CEI Color Six User manual

CEI Color Six
NTSC and PAL
Operator’s Manual
Preliminary Edition, October, 1999

CEI Color Six Operator’s Manual
Copyright © 1999 by CEI Technology, Inc. No part of this book,
including interior design, cover design and illustrations, may be
reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the
publisher.

Contents
Description .................................................................... 1
Features ......................................................................... 1
Warranty ........................................................................ 2
Mounting ....................................................................... 4
Power............................................................................. 5
Video output .................................................................. 6
SMPTE Time Code Input.............................................. 7
Shutter Pulse Input ........................................................ 7
Setup Adjustments......................................................... 8
External Adjustments .................................................... 8
Picture Rotation............................................................. 8
Picture Centering........................................................... 9
Focus ............................................................................. 9
Picture Size.................................................................. 10
Iris Adjustment ............................................................ 11
Internal (Electronic) Adjustments ............................... 11
Using the Multipurpose Control.................................. 12
Saving Custom Settings .............................................. 14
Power Switch............................................................... 14
LCD Monitor............................................................... 14
Message Display ......................................................... 15

Menus and Adjustments .............................................. 16
Camera Information Menu .......................................... 16
Camera Setup Menu .................................................... 17
Speed ........................................................................... 17
Color/Monochrome ..................................................... 18
Gain ............................................................................. 18
Electronic Shutter ........................................................ 18
White Balance ............................................................. 19
Electronic Zoom .......................................................... 19
Aspect Ratio ................................................................ 19
Image Reversal ............................................................ 19
Frame Lines Setup Menu ............................................ 20
Frame Lines................................................................. 20
Shading........................................................................ 20
Page ............................................................................. 20
Adjustment .................................................................. 20
Style............................................................................. 21
Background ................................................................. 21
Intensity ....................................................................... 22
LCD Monitor Setup Menu .......................................... 22
Video Output Menu ..................................................... 22
Image Mix Menu......................................................... 23
Mix .............................................................................. 23

Store ............................................................................ 24
Display Vertical Position Menu................................... 24
Time Code Menu......................................................... 24
User Bits Menu............................................................ 24
Set All To Default Menu ............................................. 25
Run Demo Menu ......................................................... 25
Sensitivity.................................................................... 25
Video Resolution ......................................................... 25
Input Signal Requirements .......................................... 25
Output Signals ............................................................. 26
Power Requirements ................................................... 26
Physical Dimensions (without adapters) ..................... 26
Weight (without adapters) ........................................... 26
External Connectors .................................................... 26
Aaton 35 ...................................................................... 29
Arriflex 35-3................................................................ 29
Use with Arri Rotating and Arri/CSC Doors............... 29
Use with Jurgens Universal......................................... 29
Arriflex 35-3 Door Orientation ................................... 29
Arriflex 35BL .............................................................. 30
Arriflex 435 ................................................................. 31
Arriflex 535A .............................................................. 32
Arriflex 535B .............................................................. 33

Using the Arri Video Elbow ........................................ 34
Using the CEI/535B Interface ..................................... 35
Arriflex SR-2............................................................... 36
Super 16 Converted SR-1 or SR-2 .............................. 36
Arriflex SR-3............................................................... 37
Super 16mm ................................................................ 38
SR-3 Support Bracket.................................................. 39
CEI Retrofit ofArri SR-3 Elbow................................. 40
For Super 16 ................................................................ 41
For standard 16............................................................ 42
Moviecam Compact .................................................... 42
Index............................................................................ 44

1
Introduction
Description
The CEI Color Six is a digitally-controlled, self-contained
video assist camera that can be adapted for use with most
popular film cameras. In most instances, the available
dedicated optical components will reduce the size and
overall cost of the system while providing excellent optical
performance.
The video image is developed on a CCD (charge-coupled
device) that provides high light sensitivity and low noise
levels. Picture size, centering and rotation are mechanically
adjustable: all other important aspects of the video image
may (at the operator’s discretion) be adjusted either auto-
matically or manually using a few controls on the exterior of
the camera.
Features
The advanced design of the Color Six includes a number of
features not found on other dedicated systems:
• A backlit LCD monitor
• Film footage counter
• SMPTE time code display
• Integral, infinitely adjustable frame lines with storage for 8
user-defined presets
• On-screen help messages
• On-screen battery voltage monitor

2
• On-screen film camera frame rate
• Electronic shutter
• 24 single-frame storage locations
• Live video, stored image or mixed output
• White flag insertion option
• S-video orYUV output (when used with remote)
• 2:1 Electronic zoom
• Normal (4:3) or anamorphic video aspect ratios
• 16 or 35 mm film formats
• 2 video outputs (one without message display or framelines)
• Operating hours counter
The following standard features of the CEI Color V have
been retained:
• Manual or automatic operation of gain, white balance, and
video frame rate
• Normal or inverted video output
• Adjustments for image rotation, size and centering
• Wide range of operating voltages
• Color or monochrome outputs
Warranty
The CEI Color Six comes with a one-year warranty on parts
and labor. Misapplication, operation outside of specified
limits, or physical abuse may void the warranty.

3
All CCD cameras can develop degradation of individual
pixels, resulting in small “spots” in the picture. All Color Six
cameras are carefully screened during manufacture to
eliminate sensors that contain bad pixels. Should pixel
degradation occur, CEI will, at its option, repair or replace
any camera that develops spots within 30 days after the
camera is shipped from the factory. Beyond that date,
cameras will be repaired at the customer’s expense. During
the warranty period, the repair or replacement of the camera
due to bad pixels is at the discretion of CEI engineering.
The high level of integration makes the CEI Color Six both
reliable and compact, but also limits the degree of service
possible in the field. Special equipment and training are
essential for effective service. It is highly recommended that
service be performed only by the CEI Service Department.
CEI will gladly provide technical support to help you
diagnose a problem in the field, and possibly offer a compro-
mise operating mode to get you through the current shoot.
Should a return to the factory be indicated, CEI will do
everything possible to expedite the repair.
Whether or not there is a problem, we invite you to call and ask
our staff to answer operating questions or concerns that come
up in the field. We will do everything possible to help you get
the best from your CEI Color Six VideoAssist Camera.
Installation
The CEI Color Six works with a constantly growing list of
film cameras. For many film cameras, a CEI Universal
Optical System is used with the appropriate mounting

4
hardware for the specific film camera. The Universal Optical
System incorporates a “zoom” lens, which makes moving
the Color Six from camera to camera simple, economical and
convenient.
In some cases, such as with the Arriflex SR-3, a different set
of interface optics unique to the film camera must be used.
The Appendix to this manual contains the basic directions
for attaching the Color Six to various film cameras.
Before attempting setup, find your film camera model in the
Appendix for specific setup instructions. Make sure you
have the necessary optical adapter for the film camera.
Setup
Mounting
See the Appendix: Verify that your film camera is among
those listed, and follow the mounting instructions. Mounting
and adjustment of the CEI Color Six will be easy, if the
instructions are followed carefully. The only tools required
are a 1/16-inch and a 3/32-inch hex driver.
Many variations of the mounting interfaces may be encoun-
tered in the field, even among the listed cameras. If this
manual does not cover that with which you are working, or if
your film camera is not listed, call CEI Technology for
additional information.
The optical interface to the Color Six uses a clamp mount.A
threaded insert (included with the video camera) will convert
the Color Six for use with the common C-mount threaded

5
accessories, but the back focal distance is unique: This must
be considered if the use of a “normal” C-mount lens is
attempted. Similarly, the CEI Custom Universal Optical
System may not perform as expected if installed in any other
standard C-mount camera.
Power
Power in to the Color Six can be carried on either of two 3-
pin Fischer connectors. Pin assignments for these connectors
are:
1 Ground and power return
2 Positive supply voltage
3 Shutter pulse from film camera
The Color Six will operate on any “clean” DC voltage from
10 to 32 VDC. Within this range, the maximum power
consumption of the camera system will be 5.5 Watts with the
LCD monitor off, 7.5 W with the monitor on, and 8.5 W with
the monitor on HIGH brightness.
The 3-pin connector not used for power in may be used to
supply power to a low-power accessory, such as a pistol grip.

6
Caution–Although the camera may operate
briefly with an input somewhat greater than
32 volts, prolonged operation is likely to result
in permanent damage.
Caution–Neverconnectboth of the3-pincon-
nectorstoseparatepower sourcesatthesame
time.
The green LED above the POWER switch will blink if the
input voltage falls below 10 volts. The LED is driven
through the microprocessor, and a 2-3 second delay will be
observed after the POWER switch is turned on until the LED
initially illuminates.
The Color Six is internally protected against polarity rever-
sals: Nonetheless, every effort should be made to ensure that
battery polarity is correct before connecting the camera.
Caution—Connection to an AC source will
certainly damage (and may very well destroy)
the camera.
Video output
Two video outputs on the rear of the camera deliver NTSC
video to an external monitor or recording device. The “A”
connector is clean video only; the “B” connector will contain
the selected digital display used for monitoring or adjusting
the camera and the help messages that can be accessed from
each menu. This signal also drives the built-in LCD display.

7
The optional remote control has the same two video signals,
plus a luminance and a chrominance output. When the
remote is used, S-video orYUV video can also be taken
from the connectors thereon.
The Color Six should be connected to external equipment via
coaxial cables, and terminated in 75 ohms at the destination.
Equipment may be daisy-chained as long as the last (and
only the last) equipment in the chain is terminated.
All of the video outputs are 1 volt peak-to-peak when
terminated in 75 ohms.
SMPTE Time Code Input
If provided by the film camera, the Color Six will add
SMPTE time code and user bits at lines 16 and 18 of the
output video. It can also be displayed on the built-in LCD
monitor and the “B” video output. The time code signal must
be provided to the Color Six as a standard 0 to +5 volt
signal.
Shutter Pulse Input
In order to provide flicker-free operation, the Color Six
requires that the shutter pulse from the camera be provided at
pin 3 of either of the 3-pin Fischer connectors. Cables for
this purpose are available from CEI. When the Color Six
speed is set to AUTO, the camera defaults to 30 fps in the
absence of a shutter pulse, e.g., when the camera is stopped.
The shutter pulse must be a positive-going 0 to +5 volt
signal.

8
Setup Adjustments
Camera setup may be considered as having two components:
External adjustments, which are largely mechanical in
nature, and Internal adjustments, which are performed using
the Multipurpose Control. These are described separately in
this section, in the approximate order in which they would
likely be made.
External Adjustments
Note–All of the following adjustments should
be made with abundant light entering the film
camera and the taking lens removed or defo-
cused. Adjustments should be made with re-
spect to the markings on the ground glass,
not to the scene in front of the camera.
Picture Rotation
Access to the rotating ring is gained through .1-inch wide
slot in the headpiece of the Color Six (see figure 1). A short
1/16-inch hex driver with a knurled end (normally stored in
the camera head) is inserted into the holes on the rotating
ring, which may then be turned through a range of about
350°.
Caution–Do not rotate the ring beyond its
normal range, i.e. beyond the last hole in the
ring.
Consult CEI Technology if the adjustment range is inad-
equate for your particular application.

9
Picture Centering
Image centering is adjusted using the same tool as for
rotation. Two hex head set screws in the headpiece (see
figure 1) can be turned in or out to change the location of the
CCD imaging device to center the optical image.
Because of film camera differences, the adjustment axes may
not be truly horizontal or vertical in all mounting configura-
tions.
Focus
The CEI Custom Universal Optical System is focused by
rotating the lens barrel. To adjust focus,
1. Locate the control ring closest to the video camera on the
lens barrel.
2. Loosen the set screw to free the small plastic handle on the
control ring. While viewing the image on a high-quality
monitor, rotate the ring to make the focus as sharp as
possible.
3. Tighten the set screw gently.
Figure 1: Adjustments on camera head.

10
Note–Field curvature may be observed when
attempting to focus the center and edges of
the image simultaneously. This can be mini-
mized by closing the iris slightly, which will
improve the depth of focus.
Picture Size
The image size adjustment control for the CEI Custom
Universal Optical System is located on the lens barrel. To
adjust picture size,
1. Locate the control ring closest to the film camera on the lens
barrel.
2. Loosen the locking set screw to free the small handle on the
control ring.
3. Rotate the ring slowly, observing the change in image size.
4. Periodically refocus the image to determine if the image size
is correct.
5. When size and focus are both correct, gently tighten the set
screws.
Note–The Color Six has the capability of
zooming the image about 2:1 electronically, in
addition to the lens size adjustment, so the
image size can be mechanically set a bit
smaller and electronically zoomed to the ex-
act size necessary in a later step.

11
Iris Adjustment
The manual iris adjustment is the center control on the lens.
The iris must be set properly in order for the wide range
automatic gain in the Color Six to accommodate the greatest
range of contrast and brightness. To set the iris,
1. Open the iris as far as possible without causing flare in the
picture. Flare will appear as a halo or glare surrounding
bright objects.
2. Adjust the iris control to give the system as much light as
possible without discernable glare. This will assure the least
video noise in the output.
If the output video shows appreciable noise, verify that the
iris is properly adjusted.
Internal (Electronic) Adjustments
When the Color Six video assist camera is operated in the
AUTO mode, all electronic adjustments are set either to
default values or automatically adjusted for normal video
with average lighting. No menus or messages (beyond the
startup screen) will appear on the LCD monitor or in the “B”
video output. This may be the desired mode of operation in
most cases, but the operator can customize all the important
adjustments should it seem necessary or desirable. In many
respects, the utility of the Color Six is greatly enhanced in
MANUAL operation.
All electronic adjustments are made using the single multi-
purpose control shown in Figure 2.

12
Using the Multipurpose Control
This one control has two components on the same knob:
1. A push-button switch, which is used to enter and exit display
and adjustment modes, and to step from higher to lower
levels on the various menus, and
2. A detented shaft-angle encoder that is used to step through
menus, scroll through long messages, and to underline or
adjust the operating parameters of any user adjustable
function.
The push-button switch responds to two stimuli: A brief
press and release (a click), and a press and hold of about a
half-second. A click is used to either select or deselect an
underlined function, or to step from a higher to a lower menu
level. The press and hold is used to move from a lower to a
higher menu level.
Figure 2: Side view of Color Six

13
The effect of turning the encoder depends on where you are
in the menu hierarchy. Starting from the higher level menus,
such as the one that follows the opening screen, turning the
multipurpose control scrolls through the other high level
menus. When you locate the one you want, click the control
to select it: If a lower level menu is available, it will be
displayed. In either case, the first possible selection in the
menu will be underlined: Clicking the control will select the
parameter and the underline will change from a static dotted
line to an animated one, in which the dots alternate from
white to black. When the animated line is displayed, the
underlined parameter may be changed by rotating the
control. Pressing and holding the control will return the
higher level menu: Clicking the control will return the
underline to its static state, and the parameter will be dese-
lected. Rotating the control clockwise at this point will move
the underline to the next parameter on the menu, if there is
one. If not, it will stop at the last possible selection. Turning
the control counterclockwise will underline each parameter
on the menu in reverse order until the first choice is under-
lined: Turning it one notch further will cause the message
display to disappear until the control is either rotated clock-
wise one notch or clicked again. Either action will display
the same menu.
It may seem complicated, but a little practice with the
multipurpose control will make you confident and comfort-
able with its use .

14
Saving Custom Settings
All of the manual settings are automatically stored in non-
volatile RAM for future use, even if camera power is turned
off or disconnected, so you can switch between MANUAL
and AUTO modes without losing them. Should your shoot-
ing conditions change radically, you can reset them all at the
next to the last menu, SET ALL TO DEFAULT, and start
over.
Operation
Power Switch
The power switch is located on the back panel (see figure 3).
A green LED above the switch will illuminate two or three
seconds after the switch is set to ON, indicating that the
internal power supplies have stabilized. The LED will blink
on and off if the input power drops below 10 volts.
If the LED fails to illuminate, check the input voltage and
polarity (see Power, page 5).
LCD Monitor
When turned on, the built-in LCD monitor displays the “B”
video signal. The backlight has two brightness settings,
selectable by the LCD OFF/ON/HIGH switch. Brightness,
contrast, color depth and tint of this display are
electronically adjustable using the multipurpose control (see
page 12).
Table of contents