powerpod PEE-POD 1600 User manual

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ref.userguide1600Aug2005
PEE-POD 1600
(FOR SOFTWARE VERSIONS 2.29.7 OR LATER)
USER'S GUIDE
IMPORTANT !!
The PEE POD 1600 is a sophisticated tool and extreme care must be taken in
its use.
Before the equipment is used the following safety procedures must be followed :-
Check for any signs of damage, loose or missing fixings. If in any doubt do not use
the equipment.
Never overload the Head. ( Max. Load - Two Axis & Three Axis 60 lbs (27kgs)
After turning off the power to the system, wait 5 seconds before turning power on
again.
These guidelines are to be read and fully understood before using the equipment.
CHECKING SOFTWARE VERSION IN DISPLAY CONSOLES
This can be found by pressing the ENT button once the system has been started and
the first screens have finished loading.

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Page No 2
INDEX
•Head Format Illustrations 3, 4
•Console Format & Control Illustrations 5, 6
Using Standard Joystick Console
•Initial Setup 7
•To Set Axis Limits 7
•To Select Camera Start / Stop / VTR Format 7
•To Select Camera Run 7
•Iris Control For Video Lenses 8
Using Display / Memory Joystick Console
•Initial Setup 8
•Pan Cable limits 8
•To Activate Console Lockout 9
•To Select Camera Start / Stop /VTR Format 9
•To Set Axis Limits 9
•Changing Default System Settings 10
•To Store and Recall Position & Moves 11
•Selecting Advanced System Settings 12
•To Select Head Type 13
•To Erase Moves Memory 13
•To Prepare Lens 13
•To Reverse Display 13
•To Select Console Check Screen 13
•Pan Bar Cable Diagram 14
•Linking Head To Host Computer 15
•Transfer of New Firmware Software to Console 16
•Transfer of New Safeware Software to Console 16
•Transfer of Moves & Positional Data 17

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Page No 3
The PEE POD 1600 Head Formats
TWO AXIS

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THREE AXIS

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Page No 5
PEE POD 1600 Console Formats
Standard Console
Display / Memory Console

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Foot Pedals (For Use On Joystick Consoles)
Standard Jib Arm Console
Memory Jib Arm Console
Mk3 Pan Bar (Shown with Memory Jib Arm Console)

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Page No 7
PEE POD 1600 Standard Console Initial Setup
For Film Camera Use
•
••
•Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Film Camera To Head.
•
••
•Fit Digital Lens Motors to Lens and Cable up system.
•
••
•Power Up Head
•
••
•Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses.
•
••
•Power Up Camera and Accessories.
For Video Camera Use
•
••
•Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Video Camera To Head.
•
••
•Cable up system and Lens drives
•
••
•Power Up Head and Camera
•
••
•Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses.
Note !
When the PEE POD 1600 is first turned on, the system will not respond until
the Red LED next to the Green Tilt limit button begins to flash.(Approx. 6 secs).
To Set Axis Limits
Note !
With this console, only the Tilt limits can be Set.
•
Make sure the LED next to the Green Tilt Limit Button is flashing Red and then
move Tilt with Controls to First required limit position.
•Press the Green Tilt Limit Button to Set Limit.
•Make sure the LED next to the Green Tilt Limit Button is flashing Green and then
move Tilt with Controls to Second required limit position.
•Press the Green Tilt Limit Button to Set Limit.
•The LED is now Green and the Tilts limits are now on.
•To turn the Tilt limits off press the Green Tilt Limit Button. The LED will now turn
to flashing Red.
Note!
With this console once the Tilt limits have been turned off, they have to be reset
using the above procedure.
To Select Camera Start / Stop / VTR Format ( Normal or Pulse )
•Press Green Button next to CAMERA START / STOP
•Format changes from NORMAL (Red LED) to PULSE (Green LED) each time the
Green Button is pressed. Once selected this will become the default setting.
Notes ! 1. Set to PULSE for Video Cameras (VTR)
2. Pressing this Green button will not start / stop the Camera
•To Start the Camera Press the lower Green button next to Camera Running the
LED will turn Red to indicate that the camera is running.
•Pressing the Green button again will stop the camera.

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Page No 8
Iris Control For Video Lens (using the MK2 Video Drop Box)
For the older type Analogue Video Lenses a Iris Video Iris Interrupter Junction Box
will need to be fitted in between the Video lens cable that plugs into the body of the
camera and the camera.
For the later lenses that offer a direct serial link for controlling the lens digital drive,
use the A & C Digi link cable for the lens in question.
When the Iris “REV-OFF-REV” switch is in the middle position (OFF), the iris is
controlled by the camera or through the Triax.
When the Iris “REV-OFF-REV” switch is in the other positions, Iris is now controlled
by the Iris control knob on the Console.
Pan Cable limits
The Pan gearbox can be limited to four turns in either direction (8 turns total) using
an electronic limit. This prevents the cables that have been fed through the middle of
the gearbox shaft being twisted to the point of failure.
To enable the Pan Cable limits the Aux “REV-OFF-REV” switch should be set to the
“OFF” or middle position before the system is powered up.
PEE POD 1600 Display Console Initial Setup
For Film Camera Use
•
••
•Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Film Camera To Head.
•
••
•Fit Digital Lens Motors to Lens and Cable up system.
•
••
•Power Up Head
•
••
•Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses.
•
••
•Power Up Camera and Accessories.
For Video Camera Use
•
••
•Fit Head to Jib Arm and fix Video Camera To Head.
•
••
•Cable up system and Lens drives
•
••
•Power Up Head and Camera
•
••
•Head will now run through its Auto Setup for the Lenses.
Note !
When the PEE POD 1600 is first turned on,
the display will show the following
main menu:-
•When the display asks TO STORE DATUM move Head to any reference point and
press ENT. (DATUM is only important if you want to save the positional information
for use at another time).

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Page No 9
To Activate Console Lockout
•To activate keypad lockout press 999and press ENT
•To reactivate keypad press 9 9 9 and press ENT
To Select Camera Start / Stop / VTR Format ( Normal or Pulse )
•Press Green Button next to CAMERA ON / OFF
•Format changes from NORMAL to PULSE each time the Green Button is pressed.
Once selected this will become the default setting.
Notes ! 1. Set to PULSE for Video Cameras (VTR)
2. Pressing this Green button will not start / stop the Camera
Setting Axis Limits (First Menu)
∗
∗∗
∗To Set Roll Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Move Roll with Controls to first required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET ROLL LIMITS
•Move Roll with Controls to second required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET ROLL LIMITS
•The Roll limits are now on.
∗
∗∗
∗To Turn Off Roll Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press Green button next to ROLL LIMITS ON/OFF
•Roll Limits are now turned off.
∗
∗∗
∗To Set Tilt Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Move Tilt with Controls to first required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET TILT LIMITS
•Move Tilt with Controls to second required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET TILT LIMITS
•The Tilt limits are now on.
∗
∗∗
∗To Turn Off Tilt Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press Green button next to TILT LIMITS ON/OFF
•Tilt Limits are now turned off.
∗
∗∗
∗To Set Pan Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Move Pan with Controls to first required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET PAN LIMITS
•Move Pan with Controls to second required limit position.
•Press Green button next to SET PAN LIMITS
•The Pan limits are now on.
∗
∗∗
∗To Turn Off Pan Limits ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press Green button next to PAN LIMITS ON/OFF

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Page No 10
•Pan Limits are now turned off.
Changing Default System Settings (Second Menu)
∗
∗∗
∗Movement Damping ∗
∗∗
∗
•Damping can be selected by the panel switch on the Master Console.
•The Damping rate can be changed by pressing the Green button next to
DAMPING FACTOR, entering a new damping number 0to 9and pressing ENT.
This will now become the default setting.
∗
∗∗
∗APZ (Automatic Proportional Zoom) ∗
∗∗
∗
•APZ automatically reduces Pan and Tilt speeds as the lens travels from Wide to
Telephoto.
•To activate APZ press the Green button next to APZ.
•The APZ is now on in the Forward direction.
•Pressing the Green button again will change APZ to the Reverse direction.
•Pressing the Green button again will turn APZ off.
∗
∗∗
∗To Change Max.Speed ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press the Green button next to MAX SPEED and the top speed will change from
2.5 seconds for 360 degrees of movement to 2.1 seconds.
•Pressing the Green button again will change it back to 2.5 seconds.
∗
∗∗
∗To Change The Position Recall Time ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press the Green button next to RECALL TIME and entering a new recall number
0to 9and pressing ENT.
∗
∗∗
∗Head Datum Functions ∗
∗∗
∗
To Recall Datum
•Press the Green button next to HEAD FUNCTIONS.
•Press R.
•Press ENT (Enter).
∗
∗∗
∗To Set New Datum ∗
∗∗
∗
•Move head to new Reference point and press Green Button next to HEAD
FUNCTIONS.
•Press ENT (Enter).

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Page No 11
To Store and Recall Positions & Moves
∗
∗∗
∗To Store a Position ( Pan - Tilt - Roll - Lens Functions ) ∗
∗∗
∗
•Using Controls, point Camera at desired position and adjust Lens Functions.
•Press S(Store)
•Press P(Position)
•Key in position number 00 to 99
•Press ENT (Enter). Position is now stored.
∗
∗∗
∗To Recall a Stored Position ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press R(Recall)
•Press P(Position)
•Key in stored position number 00 to 99
•Press ENT (Enter). Head will now recall stored position
∗
∗∗
∗To Store a Move ( Pan - Tilt - Roll - Lens Functions ) ∗
∗∗
∗
•Using Controls, point Camera at desired starting position and adjust Lens
Functions.
•Press S(Store)
•Press M(Move)
•Key in move number 00 to 99 , avoid numbers already used to store positions.
•To start recording press ENT (Enter) and run system through your move.
•To stop recording press ANY KEY. Move is now stored.
∗
∗∗
∗To Recall a Stored Move ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press R(Recall)
•Press P(Position)
•Key in stored move number 00 to 99
•Press ENT (Enter), this will position Head at start of the move.
•Press R(Recall)
•Press M(Move)
•Key in stored Move number 00 to 99
•Press ENT (Enter). to replay stored move.
Note !
To terminate a Move or Position replay at any time press ANY KEY to abort.

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Page No 12
Selecting Advanced System Settings (Fourth Menu)
∗
∗∗
∗Frame Rate ∗
∗∗
∗
•Use this Green Button to change the synchronise rate that the Head information is
stored to. This is helpful for synchronising the PEE-POD 1600 to other systems.
∗
∗∗
∗Data Rate ∗
∗∗
∗
•Pressing this Green button changes the communication speed from 9600 to 4800
Baud between the Console and the Head. This is for use over RF links if reception
is less than ideal.
∗
∗∗
∗Zoom Kick ∗
∗∗
∗(For Use Only With Preston type Lens Motors)
Zoom Kick is a Program option that cancels out any backlash that is present in either
the Zoom motor or the Lens internal mechanics. It gives the Zoom repeatability in
either direction that it is invaluable for virtual applications and post production.
•Press the Green button next to ZOOM KICK and the Zoom motor will start to move
in and out every 1/3 of a second.(You might not see this at first.)
•Pressing Pwill increase this movement and pressing Mwill decrease this
movement. Keep pressing the Puntil this pulsing becomes visible in the Camera
picture, now reduce this pulsing using the Muntil the pulsing is no longer visible.
•Press the ESC and the system will now remove Zoom backlash. You will see that
there is a three digit number given to the ZOOM KICK, you can enter this number
instead of using the Pand Mnext time you are setting up ZOOM KICK.
∗
∗∗
∗Roll Rtn ∗
∗∗
∗(Makes the Roll Spring Back to the Horizon)
•Align the Roll axis with the horizon.
•Press this Green button, this tells the Roll to return to its horizon when the Roll
control is in its rest position.
•Adjust the Roll speed pot to increase/decrease the amount of Roll movement.
•Press this Green Button again to turn off this function.
•Roll Rtn can also be turned ON/OFF by pressing the ESC & ENT together.
∗
∗∗
∗Pan Bar On/Off ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press this button to show “Pan Bar On” when using a Pan Bar for operating the
Head.
•Press this button to show “Pan Bar Off” when using other controls like the Joystick
or Hand Wheels.
Note! This function only changes the minimum signal that the controls will respond
to and in most cases will only be noticed when the lens is zoomed in to Telephoto.

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Page No 13
To Select Head Type (Third Menu)
•Press the Green button next to SELECT HEAD TYPE for POWER-POD 2000,
PEE-POD 1600 or PEE-POD 500. This will now become the default setting.
To Erase Moves Memory (Third Menu)
•Press the Green button next to ERASE MEMORY, now follow display instructions
using the password 1234, and then press ENT when requested.
or
•To erase all move memories using the keypad, press ESC then press M. Now
follow display instructions using the password 1 2 3 4 , and then press ENT
when requested.
To Prepare Lens (Third Menu)
•Press the Green button next to PREPARE LENS, this will start the lens Auto-Setup
or
•To initialise a lens Auto-Setup using the keypad, press ESC then press P. Now
press ENT.
To Reverse Display (Third Menu)
•Press the Green button next to REVERSE DISPLAY, this will reverse the display.
This will now become the default setting.
To Select Console Check (Third Menu)
•Press the Green button next to CONSOLE CHECK to activate the diagnostic
screen shown below.
•This screen confirms all command inputs, speed knobs for fault finding.
•To exit this screen press ESC and the screen will return to Third Menu.

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Page No 14
HOW TO CONNECT THE CABLES TO THE MK3 PAN BAR
Zoom/Focus
Handset
Back Of
Console
Base Of
Pan Bar
Aux
Focus
Freeze
Button
Zoom/Roll Handset
With Freeze Button
BNC
LINK
Power
Supply
To
Head Computer
Link
To Video Iris
Link Box
(Older systems)

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Page No 15
Linking The Pee Pod 1600 to Host Computer (Display Consoles
Only)
The PEE POD 1600 can be linked into just about any Computer using a standard
Terminal Program. We recommend that although all Windows based Programs
have an Terminal program, that you use " HYPERTERMINAL " found on Windows
Note ! Its always advisable to try out the following instructions before its
needed on location.
If your Computer does not have HyperTerminal or you wish a better version use -
HyperTerminal Private Edition
This is a freeware program that can be downloaded for no cost providing that it is not
sold to anyone after.
It is a better version of the program that is often included as part of the Windows
Operating systems. One of the many websites that this program can be downloaded
from is:-
http://www.5star-shareware.com/WebDev/TelnetApplications/hyperterminal.html
Once you have downloaded the program to your computer, just double click on the
program Icon and follow the instructions
∗
∗∗
∗Using Hyperterminal Windows Program ∗
∗∗
∗
•Connect the POD 1600 Console to your Computer using the Special
Null Modem
cable provided by us in the kit.
•Turn on the POD 1600 and your Computer
•" CLICK " on Start Button (Bottom Left Corner)
•For Windows 95 - Select Programs then Accessories and then " CLICK " on
HYPERTERMINAL
•For Windows 98 - Select Programs then Accessories then Communications and
then " CLICK " on HYPERTERMINAL
•" CLICK " on the ICON labelled Hypertm
•Enter a name for this use e.g. PODLINK
•Select and Change the Option " Connect Using " to Direct Com 1
•" CLICK " OK
•Select and Change Bits per second to 19200
•Select Advanced Settings and Change Receive Buffer to Low
•" CLICK " OK .
•" CLICK " OK again and when you press RETURN you should see exactly what is
appearing in the Centre of the POD 1600 Display
•You can now control the Head from the Computer keyboard.

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Page No 16
To Download New Firmware From Computer to Display Console
•The New Firmware will have a PWP extension to the File Name (e.g.2200.PWP)
make sure that the New Firmware is on a Floppy Disk in the A: drive of the
Computer.
•Turn off the Power (wait 5 seconds) and then Turn the Power back on again whilst
holding down the ENT key on the Display Console.
•The display on the Console should now show.
Now key in 4321(Repeat if Necessary).
•" CLICK " on Transfer at the top of the computer screen.
•" CLICK " on Send Text File.
•Under File of Type " CLICK " on All Files (*.*)
•Under Look In " CLICK " on the 3.5” Floppy (A)
•" CLICK " on the file containing the New Software (e.g.2294.PWP)
•" CLICK " on Open.
•When the Chevrons stop appearing on the screen the Loading Complete
message will appear on the Computer Screen.
•Turn off the Power and then Turn the Power back on again.
•The Display Console Now Has The New Firmware Software.
To Download New Safeware From Computer to Display Console
•The New Safeware will have a PWP extension to the File Name (e.g.2200.PWP)
make sure that the New Safeware is on a Floppy Disk in the A: drive of the
Computer.
•Turn off the Power and then Turn the Power back on again whilst holding down
the ESC 0ENT Mkeys together on the Display Console.
•The Console should now show.

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Page No 17
Now key in 2738(Repeat if Necessary).
•" CLICK " on Transfer at the top of the computer screen.
•" CLICK " on Send Text File.
•Under File of Type " CLICK " on All Files (*.*)
•Under Look In " CLICK " on the 3.5” Floppy (A)
•" CLICK " on the file containing the New Software (e.g.2294.PWP)
•" CLICK " on Open.
•When the Chevrons stop appearing on the screen the Loading Complete
message will appear on the Computer Screen.
•Turn off the Power and then Turn the Power back on again.
•The Display Console Now Has The New Safeware Software.
Transfer Of Move and Positional Information
∗
∗∗
∗To Upload Information From POD 1600 Console To Computer ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press Uon Computer keyboard
•" CLICK " on Transfer at the top of Screen
•" CLICK " on Capture Text
•Give name to Text File (e.g. POD1.TXT) and press RETURN
•Press RETURN again
•Text will scroll onto screen
•When text stops scrolling " CLICK " on Transfer at the top of screen - then " CLICK "
on Capture Text - then " CLICK " on Stop
•Now press ESCAPE . You have now Copied (Uploaded) all the information from
the POD 1600 Console to your Computer Text file.
∗
∗∗
∗To Download Information From Computer Text File To POD 1600 Console ∗
∗∗
∗
•Press Don Computer keyboard
•Enter 1234on your Computer keyboard (This is your CODE)
•" CLICK " on Transfer at the top of the screen
•" CLICK " on Send Text File
•Select and " CLICK " on Text file you want to Transfer and press RETURN
•When the Chevrons stop appearing on the screen the Transfer has finished.