Messages

1

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Strange Behavior - Camera not capturing correctly.

« on: April 06, 2021, 04:02:26 PM »

Just a shot in the dark... but I noticed if I'm triggering my camera (shutter gating) and the source of the trigger is disconnected, I get odd patterns of lines on my display not entirely unlike what you are seeing... because the camera doesn't know when to take a frame... just wondering if you were triggering your camera as part of your setup?  Sorry, I don't have anything more insightful to offer.

2

Chronos User Discussion / Inexpensive Acoustic Trigger

« on: March 16, 2021, 12:44:37 PM »

I’ve found a way to acoustically trigger my Chronos 1.4 camera that is very inexpensive, accurate and easy to build.

The ‘sound detector’ board from SparkFun (SEN-14262 -- https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14262) is an analog audio sensing board that is able to output a TTL compatible pulse when it detects a sound.  This board is inexpensive ($12.50 CAD) and easy to hook up.  The board is easily powered by batteries (I use three AA batteries = 4.5 V).  If you connect the ‘gate’ output to your camera IO1 input then you can trigger your camera on a variety of acoustic events – claps, bangs, bird-tweets, stubbing your toe and cursing, etc.

The board also outputs an analog signal that is equivalent to the acoustic oscillogram and outputs an analog voltage that follows the envelope of the sound detected – so it’s quite a versatile board.  You can also change the microphone gain to make it more or less sensitive (it’s default is quite sensitive and worked well for me as delivered).

My plan is to incorporate this into a nice project case with BNC output so I can easily cable it to my camera in future.

I’ve attached a picture from my oscilloscope showing the output from the board.  You can find additional documentation about this board easily on-line.

I consider this a small work-around until the acoustic triggering features of the camera are implemented.

Please note that I do not work for SparkFun and I have not received compensation for this post in any way.  I’m just an absent minded professor-scientist.

Jeff.

3

Chronos User Discussion / Re: Dark video relative to live display

« on: July 12, 2018, 09:43:51 AM »

Thanks for the help and advice -- much appreciated.

I guess an added challenge, then, is that should I increase the lighting of the subject, the display image will show saturation... it makes it hard to use the display to set up shots.  On my old HS cameras, when the set-up images showed flaring/saturation it was a warning so as not to damage the image sensor.  Is it possible to damage this image sensor with too much light (I'm not talking a scenario that counts as abuse of the camera). 

I'm still getting a feel for this incredible camera!

Jeff.

4

Chronos User Discussion / Dark video relative to live display

« on: June 29, 2018, 06:22:08 PM »

Hi Everyone,

Perhaps a silly question (and roast me if it's a simple solution or I'm being a bone-head)... When filming with my Chronos camera with a fast shutter (say 10 us) I find the saved video (H.264, not RAW)  is dark relative to the image displayed on the camera.  I completely realize that the faster the shutter, the more light you need.  But my point is when looking at the camera display, the image is brighter than the off-loaded (saved) video.  So... how does the camera display render a superior quality (in terms of brightness) image relative to that saved to the SD card?

Jeff.

5

Software Dev / Re: Software V0.3 RC1

« on: June 06, 2018, 12:17:13 PM »

Thank you!

Jeff.

6

Software Dev / Re: Software V0.3 RC1

« on: May 18, 2018, 02:25:54 PM »

Hi Forum

I'm wondering if this updated software release (when it's officially released) will have support for ethernet connectivity (I read it's being developed and is a high priority)?  The updated manual states that it's still pending.  Any insights would be appreciated.

I've just ordered a pair of cameras to do high-speed stereo kinematic reconstructions of insect flight... my rig (wind tunnel, etc.) means access to the SD card for offloading video will be awkward.  I did read that there is a script that allows monitoring of the SD card for new files then automatically sending them to a remote computer by SCP... additional information about that option would be appreciated (information beyond what is already on the forum, of course).

Can't wait for the new cameras to arrive!
J.