Panasonic AG-CX350 User manual

SKAARHOJ DEVICE CORES
Device: Panasonic AG-CX350
Introduction
The Device Core “Panasonic CX350” is used for controlling the AG-CX350 and AG-CX10 cameras. The
goal of this manual is to help configuring a SKAARHOJ interface to control features available in the Device
Core at this present time.
Multicam Control
Please notice with the release of UniSketch v2.4.16 Multicam Control have been enabled. Prior to v2.4.16
only a single camera could be controlled from the Device Core. With the update up to 4 cameras can be
controlled from a single Device Core. Please see information in the section “Multicam Control”
Setting up Camera
In order to control the camera it must be connected to the same network as your SKAARHOJ Controller..
All communication between a SKAARHOJ interface and the camera is done via IP. The implementation
have been done on version 1.01-00.0.00
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A number of actions are required for a SKAARHOJ controller to communicate with the camera. Please
follow these procedures in the MENU —> NETWORK SETTINGS. The aim of the procedures is to set a
static IP address on the camera which the SKAARHOJ controller can connect to and to create a user
account for authentication. You can use a different IP address as long as the Panasonic Device Core on the
SKAARHOJ controller reflects this.
•MENU - NETWORK - DEVICE SEL - LAN
•MENU - NETWORK - IP REMOTE - ENABLE/DISABLE - ENABLE
•MENU - NETWORK - IP REMOTE - ENABLE/DISABLE - USER ACCOUNT
•Add a account
•Account name: skaarhoj
•Account password: 12345678
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•MENU - NETWORK - LAN PROPERTY - IPv4 SETTING set static IP
•DHCP: OFF
•IP ADDRESS: 192.168.10.27
•SUBNET MASK: 255.255.255.0
•DEFAULT GATEWAY: 192.168.10.1
•PRIMANRY DNS:
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Setting up a RCPv2 controller using the default configuration “Panasonic AG-CX350”
Please notice the below instructions are are for the Panasonic AU-EVA1 manual but the principles are the
same. Use the Panasonic AG-CX350 configuration instead.
Please follow these instructions if you have a RCPv2 and want to use it with the Panasonic AU-
EVA1camera.
If you RCPv2 have been shipped preconfigured with the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” configuration please go to
section “Confirm Connection”
If you have a RCPv2 and want to use the default configuration “Panasonic AU-EVA1” please follow these
steps
-Download and install the Firmware Updater Application (https://www.skaarhoj.com/support/firmware-
updater/)
-Connect the RCPv2 with the USB programming cable (if you are on Windows and have multiple com
ports available please see the section “Port selection on Windows” in the Installation and Operation
Manual (https://www.skaarhoj.com/support/manuals/)
-Press “Online Configuration” in the Firmware Application
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Direct Selection of Default Config
If no custom configurations have been made on the RCPv2
you will be presented with this interface
Selection of Default Config
If custom configurations have been made on the RCPv2 you
will be presented with this interface
Select the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” config in the drop down list. This will
load the configuration on the configuration page. Then go to the
Firmware Application and press “Check for updates”.
This will generate a firmware file on our server and download it to the
controller.
Notice on Windows the Port dropdown will display “COM” ports.
Please see section “Port selection on Windows” in Installation and
Operation manual https://www.skaarhoj.com/support/manuals/
Select the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” config and then go to the Firmware
Application and press “Check for updates”. This will generate a
firmware file on our server and download it to the controller.
If you want to use different IP addresses then alter “Network
configuration” and press “Save Network Configuration” and then
press “Check for updates” in the Firmware Application
Notice on Windows the Port dropdown will display “COM” ports.
Please see section “Port selection on Windows” in Installation and
Operation manual https://www.skaarhoj.com/support/manuals/
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Confirm Connection
If the RCPv2 have come preconfigured with the Panasonic Configuration or you have just successfully
downloaded the Firmware to the RCPv2, then it is ready to control the camera provided you have followed
the steps in the “Setting up Camera” section. It is important that the IP address you have set on the camera
matches the IP address of the Panasonic CX350 Device Core.
Connection to the camera can be confirmed from the Serial Monitor with the commands as shown below.
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The subsequent output in the Serial Monitor will display a lot of Error messages. This is expected as the
base layer for communication between the AG-CX350 and the AU-EVA1 Panasonic Camera are the same,
but the feature set of the AG-CX350 is more slim.
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Check IP Addresses on SKAARHOJ Controller
If you have issues connecting to the camera it is recommend to confirm that IP settings are correct. A way
to confirm IP settings on the SKAARHOJ controller is using the Serial Monitor in the Firmware Application
and check IP settings in the boot up process.
Using different IP address on Panasonic AU-EVA1 camera
You can set a different IP address on the camera as long as the Device Core IP address is updated as well.
You can use the “IP Configuration” option in the Firmware Application to change the Device Core IP
address.
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Debugging Connection between SKAARHOJ Controller and Camera
If IP settings are correct but the Account name is not correct the Serial Monitor will report
“Camera Error: Wrong user”
If the Account name is correct but the password is not the Serial Monitor will report “Camera Error: Wrong
User” after reporting that the user is acknowledged.
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Alternative way of Downloading and Installing the Firmware on a RCPv2
Please notice the below instructions are for the Panasonic AU-EVA1 manual but the principles are the
same. Use the Panasonic AG-CX350 configuration instead.
If you have issues using the Firmware Application to generate and installing the Firmware on your RCPv2
please follow these steps
-Press “Online Configuration” in the Firmware Application
Direct Selection of Default Config
If no custom configurations have been made on the RCPv2
you will be presented with this interface
Selection of Default Config
If custom configurations have been made on the RCPv2 you
will be presented with this interface
Select the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” config and press “Advanced”
Press the “Firmware Overview” tab and press “Generate Firmware”
Select the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” config in the drop down list.
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Open the Firmware Updater Application and use the “Load Firmware from file” in the option tab
Select the “.hex” firmware file. Naming might be different dependent on browser but it should be a .hex file to be selected.
On PC.
Important to select proper COM port. See “Port selection on
Windows” in Installation and Operation manual https://
www.skaarhoj.com/support/manuals/ “
After the firmware have been generated press “Download”
Notice on Windows the Port dropdown will display “COM” ports.
Please see section “Port selection on Windows” in Installation and
Operation manual https://www.skaarhoj.com/support/manuals/
On Mac
When done the Firmware Updater application reports “Firmware successfully updated”
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Setting up Controller
This section is only relevant if you are building a configuration from scratch.
The Device Core “Panasonic CX350” must be added to your controller
The Device Core must have the IP address matching, the one set on the camera it self (see “Setting up
Camera” section).
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This is a overview of the actions implemented in the Device Core
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Multicam Control
With launch of UniSketch V2.4.16 the Panasonic AG-CX350 Device Core have been updated with
Multicam support. This means by default the Device Core will try and connect to up to 4 cameras in a
consecutive IP structure like this:
•Device Core IP (AG-CX350 #1): 192.168.10.92
•AG-CX350 #2: 192.168.10.93
•AG-CX350 #3: 192.168.10.94
•AG-CX350 #4: 192.168.10.95
It is therefore not recommend to have other Panasonic cameras in the IP range if you just want to control a
single camera unless you set a Device Core option limiting the number of cameras the Device Core will try
and connect to (see “Device Configurations” section)
Sending/receiving data from cameras
Please notice with the update for Multicam Control a new action have been added to the Device Core:
Camera Select. This action must be utilised in order to get propper feedback from the cameras. If the
action is not used to change which camera is used, the SKAARHOJ controller will fail to get propper
feedback from the cameras connected to the controller (only relevant if the SKAARHOJ controller
connects to more than one camera)
Sending data:.
Regardless if the above action is utilised a SKAARHOJ controller will always be able to transmit data to
the selected camera. In other words it is possible to assign control of camera 1 and camera 2 directly
diffrent hardware components on a SKAARHOj controller (without using the “Camera Select” action).
However if an action is dependent on knowing the state of the camera such as Shutter mode which is
dependent on if Variabel Shutter mode is on/off then it will not be possible to change Shutter Mode
unless the “Camera Select” action is utilised. Since "Shutter Mode” needs to know if “Variabel Shutter” is
on/off.
Receiving data:
If you change a parameter on the camera itself such as iris value, the SKAARHOJ controller will only get
feedback if the action “Camera Select” have been selected with the matching camera number.
Example:. Changing iris on CAM1 while the SKAARHOJ controller is set to control CAM2 (via memory or
Camera Select action) will not update the SKAARHOJ controller with CAM1 information. The SKAARHOJ
controller must have action “Camera Select” used with matching camera number in order to get feedback
from that particular camera.
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Using Camera Select action
When assigning the “Camera Select” action to a button, the button/display content will be shown if the
controller finds a camera. When you press to select a camera it will be highlighted.
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Device Configurations
Device configuration options exist:
-Index 0: Limits number of cameras for control
-If “0” = default (Device Core will connect to 4 cameras)
-If “1-4” =If “1” the Device Core will only connect to 1 cameras, if “2” the Device Core will only connect
to 2 cameras and so forth.
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Example:
Limiting the Device Core option to connect to only 1 camera could look like this device configuration
code: “D0:0=1” where the general form would be “Dx:y=z” where “x” is the number of the device core as
installed on the controller (starting with zero for the first device core), “y” the index number and “z” the
value for that index.
To confirm that a device configuration is in fact detected by the controller, please check it out on the serial
monitor where it will be mentioned:
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Example: If the Panasonic AG-CX350 device core is the first like below:
Then settings the additional connection behaviour would be set by this configuration under “Manage
Media” on the configuration page for your controller
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Zoom + Focus
Please notice if a Zoom in/out adjustment have been initiated on a SKAARHOJ controller and one try to
zoom directly on the lens this will overrule Zooming from the SKAARHOJ controller.
If a Focus near/far adjustments have been initiated on a SKAARHOJ controller and one try to focus directly
on the lens this will overrule Focus adjustments from the SKAARHOJ controller.
This is a table of actions for some of the actions in the Panasonic CX350 Device Core (noted with EVA1
actions but principle is the same)
Initiates a Creep Zoom in/out with speeds between -8 to +8
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the speed of the Creep Zoom value (-8
to +8)
Pulse inputs: Will cycle between -8 to +8. When -8 Creep Zoom out is at
the highest speed. When +8 Creep Zoom in is at the highest speed.
When 0 no zoom is initiated.
Displays: “Creep Zm/Speed of zoom”
Zoom in/out with steps defined to a specific value. Used to quickly zoom
to a desired range
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the current zoom value in mm
Pulse inputs: Will zoom in/out with the given speed value
Speed Limit 1: Small steps
Speed Limit 8: Large steps
Displays: “Step Zm/Zoom range in mm”
Zoom in/out with small steps to a specific value zoom range
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the current zoom value in mm
Pulse inputs: Will zoom in/out in small steps to set a specific zoom
range. Only recommended to use for very small adjustments. Reacts
slow if turned multiple times
Displays: “Fine Zm/Zoom range in mm”
Used to zoom in/out via buttons instead of a encoder
Binary triggers: Zoom in/out as long as a button is pressed and held
down. Speed of the zoom is determined with the speed limiter.
Pulse inputs: Not implemented
Displays: “Zoom/[Out,In]”
Initiates a Creep Focus far/nearer with speeds between -6 to +6
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the speed of the Creep Focus value (-6
to +6)
Pulse inputs: Will cycle between -6 to +6. When -6 Creep Focus near is
at the highest speed. When +6 Creep Focus far is at the highest speed.
When 0 no zoom is initiated.
Displays: “Creep Fcs/Speed of focus”
Zoom (Creep)
Zoom (Binary)
Zoom (Fine)
Zoom (Step)
Focus (Creep)
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Focus far/near with steps defined to a specific value. Used to quickly
focus to a desired range
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the current focus value in m
Pulse inputs: Will focus far/near with the given speed value
Speed Limit 1: Small steps
Speed Limit 6: Large steps
Displays: “Step Fcs/Focus range in m”
Focus far/near with small steps to a specific value focus range
Binary triggers: Will only reflect the current focus value in m
Pulse inputs: Will focus far/near in small steps to set a specific focus
value. Only recommended to use for very small adjustments. Reacts
slow if turned multiple times
Displays: “Fine Fcs/Focus range in m”
Used to Focus far/near via buttons instead of a encoder
Binary triggers: Focus far/near as long as a button is pressed and held
down. Speed of the focus is determined with the speed limiter.
Pulse inputs: Not implemented
Displays: “Focus/[Near,Far]”
Focus (Fine)
Focus (Step)
Focus (Binary)
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