Racelogic VBOX User manual

Video VBOX Hardware Manual
Issue 10
20 October 2010

VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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Introduction
The Video VBOX is a multi-camera, solid state video recorder with GPS data-logging and graphical overlay.
Included are three software packages:
Circuit Tools - Lap analysis
Video VBOX Setup - Graphics and logging control
Performance tools - Detailed performance analysis
Note: This manual is based on the latest firmware and software releases which are available for
download from our website:
www.videovbox.co.uk under ‘Support’

VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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Contents
Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 4
Trackmaps and Lap-timing...................................................................................................................... 7
Notes on using USB ................................................................................................................................ 7
SD cards .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
USB memory sticks ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Software Installation....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Video VBOX Registration ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Getting Started with your Video VBOX.................................................................................................... 9
Logging Modes....................................................................................................................................... 9
Log only when moving (default) .....................................................................................................................................................9
Manual logging ...............................................................................................................................................................................9
LED functions –PRO 4 CAM............................................................................................................................................................9
LED functions –Lite ......................................................................................................................................................................10
Tank circuit .......................................................................................................................................... 10
File formats.......................................................................................................................................... 10
Video format ....................................................................................................................................... 10
CAN Channels ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Using the OLED display - requirements ................................................................................................. 11
Upgrading firmware ............................................................................................................................. 11
Upgrading multiple units .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Troubleshooting Guide......................................................................................................................... 12
CAN Output................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Connector Assignments –Video VBOX Pro .................................................................................................................. 15
Connector Assignments –Video VBOX Lite .................................................................................................................. 17
Contact Details..................................................................................................................................... 19

VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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Quickstart Guide
As shipped, the Video VBOX can be used straight out of the box:
1. Mount the GPS antenna in the centre of the roof of the vehicle. Keep
away from roof bars
2. Connect the antenna to the Video VBOX
3. Connect the power connector, it takes about 35s to start
4. Attach the camera to the windscreen using the forward facing camera mount,
keep the camera level using the markings on the camera
5. Connect the camera to CAM1

VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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6. The best way of alinging the camera is to use the optional Racelogic
Preview monitor, which is plugged into AVOUT
Alternatively you can use a Laptop connected via USB to get a live view
(...more page 27)
7. Take the car outside and wait for the Green GPS LED to illuminate
8. Insert the SD card and you are now ready to drive, Video VBOX will start
to record Video automatically over 2.5kmh.
9. The Blue LED will illuminate when recording, and when you come
to a stop, it will flash as the file is closed.
IMPORTANT - NEVER remove the SD card when this light is on or
flashing –you will lose video. If you have come to a stop, but the
Blue LED is on, press the REC button to stop the video before
removing the card.
Trackmaps and Lap-timing
To have lap-timing information or a circuit map shown on the video, the default internal ‘Scene’ needs to be modified.
To do this, you can use the Video VBOX Setup software, see separate manual for more details.
Notes on using USB
Always use the Supplied USB Cable
When connecting the Video VBOX to your computer, make sure you are using the USB cable supplied.
Some ‘standard’ USB leads do not have a full length USB connector and will disable communication between your PC
and the Video VBOX LITE.
Mobile Phone Software
Ensure that you shut down any mobile phone software running on your computer before connecting. We are aware of
conflicts which can arise when using this kind of software.

SD cards
When purchasing SD cards, always buy a quality brand such as SanDisk, Kingston or Lexar.
Format : FAT32
USB memory sticks
If data is to be logged to a USB memory device, the optional RLCAB073 cable is required.
Software Installation
To install the software insert the CD into the CD drive of your computer.
NB: The software requires Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 or higher to run. The installation CD contains
the required .NET installation package.
NB: In order to play back the AVI Video files, the XVid Codec pack must also be installed. The installation CD contains
the required installation package.
Video VBOX Registration
So that Racelogic can continue to provide you with notification of the latest software releases, firmware upgrades and
to offer technical support, please register your Video VBOX.
Please register your unit here: www.videovbox.co.uk/register
Alternatively, simply fill out the registration form supplied with the unit, and return to Racelogic.

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Getting Started with your Video VBOX
Logging Modes
The Blue LED will come on when the unit is recording video, this LED will flash when the unit is closing the file. DO
NOT REMOVE the SD card if the Record LED is on or is flashing.
The Video VBOX has two modes:
Log only when moving (default)
The unit automatically starts logging data when the vehicle speed goes above 2.5km/h, and stops when it goes below
this value. This speed is configurable, see ‘Scene propeties’. Pressing the REC button will stop the recording and close
the file.
Manual logging
By pressing the REC button on the front of the unit, the user may override the Automatic logging function. The unit
will then record until the card is full, the power is removed, or until the user presses the REC button once more.
Note : to prevent potential loss of video, the unit will revert back to automatic logging if the car then starts to move
again, or if the SD card is changed.
LED functions –PRO 4 CAM
LED
COLOUR
INDICATES
PWR
Red
Power on
CAMERAS 1,2,3 & 4
Green
A camera is connected
DATA C
Red
Correctly connected to a device and
receiving CAN signals. Note, must be
configured to receive in VVB setup
software.
DATA S
Green
Recognised serial information is
being received. E.g. From a
connected DriftBox
USB
Red
USB logging media is connected
GPS
Red / Green
i) Red indicates no satellite lock held
ii) Green indicates SAT lock achieved
MEMORY
Red
i) Amount of memory used in the
attached logging media
(incrementing sequence)
ii) Status of scene upload or
firmware upgrade (incrementing
sequence)
iii) Searching for media
(in/out sequence)
REC
Blue
Data being recorded to media.

VIDEO VBOX MANUAL
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LED functions –Lite
LED
COLOUR
INDICATES
PWR
Green
Power on
STATUS
Green
Ready to log –media inserted
GPS
Green
i) Flashing indicates searching for
satellites after GPS cold start
ii) Solid indicates SAT lock achieved
RECORD
Green
Data being recorded to logging
media
Tank circuit
Every Video VBOX contains a small internal battery to prevent loss of video should the power
supply be interrupted for any reason. This battery is continually recharged during normal
operation.
When the power is interrupted, the unit will start to beep, and the symbol on the right will
appear on the video.
If after 5 seconds the power is still not present, the unit will close the Video file and shut the box down safely.
File formats
The Video VBOX will log either to an SD card or a USB drive (requiring cable RLCAB073).
Two files are logged, an ‘.avi’ Video File (compatible with the Xvid codec which is installed with the software package),
and a synchronised ‘.vbo’ data-logging file which contains all of the GPS (and CAN, if applicable) data in ASCII format,
recorded 10 times a second. The files are stored under the ‘media’ folder.
The maximum size of files for SD cards in FAT32 format is 2Gbytes. If you record for more than 50 minutes, a new ‘.avi’
file is created. Therefore a single ‘.vbo’ file can be associated with multiple ‘.avi’ files.
Video format
Standard definition uses 720x576 pixels at 25 frames per second for PAL and 720x480 pixels at 30 frames per second
for NTSC. All video is interlaced, this is the DVD standard as it was originally designed for a scanning line TV set. When
replayed on a Computer screen instead of a TV, you may see ‘motion artefacts’ which are the result of the interlaced
format. When you upload your content to YouTube, or display on a normal television, the interlacing is removed.
Windows Media Player does not render the video as well as other media players, so for better quality, Racelogic
recommend the free, but excellent, VLC player (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/) which has a de-interlacing filter (Video
- De-Interlace - Blend).
For a detailed explanation of interlacing also see here: www.100fps.com
CAN Channels
All units can log parameters from the CAN bus, basic units can log a single channel, ‘VCI’ enabled units can log up to 32
channels.