BR Remote Camball4 XM Owner's manual

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Camball4
XM & VR
Instructions & Information
Ver. 1018.3

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Contents
Introduction…………………………………3
Control Priorities…………………………...4
Joystick Control…………………………….4
DMX Control………………………………..4
DMX Settings……………………………….5
Free-D & Mstar Control…………………....5
Connections……………………….……..…6
LED Indicators……………………….……..7
LCD Display…………………………….…..7
Pre-Set Positions & Profile Moves….……8
Movement Specifications………………..10
CCU commands ………………………….11

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Introduction
The Camball4 range of cameras is designed to accommodate the latest requirements for
additional control protocols, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) applications and
also for Studio Automation applications.
The control protocol options currently include, DMX, Free-D, Mstar and Dstar.
The DMX Control’ of the Camball4 has been developed in response to the requirement
integrate cameras into master show computers.
Free-D, Mstar, are intended for use with VR and AR applications.
Dstar is our standard ‘live action’ protocol which has been controlling remote cameras for over
20 years.
There are 2 versions of the Camaball4, XM (extended motion) and VR (Virtual Reality). Both
versions can have the iBase fitted to allow internal Fibre and IP connectivity.
The units are rugged and weatherproof and can be used externally without further protection.
It can be rigged normally or inverted and there are a number of options which can be specified
including internal lens heaters and wide-angle converters.
Camball4 with iBase

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Control Priorities
No changes have been made to the normal joystick operation and the system is rigged in the
normal way, with a joystick controller. Positional commands are automatically recognised
and it moves as commanded. However the operator can take control with the joystick panel
at any time.
On a position-based application this allows for the operator to correct for artists being out of
position, or for live action following. Control will revert to position control when there is no
operator input AND a new position is received.
This also allows for the iris to be operated by a vision engineer, rather than the positional
controller. If the Iris position remains constant the unit will not revert to Iris (DMX, Free-D or
Mstar) control and the vison engineer will continue to have control. The same applies to
Focus and all the controlled axes.
Joystick Control
When using the joystick to control the camera there are a number of settings that can be
used.
Pan & Tilt Directions –These can be changed using
the PT Reverse command in the Setup menu. This
command will cycle between the 4 combinations of
Pan/Tilt directions.
Zoom & Focus Reverse –These can also be
changed from this menu.
Pan & Tilt Speeds –When adjusting the Speed
knobs the display will show the speed settings.
Speeds 1, 2& 3–In any of these 3 speeds the pan & tilt speeds are proportional to the zoom
angle. ie. If the zoom is wide the speed is higher. When you zoom in the pan & tilt speeds
reduce to help with smooth camera control.
Speeds 4 –10 –These are fixed ‘gears’ and do not change with the zoom angle.
DMX control
DMX Control of the Camball4 is input via the Dsub connector. A DMX input cable is supplied
with the unit.
When used as an ‘Auto Tracking’ camera it can follow the designated artist extremely
smoothly, including zoom & focus. This has been made possible with the Predictive Move
Smoothing (PMS) algorithm, which smooths the moves and also copes with missing data
packets.
During a move, the PMS routine does not wait for a new position before initiating a move to
that new position. Rather, it predicts the next position, based on the trajectory of the previous

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movement, and continues to move along that trajectory. When the position is confirmed, or
changed, the camera makes the appropriate adjustment to the trajectory and then predicts the
next position.
The PMS routine also predicts when to expect a position update, based on the previous
frequency of positional data packets. If a new position does not arrive within the predicted
window the PMS predicts further ahead to continue a smooth move even if the data packet is
missing or corrupted.
The PMS routine achieves a far more natural movement of the camera as it tends to follow the
artist’s actual move in real time, not wait at the artist’s previous position until moving to the
next position, when it would always be behind the action.
DMX Settings
The camera uses 8 DMX channels for full DMX control;
•Ch1 (Base) - Pan position coarse (8bits)
•Ch2 - Pan position fine (8bits)
•Ch3 - Tilt position coarse (8bits)
•Ch4 - Tilt position fine (8bits)
•Ch5 - Zoom position coarse (8bits)
•Ch6 - Zoom position fine (8bits)
•Ch7 - Focus (8bits)
•Ch8 - Iris (8bits)
The factory HOME position is camera forwards and horizontal.
HOME position is not required for Camball4 VR because absolute encoders are fitted to the
shafts.
The DMX Base address can be cycled Up or Down to set the Base Address. When the desired
Base Address is shown –push the ‘Set’ button.
Free-D & Mstar control
When in Free-D or Mstar mode, the CamBall4 outputs continuous metadata in Free-D (D1
format) or Mstar format. A Free-D cable is supplied with the camera. The metadata contains
24bit position data for Cam ID, Pan, Tilt, Zoom & Focus, plus genlock status. (Internally the
camera only uses 16bits). The same Free-D data format is used as a control input. Free-D
output can be in Angular or RAW format. The RAW format is the absolute 16bit position.
The angular output is calculated from this so is slightly less accurate. For more information
about Free-D protocols see separate documents.
The type of Free-D metadata can be changed from the Multi Function Controller.This can
be Angular or RAW.
When no genlock input is present the camera sends the metadata at either 50Hz or 60Hz,
depending on the selected camera output standard. It is timed with the video frames.

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Connections
Dstar data from a BR Remote control desk is connected normally via the XLR4 input socket.
There is an additional 9pin Dsub on the base of the camera. This outputs Metadata and
accepts other types of control data. This is AUX data and the AUX Protocol can be
selected from the Setup menu.
DMX, Mstar and Free-D data is input on this
Dsub connector.
Once you have selected the Protocol the
menu will request further settings.
Selecting DMX will then prompt for the DMX
Base Address.
Selecting Free-D will prompt for Angular or
RAW data.
Mstar has no further options.
9 Pin Dsub
•Pin 1 - GND
•Pin 2 - RS422/485 Ch.A –Metadata output
•Pin 3 - RS422/485 Ch.B –DMX, Mstar or Free-D input
•Pin 4 - Do not connect
•Pin 5 - Do not connect
•Pin 6 - No connection
•Pin 7 - RS422/485 Ch.B –Metadata output
•Pin 8 - RS422/485 Ch.A –DMX, Mstar or Free-D input
•Pin 9 - Do not connect
These pins are the standard pins for RS422 connection and can be directly connected
to other equipment with a suitable cable.
Both a DMX input cable and a Free-D input/output cable are supplied with the Camball4
XLR4
•Pin 1 - GND Blue
•Pin 2 - RS485 Data A Green
•Pin 3 - RS485 Data B Yellow
•Pin 4 - +10 –16v (nominally 12v) Red

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LED indicators
There are a total of 5 LED indicators which all flash 3 times at power up.
1. BLUE - Standard D* data LED
2. BLUE - DMX data indicator
3. BLUE - Free-D or M* data indicator (Camball4 XM only)
4. GREEN - Position Mode indicator
5. RED - Position Status
Indications:
1. Data LED 1 flash per second = Power but no data
Continuous ON = Data OK but not being addressed by joystick
Fast flashing (20per sec) = Data OK and being addressed
2. DMX LED Flashing = DMX data received
3. Free D LED Flashing = Free-D or M* data received
4. Position Mode On = Head is being driven in position mode (not joystick)
5, Posn. Status Solid ON = Soft limits reached
Flashing = Position Error detected (difference between the absolute
and encoder positions. Usually, because the head has been knocked.
Re-set HOME position to correct this.
LCD Display
The LCD display on the side can display a large
amount of data which may be useful for setting up
the unit and for de-bugging. The pages of the
display can be scrolled using the ‘Cam Display’
function in the Setup Menu of the controller.
This display shows the status of many of the internal
parameters, for instance;
Head Address Number
DMX base address
Input Voltage
Internal Temperature
Absolute positions (Pot)
Encoder positions (Motor or Absolute)
Demand RPM
Demand Position
D* Data input
Error Log
To cycle between information pages use the ‘Cam Display’ function in the Setup Menu.

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Pre-Set Positions & Profile Moves
Up to 64 pre-set positions can be stored and recalled in the head. (dependent on controller)
Each position includes, Pan, Tilt, Zoom and Focus positions. Once stored, the positions are
saved during power loss. Simply drive the head to the required position and Store this
position as a Pre-Set.
A major feature of the Camball4 is that it always does a Smooth Profile Move to each pre-
set position. The profile of this move can be specified by the operator. By default, all axes,
Pan, Tilt, Zoom & Focus, move in the same amount of time
to the pre-set position.
Default Total Time = 4.5sec.
Default Ramp Up = 1.5sec.
Default Ramp Down = 1.5sec.
These settings are automatically stored but can be adjusted
at any time from the Multi Function Controller Total Time,
Ramp Up time, and Ramp Down time can be adjusted by
the operator for each pre-set position independently.
The Zoom start and stop times can be separated from the
Pan/Tilt start stop times.
The Zoom Start can be started before or after the main
Pan/Tilt move.
The Zoom End can be stopped before or after the main
Pan/Tilt move.
Fig.1 shows a profile move for Pan & Tilt. Zoom and Focus are not shown but are included in
the move. In the move illustrated, pan has further to move than tilt therefore pan moves at a
faster speed than tilt so that it stops at position 2 at the same instant as tilt.
Zoom also moves in the same time. Focus moves during the centre portion of the move so
that objects of interest are not de-focused during the start or end of the move.
1 2
SPEED
TOTALTIME
PAN
TILT
Ramp Up Time Max Speed Time Ramp DownTime
Fig.1

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Fig. 2
1
3
4
5
Total Time 3
Total Time 4
Total Time 5
The Profile of each move is stored with each position. Fig.2 illustrates that each move TO a
pre-set position will take the time associated with that end position. Understanding this
enables efficient use of the same start position.
8
6
71
Total Time 1
Total Time 1
Total Time 1
Fig. 3
Fig.3 illustrates the opposite situation to Fig.2. Because each of these moves ends with
position 1, each move will take the same amount of time –as defined by the profile associated
with position 1. Therefore, the move from position 8 will be the fastest.
If the move is taking too long the operator simply needs to push the pre-set position button
again and the camera will reposition as fast as possible.
The camera will make the profile move from wherever it is to the pre-set position selected,
always in the same amount of Time. Therefore, the camera will move faster if the move is
further.
To perform the same move repeatedly use 2 pre-set positions. 1 for the start position and 1 for
the end position.
D* Commands for the Camball4
The position of any axis can be requested from the camera. This is useful if you are not using a
virtual model of the Camball4 and need to generate your own reference positions.
If you need to write your own control commands please ask BR Remote for the full Dstar &
Mstar Protocol documents including the full command list.

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Notes
Pan and Tilt Home Positions can be defined by the user.
A virtual model of the Camball can be downloaded from Cast Software. This can be used
directly with the BlackTrax software for motion tracking. www.cast-soft.com
There is a little backlash in the pan & tilt axes. This may be noticeable on very tight lens angles
when moving to a position from different directions. The VR versions use the shaft encoders so
this effect is not apparent.
Range of Movement & Resolution
Pan:
Pan Movement in DMX: +/- 368 deg. From HOME. (736 deg. +/- 2deg.)
Pan Home: Normally, directly away from sockets.
DMX resolution: 16 bit –2 channels
DMX angular movement: 1 DMX bit = 0.0112 deg.
Pan Movement in Free-D 360degrees –continuous rotation
Free-D resolution: 16 bit –. 65,536 counts per 360deg. 1 bit = 0.0055 deg. .
Tilt:
Tilt Movement DMX & FreeD: +/- 120 deg. From HOME (240 deg. +/- 2deg)
Tilt Home: Directly upwards (away from socket base)
DMX Resolution: 16 bit –2 channels
DMX angular movement: 1 DMX bit = 0.0037 deg.
Free-D resolution: 16 bit –. 65,536 counts per 360deg. 1 bit = 0.0055 deg.
Zoom 30x:
Zoom Wide HFOV: 63 deg.
Zoom Tight HFOV: 2.3 deg.
DMX Resolution: 16 bit –2 channels
DMX zoom angle: 1 DMX bit = 0.0857 deg. Tight = 0xFFFF, Wide = 0x0000
Free-D Resolution: 16 bit
Free-D zoom angle: 1 bit = 0.0857 deg. Tight = 0xFFFF, Wide = 0x0000
Focus:
Focus Range: 10 mm. - Infinity
DMX Resolution: 8 bit –1 channel
Free-D Resolution: 16 bit
Iris:
Iris Range: F1.6 –F28
Iris Resolution: 255 steps
DMX Resolution: 8 bit –1 channel
DMX steps: 1 Iris step = 1 DMX bit

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CCU Commands
The camera is supplied set to factory default settings. Some commands are set to AUTO but
can be changed to manual if required. The camera will always power up with all the settings
set as it was powered down. The settings can be restored to factory settings if needed.
To adjust the White and Black balance manually you need to be in ‘Manual’which is
automatically set when you select a ‘Scene File’. There are 4 manual Scene Files; A, B, C or
D. which are accessible from the Remote Camera Panel. When working in a Scene File all
changes are automatically saved in that Scene File.
White Balance: Auto Tracing, 5600K (outdoor), 3400K (indoor), Manual, Push.
Red Gain: (Manual) Adjusts the RED balance in the light areas of the picture.
Blue Gain: (Manual) Adjusts the BLUE balance in the light areas of the picture.
Gain: Adjusts the total GAIN in the whole picture.
Red Pedestal: (Manual) Adjusts the RED balance in the dark areas of the picture.
Blue Pedestal: (Manual) Adjusts the BLUE balance in the dark areas of the picture.
Green Pedestal: (Manual) Adjusts the GREEN balance in the dark areas of the picture.
Master Pedestal: Adjusts the overall level of the dark areas of the picture.
Detail: Adjusts the amount of high frequency detail in the picture.
Knee: Sets the knee point at which the whites are compressed.
Gamma: Adjusts the Gamma curve to match human eye perception.
Chroma: Adds or subtracts the amount of colour in the picture.
Shading: Increases the brightness outside the centre area of the picture to
compensate for lens shading.
Dynamic Noise Reduction: Reduces noise when adding gain. Too much DNR can give a
‘mask’effect when panning and tilting.
Red Balance: Adjusts the matrix position of RED.
Blue Balance: Adjusts the matrix position of BLUE.
Green Balance: Adjusts the matrix position of GREEN.
D-Range: This adjusts the Dynamic Range of the picture. It is useful for
low light situations and can increase the apparent picture
exposure without adding noise.

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Wide Dynamic Mode: In this mode the camera takes alternate frames at different shutter
speeds. The first frame is set to 50 or 60hz and the alternate frame is
set to a multiple speed of this. x2, x4 etc.
For example; This can be used to expose a bright window behind
subject.
Caution: On moving frames this introduces a ‘shutter effect’.
WDR filtering: Some unwanted effects of Wide Dynamic Mode can be reduced with
this setting.
Iris Reaction: This sets the speed at which the iris reacts to control changes. To slow
and it may appear sluggish. Too fast and it may be too ‘steppy’.
IR Mode: Switches in and out of ‘Near InfraRed’mode for night shooting.
SDI video Format: Sets the output standard of the camera. Make sure your monitor can
display the standard you want to set or no picture will appear.

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BR Remote Ltd
Units 14 - 20, Setley Ridge Vineyard
Lymington Road
Brockenhurst
SO42 7UF
UK
www.br-remote.com Tel [phone] [e-mail]