OrcaVue XL User manual

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WARNING
READ BEFORE USE
* IMPROPER USE OR FAILURE TO FOLLOW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR THIS PRODUCT CAN RESULT
IN DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY, SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH
* OPERATORS MUST ENSURE THAT USERS AND SPECTATORS STAND CLEAR OF THE ARM RADIUS AT
ALL TIMES (A MINIMUM OF 3 FEET IS RECOMMENDED). THE USE OF STANCHIONS AND/OR OTHER
BARRIERS TO ENFORCE THIS LIMIT IS ADVISED
* SUBJECTS MUST TAKE THEIR PLACE ON THE ORCAVUE PLATFORM BEFORE THE DEVICE IS TURNED
ON AND WAIT UNTIL THE ARM HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED BEFORE STEPPING OFF
* A LOSS OF BALANCE CAN RESULT IN FALLING FROM PLATFORM AND POSSIBLY SERIOUS
INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THEREFORE, SUBJECTS MUST NOT BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF
DRUGS OR ALCOHOL OR BE OTHERWISE IMPAIRED.
* OPERATORS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD OR OLDER
NOTE:
* DO NOT exceed the recommended maximum weight for camera and accessories of ten pounds
or set the unit’s speed to more than 60% when using the unit in a fully-loaded capacity
* The OrcaVue XL holds a maximum of 4-5 people
* Only use on a level surface
* The OrcaVue Gala is intended for use with cameras such as the iPhone, iPad, and GoPro that
include internal video stabilization. Videos shot using cameras without these capabilities may
demonstrate some shakiness caused by participants moving about the platform

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Contents
1. Controller
1.1 Unit Power
1.2 Camera Arm Swing Direction
1.3 Camera Arm Swing Speed
1.4 DMX Ports
1.5 Foot Switch Pedal
1.6 Wireless Remote
2. Camera Arm
2.1 Camera Arm Base
2.2 Camera Arm Mount
2.3 Camera Arm Height –1st Extension
2.4 Camera Arm Height –2nd Extension
2.5 Counterweight System
3. Arm Support Mode
3.1 Isolation Mode
3.2 Transport Mode
4. Operation
4.1 Basic Operation
5. Warranty and Support
6. Specifications

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1.Controller (Figure 1)
1.1 Unit Power
1. The Power switch (PWR) controls the power to your unit, and has three positions: AC, OFF and
BAT (figure 3):
oUse the up position (AC) when you are powering the unit using AC power, typically from a
wall outlet.
oUse the down position (BAT) when you are powering the unit from a V-mount battery.
Note that in order to use this option, your unit must be equipped with the v-mount arm-
drive battery option.
oUse the middle position (OFF) when you wish to cut power to the unit.
2. If using AC power, plug the AC power cable (figure 2) into the AC power port (figure 3). The red
light above the PWR knob will be lit/on, if the unit is successfully being powered:
AC Power Port
Power
Knob
Direction
Knob
Speed
Dial
DMX Ports
(future updates coming)
Foot Switch Port

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1.2 Camera Arm Direction
1. The Direction switch (DIR) controls the direction that the camera arm swings, and has three
positions: FWD, APP, and REV (figure 3):
oThe up position (FWD) spins the camera arm in a clockwise direction
oThe down position (REV) spins the camera in a counter-clockwise direction
oThe middle position (APP) allows the unit to be controlled by a device running an app with
built-in OrcaVue integration
1.3 Camera Arm Speed
1. The speed dial (SPEED) controls the speed at which the camera arm spins.
oThe white mark on the speed dial indicates the arm rotation speed (0-100) that the unit is
currently set to. This range roughly corresponds to 6-36 RPM.
oNOTE: The speed dial only works when the DIR switch is set to FDW or REV. If the DIR
switch is set to APP, the speed is controlled from within a compatible application.
1.4 DMX Ports
1. The DMX Ports are intended for future hardware upgrades as new technology/features are
added.
1.5 Foot Switch Pedal
1. The Foot Switch Pedal is a wired solution to turn the OrcaVue unit ON or OFF.
oSimply plug the foot switch cord into the Foot Switch Port (Figure 4 & 5) and ensure that
the controller box has power (red light is on).
oThe Foot Switch Pedal will not work if the controller box is not powered.
Figure 2
Figure 3

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oPlace the Foot Switch Pedal on the floor, so that the rubber grip is on the bottom (Figure
6).
oThe pedal only requires one tap/step to turn the unit on or off. There is no need to hold
your foot down on the pedal to keep the unit on.
1.6 Wireless Remote
1. The OrcaVue remote provides a wireless means for turning your
OrcaVue unit ON or OFF (Figure 7).
2. There is no need to plug anything in. Simply make sure that the
controller box has power and press the remote button to Start or Stop
your OrcaVue unit. You do not need to hold it down.
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

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2. Camera Arm
2.1 Securing the Camera Arm Base
1. Unfold the camera arm by loosening the thumbscrew and pulling out the silver positioning pin at
the pivot point (Figure 8).
2. The silver positioning pin is placed behind the arm and determines its angle. Place the pin in a
hole that corresponds to your desired position.
3. Allow the arm to rest against the silver pin and then firmly tighten the thumbscrew to hold arm in
a fixed position.
4. In Figure 9, remove the thumbscrew of the square horizontal tube and slide Camera Arm onto
the silver square bar to attach arm to unit. Adjust to the desired length, reinsert thumbscrews
and tighten.
2.2 Camera Shoe Mount
5. Attach your desired camera to the removable camera shoe (Figures 10 & 11) by screwing the
bolt protruding from the shoe into the camera. Note: If you have a compatible mount that can be
clamped directly by the camera shoe holder, this step is unnecessary.
Figure 6
Figure 9
Figure 8
Figure 8
Silver Pin
Thumbscrew
Figure 9
Thumbscrew Hole

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6. Attach the camera and shoe to the arm mount by loosening the silver nob so that the mount
becomes wide enough to accommodate the shoe. (Figure 12).
7. Tighten the silver nob to firmly connect the shoe into the mount. (Figure 13).
Figure 12
Figure 11
Figure 10
Figure 13
Silver nob
Camera
Shoe

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2.3 Camera Arm Height –1st Extension
1. Adjust the height of the camera arm by removing the bottommost thumbscrew on the OrcaVue XL
camera arm (Figure 14).Telescope the tube all the way up until you see the thumbscrew hole
(Figure 15). Insert and tighten the thumb screw into the upper portion of the arm (Figure 16).
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16

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2.4 Camera Arm Height –2nd Extension
1. Adjust the final height of the camera arm by removing the upper most thumbscrew in the middle
section of the camera arm (Figure 17). Telescope the tube up or down and select one of the seven
available thumbscrew holes closest to your desired height as shown in Figure 18. When the
appropriate hole is visible, reinsert and tighten the thumbscrew (Figure 19).
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19

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2.5 Counterweight System
1. The purpose of the counterweights (Figure 20) is to ensure that the camera arm is balanced and
spins smoothly. If there is a large imbalance, you may notice inconsistent rotational speed or a
wobble during rotation of the camera arm. Weight imbalances should be avoided because they
place unneeded stress on the rotation mechanism and in the most severe instances could cause
damage to the unit. The following four factors determine the need for counterweights; an
increase in any of them will result in an increase the amount of counterweight required:
•Camera weight
•Camera distance from center of unit
•Camera height
•Rotation speed
2. Note that the four five-pound weights supplied with the unit are sufficient for cameras and
accessories weighing less than ten pounds (total) when mounted with the vertical and horizontal
arms fully extended and set at an angle of roughly 110 degrees while running the unit at a speed
of 60% or less. If you need to exceed one of these parameters, reduce another.
3. When first mounting camera and accessories,
test your setup at a slow speed and then
gradually increase speed to ensure that system
does not become unbalanced.
Figure 20

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3. Arm Support Mode
3.1 Isolation Mode
The OrcaVue XL has the ability to completely isolate the camera arm from the platform by using what is
known as ‘Isolation Mode.’ This setup is effective when using a camera without stabilization, and the
subject is creating large amounts of movement on the platform causing the camera arm to wobble or
shake. When using this mode, it is very important to use the counter weights and to limit the arm speed
and weight of camera to that which can be balanced by the counter weight system. To enable Isolation
Mode, do the following at six points around the base as shown in Figure 21:
1. Rotate the bolt 90 degrees upwards, slide it
inwards so that it is in the open or unlocked
position and then rotate it back down (Figure 22).
2. Once all six latches are in the open position, the
camera arm legs should be free to drop onto the
ground through their respective slots.
NOTE: Do NOT attempt to lift or transport the unit while
in Isolation Mode.
3.2 Transport Mode
To put the unit back into Transport mode, do the following at each of the six latch points around the
base.
1. Rotate the bolt 90 degrees upwards, slide it outwards so that it engages with the hole in leg and
then rotate it back down (Figure 23).
Figure 22: Open Locked Position
Figure 23: Closed Locked Position
Figure 21: Latch System

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4. Operation
4.1 Basic Operation
1. After completing physical setup, walk the arm a full 360-degree rotation around the unit to
ensure that it will clear all surrounding objects.
2. Place stanchions or other barriers outside of the arm radius to keep participants and spectators a
safe distance from the arm’s path (we recommend 3 feet).
3. Have subject(s) stand on the center of the platform.
4. Instruct subjects to remain on the platform until after the arm has come to a complete stop.
5. Initiate recording according to the camera and software you are using.
6. Use the foot switch or wireless remote to initiate and halt arm rotation. Note: this may not be
necessary when using recording applications that have built-in OrcaVue integration.
5. Warranty and Support
5.1 Warranty
Each unit includes a one-year warranty that is subject to some limitations such as issues caused by
normal wear and tear. For complete warranty information, please reference:
https://orcavue.com/legal/commerce_terms_conditions.html
5.2 Support
For additional information on using your OrcaVue unit, please go to the following page where you will
find an FAQ, additional written instructions as well as videos covering both hardware and software:
https://orcavue.com/support

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6. Specifications