lynx System Developers FinishLynx Gold User manual

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 1
FINISHLYNX GOLD PACKAGE
QUICK START GUIDE
FOR ETHERLYNX VISION CAMERAS
Updated April 2017

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 2
Quick-Start Guide FinishLynx Gold Package Timing System
Please verify that your FinishLynx Gold System contains all the components listed here. If something is missing, or if you
have questions setting up your system after following this quick start guide, call: 1-800-989-LYNX. For additional tech
support documents and downloads, visit www.finishlynx.com/support/
Item
Description
Part #
Item
Description
Part #
Carrying Case
1A207
Normally closed start
sensor with light
3L400
EtherLynx Vision high
sensitivity camera
5L500
500 ft. start sensor cable
3A100
Not pictured
Timer-Enabled option for
5L500 camera
5LTE
Connection box
C-Box
Not pictured
High Resolution option for
5l500 camera
5LHR
Connection box cable
451
C-Mount 8-48mm f1.2
Motorized Zoom Lens
C848M
25 ft. Ethernet cables (x2)
C10BT-25
CS Mount 2.8-10mm P-Iris
lens
CS2810P
1 x 100 ft. Ethernet cable
C10BT-100
CS Mount to C Mount
Adapter
MCS-C
Capture button and
USB/Serial adapter
1A205
Remote positioner
2L102
Button splitter
B-SPL
Geared head
BG3275
MicroTab scoreboard,
carrying case and
charger
MG-TAB9
Super head clamp
BG2909
RadioLynx Transmitter
and Receiver - with
RadioLynx start sensor
(red casing)
3L900
Camera tripod (x2)
BG3036
IdentiLynx Full Frame
Video Camera kit
IdentiLynx
8 port 10/100 Power over
Ethernet switch
PoE-Switch
Lynx USB Flash Drive
with FinishLynx32,
LynxPad, and Plug-ins
5LSW and
9LSW01
Not pictured
Automatic Capture plug-in
5LACM
Not Pictured
RadioLynx plug-in
5LPRL
Be sure to keep your USB flash drive safe. It includes your Serial Numbers, Software, & Quick-Start Guides.
To access the files, insert the flash drive in your computer and click on START.html
Items Not Included
Laptop or netbook computer running Microsoft Windows. Your computer needs: 1 available serial port (or USB port
with serial adapter), and 1 available Ethernet port.
Printer (optional)

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 3
Introduction
In this QSG, you will learn how to configure the FinishLynx network, set up the EtherLynx Vision camera and align it with the finish
line using the remote positioner and remote lens. You will also learn how to capture, evaluate, and print a FinishLynx results image,
configure FinishLynx to work with the scoreboard, and import a start list created in LynxPad.
Step 1: Go to the track
Bring your FinishLynx system (and an assistant) to the track.
Make sure there is power available for your computers and for
the Power over Ethernet switch. The EtherLynx Vision camera
and the IdentiLynx camera will receive their power via the
Ethernet data cables.
Set up a table near the finish line, ideally on the infield if
power is available. The finish line should have black lane
markers painted or taped on the finish. If not, we suggest you
use black matte tape to designate lane lines. This will help you
align the camera and get clearer images.
Step 2: Install the software
A. FinishLynx
Install using the Lynx USB Flash Drive included with your
system or download the latest version of FinishLynx at:
www.finishlynx.com/product/software/finishlynx-results-software/
Follow the instructions on your screen to install FinishLynx and
the RadioLynx (RL) and Auto-Capture Mode (ACM) Plug-ins.
When prompted, enter the serial numbers found in the USB
flash drive.
1) Start FinishLynx by clicking the Windows Start button and
selecting All Programs | FinishLynx.
2) Verify that you have correctly installed the ACM and RL
Plug-in by clicking Help from the Menu bar and selecting
About…. When the About FinishLynx dialog appears, the
ACM and RL Plug-ins are listed with the serial numbers
you entered during installation.
B. LynxPad
Install using the Lynx USB flash drive or download the latest
version of LynxPad at:
www.finishlynx.com/product/event-management/lynxpad/
Follow the instructions on your screen to install LynxPad.
When prompted, enter the serial number found on your Lynx
USB Flash Drive.
Note: You should Right Click on the installer and select Run as
Administrator to install LynxPad, if you do not, you will not be
able to print from LynxPad.
Step 3: Evaluate a sample image
1. Start FinishLynx. Click File - Open….
2. Double-click Sprint.evn to open the sample event.
Note: This sample is a two-camera image. Your Gold System
uses only 1 line-scan camera and produces single-camera
images.
3. Click the mouse once on the torso of a competitor on the
left side of the screen. A red hairline appears. Enter the
lane number for the athlete in the identification box.
4. Press the Enter key on your computer. The finisher’s time
appears in the start list above the image.
5. Repeat these steps for all of the competitors on the
screen. You have just successfully evaluated a race in
FinishLynx.
6. Click File | Close window. If you want to reuse the image
later for practice evaluation, click No when asked to save
your changes. Close FinishLynx.
Step 4: Configure the network for
Windows OS prior to Windows 7
See Step 5: below for Windows 7,8 and up
1. Click the Microsoft Windows Start button and select
Control Panel, or click Start | Settings | Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Right-click the Local Area Connection associated with the
network interface card (NIC) in use and select Properties.
The Local Area Connection Properties dialog appears.
4. Make sure you see a line that reads, Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP). You may have to scroll down to see it.
a. Click Install and select Protocol.
b. Click Add....
c. Click to select the Microsoft TCP/IP option and then
click OK.
5. Check the box next to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
6. Click to select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click
Properties. The Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties
dialog appears.
7. Click the Use the following IP Address: button and then
type the following numbers:
IP address: 192.168.0.5
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0. Click Ok and then click
Ok again.
8. If you are running Windows XP, follow these steps to
disable the firewall. Otherwise continue to Step 6:
a. Open the Windows Network & Sharing Center.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 4
b. Right-click the Local Area Connection associated with
your system, and select Properties. The Local Area
Connection dialog appears.
c. Click the Advanced tab.
d. Make sure the box under Internet Connection
Firewall is unchecked.
e. Click Ok and then exit the Network Connections
screen. Restart your computer.
Step 5: Configure the network for
Windows 7 & 8 (if applicable)
Note: Sections 1 and 2 should be completed on both
FinishLynx and Meet Management computer.
1. Go to the Windows Control Panel. On the top right is
View By with a drop down arrow. Click the drop down
arrow and choose Small or Large Icons.
2. Find and double click on Network and Sharing Center.
They are listed alphabetically by icon name.
3. This will open the Network and Sharing Center. On the
left is a blue section titled Control Panel Home.
4. Click on the Change Adapter Settings icon.
5. A new window will open displaying your network
connections. Right click on the Wireless Network
Connection and select Disable from the list of items. This
is only necessary for the FinishLynx Capture computer.
6. Right click on the Local Area Connection and select
Properties from the list of items. A new window will
appear with a list of connection items. Click to select
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the
Properties button.
7. A Properties window will appear and is typically set to
Obtain an IP address automatically. Click to select the
radio button for Use the following IP address. In the box
for IP address, enter 192.168.0.5 for FinishLynx and hit
Tab key to auto fill in Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
8. Click OK and navigate back to the Control Panel. In the
control panel click on the Windows Firewall icon. Under
Control Panel Home, on the left, click on Turn Windows
Firewall on or off.
9. Turn off both Home and Public Firewalls (Domain for
Windows Pro).
Step 6: Set up the camera and tripod
Setup the tripod in line with the finish line, preferably on the
infield and approximately 10 feet back. Note: Minimum
recommended camera distance from track is 8 feet (at this
distance you may not be able to see the feet of the athlete in
Lane 1 –being able to see the feet is not a requirement for
accurate timing on the Torso of the athlete). If you need to be
closer than this you may have to use the optional 6mm lens
supplied with your Gold package.
1. Extend the tripod legs so the geared head is
approximately 7 ft high.
2. On the near side of the finish line, hold a plumb bob so
that it is suspended directly above the middle of the finish
line. This is the plumb line, shown as a in the image
below.
3. Tie string to the screw on the top of the tripod head. Have
your assistant take the other end of the string to the far
side of the finish line and hold the string taught. This is
the sight line, shown as bin the image below.
4. Move the tripod to the left or right until the plumb line
and sight line touch at position C in the image below. The
tripod is now in the plane of the finish line.
Step 7: Attach the camera to the tripod
1. Secure the remote positioner to the camera bottom by
turning the black handled thumbscrew. Make sure the
FinishLynx label faces in the same direction as the camera
lens will face.
Note: Cables omitted for clarity and actual lens may vary from model shown
2. Connect the cable that comes with the remote positioner
to the port on the positioner and the port on the back of
the camera labeled Remote.
3. Connect the cable on the remote lens to the remaining
serial port on the remote positioner.
4. Secure the geared head to the top of the tripod.
5. Note how the mounting plate is attached to the top of the
geared head. Then, pull back on the lever at the top of
the geared head to release the mounting plate.
6. Tighten the mounting plate to the bottom of the remote
positioner by turning the screw with a flathead
screwdriver. Make sure the Lens marking on the bottom
of the plate is facing the front of the remote positioner
(where the Lynx label is affixed).
sight line
plumb
line

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 5
7. Attach the camera with the remote positioner and
mounting plate to the tripod by clicking the mounting
plate into place on the geared head.
8. With the camera lens lined up with and facing the finish
line, make minor adjustments to the tripod legs so both
bubbles on the tripod are centered.
9. Turn the black knob on the geared head that controls the
tilt of the camera so that it is at about a 30 degree angle
to the ground.
Step 8: Connect the cables
AC
EtherLynx Vision
Camera
Connection Box Sensor
Cat 5 Ethernet
DB 15 Cable
XLR
Capture
Button
Cat 5 Ethernet
IdentiLynx
Camera
Cat 5 Ethernet
AC
PoE
Switch
USB Button Splitter
1. Connect the female end of connection box cable to the
port on the back of the camera labeled Connection Box
and the male end to the left side of the connection box.
2. Connect an Ethernet cable between the back of the
camera labeled POE 10/100/1000 and a port on the
Power over Ethernet switch.
3. Connect an Ethernet cable to the network connection on
your computer and the other end to a port on the Power
over Ethernet switch.
4. Connect the male end of the start sensor cable to the
connection box where it says Start. Attach the start
sensor to the other end of the cable and keep the start
sensor close by.
5. Connect the button splitter to a 9-pin serial port, or a USB
port with the supplied adaptor, on your computer.
6. Connect the capture button cable to the 9-pin serial port
on the button splitter that is labelled Capture Button.
7. Depending on the distance between the scoreboard and
your computer or camera, connect the scoreboard serial
cable, either to the Serial Port on your Connection box, or
to the other 9-pin serial port on the button splitter.
8. Turn on the camera by pressing and holding the black
power button on the back.
Step 9: Align the EtherLynx camera
Note: The EtherLynx Vision camera can be aligned using either
1-D mode or 2-D EasyAlign mode. We recommend using
EasyAlign. If you are using an older model EtherLynx camera,
however, it must be aligned using classic 1-D mode.
NOTE If running a wireless Ethernet card on your computer,
we recommend that you disable it while the camera is
booting.
Start FinishLynx. Wait while the green status bar in the lower
right corner of the screen completes its cycle.
Align Vision Camera in EasyAlign 2-D Video Mode
1. Activate EasyAlign by clicking on the 2D align Icon in
the top left hand corner of the FinishLynx Hardware
Control screen.
The icon turns green and the 2-D video viewer
appears within the software. The 2-D viewer makes it easy
to see how your camera is aligned on the finish. The goal
is to align the green vertical line with the painted finish
line and near its front edge.
2. Adjust Remote Lens/Positioner Controls - Adjust the
remote lens/position controls on the right of the
FinishLynx hardware control screen.
Center Remote Camera Positioner
Click to center the camera automatically using the
remote positioner.
Remote Camera Tilt, Pan & Swivel
Use the remote Tilt, Pan, and Swivel buttons to adjust the
orientation of the camera on the finish.
You want to ensure that the green vertical line is perfectly
aligned on the white finish line and that all lanes are visible in
the viewer.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 6
Tilt
Pan
Swivel
Have your assistant run through the finish line and watch
where he/she appears on the computer monitor. The goal is
for the runner’s torso to be fully visible in both the inside and
outside lanes. Once the camera' position is correct, you can
then optimize the remote lens settings.
Remote Iris (adjusts amount of light in lens)
Open or Close the remote iris to bring the ACM value as close
to 1 as you can by clicking and holding the remote Iris buttons.
Remote Focus (adjusts near/far image focus)
Click and hold the and buttons on the keypad on
the right of the FinishLynx screen until the image becomes
crisp. Start by focusing on the far lane and adjust until all lanes
are in focus. Ensure that athletes in all lanes (near and far) are
in focus.
Note: If you are having a hard time getting crisp focus, try
opening your lens iris and allowing the AGC to drop closer to
zero.
3. Once the camera appears to be aligned, Click, the green
alignment icon to close 2D alignment and then click
on the red 1-D alignment icon .
You will know when your camera is aligned on the finish
line because the 1-D image will be primarily white. See
image below for proper 1-D alignment.
If you followed the steps closely in 2-D align, the camera
should already be aligned in 1-D mode as well. The 1-D
image should look similar to the following screen capture:
Step 10: Adjust FinishLynx camera settings
1. Click Camera Settings Icon to open the Camera
Settings dialog.
2. Click to select the Setup tab:
a. Name: enter a name to identify the camera(s)
b. Image Orientation: select the correct orientation for
finish (infield would be Left orientation)
c. Identify By: select Lane for track competition
d. Lanes: enter the number of lanes on the track; the
remaining should be left as default.
3. Click to select the Parameters tab
a. Rate: type a value in the field between 800-1000 for
sprints (400m and under) or type 600-800 for
distance events. Change this value when moving
between sprints and distance races, or else the
competitors in your FinishLynx image appear
distorted.
Note: Image distortion does not affect timing
accuracy.
b. Frame Height: will vary by camera models, 640 is
recommended for most track competitions;
c. Gain Method: set to AGC for outdoor light and set to
Manual during the alignment process and for artificial
light. Adjust the value based on quality of image in
alignment mode.
4. Click to select the Inputs tab:
a. Start Sensor: is defaulted to Closed for the wired gun
start. If using the Radiolynx then set Start Sensor to
None to turn off the wired start (they are
independent of each other.
b. Photo Eye: if using ACM to stop the scoreboard
display, set it to Internal.
5. Click to select the RadioLynx tab:
a. Port: select the appropriate port where the Radiolynx
receiver is plugged into (camera back is common for
newer model cameras)
b. Setup ID: should be 000 and select Start Sensor on
the next line, Name: will fill in automatically with
Start 000.
6. Click to select the Capture tab:
a. Capture Method: select Manual if using the Capture
Button or Automatic if using ACM plug-in (both
methods can be active at the same time by selecting
both).
7. Click OK to close the Camera Settings and it is advised to
restart the FinishLynx software.
8. Set White Balance
a. Open a new event in FinishLynx by clicking in the
top left corner of the screen.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 7
b. Capture a small amount of image containing a white
object, such as a person wearing a white t-shirt.
c. Right-click and draw a box around a small amount of
the white image. You may need to zoom in to the
image to do this.
d. Click Image from the Menu bar and select Set white
balance.
Step 11: Create a shared directory for
FinishLynx and LynxPad
1. Right-click on your computer desktop and select New |
Folder. When the New Folder appears, change the name
to Practice competition.
2. In FinishLynx, click File | Options…. Click the Browse
button on the Event Directory: and navigate to the
Practice competition directory you just created. Then,
click Ok.
3. Still in FinishLynx, click File | Options… and click the
Database tab. Click the Browse… button next to the
Output Directory: and navigate to the Practice
competition directory. Then, click Ok.
4. Now, start LynxPad by clicking the Windows Start button
and then All Programs | LynxPad.
5. Click File | Options… and uncheck the Load Existing
Results on Program Start box. Then, click Ok.
6. Open the sample competition by clicking File | Open.
Navigate to C:\LynxPadData\Sample and then double-
click the lynx.cmp file. A practice competition opens on
the screen.
7. Still in LynxPad, click File | Options…. Click the Browse
button next to the Directory: text field. Navigate to the
Practice competition file you created earlier. Select it and
click Ok. Click Apply and then click Ok again.
8. Still in LynxPad, click File | Save as… and navigate to the
Practice competition folder. Then, click Ok. Now,
FinishLynx can get start lists created in LynxPad, and
LynxPad can import results generated by FinishLynx.
Step 12: Mount & Install IdentiLynx camera
Follow the instructions on the separate IdentiLynx Quick Start
Guide
Step 13: Setup RadioLynx wireless start
Follow the instructions on the separate RadioLynx Quick Start
Guide
Step 14: Setup Scoreboard
1. Plug the serial cable into Serial 1 on the side of the
MicroTab LED display.
2. Plug the DB9 connection into the Connection Box for the
FinishLynx camera or a COM port on the computer (USB
to Serial Adapter for laptops).
3. Open the FinishLynx software.
4. Power on the MicroTabLED display.
NOTE: if using a USB to Serial Adapter, plug it into the USB
port before booting FinishLynx software.
Step 15: Scoreboard Option Settings
1. Go to File|Options and select the Scoreboard tab from
the options window.
2. Click on New to create a scoreboard or new scoreboard
listing in the status window.
3. Click on the dropdown for Script and select the
uTabLED.lss from the list (alphabetical listing)
4. In the text box for Name, type in uTab LED (or anything to
help you identify each board if there are multiple listings).
5. Code Set should be left as Single Byte
6. Click the dropdown for Serial Port and choose the
appropriate COM # from the list. If using the C-Box, the
camera must be booted for the selection to be available.
NOTE: there may be multiple selections for COM port so check
Device Manager on the computer and find out which number
is assigned –or use trial and error.
7. Verify that the serial port settings are:
a. baud –1200;
b. data bits –8;
c. parity –None;
d. stop bits 1.0
8. For Running Time click the radio button for Auto and the
other settings for running time can be left with the
default.
9. For Results select the following settings:
a. Auto
b. Always send place
c. Paging
d. Size set to 1
e. Max should be limited (3-8 results)
f. Time –how long info displays
10. Click OK to close the Options window.
11. Close the FinishLynx program and re-start the software. If
the camera was booted, it will come back when you re-
start the software.
12. Go to File|Options and select the Scoreboard tab and
verify that status now says running.
13. Click OK to close the Options window
14. Using the menu bar at the top of the FinishLynx software,
click on Scoreboard and then select Show Time of Day. A
check mark should appear next to Show Time of Day and
the time should now display on the board.
15. Click on Scoreboard again from the Menu Bar and then
select Show Time of Day again and it will remove the
check mark and stop the output to the scoreboard.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 8
16. Go to File|Open and select the Boys3000 from the Lynx
directory
17. The top 3 (Max) results should page through the display
and change the information displayed every 5 seconds
(Time)
Step 16: Automatic Capture Module (ACM)
Setup and Operation
A: Using ACM to Stop Running Time
The following information will help to setup the ACM feature
for stopping or pausing the running time with each race.
1. In the Hardware Control window, click on the Camera
Settings (blue circle with white “I” in upper left).
2. In the Camera Settings, click on the Inputs tab and set
Photo Eye to Internal.
3. Next, click on the Capture tab and set Capture Method to
Automatic.
4. Click OK and close the Camera Settings.
5. Click on File | Options and the select the Scoreboard tab.
6. Confirm that the scoreboard is setup properly as show
above.
B: Manually Control ACM:
1. Click on File|New to create a new blank event or click on
the Create New Blank Event button in the upper left.
2. In the Event Window make sure there is an Afor Armed
and Sfor Scoreboard and it says Armed to the right of the
race clock (when using ACM the C for capture will not
show until capture is enabled).
3. Create a start for the event and confirm that the running
time is showing on the uTabLED display.
4. Click the Capture icon to enable capture and then hit the
Ctrl+F keys and it will say Finishing to the right of the race
clock (click on Scoreboard Menu for shortcut keys).
5. Have someone run through the finish line and the camera
should capture image and the running time should stop
and display the time to the hundredths.
NOTE:In multi-lap races you can use Alt+P to pause the
running time as competitors pass in front of the camera.
C: Automatic ACM Setting:
NOTE: Autobreak settings will occur automatically for every
race so play with your settings to make sure it fits the way you
want to handle each race, even multi-lap races.
1. Go to File|Options and select the Scoreboard tab.
2. Under Running Time on the third line is Autobreak, these
settings allow it to occur automatically.
3. Selecting Finish and If Capturing will cause the running
time to stop when ACM is on and the competitors cross
the finish line.
4. Selecting Pause but NOT If Capturing will cause the
running time to Pause each time competitors cross the
finish line in multi-lap races when capture is not enabled.
Step 17: Use FinishLynx with LynxPad Data
1. In FinishLynx, click to load the schedule of events
from LynxPad. The Go To Event dialog appears.
2. Click the Load Schedule button once. Click the drop-down
list under the Load Schedule button. A list of events
appears. Click to select the “110 Meter Hurdles Men (9,
3, 1)” event in the list, and then click Ok. The first heat of
the third round of the men’s 110m hurdles opens on the
FinishLynx screen.
3. Either use a starting gun, or knock the sensor sharlpy
against a hard object - this simulates the firing of the
starting gun and starts the yellow FinishLynx timer.
4. Have your assistant run through the finish line while you
press down and hold the red capture button to capture
the image. Release the button as soon as he/she has run
completely through the finish line.
5. Practice evaluating the image by following the same steps
you followed earlier in Step 3:
6. Click File | Save to save the race to the Practice
competition directory.
7. Crop space between competitors in your FinishLynx image
by right-clicking and drawing a box around the unwanted
space. Release the mouse button and select Crop from
the dialog that appears.
8. (Optional) Print the results and a portion of the FinishLynx
image by right-clicking on the image and drawing a box
around the portion you want to appear in your printout.
For example, the first place finisher or a close finish
between two competitors. Click Ok and then select the
printer from the Print dialog to send the image with
results to the printer.
9. Click File | Close window and then click Yes to save
changes you made to the FinishLynx image when you
cropped it.
10. In LynxPad, click to highlight Men 110 Meter Hurdles in
the Events window. The start list appears in the Heats
window.
11. Still in LynxPad, click Competition | Refresh All Results.
The results from the race you just evaluated appear in
LynxPad.
This completes the FinishLynx Gold System Quick Start Guide.
Looking for more resources? Visit our YouTube
Channel for setup and support videos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/LynxSystemDevelopers/
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