Lynx FINISHLYNX GOLD PACKAGE ETHERLYNX VISION User manual

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 1
FINISHLYNX GOLD PACKAGE
QUICK START GUIDE
FOR ETHERLYNX VISION CAMERAS
Updated September 2020

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 pictured 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
Internal RadioLynx
Int-DEC-004
Connection box
C-Box
Not pictured
Timer-Enabled option for 5L500
camera
5LTE
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,
includes RadioLynx start sensor
(red case)
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 and LynxPad
5LSW and
9LSW01
Not pictured
Virtual photoeye unit & auto
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
Note: Continue to Step 5: 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 then type the
following numbers:
IP address: 192.168.0.5
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0. Click Ok then click Ok again.
8. If you are running Windows XP, follow these steps to disable
the firewall. Otherwise continue to 0
a. Open the Windows Network & Sharing Center.
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.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 4
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
Set up 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 eight 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 seven 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).
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.
Sight
Line
Plumb
Line

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 5
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)
1. 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.
2. 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 .
3. 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.
4. 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.
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.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 7
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 Internal 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.
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.

FinishLynx GOLD PACKAGE Quick Start Guide –for Vision cameras Page 8
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 0
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:
www.youtube.com/user/LynxSystemDevelopers/
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