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Messages - sanjay

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1
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.7.0 Full Release
« on: December 01, 2023, 05:15:29 PM »
Once we begin shipping the Chronos 4K12 (Feb 2024) and Chronos Q12 (Mar 2024), the software team will continue to make updates. We're working to make the remote control app backwards-compatible with the 1.4 and 2.1-HD, and may also add some more features at that time, so please stay tuned for February regarding potential software updates and new features.

I am experiencing similar problems as user EB described. When trying to update the camera via the internet connection I get the error that the packages cannot be authenticated and that "-y was used without --force-yes". My camera is running on version 0.7.0 Firmware version 11. I would greatly appreciate any advice on this problem.

When trying the SD card update, my camera doesnt boot properly. The fan briefly runs then the camera goes into some form of idle state, where the power button is lit but nothing else happens. Every minute or so, the power status indicator flashes in red and the camera seems to reboot, again briefly turning on the fan.

You may need to update your camera manually (writing the image to the SD card) for now as we are experiencing a few issues with our package servers at the moment. We are looking into it.

2
Chronos User Discussion / Re: NEW: Chronos 4K12 and Chronos Q12
« on: December 01, 2023, 05:09:30 PM »
Will you guys have U.S.A. distributors to sell the new cameras so we don't have to pay customs/duties?

BTW, this is just an idea. But why don't you have a competition among Chronos owners to see which can make the most creative video and have the winners get a brand new Chronos 4K12 or Q12 camera. I think that would be a great idea!

We have no current plans to establish US distributors, as the direct from Krontech model is where we're able to extend more value to customers. We do partner with distributors in regions where the logistics are more complex, ie. in regions where we can't speak the language. I also spoke to our sales team about customs/duties and can confirm that if you ship with our preferred carrier (usually DHL) to the US and pay our shipping fee, the order ships DDP with incoterms. This means that Krontech covers taxes/duties the shipment incurs during customs clearance.

Great idea regarding the competition! I've taken note of it and the marketing team has read that note as well.


Thanks! That would be great if you are considering the competition. Also, I see the new Chronos cameras have the ability to go down in bit depth to 8 and 10 bit to increase frame rate. Can a firmware upgrade be done to the 1.4 and 2.1 to allow for this ability as well?

Also, how much faster is the saving speeds to SD card and SSD compared to the 1.4 and 2.1? I'm guessing it's possible to save to a USB C SSD drive now that we have USB C ports. If so, what is the maximum writing speed of the USB C ports on the new Chronos cameras?

The firmware on the 1.4 and 2.1-HD can't be upgraded to allow for adjustable bit depths. It is always 12-bits per pixel in those two cameras.

Saving speeds to SD card are TBD, but saving raw frames to SSD is looking to be about 3x faster vs 1.4/2.1-HD for raw frames. The maximum write speed of the USB-C interface is 20 Gbps. Sustained write speeds will vary by the type of drive you're saving to, and we're still making optimizations to the save speed within the software.


Hey! External SSD USB-C recording feature is nice, do you have any approved external SSD model to recommend? Was looking for an official list published by Kron, but could not find one. Unless you only have requirements like a minimum sustained speed? Please provide details, would be much appreciated!  :D

Just to clarify, the camera still needs to save to the internal 64 GB or 128 GB RAM buffer before you can transfer it to a USB-C SSD. I'd recommend the Kingston X2000 as it will take advantage of the camera's USB 3.2 2x2 port as mentioned above. We've used them here in the office and they work well with the camera to save footage off quickly.

3
Chronos User Discussion / Re: NEW: Chronos 4K12 and Chronos Q12
« on: November 16, 2023, 04:36:07 PM »
Will you guys have U.S.A. distributors to sell the new cameras so we don't have to pay customs/duties?

BTW, this is just an idea. But why don't you have a competition among Chronos owners to see which can make the most creative video and have the winners get a brand new Chronos 4K12 or Q12 camera. I think that would be a great idea!

We have no current plans to establish US distributors, as the direct from Krontech model is where we're able to extend more value to customers. We do partner with distributors in regions where the logistics are more complex, ie. in regions where we can't speak the language. I also spoke to our sales team about customs/duties and can confirm that if you ship with our preferred carrier (usually DHL) to the US and pay our shipping fee, the order ships DDP with incoterms. This means that Krontech covers taxes/duties the shipment incurs during customs clearance.

Great idea regarding the competition! I've taken note of it and the marketing team has read that note as well.


Will the max FPS @ min res be increased with a software update down the road, or is that a limitation of the sensor? Seems a shame that the original 1.4 still wins this spec by a sizeable margin.

No, the max FPS at min res is a limitation of the sensor. The 1.4 is still a great camera for framerates above 20,000 FPS.


How is the low light quality and dynamic range compared to the 2.1?

Low light quality is vastly improved compared to the 2.1. This is a brand-new sensor, and it has several architectural improvements, such as built-in black calibration, so there's actually no black cal button on the new camera. Image quality is paramount and we've spent a lot of time and resources ensuring that calibration, noise control in low-light conditions, and color science are all optimized by the time the cameras ship.

Dynamic range is 1 stop more than the 2.1 when comparing 12-bit to 12-bit. From our beta testing, even the 8-bit footage looks excellent thanks to those architectural improvements at the sensor level.


4
Chronos User Discussion / NEW: Chronos 4K12 and Chronos Q12
« on: November 14, 2023, 12:46:19 PM »
Hello Folks,

We have been working very hard here for nearly two years to develop a brand-new high-speed camera architecture that can host a multitude of sensors. Today, I am happy to announce the launch of two new cameras that continue to build upon the Chronos 1.4 and 2.1-HD in capabilities, performance, and value as compared to other high-speed cameras around the 12 Gpx/s mark.

Official launch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nbQ1Nykn_Y

The Chronos 4K12 is capable of 4K over 1,000 FPS. It is now available for pre-order and will begin shipping in February.
Details and demo shots: https://www.krontech.ca/chronos-4k12/
Pricing and pre-order: https://www.krontech.ca/product/chronos-4k12-pre-order-deposit/

The Chronos Q12 is capable of HD over 4,900 FPS. It is also now available for pre-order and will begin shipping in March.
Details: https://www.krontech.ca/chronos-q12/
Pricing and pre-order: https://www.krontech.ca/product/chronos-q12-pre-order-deposit/

Camera comparison page: https://www.krontech.ca/product-comparison/


Please feel free to ask questions about the new cameras here, and I'll be checking in to answer any questions. We're very busy at the moment, so it may take me a day or two to respond. If you'd like to expedite an inquiry, please use our official contact page on the website and one of our Product Specialists will reply promptly.

Thank you for supporting us and being an active part of our community!


5
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.7.0 Full Release
« on: January 25, 2022, 05:50:20 PM »
Hope everyone is doing well!

We've released update 0.7.2 with some more bugfixes:

  • When NFS or SMB shares are configured for saving footage to networked drives, the camera will automatically re-connect to the shared drive on reboot
  • NFS or SMB credentials configured on the Webpage will be synced with what's shown on the camera's built-in display

As usual, this update is available via Util -> Storage -> Apply Software Update, or with the full sd card image here:
http://debian.krontech.ca/builds/chronos-voyager-20220124.img.xz

6
Software Dev / Re: rtsp stream cuts out after 3:40 miniute stream.
« on: January 21, 2022, 03:22:18 PM »
Hi mist,

This was fixed in the latest software update 0.7.1. Please see my post about it here: https://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=687.msg4948#msg4948

Hope this helps!

7
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.7.0 Full Release
« on: December 22, 2021, 06:07:30 PM »
Hi All,

Today we released update 0.7.1 with some bugfixes:

  • RTSP Live Streaming on VLC no longer times out after a few minutes
  • Network File System (NFS) Saving now works with macOS
  • Setting trigger delay settings through Trigger I/O Settings -> Trigger Delay -> OK now saves the settings as expected
  • Updates to the bootloader were made to handle touchscreen displays from new vendors (not something you'll notice after an update, but cameras built starting in 2022 will feature IPS displays)

As usual, this update is available via Util -> Storage -> Apply Software Update, or with the full sd card image here:
http://debian.krontech.ca/builds/chronos-voyager-20211222.img.xz



Kudos to Marc for all the contributions to LUTs for our community  :)


There appears to be an issue with the Windows SMB setup.  If I configure it on the camera there is no option for mount folder and I can never get the camera to attach.  If I use the network / web interface I can set it up successfully and it will function until the camera is powered off.  Once the camera powers back up it appears to have forgotten the web based SMB settings.

Please see: https://www.krontech.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Chronos-SMB-Share-Setup-Guide-1.pdf and email our support team if you still need assistance, thanks!


Please note that our office will be closed from Dec 24 to Jan 3. Happy holidays everyone!

8
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.7.0 Full Release
« on: September 02, 2021, 03:29:46 PM »
Nice!
With the stability apparently bneing fixes, I'm going to upgrade to 0.7 from 0.5 soon.

By the way: The PDF Release Notes state version 0.6 in the upper left ;)
Ah yes, thank you for catching that!


Thanks sanjay !!!

Do you have any backlog of things to work on? So we can have an idea what's on the pipeline, softwarewise?


For the moment, there isn't much in the pipeline for 1.4/2.1 software updates aside from bugfixes as they come up. We'll usually give the latest release ~2 months to get out onto cameras in the field, and then work with our Support and Sales & Marketing teams to look at our maintenance priorities for the 1.4/2.1.


On shoot today and tested yesterday. Wish this would have come out a day earlier as currently saving all 11 seconds CinemaDNG on 2.1 to a 16GB SD card. Have yet to be able to get network or EsaTa working correctly or for it to recognize 64gb u3 cards.

Any fixes for this in the speed improvements?

Personally wasn't aware of the issue with 64GB u3 cards, but I will ask the team. It may be helpful to send us a support email about this one as well.

9
Software Dev / Re: FPGA - Xilinx or Altera
« on: September 02, 2021, 03:21:11 PM »
We use a single Lattice ECP5 (LFE5U-85F-8BG756I) in both the 1.4 and 2.1.

You'll see it in David's teardown video here: https://youtu.be/Y_TFiA05tcc?t=294

10
Software Dev / Chronos V0.7.0 Full Release
« on: September 01, 2021, 12:36:59 PM »
Hey Everyone,

We're happy to announce a new release of software for both the Chronos 1.4 and Chronos 2.1 cameras. This version will benefit owners of both models, as we have improved save speeds and reliability, as well as image quality on the 2.1.

We spent more time setting up image validation tests, and working with some of our users in the field to determine ideal settings for the Chronos 2.1 image sensor, so we hope the benefit is extended to you in this update.

Additionally, the Network Update option is available again, so this should be a fast and easy update for anyone on version 0.6.x. If you perform an update by connecting your camera to the internet via the Ethernet port, and then accessing the Network Update feature accessible through Util -> Storage -> Apply Software Update -> Check for Updates, you will not need to re-calibrate your camera to continue using it as long as you were previously on 0.6.x. You may still use the Network Update function to upgrade from 0.4 or 0.5, but please see the Calibration section of the Release Notes to verify correct re-calibration after the update.

I'll summarize the improvements and changes here, but please also see the official Release Notes here: https://www.krontech.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/RE-PDEV-10012-0.7.0-Release-Notes.pdf


New Features and Improvements

Save Performance and Reliability:
  • Save speed has been increased by up to 30%.
  • Stability while saving has been greatly improved.

Trigger/IO Settings:
  • Clarified some settings with "toggle" mode on the Trigger/IO screen. Now it
    specifies that it's only for buttons/switches and settings that should not be
    changed can't be changed when using this trigger function.
  • Trigger/IO screen now has a link to the trigger delay screen, and it will offer a
    reminder when using triggers if the trigger delay is changed from default (in
    case it was set accidentally).

Webpage Improvements:
  • Webpage has “zero-time” black calibration support (accessible from the menu
    at the top of the page). This feature allows for a fast black calibration to take
    place without the need to physically cover the image sensor.
  • Option for 'Digital Gain' added to the Main Screen / Homepage.
  • Some Chronos 2.1 color matrix options added to the webpage (for that camera).

Misc. Bug Fixes:
  • ‘Black Cal All’ doesn't crash the camera if certain specific trigger modes are
    used, nor will it set the trigger delay.
  • H.264 (mp4) files will not overwrite a previous file if a filename is provided
    (instead, it gives a warning that the filename was already used).

Chronos 2.1 Image Quality:
  • A previous software upgrade introduced a horizontal "shadow" when some
    areas were overexposed. This has been greatly reduced in v0.7.0.
  • Pink/magenta shift (especially in bright areas) reduced overall.

CinemaDNG Metadata:
  • All cameras formerly saved DNG images with metadata that indicated they
    were Chronos 1.4s, but this has been fixed. Chronos 2.1 cameras now say
    "Chronos 2.1" and Chronos 1.4 cameras still say "Chronos 1.4".
  • Color matrix settings are saved to DNG images now. Before, color matrix
    parameters in DNG files were always the same and ignored the camera's
    settings, but now the settings on the camera get saved in DNG files.



Known Issues, Updating Your Camera, and Calibration:
Please see the list attached in the Release Notes.


Updated User Manual and Datasheets
Please see either the 1.4 Resources or 2.1 Resources page on our website: https://www.krontech.ca/


As always, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for more urgent support inquiries. Thanks!

11
Software Dev / Re: Will there ever be a 100,000 FPS version again?
« on: July 29, 2021, 07:12:18 PM »
Hey Everyone,

I'd like to provide some steps on how to modify the sensor driver code in a Chronos 1.4 to get to ~100k FPS. While there is no intention to support such a capability in an official release of software, the functionality in question here resides in an open-source codebase, so I'm suggesting modifications that you already have the right to do since you own the camera outright. You don't need to be a programmer so long as you follow the steps l have added below, but you will need a terminal program such as PuTTY or TeraTerm, a micro or mini usb cable to connect from the Chronos to your PC, and an ethernet connection that allows for the camera to reach the internet.

Please note that we will not provide technical support related to the noise and general glitches that result in using your Chronos 1.4 at this resolution and any other configuration that wasn't released via an official software update.


Alright, let's get to it (commands to enter in your terminal are in blue:

1. SSH into the camera by connecting the USB Micro cable to your computer, opening a terminal program such as PuTTy.
   192.168.12.1 Port 22
   user: root
   password: chronos

2. Connect the camera to the internet via the ethernet cable so it can get some extra packages.

3. Stop the control software.
   service chronos-control stop

4. Run the following command to get some required software on the camera:
   apt-get update
    apt-get install git ca-certificates python3-setuptools


5. Clone the Pychronos repository into the home directory of the camera
   cd ~/
    git clone https://github.com/krontech/pychronos.git


6. Edit the sensor driver to extend the minimum frame size
(github link to the commit where I reverted this feature: https://github.com/krontech/pychronos/commit/223859426da71c23b90f0b09e766002c7b47e468#diff-ce76eae0bee25361c5353bd1ac92ff77907ec6e42adff4ee0605b87fb7e5704e)
   nano pychronos/pychronos/sensors/lux1310.py
      change MIN_VRES = 96 to MIN_VRES = 32 on line 32
      change numRows = 64 to numRows = min(64, fSize.vRes) on line 652
      save and exit the file with Ctrl + O then Ctrl + X

6. Navigate into the pychronos directory
   cd ~/pychronos

7. Build the package with your modifications by running
    python3 setup.py build

8. Install the package with your modifications by running
    python3 setup.py install

9. Power off the camera using the power button

10. Start the camera, navigate to Record Settings, enter a resolution of 320 x 32 and press Max next to FPS. The camera should show 109,890 FPS. You'll want to black cal before shooting as usual.

If the above steps leave the pychronos install in a broken state, you can delete contents in /usr/local/lib/python3.4/dist-packages/ and then reboot to load the pychronos build that originally shipped with the software image.




Here's a quick example of how a Chronos 1.4 will behave when aimed at a glass of water at 109,890 FPS: https://youtu.be/yXWM5_OZ84w

As can be seen in my video, the output suffers from occasional noise spikes and the bottom most rows are not being read out properly. As you can imagine, we'd likely receive many support emails/calls from folks who would wonder what was going on if we were to leave it implemented as-is for an official release. However, for those who really need the throughput, I hope this helps.

12
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.6.0 Full Release
« on: March 25, 2021, 03:30:56 PM »
The linked instructions say that special factory calibration files are no longer needed for both the 1.4 and the 2.1, while the first post here only mentions the 2.1 – can anyone please clear this up? Can the 1.4 generate it's calibration entirely on its own or is this limited to the 2.1?
Also, as the update currently cant be done "in place" but requires an SD-Card update, is the existing "factory" calibration data still relevant ion some way (like providing better results?)

A few notes to help clear things up (thanks for the help, Bian!):

Chronos 1.4
  • Fully self-calibrating from software versions 0.3.2 onwards
  • The old factory cal files aren't required/relevant anymore

Chronos 2.1
  • Fully self-calibrating from software versions 0.6.0 onwards
  • Required special factory files up until version 0.6.0, aka. factory cal
  • The old factory cal files can be kept in case you aren't satisfied with how the image quality works for your preferred resolution/framerate/gain settings, in which case you can safely revert to 0.5.0

Both Cameras
  • All calibration data generated by the camera itself can be backed up or restored via the Util -> Storage screen
  • It's possible to import calibration data between unstable and stable releases, but we recommend calibrating again after each update, since it's a short and automatic process

13
Software Dev / Re: Chronos V0.6.0 Full Release
« on: February 16, 2021, 10:44:58 AM »
Thanks for the feedback so far, everyone. Below are a few replies to various items:

Thanks for this update!!

One question to calibrate the camera - is it necessary to use a lense cap in step 1 too?

It isn't necessary to cover the lens in Step 1, as the sensor is running in a bypass/test mode, so it doesn't do anything with the light coming in.


Been using it for a bit now, and i really miss the "Play" Button in the Playback Screen? Is there a specific reason, why it had been removed in this Version? The Play button was very nice Way to view/review footage or to just have a loop playing. Still works with the Forward / Backwards buttons, but is kind of annyoing to allways need to hold the Button down and so on. Would love to see this Play Button come back in future Revisions if possible.  The File Browser /List Files option is Great though, finaly a way to check the Footage Without needing to have a PC right there.


This wasn't removed, but your default preferences were reset, which is why it was hidden again. It can be re-enabled by going into Util->Main, then checking the One-touch Playback option box.


Horizontal Banding: In cases where this occurs, it may help to black-cal a few times, especially after changing the shutter position. Will take a look, and have seen those sample DNGs, thanks Nikon.

Issues with 800x600: I've noticed this recently too, seems like changing the offset away from center moves the position of the vertical stripe. Also looking into it.

Lowered Dynamic Range: This is likely a side-effect of the sensor driver configuration. Some tweaks were made to the analog gain voltages to handle the vertical banding. Overall, we've been trying to work within the limitations of the sensor, and the tradeoff between the banding mitigation and light sensitivity hasn't been trivial. I'll keep an eye out for more info on this thread, as it is helpful in determining which areas still need improvement.

14
Software Dev / Chronos V0.6.0 Full Release
« on: February 08, 2021, 06:16:40 PM »
Hey everyone,

We're happy to announce a new release of software for both the Chronos 1.4 and 2.1 cameras. This version should especially be helpful to Chronos 2.1 owners, as our engineering team has spent even more time improving image quality and attempting to reduce vertical banding.

Something that's a bit different for this update is that you'll need to create an sd card image. We're having some issues with the package server, so the Util->Storage->Apply Software Update via network will not work for this update, but I still wanted everyone to have it instead of waiting for me to fix it. I'll come back and post when this update is also available via network update.

See http://debian.krontech.ca/manualBuilds/ for the update file, checksum, and a PDF of the release notes. Also contained in the PDF are instructions on how to update, and how to calibrate your camera, so hopefully that works as a start-to-finish guide for everyone. Please let me know if anything is unclear.


New Features and Improvements
  • Chronos 2.1 models benefit from an improved sensor driver configuration. The analog gain values of the LUX2100 sensor have been modified to reduce noise at higher levels of analog gain (also referred to as ISO), such as 6dB, 12dB, and 18dB. This translates to less vertical banding than in prior software versions. Adequate lighting is still highly recommended.
  • Chronos 2.1 models no longer require special factory calibration files. All calibrations required to use the camera with the best possible image quality can be performed by a customer in the field within 5 minutes via the Util -> Factory -> Column Gain Calibration function.
  • Chronos 2.1 models benefit from newly generated Color Matrix presets, as found in White Bal -> Color Matrix. Previous software versions had color matrices that were optimal for the LUX1310 sensor in the Chronos 1.4, instead of the LUX2100 sensor found in the Chronos 2.1.
  • A list of saved files on external media can now be browsed via Util -> Storage -> List Files. The same functionality exists to make it easier for users to select the save destination in Play -> Settings -> Pick Folder. The file browser also allows for users to delete files on external storage devices. This functionality is mirrored in the web page.
  • Monochrome cameras can no longer open Color Matrix settings. This was mistakenly enabled in 0.5.0.
  • Frame counts are no longer cut-off on the right-hand side of the display when in the Play screen when frame counts are six-digits long.


Known Issues, Updating, Calibration
Please see the PDF contained in the link above.


Chronos 2.1 Image Quality Change Demo
I've made a short video showing a before (0.5.1) and after (0.6.0) at HD with various analog gain levels. The main thing to note is the banding along the left and right sides of the frames in each shot, especially at 12dB. Please excuse the few spots of dirt on my engineering camera.
Download the video here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/urq1qmnsjv9kwcn/Chronos%202.1%200.6.0%20Update%20Demo%20%284%29.mp4?dl=0 (I recommend downloading instead of viewing online because of the compression/loss of detail from streaming)


0.6.0 User Manual
We've also updated our user manual to reflect this update, as well as some general semantics. See: https://www.krontech.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Chronos-1.4-and-2.1-User-Manual-Software-Version-0.6.0.pdf


As always, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for more urgent support inquiries. Thanks!

15
Software Dev / Re: Software support for alternate trigger modes
« on: January 04, 2021, 10:31:01 AM »
Apologies for the late reply as Krontech was on holiday break and we've just got back to the office.

We have yet to implement audio and acceleration triggering, as much of our software engineering effort is currently dedicated to new projects and critical bug fixes for the 1.4/2.1. On-camera image detection and triggering is something I'm weary about due to the performance demands it might have on the camera's CPU, but we have had some folks who have created their own code to handle this based on their requirements. Since our codebase is open-source, users are also welcome to create their own software solutions, and we'll always be around to help answer questions along the way.

That being said, our sales and marketing team recently ordered a Miops Smart+ trigger: https://www.miops.com/ to see how we could get it to easily and reliably serve those extra triggering purposes, so please stay tuned for some information on how to use this with a Chronos.

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