Panasonic AU-EVA1 User manual

SKAARHOJ DEVICE CORES
Device: Panasonic AU-EVA1
Introduction
The Device Core “Panasonic EVA1” is used for controlling the AU-EVA1 camera. 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 a USB/Ethernet adapter must be utilized from the USB2.0 HOST port on the
camera. All communication between a SKAARHOJ interface and the camera is done via IP. The
implementation have been done on version 0.00-00-8.02.
Panasonic recommends to use Plugable USB 3.0 Gigabit Eathernet Adapter or UGREEN USB3.0 to RJ45
Ethernet Adapter 20256
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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.
•NETWORK SEL: WLAN
•NETWORK FUNC - add a account
•Account name: skaarhoj
•Account password: 12345678
•NETWORK PROPERTY - set static IP
•TYPE: INFRA(SELECT)
•DHCP: OFF
•IP ADDRESS: 192.168.10.178
•SUBNET MASK: 255.255.255.0
•DEFAULT GATEWAY: 192.168.10.1
•PRIMANRY DNS: 192.168.10.2
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Setting up a RCPv2 controller using the default configuration “Panasonic AU-EVA1”
Please follow these instructions if you have a RCPv2 and want to use it with the Panasonic AU-EVA1
camera.
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/
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
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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 EVA1 Device Core.
Connection to the camera can be confirmed from the Serial Monitor with the commands as shown below.
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.
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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
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
Press the “Firmware Overview” tab and press “Generate Firmware”
Select the “Panasonic AU-EVA1” config and press “Advanced”
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.
When done the Firmware Updater application reports “Firmware successfully updated”
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
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SKAARHOJ DEVICE CORES
Setting up Controller
This section is only relevant if you are building a configuration from scratch.
The Device Core “Panasonic AU-EVA1” 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).
Connection to the camera can be confirmed from the Serial Monitor with the command: PansonicEVA:
Connected
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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 AU-EVA1 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 (AU-EVA #1): 192.168.10.92
•AU-EVA #2: 192.168.10.93
•AU-EVA #3: 192.168.10.94
•AU-EVA #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 AU-EVA1 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
The Zoom + Focus control have been implemented on the base of a CANON CN-E 18-80MM T4.4LIS KAS
S
Please notice if a Zoom in/out adjustment have been initiated on a SKAARHOJ controller and one try to
zoom directly on the lens when this is in “servo AUTO mode” the SKAARHOJ controller will overrule
adjustments being done on the lens directly.
Focus must be set to “AF” on the lens itself if focus adjustments should be done from the SKAARHOJ
panel.
If a Focus near/far adjustments have been initiated on a SKAARHOJ controller (while AF is set) the
SKAARHOJ controller will overrule adjustments being done on the lens directly.
Iris
Iris must be set to “A” mode on the lens itself if iris adjustments should be done from the SKAARHOJ
panel.
This is a table of actions for some of the actions in the Panasonic EVA1 Device Core.
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]”
Zoom (Fine)
Zoom (Step)
Zoom (Binary)
Zoom (Creep)
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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”
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 (Creep)
Focus (Step)
Focus (Binary)
Focus (Fine)
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Wireless Control using the Panasonic AJ-WM50P Wireless Module
It should be noted that the supported case between a SKAARHOJ controller and the Panasonic AU-EVA1
camera is via a wired ethernet connection. This is to ensure a robust integration and to achieve a good
user experience (stable connection, responsiveness etc). The Device Core have been optimised to work
on a wired ethernet connection and this is the supported case.
The AJ-WM50P wires module have been tested briefly in order to determine if wireless control of the
Panasonic AU-EVA1 camera is possible from a SKAARHOJ Controller. It is possible but there are
drawbacks. A couple of comments:
-In the tested setup idle connection to the camera seemed somewhat stable but connection would still
be lost even no interaction was done on the SKAARHOJ controller (most likely a timeout issue)
-If SKAARHOJ controller was used to transmit a lot of data such as moving the joystick quickly for iris
control, connection would be lost
-Changing iris quickly could resort in feedback to the SKAARHOJ controller being delayed
-Delay in changing parameters on the camera was observed
-If connection was lost it would quickly reconnect
The configuration used for testing are shown below.
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A video of the behaviour can be seen here: https://github.com/SKAARHOJ/Support/raw/master/Manuals/
Videos/RCPv2_Panasonic_AU-EVA1_Wireless_Test.MOV
Panasonic have conducted a test themselves following the above method, and experienced a more stable
behaviour.
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