User manual

Phantom Help File308
© 2010 Vision Research - An AMETEK Company
PA (Production Area)
The camera will highlight the production area specified by under exposing the area outside the
production area by 1-stop, and changing it to be monochrome. This production area can be
though as the area of the captured image that will be used in the final production.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the shape of the captured area in pixels. It represents the number of pixels
enabled to capture an image. For example, if 800x600 is set, the full sensor space available, it
is called 'Full Frame'.
The Resolution setting allows the user to change the dimensions, or aspect ratio, of the
sensors active pixel area. The aspect ratio is the width to the height ratio of the image being
recorded. Each type of camera has a specific maximum resolution.
Changing the Resolution settings to match the dimensions of the subject of interest allows the
user the option of recording at higher sample rates, or longer recording times at the same
sample rate. Smaller resolutions ‘crop’ the capture image by enabling a subset of pixels, this
allows you to customize the shape of the capture area to the application. For example, if you
are capturing a linear environment such as a rocket car, you do not need to capture the static
sky above and ground below the subject.
Sample Rate
The Sample Rate is the rate at which images are recorded. The Sample Rate field selection
list will change according to the Resolution selected. The larger the selection area the lower
the maximum frame rate.
NOTE
Set the Resolution before setting the Sample Rate. To set high sample rates, or increase the
recording time, reduce the selected Resolution (Width x Height).
Shutter Angle
Adjusting the shutter angle affects the amount of time that sensor is exposed to light. A larger
shutter angle may result in an increased motion blur on moving objects.
Post Trigger (via Memory Buffer Graphical Display)
The Post Trigger value represents how many pictures will be recorded after the trigger signal
is detected by the Phantom camera. Since the memory is scrolling memory, the Post Trigger
value also sets the number of pre-trigger images captured.
When a Post Trigger value is defined in the Phantom Camera Control software, the camera
will continue to record and store, to the camera’s DRAM buffer, image data after a trigger
signal is detected for n fames, where n is the number of post trigger frames specified.
After the trigger signal is detected by the camera, recording continues for an exact number of
frames, n, and stored in the image buffer, then recording stops; n will depend on the number of
post trigger frames defined by the user.
It’s important to note that the camera can only store a finite number of images into the memory
buffer based on the resolution, sample rate, image bit depth settings, and the memory size.
When a post trigger value has been defined the camera will only store the maximum image
count allowed, for the particular capture settings. The camera will only display the frames
stored in the memory buffer, the last x images, where x is the total number of images recorded
or stored in the image buffer.
At this point, the recorded images can be viewed or saved into a file on the Phantom Control
Unit or, optionally saved to Phantom CineMag memory magazine.