Lighttoys Visual Poi V4 User manual

Visual Poi V4
User manual
V2.3

2
Content
Content.................................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 3
What’s included....................................................................................................................................... 3
Getting started ........................................................................................................................................ 4
LtComposer 3 software ........................................................................................................................... 5
Using the FT remote controller ............................................................................................................... 6
Powering on / off................................................................................................................................. 6
LED indicator ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Pairing procedure................................................................................................................................ 7
Perfect Sync feature................................................................................................................................ 8
How it works........................................................................................................................................ 8
Assembling the staff connector............................................................................................................... 9
Available staff sizes ........................................................................................................................... 10
How to spin Visual Poi........................................................................................................................... 11
Visual Poi ZONE ..................................................................................................................................... 11
Latest Firmware..................................................................................................................................... 12
Troubleshooting .................................................................................................................................... 12
Taking photos & videos of Visual Poi .................................................................................................... 12
Taking photos.................................................................................................................................... 12
Taking videos..................................................................................................................................... 13
Maintenance ......................................................................................................................................... 14
Charging............................................................................................................................................. 14
Afterword .............................................................................................................................................. 15

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Introduction
Dear customer, thank you very much for your purchase of the Visual Poi V4 product. Before you
start using your new equipment, please dedicate a few minutes to the contents of this manual.
Even though we strived to make the Visual Poi as durable as possible, please keep in mind that it is a
sensitive electronic device and so appropriate caution is needed.
The first part of this manual is devoted to the usage of Visual Poi, the second part is devoted to the
creation of graphic sequences for your Visual Poi –so that your shows always look the best!
“With proper use, Visual Poi will bring
you and your audience great visual amazement.”
What’s included
The Visual Poi V4 comes with the following parts and accessories:
•2x Visual Poi V4
•1x FT remote controller
•1x USB wall charger
•2x USB cable
•1x USB flash drive with the LtComposer 3 software
•1x transport case
•*Staff connector (optional accessory)
Content of the package
Visual Poi
Charger
Flash
drive
FT remote
Staff
connector

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Getting started
Visual Poi V4 is very easy to operate. All functions of the device are controlled by pressing a single
button located at the end of the poi, in the handle:
Location of the main button on the Visual Poi
Visual Poi is turned ON/OFF by pressing the main button for 2 seconds. It’s indicated by a quick
double blink of one LED on the device, which also serves as a battery level indicator. Green color –
battery is full, orange color –battery is getting empty, red color –battery is empty and needs
recharge.
Visual Poi battery level indicator
If you leave Visual Poi unattended for 30 minutes, it automatically turns off. Also, when the battery level drops too low, the Visual
Poi turns itself OFF to protect the battery and you need to charge the Visual Poi to use it again.
After turning on, the Visual Poi enters a so called “standby mode”. In this mode, 8 LEDs closest to the
main button will shine in either blue or pink color, indicating communication with the FT remote:
FT remote is answering, signal quality is good.
FT remote is turned off or signal quality is poor.
Press the main button once (or any button on the FT remote) to quit the standby mode.
Main button

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Now Visual Poi enters the memory bank selection menu, where you can select which image
sequence to play. It is indicated by 4 LEDs closest to the main button:
Bank 1 Bank 2 Bank 3 Bank 4
There are up to 4 memory banks available, each indicated by a different LED color. Press the main
button repeatedly to make your selection, currently selected bank will shine with a brighter color on
the LEDs:
Bank 3 selected
To confirm your selection, make a longer press of the main button –the Visual Poi will enter a
“prelaunch mode”,ready to start your image sequence at will. This is indicated by only a single LED
shining in the color of the memory bank:
Bank 3 ready to be started
When you are ready to start your Visual Poi show, press the main button and the image sequence
will start to play immediately.
The running image sequence can be stopped at any time by a successive combination of a long press (2 sec) + short press of the
main button. This prevents any accidental interruptions of your show. More details in the description of the Perfect Sync feature.
LtComposer 3 software
After playing with the preloaded image sequences, surely you want to try some original graphics of
your own and experience the full potential of the Visual Poi, don’t you? To do so, you need to install
the Lighttoys Composer 3 software, which is used to design your image sequences and upload them
to the device.
The software and user manual come with the included USB flash drive. It runs on both Windows PC
and MAC OS X. To download the latest version, please visit Lighttoys support page at:
www.lighttoys.cz/support/.

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Using the FT remote controller
Visual Poi V4 is supplied with a powerful FT remote controller, which allows you to control and
precisely start many Visual Pois from distances up to 200 meters away.
The remote can be used in two ways:
•simple (manual) operation –you can play with the color and dynamic modes available on
the remote, simply by pressing the corresponding buttons. This is similar to our other FT
products.
•image sequence start / stop –by pressing the buttons labeled 1 - 4 you can start your
uploaded image sequences instantly and perfectly synchronized thanks to the Perfect Sync
feature. To stop the sequence, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 1 second.
FT remote controller layout
Powering on / off
To turn on the FT remote, press and hold the red
button for 1 second, until the blue indicator LED
on the remote starts shining.
To turn off, press and hold the red button again
until the blue LED stops shining.
The FT remote will turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity to save battery power. This feature is disabled, when any image sequence
(show) is running or the FT remote is plugged to the computer. Pressing any button on the remote will reset the timer.
Brightness or Speed
UP / DOWN
10 static colors
brightness can be
changed
5 dynamic modes
adjustable speed, brightness
and hue set from the most
recent static color
Show start buttons 1 - 4
press to start your
uploaded image
sequence
A/B button
selects the light
segment to be
controlled
ON/OFF button
also used to stop the
running image
sequence
Hold for
1 second

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LED indicator
The blue color LED indicator at the top of the FT remote indicates the different work conditions of
the FT remote:
Pairing procedure
Pairing procedure synchronizes your FT remote with the Visual Pois of your choice. Whenever you
want to control more or different Visual Pois, you will need to perform a new pairing procedure.
Turn on the FT remote with the on/off button.
Now press and hold the PAIR button for 1
second. The LED indicator will start blinking.
This indicates the remote has entered the
pairing mode.
Now make sure all the Visual Pois you want to control are turned off. For each Visual Poi, press and
hold its main button for 3 seconds, until you see the 8 LEDs double blink in white color, then turning
pink color –indicating a successful pairing.
Pairing Visual Poi with the FT remote
After you pair all Visual Pois to the FT remote, press and hold the PAIR button again for 1 second. The
LED indicator will stop blinking. The LEDs on the Visual Pois should turn blue color. Congratulations,
the pairing is now completed.
You can pair up to 32 Visual Poi units to a single FT remote. If this is not sufficient, you can pair the remaining units to another
FT remote and use the two remotes concurrently. They won’t interfere with each other.
During the pairing process, the 2.4GHz radio spectrum is scanned and best channel is selected (with least interference). When
performing with Lighttoys FT products in a new venue, it is recommended to perform a new pairing procedure close to the actual
gig where performance is about to happen.
remote is turned on
pairing mode
show is running
battery is low
charging
Hold for
1 second

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Perfect Sync feature
Perfect Sync is a unique functionality of the new Visual Poi V4 generation and FT products. It makes
sure that your Visual Pois always start and run synchronized, no matter how strong the electronic
interference at the stage is or when the performer accidentally stops the show.
How it works
When you press the button 1-4 on the FT remote to start the image sequence, the remote begins to
repeatedly send this start information along with a current time mark (actual position into the
running show):
Perfect Sync feature
If some Visual Poi doesn't catch the signal, the moment it gets it, it will calculate its precise position
in the show (with 2 millisecond accuracy) and start from there!
Perfect Sync feature helps to rescue the following unfavorable situations:
•SITUATION 1 –some Visual Poi(s) don’t catch the start signal.
Remedy: wait for the Visual Poi(s) to catch the signal; when the interference is strong, come
closer with the FT remote.
•SITUATION 2 –the artist stops the show by a long press of the main button.
Remedy: don’t press the main button again; the Visual Poi will start from the correct time
position in 1 second.
•SITUATION 3 –some Visual Poi(s) were not turned on when the show started.
Remedy: Turn on the Visual Poi with the main button and the Visual Poi will start from the
correct time position.
You can check the following video to see Perfect sync in action: https://youtu.be/avgoezJM9Z0.
Calculation of the precise time position in the show is a computing intensive operation. Visual Poi needs to go through all the
pictures stored in the memory and simulate the show. It can take several seconds to find the correct spot. The LEDs are turned off
during this time.
show: 1
time: 02:37:16

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Assembling the staff connector
Staff module is an optional accessory that quickly turns your Visual Poi into a Visual Staff. Below you
will find instructions how to assemble and use it properly.
Visual Poi staff connector
First, remove the leash (ring with the chain) from the Visual Poi and align the Visual Poi with the
connector:
Preparations for staff attachment
Next, push the Visual Poi inside, making sure the “L” mark is aligned with the grooves in the Visual
Poi tube. Then rotate Visual Poi 90 degrees, so the “L” mark is aligned with the button:
Visual Poi alignment and the locked position
Staff connector
Unlocked
Locked

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As a last step, we recommend using a firm adhesive (or electrical) tape to secure the Visual Poi in the
staff connector against rotation. Your Visual Staff is now ready for use!
Securing the Visual Poi with a tape
To disassemble the staff and return to the normal Visual Poi operation, follow the above steps in
reverse orders.
Available staff sizes
You can assemble the following staff combinations from the Visual Poi V4 MINI, CLASSIC or MAXI
with the help of SHORT or LONG staff connector:
Available staff combinations

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How to spin Visual Poi
To create the most beautiful visual experience and clarity for your audience with the device, it’s good
to know how to spin it properly. If you are a seasoned poi spinner, you can skip this part.
The Visual Poi is held with the leash, each in one hand. We recommend you to learn the basic 3-beat
forward weave poi move, which gives the best clarity to your texts and logos (you can search online
for many tutorials). After you gain practice, you can try other poi tricks, which look great also with
abstract patterns.
Forward 3-beat weave gives the best clarity to your logos and texts
NOTE: If you want to spin texts and logos, please make sure you are spinning in the right direction (clockwise) facing your audience!
See the image above.
Visual Poi ZONE
We have created a community-based web portal, where you can share and download hundreds of
Visual Poi pictures for free! Check it out at the following link: http://www.visualpoi.zone/
Looking for pictures for you Halloween party? Searching for Christmas patterns? Or just curious what
others have recently uploaded? Head over to Visual Poi ZONE!

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Latest Firmware
To enjoy the latest features and fixed bugs, make sure to check our page: https://lighttoys.cz/ft-new/
which lists the most up-to-date firmware files and instructions on how to update them.
Troubleshooting
“The Visual Poi has problem registering in LtComposer3 or the memory banks don’t behave
properly.” It seems the memory got corrupted and it must be completely reset. If you are running
firmware version 0.32 or newer, turn off the VPOI4 with the long press of the main button, continue
to hold it for 10 seconds, when you see the white light on the first LED, release the button and
immediately click it again, then wait for the progress bar to finish. Video tutorial explaining the
process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLailLGYTqo
“The Visual Poi is displaying a static line of pixels and cannot be turned off.”The Visual poi needs to
be reset. Locate the hidden reset pin on the Visual Poi circuit board, on the right side of the USB
connector. Get a thin metal object, a needle or paper clip works the best. Then touch the USB
connector and the reset pad, both at the same time:
Visual Poi reset procedure
The LEDs should stop shining, indicating the Visual Poi was reset. Turn the Visual Poi on with the
main button and it should work again normally.
Taking photos & videos of Visual Poi
Taking photos
Capturing beautiful photos like the ones you see on our webpage is actually not very difficult, once
you have the right equipment and know what to do!
For optimal results, get a DSLR camera and a solid tripod. The type of camera is not so important, the
only requirement for it is to have full manual mode (“M” mode).

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Put your camera on the tripod, set it to “M” mode and for starters try dialing the following camera
settings:
•ISO 100-200
•Aperture F/6.3
•Shutter speed 1/4 sec
Instruct your performer to spin 3-beat weave (or any other trick) and start taking photos. If the photo
is too dark or bright, change the aperture. If the Visual Poi trails are too “long” or “short”, change the
shutter speed to your liking.
Taking videos
Taking beautiful videos of your Visual Pois can be a little tricky, because almost all cameras default to
wrong default video settings. But it’s not hard to get it right!
First, you need to get a camcorder or camera with full manual settings when shooting video. Any
intermediate or professional camera should have these settings. You must be able to individually set
these parameters on your camera:
•frame rate (fps)
•shutter speed
•aperture / iris
•ISO / gain
Set your camera to full manual mode. Next, make sure that frame rate (fps) is the same as shutter
speed. That way there will be no black "gaps" in the video and the Visual Poi pattern will look
smooth.
Example: Let’s say your camera’s frame rate is set to 30 fps. Then you have to set the shutter speed to
1/30 sec (this is sometimes called “360-degree shutter angle”). These two values must be kept the
same.
Right and wrong setting of frame rate and shutter speed

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Then you set your aperture and ISO so that exposure (brightness of the video) is not too dark or too
bright. Definitely turn off any AUTO settings, because the camera always "assumes" that the scene
with Visual Poi is too dark and turns the brightness up. Set your aperture and ISO according to the
camera display - make sure the colors are not too pale (blown out). It's always good to make the
settings a bit darker than too bright.
What frame rate to use? We found 30fps to give a good balance between reasonably long Visual Poi
trails and fluidity of movements. 25fps is also good (then you set your shutter speed to 1/25 sec). A
solid tripod for your camera or camcorder is also highly recommended.
What camera to use? There are many suitable models on the market, but we had good results with
Sony 1” chip cameras like FDR-AX100 and PXW-X70.
Maintenance
Charging
When the battery indicator drops down in level, the Visual Poi needs to be recharged. You can use
the included charger or any mobile phone charger supplying 5V from its USB connector. Visual Poi is
fully charged, when the red LED indicator next to the USB connector turns off.

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Afterword
“Team Pyroterra Lighttoys wishes you a lot of fun and amazed
audience with Visual Poi V4.
Enjoy the ground-breaking technology, opening new worlds of visual
presentation. Because, FUTURE IS NOW!”
www.lighttoys.cz