FOR-A VFC-1000 User manual

FOR-A COMPANY LIMITED
VARIABLE FRAME RATE CAMERA VFC-1000
(1ST EDITION)
OPERATION MANUAL




Notice To User
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Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Michiel Boland. All rights reserved.
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Unpacking and Checking
Open the VFC-1000 package and make sure the package contains the items shown in the
following parts list.
If you ordered the VFC-1000 only (no options):
ITEM QTY REMARKS
VFC-1000 camera 1 Standard 256MB internal memory
AC-DC adaptor 1 For 16V DC VFC-1000 only
AC cord 1 For AC-DC adaptor
Image conversion
software CD-ROM 1 For AVI and BMP format conversion of camera
images
Operation manual 1 This document
The following options are listed on a label on the bottom of the camera. Check the label to
make sure you received any options you ordered.
ITEM QTY REMARKS
8 SEC 1 8-second recording time, 512MB memory option
16 SEC 1 16-second recording time, 1GB memory option
8 kF 1 Adds record speed selection range of 2000 to
8000 frames/second
If package or its contents have been damaged, contact the freight company immediately. If any
parts are missing, or if you received the wrong parts, contact your dealer.


Table of Contents
1. Introduction..............................................................................................................1
1-1. Introduction .......................................................................................................1
1-2. Overview...........................................................................................................1
1-3. Features............................................................................................................1
1-4. Operation Requirements...................................................................................2
1-4-1. Basic System .............................................................................................2
1-4-2. Requirements for PC..................................................................................2
2. Part Names and Functions......................................................................................4
2-1. Camera Rear Panel ..........................................................................................4
2-2. Connector Pin Assignments..............................................................................6
2-2-1. AUX Connector...........................................................................................6
2-2-2. REMOTE Connector ..................................................................................7
3. Setup and Connections ...........................................................................................8
3-1. Preparing Equipment for Connection................................................................8
3-1-1. PC for Controlling Camera .........................................................................8
3-1-2. Connector Cables.......................................................................................8
3-1-3. AC-DC Adaptor...........................................................................................8
3-1-4. Lens ...........................................................................................................9
3-1-5. Tripod .........................................................................................................9
3-2. Cable Connections .........................................................................................10
3-2-1. One Computer to One VFC-1000.............................................................10
3-2-2. One Computer to Two VFC-1000s ........................................................... 11
3-2-2. One Computer to Three or More VFC-1000s ...........................................12
3-2-3. VFC-1000 Remote Control Unit Connection ............................................13
4. Operation...............................................................................................................14
4-1. System Setup .................................................................................................14
4-1-1. Startup Screen..........................................................................................14
4-1-2. Setting PC’s IP Address ...........................................................................16
4-1-3. Internet Explorer Settings.........................................................................20
4-1-4. Camera Control Window ..........................................................................21
4-2. Controlling the Camera...................................................................................23
4-2-1. Camera Status Display Area.....................................................................23
4-2-2. Mode Settings Area..................................................................................24

4-2-3. Record Settings Area............................................................................... 26
4-2-4. Image Quality Settings Area .................................................................... 30
4-2-5. Playback Settings Area............................................................................ 31
4-2-6. System Settings Area .............................................................................. 31
4-3. Record Operations ......................................................................................... 36
4-3-1. VIEW Mode.............................................................................................. 36
4-3-2. ARM Mode............................................................................................... 36
4-3-3. REC Mode ............................................................................................... 37
4-4. Playback Operations ...................................................................................... 38
4-4-1. Playback (Forward).................................................................................. 39
4-4-2. Playback (Reverse) ................................................................................. 39
4-4-3. LOOP playback........................................................................................ 39
4-4-4. Playback Range....................................................................................... 40
4-4-5. Playback Frame Advance/Back Buttons, Slide Bar.................................. 40
4-4-6. Saving Camera Images to PC ................................................................. 41
5. Converting Images to AVI Format ......................................................................... 43
5-1. Installing the VFCIC Camera Image Conversion Software............................. 44
5-2. Operations...................................................................................................... 47
5-2-1. Displaying cm8 Images............................................................................ 47
5-2-2. AVI Conversion ........................................................................................ 51
5-2-3. BMP Conversion...................................................................................... 53
5-2-4. Displaying AVI and BMP Images ............................................................. 54
5-3. Uninstalling VFCIC......................................................................................... 55
6. Record Tips........................................................................................................... 56
6-1. Recording Rate and Shutter Speed................................................................ 56
6-2. Lens Selection................................................................................................ 57
6-3. Lighting........................................................................................................... 58
7. Specifications and Dimensions ............................................................................. 59
7-1. System Specifications .................................................................................... 59
7-2. External Dimensions ...................................................................................... 62

1
1. Introduction
1-1. Introduction
Congratulations! By purchasing VFC-1000 Variable Frame Rate Camera you have entered the
world of FOR-A and its many innovative products. Thank you for your patronage and we hope
you will turn to FOR-A products again and again to satisfy your video and audio needs.
To ensure proper use of this product, please carefully read this Operation Manual. After you
finish reading the Manual, keep it in a handy place for future reference.
1-2. Overview
The VFC-1000 Variable Frame Rate Camera is designed as a lightweight and miniaturized
stand alone high speed camera for easy operation and enables recording at up to 8000
frames/second.
Recorded images are stored in the internal memory, and replayed as slow-motion standard
television signal (NTSC or PAL). Also the digital images are downloaded to the PC to analyze
motion images.
1-3. Features
Recording rate: 250 frames/second at full frames (512 ×472 pixels); up to 8000
frames/second at 128 ×34 pixels for excellent price performance
High-speed electronic shutter: With a maximum operation speed of 1/100000 second, the
high-speed shutter enables recording of high-speed phenomena without blurring.
Small, lightweight, integrated design: Enables using wider applications, easy handling for
recording in field, laboratory, production line of a factory, easy recording in tough
environment
High image quality: Excellent image quality improves accuracy of analyzing high-speed
phenomena and processing of images.
Product lineup: Select a high-sensitivity/high-resolution monochrome model or color model
to suit your needs. Infrared capability is also available as optional feature.
Record time: Standard record time is 4 seconds, optionally increased to 16 seconds.
Multiple functions: Flexible record setup and a variety of playback modes.
Analog video output: Use live images to enable easy setting of the recording conditions;
and immediate playback of recorded images allows quick analysis and easy problem
solving.
Digital interface: Ethernet interface on the camera need not any special PC interface board
(such as a PCI card) to control camera and transfer image data.
Synchronized operation of multiple cameras: Master/slave controls two cameras, and
multi-camera synchronization distributor (optional) controls three or more.

2
1-4. Operation Requirements
This section presents the requirements for controlling the VFC-1000.
1-4-1. Basic System
The following equipment is needed to control your VFC-1000 via PC.
VFC-1000 camera
AC-DC adaptor
Lens (C mount)
PC for controlling VFC-1000
Video monitor (NTSC/PAL)
Video cables
LAN cable
Trigger cable (when external trigger is used)
1-4-2. Requirements for PC
Following are the system requirements for the PC used to control the VFC-1000, download
recorded images, and convert them to AVI or BMP format.
Windows 2000 Professional SP2 OS or later
Pentium III 700MHz or better CPU
At least 128MB of memory
At least 1GB of free disk space (Disk space required varies according to the amount of
image files to be saved. Image data requires 262 KB per frame.)
Ethernet 100Base-TX network interface
Display monitor with a resolution of 800 ×600 or higher
Internet Explorer 6.0 (IE5.5 will work, but control window may not be
properly displayed.)
Internet Explorer should be set so that JavaScript will run on it.
Internet Explorer should be set to allow Cookies to run. (Cookies are
required to save camera settings.)

3
Camera IP address and PC Internet settings should be properly made.
VFCIC camera image conversion software should be installed (to
playback recorded images downloaded to the PC and convert them to
AVI or BMP format).
It is not necessary to install the special software on your PC if you only use it to control the
VFC-1000 without converting images.

4
2. Part Names and Functions
2-1. Camera Rear Panel
The names and functions of connectors, switches, and indicators on VFC-1000’s rear panel
are shown below.
Fig. 2-1
①
⑨
⑤
⑦⑥④⑬
③
②
⑩
⑪⑧
⑫

5
① POWER indicator
Lights yellow to indicate camera power is on.
② POWER switch
Power switch of this camera.
③ 16V DC IN connector
Used for connection to AC power source via supplied AC-DC adaptor.
④ REMOTE connector
Optional remote control unit connects here to control the camera.
⑤ 10Base-T/100Base-TX connector
Used for connection to PC or HUB with a LAN cable (Cat. 5)
⑥ ACT indicator
Flashes orange slowly to indicate Ethernet transfers.
⑦ LINK indicator
Lights yellow to indicate Ethernet link is complete.
⑧ REC indicator
Lights orange to indicate the VIEW mode (live/set up for record).
Flashes red to indicate the ARM mode (waiting for the trigger signal).
Lights red to indicate the REC mode (on recording).
Flashes green to indicate PLAY and LOOP mode (on playing back )
Lights green to indicate the STOP mode (playback still images).
⑨ STATUS indicator
Lights orange to indicate while a video signal is being output.
⑩ VIDEO OUT connector (NTSC/PAL)
Connector used to output NTSC or PAL video signal.
⑪ VIDEO OUT connector (S)
Connector used to output NTSC or PAL S-video signal.
⑫ AUX connector
Connector used for I/O connection of synchronous signals or trigger signals.
⑬ FG terminal
Frame ground terminal.
When the VFC-1000 is being used, be sure this terminal is connected to a ground which is
fixed to the facility.

6
2-2. Connector Pin Assignments
2-2-1. AUX Connector
AUX Connector Pin Assignments and Signals:
Pin No. Use Signal Description
1 GND — — Signal ground
2 FPULSE LVTTL output
(negative logic)
a) Frame pulse output
Used as a sync signal during synchronized
recording or as a strobe trigger signal.
3 (Usage not
allowed) — — Not used (do not connect)
4 (Usage not
allowed) — — Not used (do not connect)
5 TRIG LVTTL input
(negative logic)
b) External input
10kΩpull-up process is performed internally.
When connecting a switch, contact resistance
of switch and cable must be 1kΩor less.
6 GND — — Signal ground
7 AUX LVTTL input
(negative logic)
c) Camera sync signal input
Used to input master camera frame pulse.
8 (Usage not
allowed) — — Not used (do not connect)
9 (Usage not
allowed) — — Not used (do not connect)
1
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
型名:日本航空電子工業㈱DELC-J9SAF-20L6
嵌合固定用ネジ:#4-40(インチネジ)
1. SG
2. FPLUSE
3. N.C.
4. N.C.
5. TRIG
6. SG
7. AUX4
8. N.C.
9. N.C.
FPULSE
GND
AUX
GND
Part name: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Ltd. DELC-J9SAF-20L6
Cable connector security screws: #4-40 (inch screw)

7
型名:ホシデン(株) TM11R-5C-66 (RJ-11相当品)
1
23456
1. FG
2. TD
3. RD
4. UNREG
5. UNREG
6. SG
Fig. 2-2-1 An example of camera synchronization cable connections.
Master camera AUX connector Slave camera AUX connector
Fig. 2-2-1
For information on making camera sync cables and trigger cables, contact us or your dealer.
2-2-2. REMOTE Connector
Part number: Hosiden Corporation
TM11R-5C-66
(
RJ-11 equivalent
)
トリガスイッチ
1. SG
2. FPLUSE
3. N.C.
4. N.C.
5. TRIG
6. SG
7. AUX4
8. N.C.
9. N.C.
1. SG
2. FPLUSE
3. N.C.
4. N.C.
5. TRIG
6. SG
7. AUX4
8. N.C.
9. N.C.
GND
GND
AUX
FPULSE
GND
GND
AUX
FPULSE
Trigger switch
GND

8
3. Setup and Connections
3-1. Preparing Equipment for Connection
3-1-1. PC for Controlling Camera
Make ready a PC satisfying the requirements in Sec. 1-4-2. for use in controlling the
camera.
3-1-2. Connector Cables
LAN cable: Use Cat 5 (100Base-TX) cross wired cable to directly connect camera to
PC. Use a straight wired cable to connect camera and PC via hub.
AUX cable: Connects to AUX connector and used to input/output external trigger
signals and multi-camera sync signals (also used for strobe wiring sync
signals). Contact your dealer for information on cable specifications.
Video cables
VIDEO OUT jack: Use a 75Ωcoaxial cable with RCA pin jack.
S jack: Connect an S cable with S connector.
3-1-3. AC-DC Adaptor
Connect the AC-DC adaptor included with the VFC-1000.
The polarity of the supplied AC-DC adaptor may be different from other AC-DC
adaptors. Only use the AC-DC adaptor included with the VFC-1000.
Table of contents