User manual

Phantom Help File380

9.7 Phantom STG, (Serial Tag Number), File

Each Phantom camera has a unique serial tag number file. This file is known as the camera's '.STG'

file. The .STG file contains factory calibrations and settings essential for the proper operation of your

Phantom camera. The Phantom installation CD, supplied with each new or newly serviced camera,

includes the '.stg' file for your camera.

Serial Tag Files use the file extension .STG and reside in the Phantom directory on the controlling

computer's hard drive. These files are specific to each camera manufactured and store the factory

settings and various lookup tables for the image sensor based on the 4-Digit Camera ID number. The

information in this file is also stored (duplicated) in the camera's non-volatile flash memory. Under

normal camera operation, this information is read by the Phantom application each time the software

is started or each time a camera is accessed over the network. When started, the application first

tries to read the factory settings from the computer .STG file. If it doesn't find the appropriate .STG file

on the computer, it reads the settings from the camera.

On the flip side, if the Phantom application is started or if the camera is accessed over the network

and no .STG file resides on the hard drive, the Phantom application will automatically create the .STG

file on the controlling computer's hard drive using the information residing in the camera flash

memory.

If for any reason the Phantom application cannot read the .STG information from the camera flash or

from a file in the Phantom directory on the hard drive then the software will prompt the user for

intervention. If the proper .STG file is not available the application can load a default set of

information. If the default information is written to the flash the camera will still operate but the image

quality will be less than optimum.

CAUTION

Never use an outdated .STG file. Never mix .STG files. Using .STG files from other cameras may

cause serious damage.

Vision Research keeps copies of .STG files on record and if needed a copy can be obtained via email

by contacting us.

Vision Research recommends making a backup copy of your camera's .STG file to store in a safe

place. We also recommend placing a copy of this file in a temporary folder somewhere on your hard

drive in the event you need to restore the camera's factory calibration settings quickly .

When the camera is first connected to the controller, it will automatically download the '.stg' file to the

Phantom folder. Normally, this folder is C:\Program Files\Phantom. Therefore, you MUST copy the file

from the CD, and use Windows Properties to disable the READ ONLY attribute of the .STG file after

it's copied to the hard drive.