Camera Corps Q-Ball User manual

Operation Manual

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
Page 1 of 8
2/2/2013
General
The camera system is based around four main components: The main Q-Ball
head, the interface unit, the joystick control and the Universal RCP.
The joystick control and the Universal RCP have their own instructions so will
not be described in detail here. Appendix ‘A’ shows the interconnection details
of the units.
Main Q-Ball Head Unit
The Q-Ball head unit is sealed against moisture and dirt ingress. However, it
should not be installed long term in an outdoor location without additional rain
protection. Always use the lens adapter with the clear glass when outdoors.
The mounting is by means of a standard ¼” UNC thread, or special mount adapter.
Although the pan and tilt axes can be moved manually, this is not recommended as it can cause
excessive play in the gearboxes. Under no circumstances should the axes be moved manually while the
unit is powered.
A single cable connects the head unit to the interface box. The cables have six pin male Lemo connectors
at each end for connecting the Q-Ball head to the interface box. Various length cables can be used
without loss of performance. 5m, 10m, 20m and 30m cables are currently available.
Interface Unit
The interface unit takes power from a standard XLR4 socket and
will accept any voltage from 9 to 18v DC.
The data input on the XLR3 is for data which conforms to the
standard Camera Corps data system. This is in the form of a
balanced audio signal which can be sent over virtually unlimited
distances down a normal microphone or CAT5 cable. No DC
continuity is necessary. The joystick controller has output level adjustment to handle long cable lengths if
necessary.
The rotary switch should be set to the required ID number being used by this camera. Normally this will
be in range 1-6 to agree with the channel selected on the RCP and PTZF controller.
The LED beneath this switch is Green when data is present on the XLR input, and changes to Red if a
Cue/Tally is sent from the RCP or PTZF controller. The Cue/Tally can be used to test the data system
and ID are set and working correctly even if the Q-Ball head unit is not attached to the interface unit.
The four DIP switches have various functions. The left hand two switches are used to set a ‘Group’
number. This is only effective when using the Multi-Camera Control System.

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
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The right hand two DIP switches are used to compensate for the length of cable used between the Q-Ball
head and the Interface Unit. For cable lengths less than 10m both switches should be OFF. For a 10m
cable SW3 should be ON and SW4 OFF. For a 20m cable SW3 should be OFF and SW4 ON. If a 30m
cable is used then both switches should ON.
The LED below the DIP Switches indicates that power is present.
Note that the head unit can be plugged in and out of the interface while power is on without damage.
However, if the camera is plugged into an interface unit which is already switched on, then initial data
which is sent to the camera during switch on will be missed and the camera may be in a non standard
condition.
Changing the Camera Format
The Q-Ball can operate in both SD and HD modes at 50hz or 59.94 hz. Both 720p and 1080i formats are
available in HD. In SD modes both 4x3 and 16x9 aspect ratios can be selected.
The required format is set using the rotary channel select switch together with the four DIP switches. The
following procedure must be followed to set or change the format:-
(Note that the Q-Ball camera head unit must be connected during this procedure)
Remove power from the Interface Unit.
Set the rotary channel select switch to channel 0.
Set the four DIP switches to the required format using the table below.
Apply power to the Interface Unit and wait until the LED below the channel select switch flashes
RED/GREEN. (Approx 10secs).
Remove power from the unit and set the rotary channel select switch and DIP switches to their
normal required settings.
Next time power is applied to the Interface unit the camera will have the new format.
The DIP switches on the top of the interface unit must also be changed for SD or HD modes.
(Visible through the slot in the top panel) SW1, 2 and 7 must OFF for HD and ON for SD.
DIP SWITCH >
1
2
3
4
HD 1080i /50
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
HD 1080i /59.94
ON
OFF
OFF
OFF
HD 720p/50
OFF
ON
OFF
OFF
HD 720p/59.94
ON
ON
OFF
OFF
SD PAL(50) 16x9
OFF
OFF
ON
OFF
SD PAL(50) 4x3
OFF
OFF
ON
ON
SD NTSC(59.94) 16x9
ON
ON
ON
OFF
SD NTSC(59.94) 4x3
ON
ON
ON
ON

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
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2/2/2013
Wide Angle Adapter
The standard 10:1 lens provides a zoom range from 51deg to 5.1deg angle of view. To provide a wider
shot it is possible to remove the standard lens adapter and replace it with the wide angle adapter unit.
This widens the shot by 0.7x.
As with most wide angle adapters there will be a slight loss of quality particularly in the corners, and also
if the zoom is used while the wide angle adapter is fitted.
The adapters simply unscrew by turning the knurled ring. When screwing in the adapter take care to
ensure the thread is correctly engaged before tightening the unit.
Use Vaseline on the lens unit thread and around the rubber sealing ring to maintain a good seal.
Embedded Audio
The Interface box has a 9 way ‘D’ connector on the side (Female) which allows up to four audio channels
to be embedded into the output SDI data stream.
The DIP switches on the top of the Interface Unit are used to turn the embedding on or off and set the
audio levels.
DIP switch 6 turns the audio embedding on or off.
The audio levels are set using DIP switches 4 & 5 as shown in the table below:-
Input Level Range
Full Scale (0dBFS)
DIP Switch 4
DIP Switch 5
Professional US
+24dBu
LEFT (Off)
LEFT (Off)
Professional European
+18dBu
LEFT (Off)
RIGHT (On)
Consumer High (IHF)
+12dBu
RIGHT (On)
LEFT (Off)
Consumer Low
+15dBu
RIGHT (On)
RIGHT (On)
Audio 9 w ‘D’ Connections –Male ‘D’ connector on cable
1. Common Screen
2. Channel 1 LEFT XLR pin 3
3. Channel 1 RIGHT XLR pin 3
4. Channel 2 LEFT XLR pin 3
5. Channel 2 RIGHT XLR pin 3
6. Channel 1 LEFT XLR pin 2
7. Channel 1 RIGHT XLR pin 2
8. Channel 2 LEFT XLR pin 2
9. Channel 2 RIGHT XLR pin 2
1 2 3 4
5
6
2
3
CH1L
2
3
CH1R
2
3
CH2L
2
3
CH2R
Common
Screen
7
8
9

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
Page 4 of 8
2/2/2013
Component Video Output
Version 6 Interfaces have an additional 9 way ‘D’ Male connector on the side of the box.
This provides a component video output when HD modes are selected, or an S-Video and output when
SD modes are selected.
Version 6 also includes a Composite monitoring output (low quality) on pin 4 of the connector.
Serial Data input
An alternative to the audio data input is available in the form of serial RS232 or RS422 data. This is
connected to the 9 way ‘D’ male as shown in the connection listing below.
Links inside the interface box must be changed to allow serial rather than the audio data input to be used.
Link 2 is connected to allow serial data inputs. (In the unconnected mode it is left on just one of the link
pins). Link 3 is moved to set either RS232 or RS422 style data inputs. Both of these links are labelled
showing their function on the PCB. Note that serial baud rate is not selectable and must be 9600.
See Appendix ‘C’ for lid removal instructions.
Video Output 9 way ‘D’ Connections – Female connector on cable
HD Modes
1. Y output
2. Pr output
3. Pb output
4. NC
5. RS422 +ve or RS232 input
6. 0v
7. 0v
8. 0v
9. RS422 –ve
SD Modes
1. Y output (Luminance)
2. Unused
3. C output (Chrominance)
4. Composite Video (PAL or NTSC depending on mode selected). (V5 and later only).
5. RS422 +ve or RS232 input
6. 0v
7. 0v
8. 0v
9. RS422 –ve

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
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2/2/2013
Appendix ‘A’ – CCU panel and Joystick panel settings
Note that the RCP panel should be selected to ‘Sony’ camera make, and ‘Q-Ball’ or ‘Q-Ball IR’ camera
type to control the Q-Ball. (Note that all Q-Balls are now IR capable).
For the older style CCU’s select ‘CC HDZ’ as the camera type.
The Joystick panel should be set to ‘Q-Ball’ in the setup menu. Although not essential, set the baud rate
of the RCP to 2400 and the baud rate of the Joystick to 4800.
Appendix ‘B’ – Internal link settings.
There are three links on the inside of the V6 Interface boxes.
LK1 is used to change the group channel number setting when using the multi-camera control system.
With the link ‘open’ (default) the group numbers 0 – 3 are selected using DIP switches 1 & 2 on the front
panel.
DIP 1 DIP2 GROUP(LK1 open) GROUP(LK1 closed)
off off 0 4
on off 1 5
off on 2 6
on on 3 7
With link LK1 closed the group selection then provides groups 4 –7 instead of 0 –3.
LK2 is used to change the data input from the standard audio data to either RS232 or RS422 data.
LK3 selects between RS232 and RS422 data.
Note that only 9600 baud is available for these inputs.
Appendix ‘C’ – Removing the Interface Box lid.
To access the links, the lid of the interface box must be removed to access the PCB. First, remove the
power from the unit. Then remove the three nuts holding the BNC connectors on the rear of the unit. Now
remove the four cross head screws holding the rear plate and remove the rear plate with plastic surround.
Now loosen the two upper cross head screws on the front panel on the unit.
Now slide the lid of the box towards the rear until the two links become visible on the PCB.
To replace the lid simply reverse the above procedure.
Diagrams
The diagrams on the following pages show the overall wiring of the Q-Ball system and the setup menus
for the new style Universal RCP and the older RCP panel.
For full details of the operation of the RCP or Interface Box please see the relevant handbooks.

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
Page 6 of 8
2/2/2013
System Wiring Details
Audio Data to
cameras &
heads
Joystick Control Unit
HD SDI Video to
Control Room
CAMERACORPS
CONTROL PANEL
12 VOLT
PSU
Camera control
panel
AC power
Interface Box &
P/S
12 VOLT
PSU
AC power

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
Page 7 of 8
2/2/2013
RCP Panel - Master Set-up Menus
MASTER SETUP
Enter Password?
CAMERA TYPE
Channel 1 ID 1
Make Model
Sony Q-Ball IR
MASTER SETUP
Channel 1 ID 1
ID Assignment
Normal ID 5
This main menu select screen can be reached at any time by
repeated presses of the top left menu button.
Note that if a ‘menu’ or ‘function’ button is illuminated it will
perform some action. If unlit it will have no effect.
Before proceeding with the set-up menus a
password must be entered. This is because
any incorrect settings here may cause
complete loss of control of a particular
camera. These settings should only be
made by somebody who understands the
system!
The password is
entered by pressing
the channel buttons in
the correct sequence.
First select the channel to be set. Now using
the left hand two function buttons scroll
through the list of available camera makes.
Next select the required camera model.
Select a different channel to set another
camera type for that channel. Note that any
changes made here will set the channel to
it’s default values
This screen allows the interface box ID to
be assigned to the selected channel no. The
left hand buttons select between ‘Normal’ or
‘Multi-Camera’ style ID’s. ‘Normal’ ID’s
can be in the range 1-8 and ‘Multi-Camera’
ID’s in the ranges 1-8, 11-18, 21-28, - up to
111-118.
‘Normal’ and ‘Multi-Camera’ ID’s can be
mixed for different channels if required.
MASTER SETUP
Channel 1 ID 1
O/P Level TX Baud
4 2400
This screen allows setting of the data
level for the Audio Data O/P. Range
0-15. Default 4 for 1v pk to pk output
for a single 600ohm load.
The TX Baud rate can be set here.
Note that both these settings apply to
all channels, not just the selected one.
.
This screen allows setting whether timing data
is sent to the camera or not. It may be necessary
to inhibit timing data if multiple RCP’s are
being used.
The PTZF setting should be set to ‘Connected’
if the RCP is working into a Joystick PTZF
controller. This reduces the data rate to allow
PTZF data to be added. If the RCP is feeding
directly into a camera then set ‘Not in use’ to
allow maximum data rate to be used. Both of
these settings can be set individually for each
channel.
This screen is used to adjust the contrast
of the LCD display.
The ‘Warn Beep’ can be enabled or
disabled here. This is an audible
warning if you try to access something
which is not available and the LCD
display will show a message describing
the reason.
MASTER SETUP
Channel 1 ID 1
3D Setup
1x3D Chan
This screen is used to setup the 3D
modes of operation. It is possible to
select either 0, 1 or 2, 3D channels.
The channels are not finally set until
you exit this display using the left
menu button.
See the handbook for a full description
of 3D operation.
MASTER SETUP
Channel 1 ID 1
Contrast Warn Beep
8 Disabled
MASTER SETUP
Channel 1 ID 1
Timing PTZF
Disabled Connected
Sony Q-Ball IR
Channel 1 ID 1
Menu Selection
Main Eng Aux Setup

Q-Ball –Operation Manual
V6.3
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2/2/2013
Camera Corps HD MiniZoom & Q-Ball Camera
RCP Panel (older style) Menus
Gain Col Gam Shu
Iris Bal Dtl ter
Cam Re-
type set
Cue tst Rem P&T
Red Grn Sw2 Mode
On Off On Off
Cam Pwr P&T Pwr
Colour gain & black
controls operate pan, tilt,
zoom & focus
D37 D8 F58 R24
HV KP KY CL
43 51 D20 H32
CU TU KP DK
2005 SCA 700
ONX
PC VI BR IC
25
Off
1/12
0
Auto
3200k
5600k
Preset
Manual
Auto
Manual
‘*’ Indicates camera
type currently
selected
Power switching
only operates with
some systems
7
-7
0
1
2
-3db
0db
3db
6db
18db
1
1/10,000
Notes
Shutter modes from 1 to 25 increase sensitivity
but produce high levels of ‘flicker’. Camera
power switching is available with all camera
models.
SO *CC* HV
NY HDZ HD30
Off
On
Auto
Analogue Control Operation
Colour Gains
Colour Blacks
Master Black
Iris –Manual
–Auto
Only in Manual mode
No colour black operation
Master black only with SD/HD interface
Operates lens iris –16 step positions
Provides iris trim while in auto mode
7
-7
Normal 0db
Iris Gain
Manual 0
AWCMode Chroma
0 0
Detail Gamma
Off Off
Shutter IR
Pan Tilt
Zoom Focus
600 532 48 F32
AW US TU KY
Switch Functions
White Balance
Black Balance
Bars
‘One Push’ operation in AWC
Preset
On for B/W, Off for Colour
On for Auto Focus, Off for Manual