PEE-POD 500 (FOR SOFTWARE VERSIONS OR LATER) USER'S GUIDE. The PEE POD 500 is a sophisticated tool and extreme care must be taken in its use.

Transcription

1 ref.500userguide.9 PEE-POD 500 (FOR SOFTWARE VERSIONS OR LATER) USER'S GUIDE IMPORTANT!! The PEE POD 500 is a sophisticated tool and extreme care must be taken in its use. Before the equipment is used the following safety procedures must be followed :- Check for any signs of damage, loose or missing fixings. If in any doubt do not use the equipment. Never overload the Head. ( Max. Load - Two Axis & Three Axis 60 lbs (27kgs) After turning off the power to the system, wait 5 seconds before turning power on again or the system will default to SAFE MODE. These guidelines are to be read and fully understood before using the equipment. Page No 1

2 INDEX A Advanced Settings For Memory Consoles APZ C Camera Start Options (Standard Consoles)... 8 Camera Start Options for Memory Consoles Change Position Recall Time Changing Default Settings on Memory Consoles Changing HD Gearbox from Pan to Tilt or Roll Changing Software in HD Gearboxes Checking Software version (Memory Consoles)... 9 Console Check Screen Console Lockout For Memory Consoles... 9 D Digital Lens Control Options Display Adjustment E Erase Moves From Memory F Frame Rate Settings H Head Datum Functions I Initial Setup (Standard Consoles)... 8 Initial Setup for Memory Consoles... 9 Iris Control For Video Lenses... 9 L Lens Prepare Option Limiting Pan to Protect Cables Limiting Pan Turns to protect cables... 9 Linking To a Computer Loading New Software into Memory Consoles M Modem Setting Page No 2

3 N Null Modem Cable P Pan Bar Cable Diagram Pan Bar Setting PEE-POD 500 HD Gearboxes Power Buster Setup R Recall a Move Recall a Stored Position Restoring Move & Positional Information from Computor Roll Return Function S Saving Move & Positions Data to a Computor Select Head Type Sending Binary Data From Console to Computor Setting Axis Limits (Standard Consoles)... 8 Setting Axis Limits for Memory Consoles Store & Recall Moves & Positions Store a Move T Tera Term Installation U USB Connection V Video Lens Cable Options Video Lens Cables Views Of Control Formats... 6 Views Of Head Formats... 4 Z Zoom Kick Settings Page No 3

4 Some Of The PEE POD 500 Head Formats Post Pod Low Profile 250 Jib Arm Chassis Slider Chassis Page No 4

5 Jib Arm & Third Axis 235 Jib Arm Chassis Page No 5

6 PEE POD 500 Console Formats Standard Console Display / Memory Console Page No 6

7 Foot Pedals (For Use On Joystick Consoles) Hand Wheels Standard Jib Arm Console Memory Jib Arm Console Mk3 Pan Bar (Shown with Memory Jib Arm Console) Page No 7

8 POD CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SOFTWARE VERSIONS OR LATER These instructions for the Control Systems are the same for the PEE-POD 500, PEE-POD 1600 & the POWER-POD Standard Console (No Display) Initial Setup For Film Camera Use Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Film Camera To Head. Fit Digital Lens Motors to Lens and Cable up system. Power Up Head Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses. Power Up Camera and Accessories. For Video Camera Use Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Video Camera To Head. Cable up system and Lens drives Power Up Head and Camera Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses. Note! When the system is first turned on, the system will not respond until the Red LED next to the Green Tilt limit button begins to flash.(approx. 6 secs). To Set Axis Limits Note! With this console, only the Tilt limits can be Set. Make sure the LED next to the Green Tilt Limit Button is flashing Red and then move Tilt with Controls to First required limit position. Press the Green Tilt Limit Button to Set Limit. Make sure the LED next to the Green Tilt Limit Button is flashing Green and then move Tilt with Controls to Second required limit position. Press the Green Tilt Limit Button to Set Limit. The LED is now Green and the Tilts limits are now on. To turn the Tilt limits off press the Green Tilt Limit Button. The LED will now turn to flashing Red. Note! With this console once the Tilt limits have been turned off, they have to be reset using the above procedure. To Select Camera Start / Stop / VTR Format (Normal or Pulse) Press Green Button next to CAMERA START / STOP Format changes from NORMAL (Red LED) to PULSE (Green LED) each time the Green Button is pressed. Once selected this will become the default setting. Notes! 1. Set to PULSE for Video Cameras (VTR) 2. Pressing this Green button will not start / stop the Camera To Start the Camera Press the lower Green button next to Camera Running the LED will turn Red to indicate that the camera is running. Pressing the Green button again will stop the camera. Page No 8

9 Iris Control For Video Lens (using the MK2 Video Drop Box) For the older type Analogue Video Lenses an Iris Video Iris Interrupter Junction Box will need to be fitted in between the Video lens cable that plugs into the body of the camera and the camera. For the later lenses that offer a direct serial link for controlling the lens digital drive, use the A & C Digi link cable for the lens in question. When the Iris REV-OFF-REV switch is in the middle position (OFF), the iris is controlled by the camera or through the Triax. When the Iris REV-OFF-REV switch is in the other positions, Iris is now controlled by the Iris control knob on the Console. Pan Cable limits The Pan gearbox can be limited to four turns in either direction (8 turns total) using an electronic limit. This prevents the cables that have been fed through the middle of the gearbox shaft being twisted to the point of failure. To enable the Pan Cable limits the Aux REV-OFF-REV switch should be set to the OFF or middle position before the system is powered up. Memory Console (With Display) Initial Setup CHECKING SOFTWARE VERSION IN DISPLAY CONSOLES This can be found by waiting until the system has finished booting up and the first screen shows STORE DATUM in the middle of the display and pressing the ENT button twice. For Film Camera Use Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Film Camera To Head. Fit Digital Lens Motors to Lens and Cable up system. Power Up Head Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses. Power Up Camera and Accessories. For Video Camera Use Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Video Camera To Head. Cable up system and Lens drives Power Up Head and Camera Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses. To Activate Console Lockout To activate keypad lockout press and press ENT To reactivate keypad press and press ENT Page No 9

10 Note! When the system is first turned on, the display will show the following main menu:- When the display asks TO STORE DATUM move Head to any reference point and press ENT. (DATUM is only important if you want to save the positional information for use at another time). To Select Camera Start / Stop / VTR Format ( Normal or Pulse ) Press Green Button next to CAMERA ON / OFF Format changes from NORMAL to PULSE each time the Green Button is pressed. Once selected this will become the default setting. Notes! 1. Set to PULSE for Video Cameras (VTR) 2. Pressing this Green button will not start / stop the Camera Setting Axis Limits (First Menu) To Set Roll Limits Move Roll with Controls to first required limit position. Press Green button next to SET ROLL LIMITS Move Roll with Controls to second required limit position. Press Green button next to SET ROLL LIMITS The Roll limits are now on. To Turn Off Roll Limits Press Green button next to ROLL LIMITS ON/OFF Roll Limits are now turned off. To Set Tilt Limits Move Tilt with Controls to first required limit position. Press Green button next to SET TILT LIMITS Move Tilt with Controls to second required limit position. Press Green button next to SET TILT LIMITS The Tilt limits are now on. To Turn Off Tilt Limits Press Green button next to TILT LIMITS ON/OFF Tilt Limits are now turned off. Page No 10

11 To Set Pan Limits Move Pan with Controls to first required limit position. Press Green button next to SET PAN LIMITS Move Pan with Controls to second required limit position. Press Green button next to SET PAN LIMITS The Pan limits are now on. To Turn Off Pan Limits Press Green button next to PAN LIMITS ON/OFF Pan Limits are now turned off. Changing Default System Settings (Second Menu) Movement Damping Damping can be selected by the panel switch on the Master Console. The Damping rate can be changed by pressing the Green button next to 0 DAMPING FACTOR, entering a new damping number 9 to and pressing ENT. This will now become the default setting. APZ (Automatic Proportional Zoom) APZ automatically reduces Pan and Tilt speeds as the lens travels from Wide to Telephoto. To activate APZ press the Green button next to APZ. The APZ is now on in the Forward direction. Pressing the Green button again will change APZ to the Reverse direction. Pressing the Green button again will turn APZ off. To Change Max.Speed Press the Green button next to MAX SPEED and the top speed will change from 2.5 seconds for 360 degrees of movement to 2.1 seconds. Pressing the Green button again will change it back to 2.5 seconds. To Change The Position Recall Time Press the Green button next to RECALL TIME and entering a new recall number 0 to 9 and pressing ENT. Page No 11

12 Head Datum Functions To Recall Datum Press the Green button next to HEAD FUNCTIONS. Press R. Press ENT (Enter). To Set New Datum Move head to new Reference point and press Green Button next to HEAD FUNCTIONS. Press ENT (Enter). To Store and Recall Positions & Moves To Store a Position ( Pan - Tilt - Roll - Lens Functions ) Using Controls, point Camera at desired position and adjust Lens Functions. Press S (Store) Press P (Position) Key in position number 00 to 99 Press ENT (Enter). Position is now stored. To Recall a Stored Position Press R (Recall) Press P (Position) Key in stored position number 00 to 99 Press ENT (Enter). Head will now recall stored position To Store a Move ( Pan - Tilt - Roll - Lens Functions ) Using Controls, point Camera at desired starting position and adjust Lens Functions. Press S (Store) Press M (Move) Key in move number 00 to 99, avoid numbers already used to store positions. To start recording press ENT (Enter) and run system through your move. To stop recording press ANY KEY. Move is now stored. To Recall a Stored Move Press R (Recall) Press P (Position) Key in stored move number 00 to 99 Press ENT (Enter), this will position Head at start of the move. Press R (Recall) Press M (Move) Key in stored Move number 00 to 99 Press ENT (Enter). to replay stored move. Page No 12

13 Note! To terminate a Move or Position replay at any time press ANY KEY to abort. To Select Head Type (Third Menu) Press the Green button next to SELECT HEAD TYPE for POWER-POD 2000, PEE-POD 1600 or PEE-POD 500. This will now become the default setting. The bottom left hand corner of the screen will show which head has been selected. 05 = PEE-POD 500, 16 = PEE-POD 1600 & 20 = POWER-POD To Erase Moves Memory (Third Menu) Press the Green button next to ERASE MEMORY, now follow display instructions 1 using the password 2 3 4, and then press ENT when requested. or To erase all move memories using the keypad, press ESC then press M. Now 1 follow display instructions using the password 2 3 4, and then press ENT when requested. To Prepare Lens (Third Menu) Press the Green button next to PREPARE LENS, this will start the lens Auto-Setup or To initialise a lens Auto-Setup using the keypad, press ESC then press P. Now press ENT. To Reverse Display (Third Menu) Press the Green button next to REVERSE DISPLAY, this will reverse the display. This will now become the default setting. Page No 13

14 To Select Console Check (Third Menu) Press the Green button next to CONSOLE CHECK to activate the diagnostic screen shown below. This screen confirms all command inputs, speed knobs for fault finding. To exit this screen press ESC and the screen will return to Third Menu. Pan Bar On/Off Press this button to show Pan Bar On when using a Pan Bar for operating the Head. Press this button to show Pan Bar Off when using other controls like the Joystick or Hand Wheels. Note! This function only changes the minimum signal that the controls will respond to and in most cases will only be noticed when the lens is zoomed in to Telephoto. Selecting Advanced System Settings (Fourth Menu) Frame Rate Use this Green Button to change the synchronise rate that the Head information is stored to. This is helpful for synchronising the system to other systems. Page No 14

15 Modem Mode Pressing this Green button changes the communication format to allow the radio Modem to work. When this is active the head will NOT work through the standard cable link but only through the POD RF Modem. All the time the Modem Mode is working the letters MDM will flash in the bottom right hand corner of the screen. Zoom Kick (For Use Only With Preston or Hedén type Lens Motors) Zoom Kick is a Program option that cancels out any backlash that is present in either the Zoom motor or the Lens internal mechanics. It gives the Zoom repeatability in either direction that it is invaluable for virtual applications and post production. Press the Green button next to ZOOM KICK and the Zoom motor will start to move in and out every 1/3 of a second.(you might not see this at first.) Pressing P will increase this movement and pressing M will decrease this movement. Keep pressing the P until this pulsing becomes visible in the Camera picture, now reduce this pulsing using the M until the pulsing is no longer visible. Press the ESC and the system will now remove Zoom backlash. You will see that there is a three digit number given to the ZOOM KICK, you can enter this number instead of using the P and M next time you are setting up ZOOM KICK. Roll Rtn (Makes the Roll Spring Back to the Horizon) Align the Roll axis with the horizon. Press this Green button, this tells the Roll to return to its horizon when the Roll control is in its rest position. Adjust the Roll speed pot to increase/decrease the amount of Roll movement. Press this Green Button again to turn off this function. Roll Rtn can also be turned ON/OFF by pressing the ESC & ENT together. Cable Lims (For PEE-POD 500 only) The Pan gearbox can be limited to four turns in either direction (8 turns total) using an electronic limit. This prevents the cables that have been fed through the middle of the gearbox shaft being twisted to the point of failure. To enable the Pan Cable limits press this button. To disable this function, press this button again. Each time the console is powered up the system will default to Cable Limits off. Page No 15

16 Linking the Console to a Computer Only Consoles with the screen display can be linked and upgraded with new software by the customer. All other Consoles must be returned to A&C for upgrading of software. The Console must be connected to a PC by a serial link using a Null Modem Cable. This Null Modem Cable was supplied with the head when new (it is not a standard cable) and new ones can purchased from A&C or we can give you the details needed to make your own. Null Modem Cable To get a wiring diagram of the Null Modem Cable follow this link:- Some of the newer PC s and Laptops only have USB connection and not the serial port found on the other PC s. A USB to Serial Adapter kit can be purchased from most computer stores or they can be purchased from A&C. If you need a USB to Serial Adapter kit, this should be installed on your computer before completing the rest of these instructions. You will need a terminal program on your computer to communicate with the Console. You can use Windows HyperTerminal which is on many computers or you can install Teraterm (we recommend Teraterm) which can be downloaded from our website (its freeware) by using this link:- Save the file to your Desktop Double click on the Teraterm icon Click on Run The following examples of what you see on your computer screen may vary depending on the Windows operating system your computer has (XP, Vista ect.). Page No 16

17 Click on Next Click on Accept the Agreement and then click Next Accept the destination of the program or change it and click Next Page No 17

18 On the Select Components screen click Next Choose the Language and click Next To create a Shortcut click Next Page No 18

19 On the Select Additional Tasks screen click Next Click on Install Click on Finish Page No 19

20 Double click on the new Tera Term icon to start Teraterm Select Serial (Not TCP/IP) and select the Port and click on OK Select Setup and Serial port. Set Baud rate to and click OK Page No 20

21 Select Resize and select 120X52(2) Select Setup and Save Setup. Accept the Filename TERATERM and click Save Your Teraterm program is now setup and ready. Page No 21

22 TO LOAD NEW SOFTWARE INTO YOUR CONSOLE Your new Console software is in a file ending with the letters PWP (for example 2330.PWP) Put this file on your computer where it is easy for you to find. Use the Null Modem Cable to connect your computer to your Console Make sure that Teraterm is running Hold down the ENT button on the Console Keypad and switch on the power to the Console (after 2 seconds you can release the ENT button). You should see something like this screen below Key in the numbers 4321 and you should see something like the screen below Page No 22

23 Click on File and Send file Find the new PWP file and click on Open Page No 23

24 Your PWP file will now start to download into your Console When the download is complete, you should see something like the screen above You now need to restart your Console for the system to run normally. You can reload old programs into the Console if you wish to return to previous software versions. Page No 24

25 Transfer Of Move and Positional Information using Teraterm To Upload Information From the System Console To Computer Connect your Consol to your computer and make sure Teraterm is running. Press U on the computer keyboard. You will now see- START CAPTURE THEN PRESS ENTER Click on File at the top of the screen and Log from the drop down menu. Choose the directory you wish to save your move file in and give the file a name ending in.txt. Make sure that the Plain Text box is ticked only. Click on the Save box and the press enter on the computer keyboard. Click on the Tera Term:Log in the Task Bar at the bottom of the screen. Click on the Close button. This file now contains all of the moves and positions recorded in the console. At this point click on the Setup at the top of the screen and then Save Setup.. Now click on the Save button and the program will always remember your directories and settings. Page No 25

26 To Restore Moves and Positions from a saved file back into the Console Press D on the computer keyboard. You should now see:- ENTER PASSWORD TO LOAD MEMORY Enter 1234 on your computer keyboard. You should now see:- SEND MEMORY FILE TO LOAD MEMORY Click on File at the top of the screen then Send File in the drop down menu. Select the file you saved ending with.txt and click on Open. The file should now download to the Console and you should now see:- LOADING COMPLETE MEMORY USED **% The operation is now complete. SENDING BINARY INFORMATION TO ANOTHER COMPUTER This option sends binary data from the consoles 9 pin D connector to another computer sending the heads changing positions. When the console has been linked to another computer (see earlier section)pressing the B on the computer keyboard invokes this mode. Pressing the B again, turns the Binary mode off. Page No 26

27 PEE-POD 500 HD Gearboxes The PEE-POD 500 HD gearboxes have different electronics and software inside, compared to the standard PEE-POD 500 gearboxes. The HD version allows the software inside the gearbox to be changed when the console is linked to a computer running Teraterm and allows the gearbox identity (Pan, Tilt, Roll & Aux) to be set from either the console or a computer linked to it. Changing the software in the HD Gearbox Link the Console to the computer using Teraterm but do not connect the gearbox (or gearboxes) that are to have new software yet. Press the Enter key on the computer two times. Key in the number and the Enter key on the computer keyboard and you should now see:- NOW CONNECT THE GEARBOX TO THE CONSOLE with the 3 pin cable. Click on File at the top of the screen then Send File in the drop down menu. Page No 27

28 Select the file ending with.hed for the gearbox and click on Open. The file should now start to download into the gearbox. When the file download is complete you should now see:- Page No 28

29 Turn off the power to the console and after about 5 seconds, turn the power on again. The gearbox is now ready for work. Changing the Gearbox ID to either Pan, Tilt, Roll & Aux This can be done from the console without being connected to a computer or through Teraterm if it s convenient. Press the ENT button two times and then key in the number and ENT. This changes the Axis to the next setting. It will move from Roll to Pan to Tilt to Aux each time you do this operation. Page No 29

30 HOW TO CONNECT THE CABLES TO THE MK3 PAN BAR Aux Focus To Video Iris Link Box (Older systems) Zoom/Focus Handset BNC LINK Back Of Console Power Supply To Head Computer Link Base Of Pan Bar Freeze Button Zoom/Roll Handset With Freeze Button Page No 30

31 MAINS POWER SUPPLIES Our PEE-POD & POWERPOD Remote heads need to be supplied with a voltage of 28 volts DC and we have designed one power supply for primary use with Video and TV Cameras and one for the more demanding Film Cameras. Both of these are auto input ranging and can be plugged into mains supplies 90 to 240 volts AC 50/60Hz without the need to make any adjustments. These units are also fuse protected with a spare fuse in the IEC fitting. Video Power Supply This power supply is recommended for systems that are using Video Cameras or Cameras that do not require more than 6 amps to run. The cable used to run this system is three core and uses 3 Pin Lemo Connectors (cable runs of up to 80 metres). Film & Video Power Supply (Power Buster) This power supply uses our Power Buster technology over cable lengths up to 100 metres to supply up to 17 amps for the heavy demand some Camera systems need to achieve high speed. The cable used to feed the head in this system is five core and uses 5 pin XLR connectors. Page No 31

32 POWER BUSTER for Film Cameras power supply Film Cameras can draw heavy current that would normally give problems over long cable lengths. This problem is prevented by using the POWER BUSTER system. The POWER BUSTER power supply can be recognised from the standard power supply as it uses a Green LED on its front panel (instead of a Red LED that is on the standard power supply) and it has a 5 pin Canon XLR socket instead of a 4 pin. This setup uses sense lines to compensate for the drop in voltage over long cable lengths. The system has been tested to give 26.5 volts 17 Amps over at least 200 ft. Cable Diagram For POWER BUSTER Setup This Power Supply, has a Green LED 3 Pin Green To Console 3 Pin Green To Head Keep short This Box Near The Head 100 ft or longer 5 Pin XLR Page No 32

33 Which Video Lenses will POD Systems Control All of the POD Video Lens Control systems are aimed at the Broadcast range of lenses. Most manufactures have other lenses which are sometimes described as Conferencing or Industrial and occasionally Professional. These lenses do not always have the same Control options as the Broadcast lenses and sometimes cannot be controlled by the PEE-POD without our non standard leads. The POD range of Heads has: A Lemo 3 Pin Socket (1B 303 Black Washer) for controlling the Analogue Focus servo s on Video lenses. A Lemo 7 Pin Socket (1B 307 Red Washer) for controlling the Analogue Zoom servo s on Video Lenses and Start/Stop of VTR. A Lemo 2 Pin Socket (1B 302 White Washer) for controlling Analogue Iris (only on the later Mk 2 Video Drop Box). A Lemo 4 Pin Socket (1B 304 Yellow Washer) for controlling the Digital Lenses through a direct serial link. This single lead can control Zoom, Focus & Iris (only on the later Mk 2 Video Drop Box). The most Common Video lens leads used with the PEE-POD systems are:- Stock No Stock No Stock No Stock No Stock No Stock No IRIS CONTROL Iris Control for all Analogue lenses (you must also have the Iris Junction Box). Iris Junction Box. FUJI Fuji Focus (3 Pin Black) for all Fuji ENG Broadcast lenses with built in Focus Servo s or add on Focus Servo Modules with 12 Pin Control Socket e.g. FSP 13. Fuji Zoom (7 Pin Red) for all Fuji ENG Broadcast lenses Fitted with 12 Pin Control Socket. Fuji Zoom (7 Pin Red) for Older Broadcast lenses and Conferencing or Industrial and occasionally Professional grade units, fitted with 8 Pin Connector. Fuji Serial link to Digi Lenses (for control of Zoom, Focus & Iris). Page No 33

34 Stock No Stock No Stock No Stock No CANON Canon Focus (3 Pin Black) for all Canon ENG Broadcast lenses with built in Focus Servo s or add on Focus Servo Modules with 6 Pin Control Socket e.g. FPM40/50/70/77/80/400/420/500. Canon Zoom (7 Pin Red) for all Canon ENG Broadcast lenses Fitted with 12 Pin Control Socket. Canon Zoom (7 Pin Red) for Older Broadcast lenses and Conferencing or Industrial and occasionally Professional grade units, fitted with 8 Pin Connector. Canon Serial link to Digi Lenses (for control of Zoom, Focus & Iris). OTHER LENS LEADS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER MANUFACTURERS If your POD System does not have the new Mk 2 Video Drop Box for direct serial Digi Control, you can control the Canon Digi Lenses through the Analogue lens leads as follows. CANON ADAPTER LEAD CC INTO 20 PIN SOCKET CANON ADAPTER LEAD CC INTO 20 PIN SOCKET DO NOT USE THIS 8 PIN SOCKET When using the Canon Digital Lenses on the POD systems without digital video lens control, you need to get from Canon two adapter leads that plug into the 20 pin sockets on the lens and the PEE-POD Leads plug into these adapter leads. The Canon Part numbers are:- CC CC 20-6 It does not matter which one of the 20 pin sockets you plug the adapter leads into. Page No 34

35 Digital Video Lens Control with the MK2 Video Drop Box THIS SECTION IS FOR SYSTEMS WITH CONSOLE SOFTWARE 2327.PWP OR LATER AND THE CHIP INSIDE THE MK2 VIDEO DROP BOX LRX 2087 OR LATER. What are Digital Video Lenses? Up to 2003 most broadcast quality Video lenses used analogue signals to control the Zoom, Focus and Iris functions on these lenses. Each function on the lens requires its own conductor (wire) to establish control. These older systems can be controlled from a distance by the use of analogue signals or voltages. The length of these wires must be limited to reduce the analogue signal loss that occurs over longer cables. Signals that confirm the lenses position (what zoom and focus are actually doing) is done through more conductors, again using a separate conductor for each function. Full remote control of the entire lens functions on an analogue lens, need up to 10 wires. Digital Video lenses can be controlled by connection to a single data link from a computer or microprocessor (most digital lenses still have the older analogue control systems as well). This data uses an established protocol or language to control many functions on the lens and this is all done through this single link. Digital Video Lenses offer significant advantages over the older analogue systems. The most obvious being single data line control for all functions over much longer distances without the loss of accuracy that is associated with analogue controls. Control Options on PEE-POD MK2 Video Drop Boxes for Digital Lenses All PEE-POD MK2 Video Drop Boxes offer control of Digital Video Lenses through a dedicated data output to the lens. This is the 4 pin socket on the Video Drop Box and it has a Yellow ring around the socket. This output communicates with the lens using the data protocols from Canon and Fujinon lenses. Communication between the lens and the Video drop box is in half duplex and allows the Video Drop Box to establish if the lens is doing as instructed by the Video Drop Box. This single connection can control Zoom, Focus and Iris on the Digital Video lens drive of Canon and Fujinon broadcast lenses. Focus This is a simple positional control of Focus and at this time we do not offer any other options on Focus. Iris (or F stop) This is a simple positional control of Iris and at this time we do not offer any other options on Iris. Please note! If the Iris direction switch on the Console is in its middle or stop position, the Iris will be on Automatic control by the lenses internal electronics or through the Triax. If it is in its left or right position on the Console, then control is given to the knob on the Console. Zoom Control All of the following information is for Console software 2327.PWP or greater and LRX chips (inside the Video Drop Box) of LRX 2087 or greater. Page No 35

36 Velocity Zoom Control The most common way of controlling Zoom is by using a Velocity control system (or loop) to regulate the Zoom movement. This method of regulating Zoom movement gives complete priority to the speed regulation and smoothness of zoom. This gives good performance on all lenses regardless of wear and clearance in the lenses drive mechanism. The positional repeatability of this method is a little inconsistent and in some cases where stored moves or positions are recalled, there can be small errors. Positional Zoom Control There is now another method of controlling Zoom when using Digital Video Lenses and this is known as Positional Zoom control. This method uses a timed series of positional commands that move the zoom along an accurate path that gives positional precision. The smoothness of this movement is determined by two main conditions. 1. Some lenses use a potentiometer to give a position signal of where the zoom is in its range of travel. The accuracy of this signal will depend on the precision of the potentiometers output along its range of movement. The signal from the potentiometer is never perfect but some are better than others. This inaccuracy of potentiometer signal will produce a variation of the zoom speed that can sometimes be seen when using Positional Zoom Control at the very slow zoom speeds. The better lenses use an encoder instead of a potentiometer to produce a position signal from the zoom range of travel. Because of the accuracy of the encoder, the smoothness of the zoom when using Positional Zoom Control is excellent. 2. The Video Drop Box uses the lens manufacturers built in servo-drives to move the Zoom, Focus and Iris. Some of these drives are better than others and the smoothness of the zoom when changing direction will be effected by:- A. Greater amounts of clearance or backlash in the lens mechanics. B. Higher levels of hysteresis or damping in the lens manufactures own control systems. Where these factors are not good a very small jump in the movement of zoom can sometimes be seen when the zoom is at near maximum telephoto and you try to change direction of the zoom at very slow speeds. This small jump can only be seen when using Positional Zoom Control and the zoom is being asked to very slowly change direction. The better lenses where A. and B. are not present do not show this problem. The Video Drop Box can compensate for the conditions that produce the small jump or kick in Positional Zoom Control. This compensation can eliminate or reduce this small jump or kick. From the normal screen on the PEE-POD Console press the ESC button three times. Now key in 3333 and then the ENT button. Page No 36

37 This should show you the Engineering Menu When the Digi.Zoom Kick is at 0 no compensation is being used. Pressing the green button indicated once changes the 0 to a 1 and the compensation is at its lowest level. Try the zoom and see if the condition has improved. Each time you press the button the compensation level will move by one division. You can increase or decrease the level by pressing the M or P key on the console keypad to change the arrows from up to down. The adjustment range is up to 14 Change the level of compensation until you get the best setting. When you have finished press the ESC key (the setting will stay in memory until changed). Page No 37