TABS & FEATURES
41
43
6.9.1 DEMO MODE
43
6.9.2 FILE MENU
44
6.9.3 CAMERA MENU
46
6.9.4 ACQUISITION MENU
47
6.9.5 VIEW MENU
47
6.9.6 WINDOW MENU
48
6.9.7 HELP MENU
48
6.9.8 RIGHT-CLICK MENU
49
6.9.9 ADDITIONAL FEATURES
51
3
APPENDIX
52
A1 TECHNICAL DATA
53
A1.1 SPECIFICATIONS
53
A1.2 REVERSE WITH CAPTION
54
A1.3 PINOUT OF LEMO CONNECTOR
55
A1.4 MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS
56
A2 INTERFACES
57
A2.1 CABLE POSSIBILITIES
57
A2.2 USB 2.0 / 3.0
58
A2.3 GIGABIT ETHERNET
59
A2.3.1 QUICK INSTALLATION GUIDE
59
A2.3.2 GigE NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
60
A2.3.3 DRIVER INSTALLATION
63
A2.3.4 ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING (WIN7/8)
64
A2.3.5 CALIBRATION TOOL
65
A2.3.6 HELP GUIDE
69
A2.3.7 PERFORMANCE
70
A2.4 CAMERA LINK
71
A2.4.1 FRAME GRABBER INSTALLATION
71
A2.4.2 MICRO DIAGNOSTICS TOOL
72
A2.5 HD-SDI
73
A3 BATTERY OPERATION
74
A4 IMAGE FILE FORMATS
76
A5 CUSTOMER SERVICE
78
A5.1 SERVICE
78
A5.2 MAINTENANCE
78
A5.3 RECYCLING
78
A5.4 LOGFILE / SUPPORT FILE
79
A5.5 TROUBLE SHOOTING
80
A6 INDEX
81
ABOUT PCO
82
4
1 INTRODUCTION
1. INTRODUCTION
High-speed meets high resolution.
This high-speed 12 bit CMOS camera family comprises
advanced CMOS and electronics technology. It is perfectly
suited for high-speed camera applications such as material
testing, off-board crash or impact tests or super slow motion
movie clips. The camera systems feature also a variety of
trigger options to cover all off-board applications that have
been required by the automotive industry.
1.1 MAIN FEATURES
Maximum
resolution
(pixel)
pco.dimax
S1 / S4
pco.dimax
HD / HD+
pco.dimax
HS1/2/4 (mono)
S1: 1008x1008
HD: 1920x1080
HS1: 1000x1000
HS2: 1400x1050
S4: 2016x2016
Maximum
S1: 4467
speed
S4: 1279 (mono)
@full resolution
S4: 1102 (color)
(fps)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HD+: 1920x1440
HD: 2128
HD+: 1603
HS4: 2000x2000
HS1: 7039
HS2: 5469
HS4: 2277
12 bit dynamic range
Color or monochrome image sensor versions available
Correlated Double Imaging for superior image quality
Exposure time range 1.5 μs - 40 ms
Integrated image memory (RAM up to 36 GB)
Double shutter operation (standard for S/HS, optional for HD)
GigE and USB 2.0/3.0 or Camera Link data interfaces
(HD-SDI optional)
• Multiple trigger interface
• Smart battery control (optional) for 1h full operation or 6h data
backup
• IRIG-B (standard for S, HS - optional for HD/HD+) B000 through
B007; B120 through B127
5
1.2 INTENDED USE
This camera system is designed for use by technicians, engineers
and scientists. It is a scientific measuring instrument, which provides
images. The camera may only be used according to the instructions
of this manual. The disclosures and operating conditions in these
operating instructions installation must be respected. Unauthorized
modifications and changes of the device are forbidden for safety
reasons.
Areas of Application
• high-speed particle image
velocimetry (PIV)
• short time physics
• spray analysis
• hyper velocity impact studies
• automobile crash tests
• material testing
• tensile tests
• airbag inflation
• fast flow visualization
• 3D high-speed
photogrammetry
6
• hydrodynamics
• fuel injection
• sparks in electronical
switches
• combustions imaging
• semiconductor quality
control
• fast events in nature and
industry
• super slow motion movie
clips
• ballistics
2 SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read the safety instructions completely.
DANGER
DAMAGED POWER CABLE OR POWER PLUG
Danger to life due to electrical shock!
 Each time the camera is used, check the power cable for
damage.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK WARNING DUE TO VOLTAGE PARTS INSIDE
Risk of injury due to electrical shock!
 Never slide any items through slits or holes into the camera.
CAUTION
CONDENSATION
Risk of injury due to electric shock if condensation enters the
camera.
 To avoid the risk of water condensation, protect the camera
against extreme changes of ambient temperature.
CAUTION
TRIPPING HAZARD
Risk of injury from tripping over loose cables.
 Never position the cable in a way that it could become a
tripping hazard.
NOTICE
HUMID OR DUSTY ENVIRONMENTS
Humidity, dust or X-rays could damage the camera.
 Never operate the camera in humid or dusty environments
or in places with high amounts of X-ray radiation.
NOTICE
JOLT & VIBRATION
To prevent damage to the camera, the system must be kept stable
and protected against strong jolts or vibrations.
 Use the mounting threads of the camera to mount the
camera stable.
NOTICE
LENS MOUNTING
Do not force the lens onto the camera.
 To protect the lens connector thread from damage, use
minimal force when attaching a lens to the camera.
NOTICE
LIQUIDS DAMAGE CAMERA
If liquids have penetrated the device.
 Immediately switch off the camera, separate it from power
line and contact our customer support.
NOTICE
DAMAGED CAMERA HOUSING
If the camera has been dropped or the casing is damaged.
 Immediately switch off the camera, separate it from power
line and contact our customer support.
NOTICE
IF CAMERA IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY
If, after thoroughly reviewing the instruction manual, the device is still
not operating properly.
 Immediately switch off the camera, separate it from power
line and contact our customer support.
7
3. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The camera system includes the following parts.
Camera Head
F-mount optical connection:
The distance between the front edge of the F-mount and the sensor is
46.50 mm. For standard F-mount lenses and adapters.
Power Input (12-36 VDC)
ON/OFF Switch
Dust Filter (exchangeable)
Interface (GigE – USB 2.0/3.0 – CameraLink – HD-SDI optional)
Lemosa Connectors (Automotive / industrial applications)
LED indicates camera status
Serial Number Tag
Input/Output BNC connectors (Trigger – Acquire – IRIG-B – Status –
Sync-in/out)
Mounting Thread
3x 3/8''-16 UNC and 4x M8 threads (bottom) and 2x 1/4"- 20 UNC (top)
Battery Pack (optional)
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
Power Supply
24V AC external Power Supply ETF150-24
Power Chord (optional)
Standard IEC13 connector
Cable
Depending on your interface (see A2.1)
Digital Camera Tools (USB storage device content)
•
•
•
•
Camware: software for camera control & image acquisition
Manuals
Driver & tools
Software Development Kit (SDK) & demo programs in C and C++
8
4 INSTALLATION
4. INSTALLATION
You will find all necessary files on the accompanying USB flash drive.
You may also download the newest versions of our software, camera
driver and third party software drivers from our website.
Minimum system requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
Clock speed > 2.4 GHz (Intel Core i7)
RAM 4 GB
Windows 7 or higher (no server version)
HD-resolution display
USB 2.0 or GigE (1000Mbps network interface card)
NOTE
If you are using Camware with more than one interface, connect
your cameras only with the same data interface. Only use one
single interface: CameraLink or GigE/USB. Priority of USB over
GigE when both connections are used at the same time!
Commands over GigE will be ignored
4.1 DRIVER
Interface:
Install the appropriate driver for the interface you want to use.
The pco.dimax camera has many different interfaces, please read
chapter A2. In this chapter configuration and installation of all
different interfaces is described
•
•
•
•
USB 2.0 / 3.0
GigE
Camera Link
HD-SDI
A2.2
A2.3
A2.4
A2.5
NVIDIA Cuda Driver:
1
2
Please update your NVIDIA driver for Camware 4. In case of an old
driver version GPU Processing is not working. Therefore, image
processing is slow.
Please check if GPU Processing is activated by
having a look into the Proc config settings 2 in
the Convert Control window 1 (see Convert
Control chapter 6.3.7).
If GPU Processing is disabled and shown
grayed, please update your NVIDIA driver or
check the website of the computer manufacturer
for graphic card driver updates. Your NVIDIA
driver version must be at least 333.11 or higher.
9
4.2 CAMWARE
The Camware Windows application software enables you to control
every camera parameter or setting. Images can be displayed on a
monitor and may be downloaded and stored. The USB storage
device contains the installation files for the software for latest
Windows operating systems in 32 & 64 bit.
After a successful installation, you will find the program file Digital
Camera Toolbox in your program directory and a Camware32/64
button on your desktop. Other helpful tools are also installed in the
same directory.
To uninstall the Camware program, please use the Software feature
under Windows’ System Control.
Please follow the installation wizard
-1
Install Camware as Admin to install to program folder, instead it
will be installed only to user folder.
-2 Then choose install directory.
-3 Choose components: Select additional drivers for Camera Link
Interface.
-4
After the next two screens installation is complete.
1
2
3
4
10
5 QUICK START
5. QUICK START
In order to get familiar with your new camera and software it might be
helpful, if you first aim at an object that is easy to focus and that can
be seen at standard light conditions.
5.1 PREPARATION
•
Computer is turned on
• Installation is finished (see chapter 4)
• An appropriate lens is attached (remove cap) or the camera is
attached properly to the microscope, spectrograph or other
scientific device
• Camera is connected to the computer and switched on
• Camera is connected to the power
(one Beep: after 40 s camera is booted )
supply
and
ready
5.2 START
Start Camware and the graphical user interface will start up:
NOTE
Always install latest Camware version to get access to the full
functionality of your camera.
11
5.3 YOUR FIRST IMAGE
2 3
Please follow the instructions:
1
• Camware must be started. 1
• A view window 2 is shown automatically, if not open a new one.
• Start live preview. 3
• Right-click into the view window and apply Auto Range Peak. 4
• You may adjust exposure time 5 , aperture and focus.
4
•
Now you should clearly 6 see the object in the window.
5
6
If you need to change
exposure time (e.g. the image
is still either too dark or too
bright), please go to chapter
6.3.2.
If you want to record and save
images, please see chapter
6.3.7 and chapter 6.5 for
detailed information.
NOTE
Live preview: Useful for fast and easy camera adjustment and
focusing. Does not record or store images.
12
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6. CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
PCO’s Camware is excellent software for camera control,
image acquisition and archiving of images in various file
formats. This chapter provides a detailed description of
all Camware functions.
Camware works with any kind of PCO camera. Please
see PCO website for the latest version of this software.
6.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEW
Chapter 6.2: lists all cameras connected
6.2 CAMERA OVERVIEW /LIST
Preview, connected cameras,
recording profiles
Chapter 6.3 describes the Camera Properties window. This is the
main interface for all camera settings.
6.3.1 TIMING
6.3.2 IMAGE SIZE
6.3.3 SENSOR CONTROL
6.3.4 MEMORY
6.3.5 RECORDING CONTROL
6.3.6 I/O SIGNALS TAB
6.3.7 CONVERT CONTROL
Timing /Trigger modes/
synchronization
ROI / Sensor format / Binning
CDI / Double shutter / Temperature
Camera Internal memory (RAM)
Recorder Acquire Mode /
Timestamp / Sequence trigger
Input and Output Possibilities
Contrast, Saturation, Gamma…
Chapter 6.4/ 6.5 /6.6 describe the recording functions
6.4 IMAGE OVERLAY
6.5 RECORDER TOOLS
6.6 VIEW WINDOW
6.7 RECORDER (IMAGES)
6.8 SETTINGS OVERVIEW
Overlay for recorded images
Record / Play and Settings
View window functions
Preview of recorded images
Overview of all property settings /
Auto Save
Chapter 6.9 introduces to further Camware features:
6.9.1 DEMO MODE
6.9.2 FILE MENU
6.9.3 CAMERA MENU
6.9.4 ACQUISITION MENU
6.9.5 VIEW MENU
6.9.6 WINDOW MENU
6.9.7 HELP MENU
6.9.8 RIGHT-CLICK MENU
6.9.9 ADDITIONAL FEATURES
13
If no camera is connected
Open, Save and Print files; Direct
record to file
Camera control: Settings; Rescan…
Live preview; Acquire sequence;
Rec. memory settings; Recorder
settings
B/W or Color window; Convert
Control
Cascade; Tile; Arrange; Close all
Support, Log file, About Camware
Zoom; Flip; Mirror; Rotate…
White Balance, Contrast, ROI by
Mouse, Short-cut list
6.2 CAMERA OVERVIEW / LIST
If closed, the Camera Overview window
can be opened by selecting the View tab
and Toolbars and Docking Windows →
Camera Overview. 1
1
4
3
2
6
5
The Camera Overview window allows you to manage several
connected cameras. It displays a list of all connected PCO
cameras. Camware is able to scan 2 for connected cameras or
close a connected camera. It is possible to define several different
Settings for each camera (max. 30 sets per camera → add new
set 3 ).
New view windows 44 can be opened and the Live Preview 5
function can be started. When unfolded, the Preview shows a
small preview window 66 (always monochrome) integrated in the
camera list.
Live preview enables the adjustment of aperture and focus and
to have a first look at your object. During live preview no images
are saved into the computer RAM.
During Live preview Trigger and Acquire mode are set to Auto.
Camera Setting: All Preferences that have been made in the
Camera Properties (see 6.3) are saved to Camera Settings. Define
different Settings with different Preferences in Camera Properties
for each of your experiments. Settings can be switched easily at any
time (not during record) and can be copied to other cameras.
Link Preview Set to ‘Preview’
When Link Preview Set to Preview is activated, the Preview set
with its parameters will always be active when you start a Live
Preview 55 .
In case this function is deactivated, the Live Preview will always
show live images with the parameters of your active setting.
Setting a higher exposure time for Preview set and linking it to
the preview function can be a great advantage if preview light
conditions are different from those in recording situations.
14
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Click and drag camera setting: if you want to copy e.g. Camera
Setting 1 to Camera Setting 4, just drag & drop Setting 1 to
Setting 4 and Camware will ask if you want to copy the settings. It is
possible to copy each setting to every camera.
Master Sets
This function facilitates the image acqusition with multiple
cameras. Define two or more Master Sets to switch during an
experiment very easily between different predefined settings for
each camera. Each image acquisition or experiment can be
recorded with its own Master Set.
To display Master Sets, please right-click in the Camera
Overview window and select Show Master Sets.
1
3
2
Master Set window
Define different Master Sets. Select individual Camera Settings
within each Master Set.
Functions:
Add Master Set 1 or Remove active master 2 .
Put it to active status by clicking on one of your sets 3 .
15
6.3 CAMERA PROPERTIES
The Camera Properties window in Camware is the main interface for
all camera settings. The active set in Camera list can be adjusted
here.
The former main instance Camera Control (known from Camware
3.x) and the Convert Control (see 6.3.7) can be opened additionally.
Three view options with various functions can be selected: Standard,
Custom and Expert.
1
3
2
4
Standard mode 11only shows camera name, type, set, serial number
and exposure time. Exposure time is the only parameter that can be
changed. It is recommended for new Camware users.
Custom mode 2 shows several more setting possibilities and
functions can be hidden or shown by the Custom Properties
Button. 4
Additional to the standard mode many more options are selectable.
Expert mode 3 (for advanced users) shows all possible camera
property settings.
An explanation for every feature is displayed below the properties
dialog.
16
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.3.1 TIMING
General Information
The most important parameter for a high-speed camera is the
frame rate. The upper limit of the frame rate is defined by the
exposure time and the readout time.
In this context trigger means exposure trigger, i.e. the trigger
signal controls the exposure of a single image.
Exposure and readout of one image are done simultaneously,
i.e. while image n is being read out from the sensor, image n+1
is already integrated within the sensor’s pixel elements.
1
In case of short exposure times, the readout time is the limiting
factor, i.e. a new image can only be recorded, if the last image
is read out.
readout
n
n
exposure
n+1
n+1
texp
n+2
n+2
treadout
For long exposure times, the exposure time is the limiting factor:
readout
n-1
exposure
NOTE
As the pco.dimax is a
camera,
high-speed
triggering single images using the Soft
Trigger button will
result in a significantly
degraded image quality (noisy images).
n
n
texp
n+1
n+1
tsys
Trigger Modes 1
Auto Sequence: The camera will optimize the image recording to
achieve the best possible frame rate. In the Auto Sequence
Exposure Control mode, the camera determines the fastest possible
frame rate depending on the adjusted exposure time and the required
readout time. After a start command is given, the sequential
recording is started until a stop command is given.
Soft Trigger: Single images can be recorded with this Camware
command. The single image can be acquired by pressing the Single
Trigger button. This button appears after pressing the Start Record
button. Other signals cannot influence this operating mode.
Ext. Synch. (BNC Exp. Trig.): In addition to the Master-Slave camera
synchronization mode (see Camera Synchronization p.19) the
pco.dimax also utilizes an external synchronization signal that feeds a
phase-locked loop (PLL) in the camera.
17
Advantages of the PLL (Ext synch) solution:
•
•
•
•
Availability: Only for frequencies of 100 or 1000Hz
Reliability: In case of dropouts of the external synchronization signal, the
synchronization is kept internally by the PLL signal with only small
deviation.
Noise immunity: Interference on the signal is automatically detected and
discarded.
Flexibility: The cameras can even be set to different frame rates, as long
as all frame rates are an integer multiple of the synchronization frequency.
External Exp. Start The image acquisition is triggered by an
external signal. It is also possible to force a software trigger for
a test image with the Single Trigger button.
In the External Exp. Start exposure control mode, single image
recording is started by the falling or rising edge of the voltage
signal at the BNC Exp. Trig. input (see Appendix A1.2. The
frame rate cannot be set, as the frame rate is defined by the
frequency of the external signal. However the exposure time
and ROI settings affect the maximum possible frame rate.
exp trig (in)
exp stat (out)
busy stat (out)
acc.
NOTE
If the trigger rate of
the external signal is
quite near the maximum possible frame
rate (difference <
1/1000), then it will be
random, whether or
not a trigger is accepted!
accepted
not acc.
accepted
A new trigger is possible after treadout or (texp + tsys) (whichever is longer)
after the preceeding trigger. The Busy Status signal (see chapter
6.3.6) indicates if a new trigger will be accepted. The maximum
achievable frame rate in External Trigger mode is negligibly less
(about 0.1%) than when operating the camera in Auto Sequence
mode. If the trigger rate of the external signal is higher than the
maximum possible frame rate, then every second trigger pulse is
ignored. Therefore the actual frame rate drops to ½ of the external
trigger rate. If the trigger rate is increased further, then only every 3rd,
every 4th etc. trigger edge will be accepted.
exp trig (in)
exp stat
(out)
busy stat
(out)
acc.
not acc.
acc.
not acc.
acc.
not acc.
acc.
In order to avoid trade-offs at maximum frame rate use either the
Busy Status signal (see chapter 6.3.6) or make sure that the external
trigger rate follows this condition: Ext. Trigger Rate ≤ fmax / 1.001
18
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
External Exposure Control (Ext. Exp. Ctrl) An external signal,
which is applied to the trigger (BNC exp trig) input, controls the
start and the duration of the exposure (see chapter 6.3.6).
In trigger mode Ext. Exp. Ctrl a new exposure is started by the
falling or rising edge of the voltage signal at the BNC input (see
6.3.6). The exposure is finished when the opposite edge is
detected. Thus in this mode, the start as well as the length of
the exposure time will be controlled externally. No further
settings can be made, as the image timing is completely controlled
by the exposure trigger signal yet. There is a maximum exposure
time. If the trigger pulse is longer than 20ms, the integration will be
stopped at 20ms.
A new trigger is possible after treadout or (texp + tsys) (whichever is longer)
after the preceding trigger. The Busy Status signal (see chapter 6.3.6)
indicates if a new trigger will be accepted.
exp trig (in)
exp stat (out)
busy stat (out)
treadout
acc.
accepted
accepted
not acc.
Detailed Timing for External Exposure Start /Control
The detailed timing for external trigger includes system delay times,
an adjustable additional delay time and the jitter.
NOTE
There is no specified
timing for the software trigger. The
software trigger is not
recommended
for
applications where an
exact timing is required!
exp trig (in)
exposure
trsys
tdelay
tjit
tfsys
tdelay
tjit
Parameters for the following tables:
• Width of the selected ROI must be a multiple of 24, minimum is
96.
• Data is not applicable in trigger mode external exposure start.
• Trigger edges occurring within tdelay + 200ns after a previous
trigger are ignored.
tjit: -0 /+25ns
tdelay configurable 0…1ms
trsys + tfsys system delay times depending on ROI (see next page)
19
Here we would like to show you a list of examples for different ROIs:
pco.dimax S1, S4, HD, HD+
Double Image Mode
Model
S1 Color
S1 BW
S4 BW
ROI (width in pixel)
2000 (only S4)
1440 (only S4)
960
720
trys (µs)
2.377
2.004
1.684
1.524
tfsys (µs)
2.729
2.356
2.036
1.876
S4 Color
HD/HD+
2000 (only S4)
1920
1440
960
720
2.724
2.663
2.300
1.936
1.755
3.124
3.064
2.700
2.337
2.155
Model
S1 Color
S1 BW
S4 BW
ROI (width in pixel)
2000 (only S4)
1440 (only S4)
960
720
trys (µs)
5.183
4.436
3.796
3.476
tfsys (µs)
3.081
2.708
2.388
2.228
S4 Color
HD/HD+
2000 (only S4)
1920
1440
960
720
5.948
5.827
5.100
4.373
4.009
3.524
3.464
3.100
2.736
2.555
ROI
2000 (HS4)
1440 (HS2/HS4)
960
720
trys (µs)
1.716
1.556
1.396
1.300
tfsys (µs)
2.068
1.908
1.748
1.652
ROI
2000 (HS4)
1440 (Hs2/HS4)
960
720
trys (µs)
3.860
3.540
3.220
3.028
tfsys (µs)
2.068
1.908
1.748
1.652
CDI Mode
pco.dimax HS1, HS2, HS4
Double Image Mode
Model
HS1
HS2
HS4
CDI Mode
Model
HS1
HS2
HS4
Further timing settings for all pco.dimax versions available on
demand.
20
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
2
Timing 2
The exposure and delay time can be adjusted exactly in steps
of 1 µs. The effective stepsize depends on the operation mode.
The slider and the up/down control refer to the blue highlighted
unit. The resulting frame rate is derived from this setting. Delay
time is not recommended for high-speed applications.
Easily change time base by clicking on … and the time base change
window will open.
FPS based: The camera will optimize the image recording to
achieve the selected frame rate. The exposure time is limited to
1/fps, lower values can be selected. (Selectable for Auto
Sequence trigger mode and preset for External synchronization
mode.)
First the frame rate is set. If the time required for readout of the image
is longer than 1 / frame rate, then the frame rate will be reduced to 1 /
treadout.
camera type
exposure time
delay time
pco.dimax
1,5 µs … 40 ms
2 µs … 40 ms
If FPS based is selected and the selected exposure time requires a
lower frame rate, the exposure time will be cut to the maximum
possible time at that frame rate.
The minimum selectable frame rate is 0.465 Hz, but it only makes
sense to use: ≥ 20Hz.
FPS Presets
If FPS Based is set to on, it is possible to select a predefined
combination of frame rate and resolution.
These presets may vary and depend on your pco.dimax model.
For example pco.dimax HD+: 1000Hz @ 1920x1440 (full
resolution.
By clicking on … you are able to Set max. exp.
Camware will set the maximum possible exposure time
according to the selected frame rate.
21
Camera Synchronization (Master / Slave) 3
3
The Camera Synchronization in Camware eliminates the need
for an external synchronization source and facilitates easy
camera synchronization.
Using defined settings for all cameras the master camera takes
into account the maximum frequency deviation between the
cameras and calculates the maximum frame rate such that it is
ensured that no camera drops images.
Off: Set this camera as stand-alone, i.e. not participating in the chain.
Master: Set this camera as master in a daisy chain.
Slave: Set this camera as slave in a daisy chain.
Wiring Scheme
Master
The camera must be wired from the Sync Out to the Sync In of the
following camera in the chain. The master camera must be at the
beginning of the chain.
Cameras which are configured as slave or stand-alone, do electrically
repeat the synchronization signal.
A master camera ignores the signal at its Sync In port and generates
a synchronization signal at the Sync Out port. Thus a master camera
interrupts a wired chain.
The cameras can also be wired as a ring structure. In this case any
one of the cameras can act as a master camera.
A camera configured as a stand-alone camera does not participate
and can be operated individually, but does not interrupt the chain.
All cameras should have the same sensor frequency. If not, please
define the camera with the lowest sensor operating frequency as
master.
Specifications
• up to 50 m cable (RG174 or RG58) from camera to camera
• up to five cameras
• synchronization delay less than 1 µs (five cameras, 100 m cable in
total)
• synchronization jitter less than 50 ns (for any camera in the chain)
• the maximum achievable frame rate in camera sync mode is only
about 0,5 % less than when operating the camera individually
22
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Camera Setup
• Set all cameras to same ROI and same size of the RAM
segment.
• Define the master and slave cameras.
• Exposure/delay time and frame rate can only be set for the master
camera.
• Start recording function of the master camera.
Now all cameras are recording images. The software will start the
slave cameras first and the master camera last (vice versa at
acquisition stop).
• Stop recording of the master camera first (Stop button in
Camware).
The slave cameras will stop automatically after the master
camera is stopped. All cameras have now recorded the same
number of images.
• Images can now be read from all of the cameras.
This is done by using an index, where #1 is the first/earliest image.
Images with the same index requested from different cameras are
taken at the same time.
v
The sequence trigger (see p.25) can also be used in camera sync
mode.
However, only the master camera must be configured for the
sequence trigger and trigger delay. The sequence trigger mode
setting for all slave cameras must be off!
Acquire mode is not possible in camera sync mode.
23
6.3.2 IMAGE SIZE
Region of Interest 1
In order to speed up the frame rate and to save storage space
the ROI (region of interest) selects only a part of the sensor to
be read out. Due to the sensor structure and readout electronics
the selectable region is always symmetric to the center.
pco.dimax HD/HD+/S1/S4
1
increments horizontal:
increments vertical:
minimum ROI:
48 pixel steps
4 pixel steps
48 x 8 pixels
pco.dimax HS
increments horizontal:
increments vertical:
minimum ROI:
2 pixel steps
2 pixel steps
8 x 8 pixels
Basic Setting: 2
Activate Basic Setting by clicking on … to easily set a
centered ROI by just keying in the resolution in pixels.
3
2
ROI window
Activate ROI window by clicking on … after
selecting the ROI (symm. horz./vert.) menu, or use
the … right to the X Res / Y Res and click on ROI
window. 3
The ROI window will open and it is possible to set a
new Region of Interest by dragging a window with
the mouse or by keying in the values.
NOTE
(only HS Version)
If you change the ROI,
for physical reasons, an
increasing frame rate is
only possible in specific
steps. The frame rate
increases more, if you
make big changes (in
horizontal
direction).
Changes of only a few
pixels only cause little
frame rate changes (in
vertical direction).
Examples of a possible ROI with corresponding storage/recording
values (only valid for pco.dimax S4 monochrome – differs for all
other models):
resolution
horizontal
(pixel)
2016
1920
1008
720
240
2016
resolution
vertical
(pixe)]
2016
1080
1000
480
32
16
24
max frame
rate
(fps)
1 279
2 470
4 502
11 576
126 263
73 443
# of images in
RAM
(36 GB)
6 324
12 395
25 499
74 374
3 346 862
796 872
recording
time
(s)
4.9
5.0
5.7
6.4
26.5
10.9
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.3.3 SENSOR CONTROL
Double Image / Doubleshutter 1
1
3
2
(Standard for HS/S, optional for HD/HD+)
This feature is widely used for particle image velocimetry (PIV)
measurements and is a(n) (optional) feature of the pco.dimax.
The first exposure time te1 can be any exposure time of the
available range of the pco.dimax camera. The second
exposure time te2 cannot be directly adjusted. The length of the
second exposure is determined by the readout time of the first
image. The interframing time titf denotes the transition time
between end of exposure #1 and start of exposure #2.
As can be seen the maximum frame rate of the double image
mode (where frame rate is defined as the frequency of the
double images) will drop to just half the value compared to the
standard mode.
The double image mode will operate only in the trigger modes
Auto Sequence and External Exposure Start. See 6.3.1.
readout
image n, 1st exp.
image n, 2nd exp.
te2
treadout
wait
image n+1,
1st exp.
status expos
exp trig
ttd te1 tif
General timing for the double image mode
te1: exposure 1
ttd: trigger delay time
tif: interframing time
te2: exposure 2
tid: intrinsic delay
treadout: readout time
CDI mode 2
The correlated double image (CDI) mode offers to record images with
increased dynamic range and a 30% better performance on the weak
signal side of the images (at the expense of half of the usual frame
rate).
B/W Noise Filter (only available for pco.dimax b/w) 3
An optimized hot pixel correction is already integrated.
25
6.3.4 MEMORY
The Memory area controls the built-in memory of your
pco.dimax.
The RAM has four segments, but while using Camware only
three are usable, because the fourth is used by Camware itself.
You have the possibility to record into three different segments
and to set the exact number of images in each segment.
Camware always shows the maximum number of images
(depending on RAM size and chosen ROI).
Active Ram Segment: choose the active segment: 1, 2 or 3.
(Quantities shown on screen are just examples: e.g. pco.dimax
S4 36GB Ram)
6.3.5 RECORDING CONTROL
Recorder Mode 1
In Sequence mode the camera will stop after the memory (i.e.
the active RAM segment) is completely filled. In Ring Buffer
mode the camera will record until it is stopped – overwriting the
previous images continuously.
Acquire Mode 2
The Acquire Mode gives you the ability to enable or disable the
recording by an external signal.
2
3
NOTE
Acquire mode still requires initial camera
recording activation
by software (press
record button)!
1
4
If set to Auto all images are accepted and all images taken are
saved. A signal at the BNC acq enbl input (see 6.3.6) is ignored
when set to Auto.
If set to External, the camera will only record images, when the
external signal (voltage) applies.
While the sensor timing scheme is not affected by the signal at the
acq enbl input, the acq enbl input is sampled at the beginning of the
exposure time, which can be seen at the rising edge of the exp stat
BNC output. If the acq enbl input is high (low, when inverted) at that
time, the image is saved to memory. If the acq enbl input is low (high,
when inverted), the image is not saved to memory (image is lost).
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6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
exp stat (out)
acq enbl (in)
saved
not saved
not saved
saved
In trigger mode External Exp. Start, the acq enbl input works like a
gate for the trigger signal. A trigger edge (rising, falling when exp trig
is inverted) is accepted only when the acq enbl signal is high (low,
when inverted).
acq enbl (in)
exp trig (in)
exp Stat (out)
accepted
not acc.
not acc.
accepted
In trigger mode External Exp. Ctrl, the acq enbl input works very
similar to the mode External Exp. Start. However, the acq enbl input
is ignored for the edge which is closing the exposure time (started
exposure will be finished accordingly).
When using acq enbl in external trigger modes, the following timing
specification should be met:
exp trig (in)
acq enbl (in)
pco.dimax model
tsu
th
S1/S4
50 ns
50 ns
tsu
th
HD/HD+
60 ns
60 ns
HS1/HS2/HS4
50 ns
50 ns
If the acq enbl signal changes within the window of tsu (set up) to th
(hold), the behavior is random. The trigger may be accepted or
ignored.
27
Timestamp 3
A time stamp can be placed into the upper left corner of the
image. It can be either put off, binary or binary with text. The
time resolution is 1 μs.
3
In binary mode the first 16 pixels will be filled with the time
stamp information (binary code). The numbers are coded in
binary coded decimal (BCD) with one byte per pixel, which
means that every pixel can hold two digits. If the pixels have
more resolution than 8 bits, then the BCD digits are right bound
adjusted and the upper bits are zero. For further information
please refer to the SDK.
In binary and ASCII mode text will be placed into the image replacing
the content of the image (271x 8 pixels).
The timestamp indicates the end of the exposure time.
Three different information is stamped onto the image: number of
the image 1 , date 2 and time 3 .
1
2
3
Additionally to Timestamp the Image overlay function is available,
see chapter 6.4.
Sequence Trigger Mode 4
4
The Sequence Trigger Mode enables the user to stop
capturing a sequence of images via an external signal, before
the number of images to be stored after this event must be
defined.
The Sequence Trigger function utilizes the acq enbl input port
(see chapter 6.3.6), therefore the acquire function cannot be
used and the acquire mode has to be set to Auto. The recorder
mode should be set to Ring Buffer; otherwise the recording
may stop, when the selected RAM segment is full. For most
cases, this is long before the sequence trigger occurs.
Off Function is not available; signal at acq enbl does not stop
the record.
Software Event Only a software command can stop the sequence.
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6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Ext. or Soft. Event Both, an edge at acq enbl or a software
command can stop the sequence.
acq enbl (in)
exposure
1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9 10
record state
Stop Event
Delay Images = 10
The relative position of the trigger within the recorded time
window depends on the size of the RAM segment and the
delay images parameter. The following figure shows one
example, where the buffer size is 1000 images: The position
of the trigger is always calculated backwards from the end of
the buffer. The relation is always in terms of images.
In this context T0 is the point at which the sequence trigger is set (at
the acq. enbl. input).
RAM 1000 images
#1000
#1
800 images
stop event
Delay Images = 800 (80%)
After recording is finished
Recorder Images (see chapter
6.6) shows the thumbnail
images of the last recording:
Image T0 is framed in green,
the currently selected image in
orange.
All images before and after T0 are specifically marked, e.g. with 202
(T0 + 00:00:007). 202, in this case, corresponds to the image number
and its recording point in time after T0. The time stamp is divided into
min : s : ms.
Additional possibility to define T0: Right-click into the thumbnails
and Set Current Image as T0. Reset T0 erases this manually set
T0.
For Recorder Images features see 6.7.
29
6.3.6 I/O SIGNALS TAB
Start Camera Control (see 6.3) and select the I/O Signals Tab.
1
2
3
4
NOTE (TYPE):
CONTACT high: if
contact is open,
camera will capture
images;
CONTACT low: if
contact is closed,
camera will capture
images.
Acquire
enable
1
Exposure
Trigger
2
Type
TTL
High
Level
Contact
TTL
Open/Close
(High/Low)
High/low
Rising /
Falling edge
Rising /
Falling edge
Rising /
Falling edge
Rising /
Falling edge
High/low
TTL
High/low
RS 485
TTL
High
Level
Contact
RS 485
Status
Exposure
Polarity
High/low
High/low
3
Ready
Status
30
If checked, a signal for
Acquire mode or Sequence
Trigger mode (see chapter
6.3.5) is accepted at the
acq enbl BNC input
If checked, a signal for
External Exp. Start or
External Exp. Ctrl trigger
mode (see chapter 6.3.1) is
accepted at the exp trig
BNC input
If
checked,
a
signal
indicating exposure status
or busy status is given at
the status BNC output.
Once an acceptable trigger
edge is received, busy will
be high. As soon as busy
is low again, a new trigger
edge is accepted
Automotive Feature (signal
on Lemosa connector).
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Type
TTL
Explanation
High Level
Contact
RS485
Maximum low level: 0.8V
Minimum high level: 2V
Maximum low level: 5V
Minimum high level: 10V
Maximum switch on resistance: 100Ohms
Minimum switch off resistance: 40kOhms
Minimum switch voltage rating: 5VDC
Minimum switch current rating: 1mA
Receiver sensitivity: +-200mV
Note: termination of 120Ohms outside camera required
Explanations:
Exp trig
(in)
Exp Stat
(out)
Busy Stat
(out)
treadout
BNC connectors see chapter A1.2
Filter: electrical interference filters (off, medium, high). An active filter
causes an internal signal delay.
Polarity: active for high/low signal or rising/falling edge
31
6.3.7 CONVERT CONTROL
Start the Convert Control Dialog with the Black/White
Button in Camera Properties.
Convert Control BW
The user can influence how the 12 bit intensity values of the original
image are displayed in 8 bit values in different ways.
BW Settings (includes histogram of original
data)
It is possible to hide the histogram of original
data 1 and to switch tab/histogram 2 .
4
1
Green sliders in histogram 3
left slider = Min controller (corresponds to
value 0 of the 8 bit display). Values below that
mark are set to 0, i.e. displayed as black.
right slider = Max controller (corresponds to
value 255). Values above that mark are set to
255, i.e. displayed as white.
2
3
The values in-between are converted into a value between 0 and 255
according to Contrast and Gamma settings. See the small graph 4 ,
which reflects the calculation.
Proc config tab: please see under Convert Control Color
Converted Hist
This tab shows
converted data.
32
you
the
histogram
of
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Convert Control Color (only pco.dimax color)
Color Balance (Histogram of original data)
Intensity of single color can be controlled by
Saturation and Vibrance 1 .
1
2
3
7
4
Press the Auto button to set the white
balance 2 .
5
The balancing of RGB can be controlled by
Col.Temp and Tint 3 .
6
It is possible to hide the histogram of original
data 4 and to switch tab/histogram 5 .
The user can influence how the 12 bit intensity values of the original
image are displayed in 8 bit values in different ways.
White sliders in histogram 6
left slider = Min controller (corresponds to value 0 of the 8 bit
display). Values below that mark are set to 0, i.e. displayed as no
color.
right slider = Max controller (corresponds to value 255). Values
above that mark are set to 255, i.e. displayed as full color.
The values in-between are converted into a value between 0 and 255
according to Contrast and Gamma settings. See the small graph 7 ,
which reflects the calculation.
1
3
2
4
Proc. Config (Process configuration)
Due to proprietary high-end algorithms used for
these image processing features, no detailed
description is given here.
1
2
3
4
GPU Processing
On: Switch on in order to significantly reduce
processing time (increases refresh rate of the
live image.
Fast pco debayering: only color cameras
Color Refine Filter only color cameras
Noise Reduction
NLM: Non local means algorithm
Denoise Adaptive: only color cameras
Sharpen:
On: only color cameras (first activate Fast
pco debayering
Converted Hist
This tab shows you the histogram of
converted data.
33
6.4 IMAGE OVERLAY
1
Open Image Overlay: you can easily switch between Camera
Properties and Image Overlay with these two buttons. 1
If not available, please see 6.9.5 View Menu to activate this menu.
This function enables an individually configurable image overlay
allowing to display information within the images.
Many different options are available by clicking Add item to… 2
2
Also the Appearance is configurable:
Font, Text color, Text opacity, Background color, Background
opacity and horizontal or vertical orientation.
3
A preview of the image overlay is shown. 3
4
Each item can be moved upwards, downwards or deleted by
clicking on … 4
By drag & drop the Image Overlay can be moved easily to your
favorite position within an image.
To activate image overlay right-click in the image
window and activate Show Image Overlay. 5
5
NOTE
This function does not overwrite image data.
34
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.5 RECORDER TOOLS
Recorder Tools provides Record and Play function, Play Settings
and Record Settings.
It can be found on the right lower side of Camware or, if closed,
activated by View Menu (see chapter 6.9.5)
Record
Start/Stop record with Record Button.
Record: in record state Camware software is highlighted in red.
It is possible to change the exposure time during record. See
6.3 Camera Properties.
Software Trigger Mode: after record is started an arrow
pointing downwards applies a single trigger (see 6.3.1).
Play Settings 1
1
Play Speed: selectable play speed from x1 to x256 or from 1fps
to 16fps. E.g. in mode x1 a recording with 1000 fps is played
with 25fps.
1 fps means that only one frame per second is played.
Play Mode: selectable play mode of the recorder (continuous or
single time (re)play).
2
Play Direction: selectable direction of record play (forward or
backward)
Record Settings 2
Averaging: if in the dropdown list a value not equal to x1 is selected,
the corresponding number of images is averaged in the buffer,
reducing the statistically independent noise.
IIR Lowpass: another option to reduce the noise is the activation of
the Infinite impulse response IIR lowpass filter. This filter takes
90% of the previous image and 10% of the new image to create
images with clearly reduced noise.
Image (actual) = Image (act - 1) * 0.9 + Image (new) * 0.1
35
Reminder dialog
If you have already made a recording but did not save it, Camware
will ask you to save the record before starting a new one.
Extended Recorder can be activated (see
6.9.5)
Recording with multiple cameras
If all cameras are activated, the recording is started
simultanously for all cameras.
Recorder will use Recorder mode settings (Sequence or Ring
Buffer) of the seleted camera for all cameras (see 6.3.7)
For single camera recording, deactivate cameras by removing
the check mark from the box. 1
1
36
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.6 VIEW WINDOW
More View Windows
It is possible to open more view windows of
one camera: just click on open view window 1
and Camware will create a new one 2 .
Even when multiple view windows (or from
multiple cameras) are open, the same image
number is always shown in all of the view
windows.
2
1
A dropdown menu 3 helps to select a view
window. If you have more view windows than
can be displayed on the desktop, you will be
able to select each view window.
Split View Window
The view window can be split. Choose
Window → Split 44 and a split cross will be
shown. You can easily adjust the size of the
splitted window elements by grabbing and
dragging the dividing lines 55 .
The main function is that you are able to view
four regions of your image in one view. Choose
the Zoom± function to zoom in the image (first
turn off Stretched
View) (See 6.7.8)
If you want to undo
the split, you have to
double click on the
6
deviding line (after
symbol 6 is visible.
4
5
Two Tabs side by side or on top of each other
If you want to view two tabs side by side or
arranged one above the other just drag a tab
and then Camware will ask you if you want to
create a new horizontal or vertical tab group.
Undo this very easily by draging the tab back
to its former position.
This also applies for view windows of several
cameras.
37
6.7 RECORDER (IMAGES)
When recording is done, small preview images (thumbnails) are built
and displayed automatically. This will take some time depending on
the performance of your computer system and of the interface used.
1
If you click (left mouse button) within the upper scale bar 11 , you can
adjust the number of images which are shown by moving the mouse
left or right. Minimum is 20 and maximum is half of the recorded
images in this scale)
Quick scrolling: you can quickly scroll through the thumbnails by
dragging the orange bar with the mouse.
While quick scrolling, the Preview window will display the active
image sequence. This allows you to quickly scroll through the image
sequence displaying the live images in the Preview window forwards
or backwards. The View window will not actively show live images
during quick scrolling (only in normal scrolling speed by mousewheel).
If you click on a thumbnail image it will be shown on the view
window. You can scroll via mouse wheel through the thumbnails.
The upper blue bar correlates to the number of displayed
thumbnails. The lower blue bar shows the range of the upper scale in
relation to the whole record.
2
The second scale shows the total number of recorded images. It
allows to scroll fast through the images 2 .
Right-click menu (click on thumbnails)
Allows you to rebuild all thumbnails and to search for
events.
Furthermore, the Set In / Out gives you the
possibility to set values for a sequence, which can be
played via play button. Reset In / Out discards these
settings.
Set In / Out is active: if you save/export your
images, only the selected images are saved/exported
(see 6.9.2).
38
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
3
The light gray area 3 in the upper scale shows an
In-Out example area. It is very easy to define a new
area: just right-click on the start and end frame in
one of the scales. The In image must be left to the
red bar, the Out image to the right of the red bar.
Search Events in Thumbnails: detected events are
displayed as green bars.
Too dark or bright thumbnails
If thumbnails are too dark or too
bright, right-click in view window
(see 6.9.8) and select Auto Range
Peak or Auto Range Crop. Then
right-click on a thumbnail image and select Rebuild Thumbnails.
Now the thumbnail images should comply with the view window.
Set current Image as T0
It is possible to set a T0 Image manually. For information about
T0, see Sequence Trigger Mode in chapter 6.3.5. This T0
Image can be resetted.
Use your keyboard to scroll through the Images
Page up / down keys: 10 Images up or down
Arrow keys: quick scrolling through the images.
Advantage: fluent video playback in the View window (forwards or
backwards).
Home/Pos1 key: first image.
End key: last image.
39
6.8 SETTINGS OVERVIEW
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Settings overview shows the most important parameters of your
camera(s) at a glance. If you have more than one camera connected,
each camera and its parameters are listed.
The parameters can only be changed under 6.3 Camera Properties.
It is possible to easily switch between the Recorder (Images) section
and the Settings Overview. 11
No.
Function
Camera name
Auto Save
Type
Status
5
6
7
8
9
10
Frame Rate
Resolution
Exposure Time
Number of Images
T0 Position
Synchronization
Status
1
2
3
4
40
Description
Name
Off , Unconfigured (red), OK (green)
Camera type and serial number
Ready or Recording
Green background: Images are in memory
Currently selected frame rate
Resolution in pixels
Selected exposure time
Number of images to be recorded
See T0 chapter 6.3.5
Status: locked or -
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.8.1 AUTO SAVE
Auto Save helps to save your recorded images or sequences in an
easy way. There is no need to save each image/sequence separately
from each connected camera. Therefore this function is very useful if
you use more than one camera. Once configured Auto Save allows
acquiring and saving as many images/sequences as you will need
during your experiment. This function can store RAW (e.g. TIFF) and
Export (e.g. AVI, JPG) files.
Standard file save see File Menu 6.9.2.
Explanations will be displayed in the Info Text window at the bottom
of the menu.
Enable Auto Save by clicking on the check box.
The text will change to Unconfigured! (red
background).
Right-click on the Unconfigured! field and click on
Configure ‘Auto Save’.The Auto Save Options
dialog will be displayed.
First, configure the General Auto Save Settings - Global
Auto Save Mode: two different modes are available, Save manually
and Save unattendedly.
The Save manually mode allows to store RAW images and export
images after a recording session, when you hit the SHIFT and A
keys. This gives you the possibility to cut the image sequence in the
Recorder Toolbar before saving.
The Save unattendedly mode enables to download all RAW images
and to export the complete image sequences of all cameras
immediately after an active recording is stopped.
Select Output
Off – Auto Save is deactivated
Save RAW – Only 16 bit RAW files are stored (b16,
pcoraw, MultiTif-File, Tiff
Export – only compressed files are stored (BMP,
JPG, Tiff, AVI, MPEG, WMV)
Save RAW and Export – RAW and compressed
files are stored simultaneously
Common Folder: main folder for your stored files
RAW and Export file Type: select the type of RAW
and Export file
Export Color Image: select if you want to export
color images (only for color cameras)
Apply Automatic File Naming: if set to yes, your
stored files are automatically named by Camware
according to your automatic file name settings.
41
General Auto Save Settings – File name
Set your file name individually by adding or deleting
items. Position these elements as needed.
Camera Specific Auto Save Settings
Configure camera
connected camera.
specific settings
for each
Save RAW File Settings: set RAW File Folder and
RAW File Name (if not set to automatic file
naming).
Export File Settings: set Export File Folder and
Export File Name (if not set to automatic file
naming).
Multimedia File Resolution: set predefined video export
resolution or enter a Custom x- and y-resolution.
Most likely you should set the applied resolution of your
camera here.
Finish the configuration by clicking OK.
After configuration is finished, Auto Save status will be set to
OK (green background).
42
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.9 CAMWARE MENU TABS & FEATURES
This chapter describes in detail the Camware Demo Mode and the
File, Camera, Acquisition, View and Window menus.
6.9.1 DEMO MODE
When Camware is started, it automatically recognizes the
camera type of the connected and running cameras.
Camware will start in Demo Mode, if your camera is switched
off or no camera is connected
In this mode all image processing features are available, but
all camera settings are deactivated. The user only has to tell
Camware what type of image he wants to open. For that
purpose, the Demo Mode Setup window opens and asks for
the corresponding input.
Need Help? If this window pops up because you have
trouble running the camera, please see instructions in
appendix A5.
Resolution
The drop down list displays the existing image sensor spatial
resolutions of all PCO camera systems. Please select the specific
resolution and bit depth of the images to be opened! If double shutter
images have been recorded and should be opened, Double Shutter
Mode should be checked.
Color
With the radio buttons, the user can specify whether the image type
is monochrome (b/w) or color.
Alignment
These two radio buttons adjust whether MSB (most significant bit)
aligned (upper) or LSB (least significant bit) aligned (lower) images
have been stored.
Infotext
The Infotext is automatically shown in Camware if
you open a stored image sequence.
The Camera Properties settings, storing location
and Record date are listed in this file.
Infotext can be activated in the View Menu 6.9.5 at
any time.
43
6.9.2 FILE MENU
Open RAW File (single image only)
This command should be used to import a single
image into the currently active image window. Only
files with the extension and format of *.b16 (=PCO
proprietary binary image format) and *.tif (16 bit
TIFF image format) can be imported. If the recorder
is enabled, each imported image will be transferred
to the buffer shown in the picture number. The
image itself will be fitted to the current image size.
If the recorder is disabled, the current image sizes
will be set to the parameters of the imported
image.
NOTE
Be aware of the
different
storage
abilities
of
the
formats, for example
*.bmp - the bitmap
format only allows for
8bit values to be
stored and therefore
the image content of a
16 bit image is
reduced, if stored as
bitmap.
Open RAW Recorder Sequence (image sequence
from one camera)
This command is used to import a sequence of
images. If more than one camera is connected and
an image window is currently open, the sequence
will be loaded to the active window. If no image
window is open, the images will be loaded to camera #1. This
command opens the Open file dialog box. Only files with the
extension and the format of *.b16, *.pcoraw, *.tif and multi tif can be
imported.
Save RAW File (single image only)
This command should be used to save the image, which is displayed
in the active window. The command opens the Save file dialog box.
The image file can be saved in 16bit *.b16 and *.tif format. If more
than one camera is connected, it is possible to save all current
images by selecting Export all images in the Save file dialog box.
With this feature it is possible to save one image of each active
camera within one process step (it is not necessary to repeat the
save process for each camera). The Save command will not be
available if no image window is open. For Auto File Save see 6.8.1
Save RAW Recorder Sequence (image sequence from one camera)
This command should be used to save or
export image sequences. If more than one
camera is connected and an image window
is currently open, the record of the active
window will be saved. The command opens
the Save recorder file dialog box. It is
possible to select the number of saved
images, to step images and to choose the
first image number. For Auto File Save see 6.8.1
Export File (not reloadable!)
Use this command to export the image of the active image window.
This command will open the Export Image dialog box. Files with the
extensions fts, tif, bmp, asc, jpg, and jp2 can be exported. This item
will not be visible, if no image window is open. For Auto File Save
see 6.8.1
44
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
Export Recorder Sequence (not reloadable!)
Use this command to export a sequence of
images. If more than one camera is connected and
an image window is currently open, the record of
the window which has got the input focus will be
saved. If no image window is open the Export
Recorder Sequence menu does not appear. This
command will open the Export recorder box. Files
with the extensions fts, tif, bmp, asc, avi, mpg, jpg,
jp2 and wmv can be exported (see Appendix A4).
Auto File Save see 6.8.1
Options
Single File Properties
Single tif file 16 bit alignment: upper / lower
ASCII File Separator: select a separator for
the values in the ASCII file. Select: Tab, space,
semicolon, colon, comma, hyphen, slash or
backslash.
Binary pgm file: set the format of the pgm
(portable gray map) file. Select: yes, no.
Jpeg2000 image quality: set compression
from 20 to 100%.
Jpeg image quality: set compression from 20
to 100%.
Binary ppm file: set format of the ppm
(portable pixmap) file. Select: yes, no
RAW 16bit RGB tif file: save raw tif without
color balance. Select: yes, no.
Use cache file caches image data on disc for
a camera with camera internal memory. Select:
yes, no
General File Properties
FIFO buffer size: set the FIFO buffer size in number of images. This
helps to avoid gaps during file write delays. Usually this is set to 150.
Preserve last record: preserve current recorded images. When set,
the user will be asked whether to really start a new record or to close.
View Properties:
Crosshair color: set the color for crosshair, save ROI and line tool.
Crosshair length: set the crosshair length in pixel.
Activate crosshair: see chapter 6.9.8
45
Open AVI Codec Dialog
If you use Auto File Save, this setting takes an effect
on your stored video sequences.
You only need to set this option if you use Auto File
Save see 6.8.1
Please select the (compression) codec that you want to
use for your stored sequences. All installed codecs are
listed here.
Load lookup Table (for monochrome cameras)
With the Pseudo LUT (Lookup-Table) feature you can load any LUT
with one of four different formats and you can view the result in the
color view window. Use one of the attached predefined LUTs or
define your own.
Direct Record to File
With this command you can preset a certain number of images to be
stored. If the camera captures images faster than the computer can
save to disk, then you will lose images. The displaying of the images
doesn't interfere with the record process.
Start Auto Save
Only available if Auto Save is activated (see 6.8.1)
Exit
This command exits the program and closes all channel dialog
windows. Window positions, settings and sizes are stored in the
windows registry and will be loaded again at next start-up.
6.9.3 CAMERA MENU
Camera Control
Use this command to open the camera control window (see 6.3).
Close
Disconnects camera and switches Camware to Demo Mode. In case
of multiple cameras, all cameras must be closed in order for
Camware to switch to Demo Mode.
Rescan Disconnects and reconnects all cameras.
Setup (not available for pco.pixelfly usb)
46
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.9.4 ACQUISITION MENU
Live Preview
The Live Preview is useful for fast and easy adjusting and
focusing of the camera. The active window will be updated.
To see another window, simply click on the window. This
option is not available in double shutter mode.
Acquire Picture (not available)
Acquire Sequence
Starts recording images into the system memory according to
Trigger Mode selection (see 6.3.1). During recording, all camera
controls are locked.
Rec. Memory Settings (not available)
Recorder Settings (not available)
6.9.5 VIEW MENU
B/W or Color Window
Use this command to open a new display window.
Convert Control
See chapter 6.3.7.
Toolbars and Docking Windows
Standard toolbars of Camware 4 are Recorder/
Recorder Tools / Camera Overview / Camera Properties
and Image Overlay. Additional Toolbars known from
Camware 3.x are displayable, but not essentially
needed: Main Toolbar / Extended Recorder / Cursor.
For function Infotext see 6.9.1
Application Look
The Style and Look of Camware can be customized;
many different style sheets are selectable. The Tabbed
MDI function (un)docks the view windows.
Reset layout to default
This resets all your customized changes and restores
the default layout.
47
6.9.6 WINDOW MENU
New Window
A new view window will be opened.
Close Window
Active window will be closed.
Split
The view window will be split in four quarters.
Camera overview
Shows all connected cameras, e.g. 1 Camera 1 (pco.dimax S4) .
6.9.7 HELP MENU
Contents
Opens the main page of the program help.
Search for Help on
Opens an index list for help.
Create Support File
This will activate the Camware log files. Press YES to
activate log files and reboot Camware and your pco.dimax.
After log files are activated it is possible to create a support
file. Please send this file to the PCO support (see A5.2).
Logging
Enable Logging:
Activates Camware log files (this cuts down performance)
Clear Logfiles (only visible if logging is enabled):
This command erases all actual log files
Explore Logfiles: opens windows explorer
Disable Logging (only visible if logging is enabled):
disables logging
Support Mail
This command opens your email-program and an already
created support file will be added automatically as file
attachment.
About Camware
This window shows program information.
48
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.9.8 RIGHT-CLICK MENU
NOTE
Right-click in the View
window to open this
menu.
View Color: color window
View Window B: if Double Shutter mode is activated, this will switch
to window B (second image)
Stretched View: image will be fitted into the display window
Stretched View Ratio: aspect ratio are maintained
Zoom +/-: image zoom (only available if Stretched View is
deactivated)
Zoom set the factor of the Zoom (from 0.0625 to 32)
Scroll Synchronous if more than one image window is opened, it is
possible to scroll synchronously through the images (only available if
Stretched View is deactivated)
Show Image Overlay: activates the overlay see 6.4
Open LUT: opens look-up table file for false-color
illustration
Auto Range Peak searches for the minimum and
maximum 14 bit intensity values of the image. Given
these numbers the converter scales the 8 bit display
(256) within these two values.
Auto Range Crop sets the converter to ignore the
extreme intensity values of the image and scales the
display in a smaller range. Thus dark or bright light
spots, reflections, etc. are cut off.
Continuous Auto Range (Crop):
This option enables the automatic min/max
function during record and replay.
Flip/Mirror: image will be flipped or mirrored
Set ‘File Save ROI’: if you want to save just a
part of the recorded image (region of interest),
it is possible to draw a rectangle with the
mouse. This rectangle is valid for all recorded
images and can be dragged at its edges.
49
Line Tool: select Line Tool to show a graph,
which shows the intensity of the pixels under
the red line shown in the image window. The
selection of this menu item determines the
location of the first point. After this you can
move the mouse to the second point, which
can be selected by a left click. Now a Line
Diagram opens and the length of the line (unit: pixel) is displayed in
the window.
Copy to Clipboard: will copy the actual image to clipboard
Crosshair: activates a centered crosshair. Size and
color are selectable see chapter 6.9.2 → Options.
Crosshair is movable, just drag it by mouse. Reset
it to center position by double-click into center of
the crosshair.
50
6 CAMWARE 4 SOFTWARE
6.9.9 ADDITIONAL FEATURES
White Balance by Mouse
It is possible to change white balance easily by mouse: You only
have to press the CTRL (Strg) and the shift button at the same time
and select a white or gray area within the image. The pixel values
within the coordinates of the selection rectangle are used for
calculating a new white balance.
For best results we recommend to use the white balance button in
the Convert Control Color (see 6.3.7).
1
Fold Up Window
The Convert Control windows can be
minimized / folded up 1 . Just move the pointer
over the bar and the window will unfold
again 2 .
2
Setting Contrast Area by Mouse
You can control the minimum and maximum values used for the
conversion from 16 bit to 8 bit with the mouse. Move the mouse
cursor into a region which should be shown with maximum contrast.
Press the shift and the left mouse button. Hold down the mouse
button while increasing the size of the selection rectangle with mouse
moves. After releasing the mouse button the coordinates of selection
rectangle act as a border for calculating the minimum and maximum
values.
Setting a new ROI by Mouse
It is possible to change Region of Interest easily by mouse (see ROI
6.3.2.) for the camera. You only have to press the CTRL (Strg) button
and drag an area with the left mouse button. The coordinates of the
selection rectangle are used for calculating a new region of interest,
which will be adapted to the camera capabilities automatically. You
can reset the ROI to maximum by pressing the CTRL (Strg) button
and the right mouse button.
Short Cut List
• Acquire Picture: SPACE
• Acquire Sequence: STRG + A
• Auto Save: SHIFT + A
• Export File (Image): STRG + T
• Export Recorder Sequence (Video) STRG + O
• Open Raw Image File: STRG + I
• Open Raw Recorder (Video) Sequence: STRG + R
• Save Raw Image File STRG + E
• Save Raw Recorder Sequence (Video) STRG + S
51
APPENDIX
A1 TECHNICAL DATA
53
A1.1 SPECIFICATIONS
53
A1.4 REVERSE WITH CAPTION
54
A1.5 PINOUT OF LEMO CONNECTOR
55
A1.6 MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS
56
A2 INTERFACES
57
A2.1 CABLE POSSIBILITIES
57
A2.2 USB 2.0 / 3.0
58
A2.3 GIGABIT ETHERNET
59
A2.3.1 QUICK INSTALLATION GUIDE
59
A2.3.2 GigE NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
60
A2.3.2.1 ONE CAMERA
A2.3.2.2 SEVERAL CAMERAS
A2.3.2.3 NETWORK ENVIRON. / PATCH CABLE
A2.3.3 DRIVER INSTALLATION
61
61
62
63
A2.3.4 ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING (WIN7/8)
64
A2.3.5 CALIBRATION TOOL
65
A2.3.5.1 FIRMWARE WARNING
A2.3.5.2 NETWORK AND PACKET DELAY
A2.3.5.3 JUMBO PACKETS / BUFFER SETTINGS
A2.3.5.4 SET CAM. IP ADRESS & SUBNET MASK
A2.3.5.5 IMAGE TRANSFER DATA RATE
A2.3.5.6 CAMERA TEST
A2.3.5.7 TOOL TIPS
A2.3.6 HELP GUIDE
65
66
66
67
68
68
69
69
A2.3.7 PERFORMANCE
70
A2.4 CAMERA LINK
71
A2.4.1 FRAME GRABBER INSTALLATION
71
A2.4.2 MICRO DIAGNOSTICS TOOL
72
A2.5 HD-SDI
73
A3 BATTERY OPERATION
74
A4 IMAGE FILE FORMATS
76
A5 CUSTOMER SERVICE
78
A5.1 SERVICE
78
A5.2 MAINTENANCE
78
A5.3 RECYCLING
78
A5.4 LOGFILE / SUPPORT FILE
79
A5.5 TROUBLE SHOOTING
80
A6 INDEX
81
ABOUT PCO
82
52
A1 TECHNICAL DATA
A1 TECHNICAL DATA
A1.1 SPECIFICATIONS
image sensor
type of sensor
image sensor
pixel size (h x v)
sensor format / diagonal
shutter mode
MTF
fullwell capacity
readout noise
quantum efficiency
spectral range
dark current
DSNU
PRNU
camera
exposure / shutter time
dynamic range A/D
A/D conversion factor
region of interest
non linearity
internal camera memory
trigger input signals
trigger output signals
data interface
time stamp
time code input
operational shock
operational vibration
interframing time
general
power supply
power consumption
weight
operating temperature
operating humidity range
storing temperature range
optical interface
CE / FCC certified
CMOS
proprietary
11.1 µm x 11.1 µm
11.1 x 11.1 mm2 / 15.7 mm (S1)
22.18 x 22.18 mm2 / 31.36mm (S4)
21.1 x 11.9 mm2 / 24.2 mm (HD)
21.1 x 15.8 mm2 / 26.4 mm (HD+)
11.0 x 11.0 mm2 / 15.6 mm (HS1)
15.4 x 11.6 mm2 / 19.3 mm (HS2)
22.0 x 22.0 mm2 / 31.1 mm (HS4)
global (snapshot)
45.5 lp/mm (theoretical)
36000 e23 e- rms @ 62.5 MHz (typ)
18 e- rms @ 62.5 MHz (CDI, typ)
50% @ peak
290 nm .. 1100 nm
530 e-/pixel/s @20°C
< 0.6 counts rms @ 90 % center zone
< 1% @ 80 % signal
1.5 µs .. 40 ms
12 bit
8.8 e- / count
48 x 4 pixel (centered)
< 0.5 % (diff.) / <0.2 (integr.)
9 / 18 / 36 GB
frame / sequence / stop trigger
exposure / busy status
USB 3.0; GigE / USB 2.0; HD-SDI,
Camera Link
in image (1 µs resolution)
IRIG-B
30 G @ 11ms half sine wace (all axes)
25 G @ 1-150 Hz (all axes)
3.15 µs
(S4 mono; S1 mono/color; HS1/HS2/HS4)
3.58 µs (S4 color; HD/HD+)
90 .. 260 VAC (12 VDC optional)
80 W (120 W with battery)
7.9 kg
+5°C .. +40°C
10% .. 90% (non-condensing)
-20°C .. +70°C
F-mount (C-mount optional)
yes
Subject to change, please refer to current data sheet available on PCO website.
53
A1.2 REVERSE WITH CAPTION
LED Colors 1
Error: red; status: green; record: blue and green
BNC Connectors 2 (see also chapter 6.3.6)
1
3
2
4
8
5
7
6
BNC acq. enbl trigger(aquire enable)
Function: sequence start/stop trigger
Type: Input; Feature: galvanic isolated
Int1: Pin 2 (signal), Pin3 (GND)
Selectable: TTL; High Level TTL; CONTACT mode;
RS485 differential (+ time constant input per software)
BNC exposure trigger (sync.)
Function: single image start trigger, external sync.
Type: Input; Feature: galvanic isolated, impedance:
1kOhm (should be externally terminated with 50 Ohms);
Int1: Pin 4 (signal), Pin 5 (GND)
Selectable: TTL; High Level TTL; CONTACT mode;
RS485 differential (+ time constant input per software)
BNC status
Function: exposure time out, busy signal
Type: output; Feature: galvanic isolated
Int2: Pin 3 (signal), Pin 4 (GND)
Fixed: TTL = 5V => rec. status on; TTL = 0V => rec. off
BNC IRIG-B / sequence trigger
Function: IRIG-B signal / sequence trigger
Type: Input; Feature: galvanic isolated; fixed: 1…10V
BNC camera sync output (only Master/Slave sync.)
Function: pco.dimax camera synchronization
Type: output; Feature: non isolated; fixed: TTL
BNC camera sync input (only Master/Slave sync.)
Function: pco.dimax camera synchronization
Type: input; Feature: non isolated; fixed: TTL
Power on/off switch 3
Power connector 4
Pin1 GND; Pin2 +12-36V; Pin3 not used
PC Data interface 5
Selectable: USB 2.0 or 3.0 (see A2.2), GigE (see A2.3), Camera Link
(see A2.4),HD-SDI (see A2.5)
Lemo connectors 6
See A1.3
Serial number tag 7
Dust filter 8
Exchangeable
54
A1 TECHNICAL DATA
A1.3 PINOUT OF LEMO CONNECTOR
Lemo connector is a high grade push-pull connection device.
Connector: (org. Lemosa Part Number)
Int1: ECJ.2B.314.CLD; Int2: ECJ.2B.319.CLD
e.g. fitting plug connector: (org. Lemosa Part Number)
Int1: FGJ.2B.314.CLLD72; Int2: FGJ.2B.319.CLLD72.
Lemosa (LEMO) Connector Int. 1 and Int. 2
LEMO Int 1 Pinout (14pins):
Pin
1
2
3
4
5
6
Signal name
shield
trigger (signal)
trigger (GND)
sync (signal)
sync (GND)
ready status (sig.)
Dir.
Feature description
IN
IN
IN
IN
OUT
galvanically isolated,
selectable behavior (BNC)
7
8
ready status (GND) OUT
fault status (sig.)
OUT
9
10
11
12
13
14
fault status (GND)
supply voltage (+)
supply voltage (+)
supply voltage (-)
supply voltage (-)
NC
OUT
IN
IN
IN
IN
galvanically isolated,
selectable behavior (BNC)
galv. isol., TTL=5V => armed (LED)
TTL=0V => not armed
galv. isol., TTL=5V => no fault (LED)
TTL=0V => fault
input of (+) VDC
input of (+) VDC
input of (-) VDC
input of (-) VDC
LEMO Int 2 Pinout (19pins):
Pin
1
Signal name
set ready (signal)
Dir.
IN
2
3
set ready (GND)
exposure time out
(signal)
exp. time out
(GND)
IN
OUT
4
5
6
7
8
9
..
19
free definable
55
OUT
Feature description
galvanically isolated,
selectable behavior
galvanically isolated, TTL (BNC, LED)
(BNC)
A1.4 MECHANICAL DIMENSIONS
All dimensions given in millimeter.
Input Window Filter
NOTE
F-Mount flange focal
distance: 46,50 mm
In front of the sensor is an input window, which acts as safety glass
as well as filter and contains an anti-reflective coating (98 % light
transmission).
The pco.dimax b/w camera screens a standard spectral range of
300 nm – 800 nm.
The spectral range of the pco.dimax color is a different one:
400 nm – 700 nm.
56
A2 INTERFACES
A2 INTERFACES
Many different interfaces are available for the pco.dimax camera. This
chapter describes the installation and configuration of USB / GigE /
Camera Link and HD-SDI interfaces.
A2.1 CABLE POSSIBILITIES
Overview of the maximum cable lengths
Camera Link base:
• standard:
3m
• optional:
5m
• no cables are included in the camera price
USB 2.0 :
• standard:
5m
• cable is included in the camera price
USB 3.0:
• standard:
3m
• cable and proper PCI express board included in the camera
price
Gigabit Ethernet :
• standard:
10 m
• optional:
0.5 m; 2 m; 5 m; 12.5 m; 30 m; 50 m
• maximum:
100 m
• cable (10m) is included in the camera price
57
A2.2 USB 2.0 / 3.0
Please start the USB 2.0 or 3.0 driver installation from your pco.usb
flash drive (or download the latest version from our website. Don’t
connect the camera to your computer before driver is completely
installed.
Run the provided installation file and follow the instructions of the
installation wizard. 1
After finishing 2 the driver installation wizard please connect your
pco.dimax camera to its power supply and via enclosed USB 2.0
cable to your computer.
The first time the camera is connected via USB to the computer,
Windows will notify the user that a new device has been detected.
USB 2.0:
1
2
USB 3.0:
1
2
58
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3 GIGABIT ETHERNET
GigE is an interface standard for high-performance industrial
cameras. It has been developed by a group of about 50 companies.
GigE is based on the Gigabit Ethernet standard which uses standard
Ethernet category cabling. The standard is trying to unify protocols
currently used in machine vision industrial cameras and let 3rd party
organizations develop compatible software and hardware
(www.machinevisiononline.org).
System requirements (check PCO website for latest versions)
• GigE PCO firmware > V2.00
• Camware software package
• GigE driver generation 2 > V4.0.0.00
• Complete network environment must be GigE compliant
Cat5e or higher patch cable
A2.3.1 QUICK INSTALLATION GUIDE
Install / configure network interface
card (NIC) (precondition for GigE)
See chapter A2.3.2
Install GigE driver
Please follow instructions.
See chapter A2.3.3
Deactivate (uncheck) the GigE driver
at each NIC that will not physically be
connected to your camera (Win 7/8)
See chapter A2.3.4
Make sure that just the service
pco.camera with GigE and the protocol
Internet protocol (TCP/IP) are activated for
each NIC used for PCO cameras (Win 7/8).
Make sure the buffer settings of your NIC
are set to its maximum
See chapter A2.3.5.2
Apply PCO GigE Calibration Tool
for camera calibration
See chapter A2.3.5
After successful calibration
Start Camware
See chapter 5
59
Please follow the steps in
this order. Additional
information can be found in
the respective subchapters
A2.3.2 GigE NETWORK INTERFACE CARD (NIC)
A Gigabit network interface card (NIC) is attached to your
computer and ready to use. Ideally it is a PCI-Express NIC to bring
out the best data throughput, e.g. Intel Ethernet Server Adapter
I210 T1, I350 T2 or I350 T4.
Please make sure that the specific driver of the NIC is installed to
your Operating System (OS) - If not, your OS may use a standard
plug & play driver not performing perfectly with the hardware.
It is absolutely essential that the NIC is Gigabit compatible. Such
cards should be designated with a maximum data throughput of 1000
Megabits per second (Mbps).
Furthermore it is important to know which kind of PCI interface the
NIC uses. The PCI-Express interface allows a faster and more stable
data transfer than ordinary PCI interfaces. Finally, NIC’s vary in the
used chipset. Strongly recommended are chipsets from Intel.
If you want to check your network connection or change parameters
please open the properties dialog of your LAN connection:
START → Control Panel → Network and Internet\Network Connections → Right-click
on your network connection: Select properties.
Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) is active if
obtain
an
IP
address
automatically is selected.
Alternatively
configuration
manually.
the
can
network
be set
There are different ways to connect one or several PCO GigE
cameras to a computer. This chapter provides an overview of the
various connectivity options, for detailed configuration see chapter
A2.3.5.
60
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3.2.1 ONE CAMERA
Camera to computer via Point to Point connection, i.e. direct
connection via LAN cable.
Connect NIC and camera via patch cable directly.
Use the Calibration Tool (see. A2.3.5) to configure IP address and
subnet mask.
A2.3.2.2 SEVERAL CAMERAS
Via switch with DHCP server:
NIC and cameras obtain the IP addresses automatically by a DHCP
server.
Via switch without a DHCP server:
Camera and NIC IP addresses have to be set manually. The first three
sections of camera and NIC IP must be identical. The fourth section
of each camera and NIC IP can be any value between 1 and 255, but
may not be the same for both devices. For example: NIC IP
192.168.144.10; a proper camera IP would be 192.168.144.100. The
Subnet mask must be exactly the same, e.g 255.255.255.0.
Note with this configuration: The transmission rates of switch and
network card are limited. Standard Gigabit Ethernet components
transmit 125MB/s. Using two or more pco.dimax cameras this
transmission rate is clearly exceeded. Therefore a Packet Delay
must be configured (see A2.3.5.2). Otherwise a loss-free
transmission can not be guaranteed.
Use the Calibration Tool to configure these settings, see A2.3.5.
Camera1 IP:
192.168.144.200
Sub: 255.255.255.0
Camera2 IP:
192.168.144.201
Sub: 255.255.255.0
NIC IP: 192.168.144.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
61

Camera3 IP:
192.168.144.202
Sub: 255.255.255.0
Via several NIC’s at one computer:
Camera and NIC IP addresses have to be set manually. Each camera
NIC pair needs a separate network IP range but the same subnet.
The following example shows how to calibrate IP addresses when
connecting cameras to individual NIC’s. Most important is that
camera IP address and subnet and NIC IP address and subnet have
to match.
Use the Calibration Tool to configure these settings, see A2.3.5.
Camera1 IP:
192.168.144.200
Sub: 255.255.255.0

Camera2 IP:
192.168.145.200
Sub: 255.255.255.0
Camera3 IP:
192.168.146.200
Sub: 255.255.255.0
NIC1 IP: 192.168.144.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
NIC2 IP: 192.168.145.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
NIC3 IP: 192.168.146.10
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
This step is individual for each NIC. For instance, the receive /
transmit buffers of the Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210 T1, I350
T2 or I350 T4 are set with its Performance options dialog. Its
maximum size is 2048, see A2.3.5.3.
A2.3.2.3 NETWORK ENVIRONMENT / PATCH CABLE
A correct configuration of the network is important for the throughput
of the image data, which could be brought out. It is mandatory that
any component used for the network connection between camera
and computer is compatible with a data throughput of 1000 Mbps.
Some of these components are the NIC, router, hub, switch, etc., but
also the patch cable.
The quality of patch cables is specified in categories. It is necessary
to use category 5e-, 6-, or 7- patch cables for a network connection
with a data throughput of 1000 Mbps.
62
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3.3 DRIVER INSTALLATION
NOTE
If installer fails, please
use uninstaller, remove
all old files and then try
again.
First install the PCO GigE driver to your computer, which is to be
found on the attached usb flash drive or on the PCO website.
Before installing, you have to remove previously installed GigE
driver. The installer will do this for you. Or open control panel →
programs and functions → and uninstall PCO GigE driver.
o1
2
o
o3
o4
o5
Then start the GigE driver setup and follow the instructions.
Choose installation directory.
Now GigE driver installation is completed.
Please reboot your computer to complete the installation.
Start Calibration Tool A2.3.5
1
2
3
4
5
NOTE
This installation installs both drivers:
Gen2 and the former Gen1 V3.1 allowing
former GigE cameras to run properly.
63
How to uninstall GigE driver
• open the file GigE_Uninstall.exe (if Win 7/8 is used: right-click
and select “Run As Administrator”)
Start->Programs->Digital Camera Tools->pco.gige->UnInstall pco.gige
• or start system control → programs and functions → choose PCO
GigE and uninstall
A2.3.4 ACTIVATING/DEACTIVATING (WIN7/8)
The check box next to pco.camera with GigE is checked for
activating and unchecked for deactivating.
NOTE (Win7/8)
It is absolutely essential that the PCO GigE driver is only
activated at the specific NIC that is physically connected
to your camera. In addition, just the service pco.camera
with GigE and the Internet protocol (TCP/IP) should be
activated for each NIC used for PCO cameras.
It is possible that, if virus scan/firewall is enabled, a
connected camera is not recognized.
64
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3.5 CALIBRATION TOOL
Use this tool for each Network interface card (NIC) connected to your
PCO camera with GigE interface.
The PCO GigE Calibration Tool is part of the PCO software package
and is started automatically after the PCO GigE Driver installation and
is automatically linked to your desktop.
Start→All programs→Digital Camera Toolbox→pco.gigeG2→GigECalib (Win 7)
Start→All Apps→Digital Camera Toolbox→ GigECalib (Win10)
The purpose of this software:
• To set camera network parameter (Packet Delay)
• To change the network settings (IP address & subnet mask) of the
camera
• Display connected PCO GigE cameras
• To check if the network is configured correctly.
1
2
How does it work?
The Start Dialog offers two possibilities:
1
• Choose Set Network and Packet Delay (SET≫) to calibrate
network parameters like IP address, Subnet mask and Packet
Delay.
• Or choose Test Camera Image Transfer Datarate (TEST≫) to
2
test the image transfer of all PCO GigE cameras correctly
connected to your PC.
A2.3.5.1 FIRMWARE WARNING
If this message pops up after you click SET≫,
you need to update the firmware of the GigE
interface card.
Please download the latest firmware from PCO
website. Choose Support and your pco.dimax
camera model.
Otherwise the calibration is not possible,
because the driver requires a new firmware
version.
GigE Firmware version must be at least V2.00.
65
A2.3.5.2 NETWORK AND PACKET DELAY
The dialog Camera Network Settings allows you to
set the Packet-Delay and to change the PCO GigE
Camera network settings.
The Packet Delay value indicates the delay (in µs)
inserted between each ethernet packet of the image
payload data. This can be used as a crude flowcontrol mechanism, if the application or the network
infrastructure cannot keep up with the ethernet
packets coming from the device. A packet delay
always slows down data rate.
NOTE
If Packet Delay is
increased, the data
transfer
rate
is
decreased.
Table Delay Time and Transmit rate
Delay
(µs)
MB/s
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
66
43
23
19
15
13
11
9.5
8.5
7.5
Max. data-rate via GigE Ethernet: 1000 Mbit/sec ~ 125 MB/sec; 8 to10 bit
coding ~ 100 MB/sec
A2.3.5.3 JUMBO PACKETS / BUFFER SETTINGS
Jumbo Packets and Transmit / Receive Buffer are settings
of your network card and can be changed with windows
control panel.
These buffer settings help to decrease the loss of data
packets (images) while transferring data from camera to
network interface card.
Transmit / receive buffer
For some NIC’s you have the opportunity to set parameters
manually affecting the stability of the data transfer. The most
important ones are Transmit and Receive Buffer.
Always set the value of these parameters to its maximum.
Start → control panel → change adapter settings → right-click→ properties
→ configure → advanced (Win7)
Jumbo packet
If your network adapter supports Jumbo Packet please
activate them, because overheads and CPU cycles are
reduced.
All of your network components must be Jumbo Packet
compatible.
Start → control panel → change adapter settings → right-click→ properties
→ configure → advanced (Win7)
66
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3.5.4 SET CAMERA IP ADRESS & SUBNET MASK
Make sure that the Camera IP Address (Cam IP)
and the Camera Network Mask (Cam Subnet) fit
to the Network Interface Card (NIC IP & NIC
Subnet) connected to. Everything is correct if all
values are highlighted in green.
If Camera IP or Subnet is not correct, it will be
highlighted in red 1. . The first three sections of
Camera and NIC IP must be identical. The
fourth section between 1 and 255.
For example: NIC IP 192.168.144.49; a proper
camera IP would be 192.168.144.100.
The Subnet mask must be exactly the same,
e.g 255.255.255.0.
You can only change Camera IP & Subnet with
this tool, but not NIC IP & Subnet.
1
2
3
Please double-click onto the table 2 to
manipulate the value. Press the Set 3 button to
validate the changings. After configuration is
finished click Done. 4
4
The next step is to check if IP and Subnet
configuration is correct: click Set≫ 5 again to
check if all values are highlighted in green.
5
6
Finally always Test≫ 6 your settings.
See next page.
67
A2.3.5.5 IMAGE TRANSFER DATA RATE
First click Test≫ 1 then please double-click
into the Select 2 column of the table to select
the camera. If a camera is not highlighted in
green the camera cannot be selected for
testing. If more than one camera is selected,
the cameras are going to be tested in parallel.
Please use the Packet Delay parameter 3 as a
crude flow control mechanism. E.g. if two PCO
GigE cameras are connected to a single GigE
Port (for example via a network switch) the sum
of the bandwidths has to be smaller than the
maximum possible data rate that can be
transferred by GigE (100 MB/s; see above).
1
2
3
4
Please press the Next >>
the Camera Test dialog.
4 button to open
A2.3.5.6 CAMERA TEST
55
All cameras selected in the
Select Camera dialog are listed
here. If the View box is checked
the transferred images are
displayed. Please click the Run
Test 5 button to begin the
Camera
Transfer Test. The
6
test grabs images from each
camera listed – the images from
each camera are transferred in parallel! The whole Camera
Transfer Test succeeds only, if each Single Camera Transfer Test
succeeds. With a Single Camera Transfer Test 100 images are
transferred and it fails, when more than 0.1% of all transferred
ethernet packets got lost.
If a Single Camera Transfer Test and so the Camera Transfer Test
for all connected cameras fails, the first thing to do is to check the
Packet Delay value. It indicates the delay (in µs) inserted between
each ethernet packet of the image payload data. This can be used as
a crude flow-control mechanism. If the application or the network
infrastructure cannot keep up with the ethernet packets coming from
the device. So, if a Single Camera Transfer Test fails, increase the
Packet Delay value. If everything is finished click Done 6 .
NOTE
The Gen2 GigE maximum data rate is about 100 MB/s, if you have
a pco.dimax camera with the Gen1 GigE interface card, the
maximum data rate is up to 68 MB/s.
68
A2 INTERFACES
A2.3.5.7 TOOL TIPS
If you want to enable/disable Tool Tips please
run the PCO GiGE Calibration Tool. Click the
About button of the Start Dialog and
activate/deactivate the Enable Tool Tips check
box.
Enable Expert view: all setting options are
enabled.
Tool Tips can help you to understand
the functionality of the calibration
tool. Packet Delay and other settings
are explained in detail.
A2.3.6 HELP GUIDE
• If your camera is not recognized, please deactivate Firewall and
Antivirus programs
• Install original driver of your network interface card (e.g. intel
driver) guaranteeing full performance
• Always install the latest PCO GigE driver
• Pay attention to the network interface card buffer settings (see
A2.3.5.3)
• If the calib tool tells you to update the firmware, please
download and install the latest firmware for your camera
69
A2.3.7 PERFORMANCE
The following tables give two example configurations, minimum and
recommended. The specified values are only valid for these
configurations and should act as an orientation.
Setup
Minimum
NIC
1000 Mbps NIC with
standard PCI interface
NIC configuration
Recommended
1000 Mbps NIC with PCIExpress interface
(e.g. Intel Ethernet Server
Adapter I210 T1, I350 T2
or I350 T4.)
Receive / transmit buffer is set to maximum
Network connection
Patch cable
Additional network
components
Network
environment
Driver
Packet delay /max
speed mode
Computer
Operating system
P2P or via switch
(e.g. NetGear GS 605)
Cat 5e
switch, hub, router are
compatible to 1000
Mbps
20 µs / off
P2P
Cat 5e or higher
No additional
components
virus protection/ firewall
inactive
GigE driver installed
0 µs / off
INTEL® Core™ i5 CPU;
2.4 GHz; 4GB RAM
Win 7/8 – x64/x86
INTEL® Core™ i7 CPU;
2.8 GHz; 8GB RAM
Win 7/8/10 – x64
NOTE
Data throughput performance depends on sensor resolution.
70
A2 INTERFACES
A2.4 CAMERA LINK
A2.4.1 FRAME GRABBER INSTALLATION
Instructions for installing and testing the Silicon Software
microEnable IV (ME4) Camera Link grabber card. Hardware
Installation must be performed by a technician, because high
voltages can occur on the device.
WARNING
ELECTRIC SHOCK WARNING DUE TO VOLTAGE PARTS INSIDE
Risk of injury due to electric shock.
 Always pull the main plug before opening the computer.
Please install the latest silicon software runtime package before
installing the hardware. (Download: http://www.pco.de/support/)
When working on a 64 bit operating system, please make sure to
install the proper (64 bit) runtime when also a 64 bit application will be
operated. If the application is 32 bit, you need to install the 32 bit
runtime accordingly.
•1
•2
•3
•
4
•5
If there is no Gigabit Ethernet board installed (standard), please
deselect Support for…
Let the program also update device drivers.
Shutdown your computer, open the computer case and install
the grabber card
The grabber card should be displayed within the device
manager. If the device is not shown this way, please reinstall the
SiliconSoftware device driver.
After
the
installation,
please
start
the
program
microDiagnostics. (see next page)
2
1
3
4
5
71
A2.4.2 MICRO DIAGNOSTICS TOOL
1
Micro
Diagnostics
Tool works with both
meIV AD4 and VD4
frame grabber cards.
To test the board,
select the board in
Diagnosis and click
Board 1 to start the
test
2
Please upgrade to the supplied firmware. Select Tools → Flash
Board(s) 3 and select the appropriate hap file. Micro diagnostics
provides the latest available firmware version of the installed runtime.
Then click on Yes when you’re asked to proceed. You must restart
your computer after the firmware upgrade.
4
Please test the performance of your frame grabber card: click on
Performance 4 to start the test.
For further information
or
problems
with
mainboards
please
contact our support
section.
72
A2 INTERFACES
A2.5 HD-SDI
HD-SDI is the High Definition Serial Interface and a special
standard of the film industry.
Only available for color version of the pco.dimax S4 and
HD/HD+.
HD-SDI can only transfer certain resolutions and frame rates!
It can be used e.g. for an output monitor.
Possbile resolutions
SingleLink, DualLink, 3G
1920x1080 Pixel (1080p/i/psf - Full HD)
1280x720 Pixel (720p - HD Ready)
Frame rates
PAL (24, 25, 30, 50 und 60 fps)
NTSC (23.98, 29.97, 59.94 fps)
Image transmission
progressive, interlaced, progressive segmented frame
Color models
RGB, YCC, RAW
Bit rate
PAL SingleLink & DualLink: 1.485 Gbit/s
PAL 3G: 2.97 Gbit/s
NTSC SingleLink & DualLink: 1.4835 Gbit/s
NTSC 3G: 2.9670 Gbit/s
fNTSC = fPAL/1.001
Cable
75 Ohm coaxial cable (RG59, Belden 1694A)
73
A3 BATTERY OPERATION
The pco.dimax models are optionally available with a highperformance battery pack, which is mounted on top of the camera
body.
Charging the Battery
The pco.dimax cameras have a built-in battery recharge circuitry,
which will recharge the battery and maintain the battery charge level,
whenever the power supply is connected and working. Therefore it is
not required to remove the battery pack for recharge.
NOTE
The battery is recharged automatically when the power supply of
the camera is connected AND the camera is switched on. The
recharging process starts few seconds after the power has been
connected.
Battery recharge does not depend on the configured battery
operating mode.
Specifications and General Notes
Battery operating time (100% charged)
• Standard Operation Mode:
• Power-Save Mode:
1 hour
5-6 hours
Maximum recharge time
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4):
6 hours
Calculating remaining time in Power-Save Mode (tps)
•
•
tps = 360 min – top * 6
top [min]: preceding operating time on battery backup
Power Consumption
The data for the power consumption mentioned in the pco.dimax
datasheet does not include the recharge current for the battery. If the
camera will recharge the battery, an additional 40 W peak power is
required.
Resetting Camera by Power Switch
With the power switch in off state, the external power supply as well
as the battery is disconnected from the camera. There is only a very
small self-discharge current within the battery itself.
Some customers are used to switch the camera on and off not using
the power switch but switching off the supply voltage connected to
the camera. However, this is not possible with attached backup
battery. In the worst case, the battery will be excessively discharged
next day (when done overnight) and (if repeated many times) it will
lead to significantly increased aging and possibly early defect of the
battery!
74
A3 BATTERY OPERATION
Standard Operation Mode
The Standard Battery Operation is the default setting of the camera
and activated when shipped to customer.
In order to maintain stable operation of the camera, the battery
backup provides power immediately in case the power supply fails.
As soon as the power supply is reestablished, the camera draws the
supply current again from the power supply.
Whenever the power supply is disconnected the camera runs on
battery until the battery is discharged. Before the battery is finally
dead the camera shuts down completely. In that case the current
settings as well as the image data are lost!
The camera provides information about the current charge level of
the battery. This information can be used to estimate the remaining
operating time as well as to avoid loss of image data.
This mode is applicable for:
• Operating the camera in an environment where no regular power
supply is available or desired.
• Backup capability to maintain camera operation in case of
unexpected supply breakdowns.
Power-Save Mode
The Power-Save Mode will keep recorded images in the event of a
major power breakdown. The camera must be configured by SDK to
change into Power-Save Mode and the user can define a desired
delay time. After a power breakdown the camera will continue in
Standard Operation Mode. If there is no power supply available
during the configured delay time, the camera stops the current
recording and enters into Power-Save Mode. When power supply is
available again, the Standard Operation Mode will be restored and
the battery will be charged.
If the main power supply is available for at least 10 seconds during
the delay time, the delay is stopped. If the power supply is
disconnected again, the delay starts from the beginning. Also, the
Power-Save Mode is stopped if power is available again for at least
10 seconds.
Please note:
• reestablish the power supply in order to bring the camera back to
Standard Operation Mode
• close and reopen the connection to the camera after the camera is
back to Standard Operation Mode
• reconfigure all settings and validate them by an Arm Camera
command, when the camera shall be used for recording again
• it is possible to read recorded images from the camera memory
without restoring any settings.
75
A4 IMAGE FILE FORMATS
There are different file formats available for saving camera images
with Camware:
b16
The b16 16 bit format is similar to the bmp format. However, 16 bit
pixel values are used instead of 8 bit pixel values.
The file format consists either of a Basic Header (six Long-parameter)
or of an Extended Header (32 Long-parameter), the latter of which is
optionally for additional information. There might follow a variable
comment field (ASCII code). Finally, there is the actual data set that is
saved linearly (as in the case of BMP files).
With the exception of the first value, all parameters are Long Integers
(4 Byte). The first six parameters must always exist. The rest of the
parameters, as well as the comment field, are optional.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Parameter
PCOfile size
header length
image width
image height
extended header
color mode
b/w min
b/w max
b/w linlog
Function
the first 4 byte are the characters PCOfile size in byte
header size + comment filed in byte
image width in pixel
image height in pixel
-1 (true), extended header follows
0 = black/with camera, 1 = color camera
black/white LUT-setting, minimum value
black/white LUT-setting, maximum value
black/white LUT-setting,
0 = linear, 1 = logarithmic
red LUT-setting, minimum value
red LUT-setting, maximum value
green LUT-setting, minimum value
green LUT-setting, maximum value
blue LUT-setting, minimum value
blue LUT-setting, maximum value
color LUT-setting, 0 = linear, 1 = logarithmic
11
red min
12
red max
13
green min
14
green max
15
blue min
16
blue max
17
color linlog
18

internal use
266
Comment file in ASCII characters with variable length of 0…XX.
The length of the comment filed must be documented in the header length
field.
16 bit pixel data
W
line
1,
pixel
1
value of the first pixel
W
line
1,
pixel
2
value of the second pixel
e
…
…
PCO recommends that all images should be saved first in the b16
or TIFF format. The advantage is to have the b16 or tiff images
available all the time. You will always have the maximum 16 bit
information. Please note that not all image analysis programs can
accommodate 16 bit data. The 8 bit format saves only the information
displayed on the monitor screen. The 16 bit information will be lost
and cannot be displayed later.
76
A4 IMAGE FILE FORMATS
pcoraw
This 16 bit PCO file format is based on the BigTIFF format, thus
allowing for file size > 4GB. A new PCO proprietary compression
scheme is added in case it is necessary.
Standard File Formats
TIFF
Tag Image File Format, version 6.0 and lower. There is a 16bit
monochrome and color image format.
BMP
Windows Bitmap Format, b/w or color 8 bit format images, which
have been saved in BMP format can’t be reloaded in Camware - only
as 8 bit images, i.e. part of the original information (16 bit) is lost.
FTS
Flexible Image Transport System, Version 3.1. There is a 16 bit image
format. The NASA/Science Office of Standards and Technology
(NOST) has defined this format. Some programs use the FIT
extension for this format.
ASCII
16 bit format, some mathematical programs prefer ASCII data.
JPG
JPEG (named after the Joint Photographic Experts Group who
created the standard) is a commonly used method of lossy
compression for photographic images. The degree of compression
can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size
and image quality.
JP2
JPEG 2000 is a wavelet-based image compression standard and
coding system. It was created by the Joint Photographic Experts
Group committee in the year 2000 with the intention of superseding
their original discrete cosine transform-based JPEG standard
(created 1992).
AVI
Audio Video Interleave is a multimedia container format introduced by
Microsoft in November 1992 as part of its Video for Windows
technology.
MPG
MPEG-1, similar to JPEG, is a standard for lossy compression of
video and audio developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group
(MPEG).
WMV
Windows Media Video (WMV) is a compressed video compression
format for several proprietary codecs developed by Microsoft. The
original video format, known as WMV, was originally designed for
Internet streaming applications, as a competitor to RealVideo.
77
A5 CUSTOMER SERVICE
A5.1 SERVICE
The camera is designed to operate with no need of special
adjustments or periodic inspections.
A5.2 MAINTENANCE
CAUTION
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
UNPLUG CAMERA BEFORE CLEANING
Risk of injury due to electrical shock!
 Unplug the camera from any power supply before cleaning it.
CLEANING
 Use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning the camera.
 Do not clean the input window unless it is absolutely
necessary.
 Be careful and avoid scratches and damage to the input
window surface.
 Do not use liquid cleaners or sprays.
LENS CLEANING
 The lens is best cleaned with pressurized air or with liquid
cleaners such as pure alcohol or with special optical
cleaners that are available at high quality photo stores.
 Use a cotton swab dipped in pure alcohol or optical cleaning
liquid and wipe only on the glass surface.
 Do not get any cleaning liquid on the metallic parts such as
the lens thread, because tiny detached particles may scratch
the surface.
CLEANING LIQUIDS
Aggressive cleaning liquids can damage your camera.
 Never use aggressive cleaning liquids such as gasoline,
acetone, spirits or nitro cleanser.
 Every time the input window is cleaned, there is the
possibility of surface damage.
PROTECTIVE CAP
Always store the camera with the protective cap or with a lens
mounted to avoid dust and dirt on the input window.
A5.3 RECYCLING
If you want to dispose your camera, please send it to PCO or take it
to a local recycling center.
The camera includes electronic devices, which can contain materials
harmful to the environment. These electronic devices must be
recycled.
78
A5 CUSTOMER SERVICE
A5.4 LOGFILE / SUPPORT FILE
If you have a question, which is not adequately addressed in this
manual, please contact PCO or your local dealer.
To speed your request, we need the following information:
Short description of the problem
Description of your application
Camera settings
Type and version of camera
Software being used
Camera serial number
Operating system (PC)
Processor type (PC)
Memory
Graphic card
Graphic card setup
How to create a logfile:
Enable log files:
Repeat
Open the Help
Menu
Save this file
Or visit our
website:
? Help Menu → Logging → Enable
Logfile →Camware will ask you to
press NO to activate Logfiles after
restart of Camware
the workflow which produces the
faults
Click Support Mail (+ Support File) →
Camware will ask you: Generate
support file?
(CWSupport.zip – don’t rename it)
and send it to PCO Support
([email protected])
http://www.pco.de/support/ and
upload the support file with our
support form
Repair
Before sending the camera for repair, first contact your local dealer
or PCO respectively.
When shipping the camera for repair, be certain to carefully pack the
camera with proper shipping materials. If possible use the original
packaging. Use the protection cap to protect the camera on the lens
thread.
79
A5.5 TROUBLE SHOOTING
Communication problems (camera is not detected)
• Take a look at the LEDs and note their state
• Disconnect and reconnect your interface (GigE, USB,
CameraLink), then wait for Beep (about 1 min) and start Camware
camera search again
• If this does not work – please test another interface
o Restart your camera by plugging off /on power supply: look
at LED sequence and note their state
o all LEDs are off for several seconds (if the break time was too
short, it might be possible that last LED status will be shown
again)
o all LEDs light up (red, green and blue)
o green LED is blinking for several seconds, then green
continuous, all other LEDs off
o red LED means initializing failed
• Please show us your log-files including extra information (any
other abnormalities / camera equipped with a battery?)
Image Error (e.g. quadrant error)
Please describe your error (send us a Raw B16 or TIFF screenshot)
Fan control
The pco.dimax has a fan control. After starting or restarting your
camera fan runs with highest rotation (noisy) and should slow down
after about 30s.
GigE-Connection
After start-up or (re)connection of GigE cable or by pushing the resetknob at the backside of the pco.dimax, the connection of the GigE
interface will be reassembled.
A short beep signalizes a physical network connection- this has
nothing to do with pco.camera driver (only so much of course that a
operating network connection is required for the pco camera driver)
A repetitive sequence of beeps signalizes that an infected cable is
detected but no communication is possible (autonegotiation failed).
Firmware, Software and Driver Update
You will find all necessary software and drivers on the accompanying
USB storage device.
For the latest versions please check our website:
http://www.pco.de/support/supportProducts/high-speed-cameras/
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A6 INDEX
A6 INDEX
NOTE:
The mentioned page is
always the starting
page of a chapter!
Key word
Auto File Save
Averaging
Chapter
6.8.1
Page
41
6.5
35
Acquire mode
6.3.5
26
A3
74
A2.1
57
6
13
Camera Link
A2.4
71
CDI mode
6.3.3
25
Codec Dialog
6.9.2
44
Connection options
A1.2
54
Contrast settings (Convert control)
6.3.7
32
Battery
Cable lengths
Camware software
Cuda nvidia driver
4.1
9
Data sheets
Demo mode (Camware)
A1.1
53
6.9.1
43
Dimensions
A1.6
56
Direct record to file
6.9.2
44
Double image mode
6.3.3
25
4.1 ; A2
9; 57
Driver installation
File formats
Frame rate
A4
76
6.3.1
17
GigE configuration
A2.3
59
HD-SDI
A2.5
73
6.5
35
IIR low pass filter
Image Overlay
Input / Output possibilities
Interfaces
6.4
34
6.3.6 ; A1.2
30; 54
A2
57
Internal Memory
6.3.4
26
Lemo connector
Logfile
A1.3
55
Live preview
Maintenance
Master Settings
Preview
6.9.7
48
6.9.4; 6.2
47, 14
A5.2
78
6.2
14
6.2
14
Rear connections
Recorder modes
A1.2
54
6.3.5
26
Recorder memory
6.3.4
26
Recycling
A5.3
78
Region of interest (Sensor ROI)
6.3.2
24
Rescan for cameras
6.9.3
46
Safety instructions
Save / Open / Print files
2
7
6.9.2
44
Sequence trigger mode
6.3.5
26
Sets (Camera Setting)
6.2
14
Settings Overview
6.8
40
6.9.9
51
A5
78
Synchronization
6.3.1
17
Time stamp
Timing
6.3.5
26
6.3.1
17
Trigger Mode
6.3.1
17
USB
A2.2
58
White Balance
6.9.9
51
Short Cut List
Support
81
ABOUT PCO
ABOUT PCO
pco.
In 1987, PCO was founded with the objective to develop and to
produce specialized fast and sensitive video camera systems, mainly
for scientific applications. Meanwhile the product range of PCO
cameras covers digital camera systems with high dynamic range,
high resolution, high speed and low noise, which are sold in the
scientific and industrial market all over the world.
Currently PCO is one of the leading manufacturers of scientific
cameras. Worldwide representatives, together with our own sales
department and technical support assure that PCO keeps in touch
with our customers and their needs. The actual wide range of
specialized camera systems is the result of technical challenge and
product specific know-how. A design according to advanced
techniques, a high standard of production and strict quality controls
guaranty a reliable operation of the cameras. Our own developments
in conjunction with an excellent contact to leading manufacturers of
image sensors ensure our access to state-of-the-art CCD- and
CMOS-technology for our cameras.
Since 2001, PCO is located in its own facility building in Kelheim at
the shore of the beautiful and international river Danube. Here in the
county Bavaria, which is well known for its excellent support and
conditions for high technology companies, we share the benefits of
the simple access to high performance products and services in the
surrounding area.
Kelheim itself is a historical town, first documented in 866. The small
city is founded at the confluence of the Danube and the Altmühl,
which has been converted into the Rhine-Main-Danube bypass
channel for water transport. Located in Danube-valley, it is the heart
of a beautiful river and forest covered lime plateau landscape. It´s
landmark, the Hall of Liberation, was built by Ludwig I. in 1863 on the
Mount Michael and is visible from all over the city and valley. The
beautiful Danube-Gorge, which is protected as natural monument
since 1840, is located between Kelheim and the famous abbey
Weltenburg.
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pco.

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