Seagull REC2 User manual

Seagull #REC2
User Manual
Product: Seagull #REC2
Released: 2020-04-24
FW: 1.0

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 2
CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION ...........................................................................................................................................................................................3
CONFIGURING #REC2................................................................................................................................................................................................4
GENERAL.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
SETTINGS AND VALUES TABLE .................................................................................................................................................................................4
#REC2 CHANNEL VALUE TABLE ................................................................................................................................................................................5
FLIGHT CONTROLLER / TRANSMITTER INTEGRATION ..............................................................................................................................................6
TRANSMITTER ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6
PIXHAWK /PIXRACER /ARDUPILOT BASED FC ............................................................................................................................................................ 6
MISSION PLANNER ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
DJI FLIGHT CONTROLLERS /A3............................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
AUTOMATED CAMERA ON / OFF ...............................................................................................................................................................................8
PORT / PIN DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................................................................................................................................9
TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................................................................................................................9
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................................................................................................9

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 3
GENERAL INFORMATION
*** Please read this manual thoroughly before connecting and configuring Seagull #REC2 ***
Seagull #REC2 is a camera controller, specially designed for Sony branded cameras. For full compatibility list please visit the following
page: https://www.seagulluav.com/rec-compatibility-list/
#REC2 supports PWM / SBUS input to control its functions. It is a perfect tool for Aerial Photography, Videography, Surveillance and
more - where utmost control is required of your camera.
#REC2 has integrated circuitry to allow power supply to the camera through USB interface –which is extremely useful for all sorts of
usage scenarios! (*only for cameras that support power supply via USB interface)
There is a possibility of integrating camera shutter feedback for photo Timelapse function –with precision down to microseconds
between photos!
#REC2 features:
•USB Power Supply –extend the usage time of your camera!
•Video Record –START / STOP
•Zooming –IN / OUT with variable speeds
•Shutter Release
•Manual Photo –stages for focus and shutter release
•Timelapse –user defined interval for shutter release
•Shutter Feedback –#SYNC2 support for microsecond Timelapse precision
•Camera ON / OFF
•PWM / SBUS INPUT
•Digital Capture –*shutter release only for Sony camcorders

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 4
CONFIGURING #REC2
GENERAL
#REC2 can be configured by “Seagull-REC2-Config.exe” that can be downloaded via the following link:
https://www.seagulluav.com/software/Seagull-REC2-Config.exe
Seagull #REC2 Configurator example photo
In order to adjust settings, make sure that #REC2
is connected to the camera and that the camera is
powered on. Once #REC2 is fully powered on you may
communicate and adjust settings accordingly. Fully
powered on state is normally indicated by
STATUS LED –NEUTRAL condition. Settings may be
adjusted in other states as well such as CH INPUT NOT
PRESENT / OUT OF RANGE.
SETTINGS AND VALUES TABLE
SETTING NAME
SETTINGS
RANGE
DEFAULT
DESCRIPTION
COM PORT
*Port number of
#REC2*
n/a
Select the port corresponding to #REC2 when plugged into
the computer
CH INPUT
PWM / SBUS
n/a
PWM
Defines whether PWM or SBUS input is to be listened to
control #REC2 functions
CH1
Select SBUS CH
1 - 16
n/a
Selectable SBUS CH to control CH1 functions
CH2
Select SBUS CH
1 - 16
n/a
Selectable SBUS CH to control CH2 functions
CH3
Select SBUS CH
1 - 16
n/a
Selectable SBUS CH to control CH3 functions
CH4
Select SBUS CH
1 - 16
n/a
Selectable SBUS CH to control CH4 functions
POWER SUPPLY
DISABLED / ENABLED
n/a
DISABLED
Power supply to the camera via integrated #REC2 circuitry
(*only works for cameras supporting USB Power Supply
feature which needs to be enabled in settings menu). When
changed and written as new settings requires power cycle
reset for #REC2 and camera to confirm functionality.
FEEDBACK
DISABLED / ENABLED
n/a
DISABLED
Enables microsecond precision for Timelapse function when
utilizing #SYNC2 connected to hotshoe interface
TIMELAPSE
User defined interval
0 - *a
lot
(9e+15)
3
Interval definition in seconds, supporting decimal point
values
Miscellaneous
FW.
n/a
n/a
n/a
Displays current firmware version of #REC2 –after clicking
“Read Settings” button
Read Settings
n/a
n/a
n/a
Loads current settings from #REC2 into the Configurator
application
Reset Settings
n/a
n/a
n/a
Resets the settings of #REC2 back to DEFAULT values.
Requires power cycle after reset to confirm functionality.
Write Settings
n/a
n/a
n/a
Writes user defined settings into #REC2. Requires power
cycle after writing settings to confirm functionality.

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 5
#REC2 CHANNEL VALUE TABLE
Setting up and using #REC2 is very simple. It can be controlled via transmitter or flight controller. Below you will find a table that
illustrates #REC functions, which channels they are allocated to and the values for engaging the functions.
CH.
State / Mode
Value
Range
1
Record Video
1800 μS
1601 <> 2000 μS
1
Shutter Release
1325 μS
1250 <> 1399 μS
1
Digital Capture
1125 μS
1001 <> 1249 μS
2
Zoom OUT ****
- Speed 1
- Speed 2
- Speed 3
- Speed 4
- Speed 5
- Speed 6
- Speed 7
Zoom IN ****
- Speed 1
- Speed 2
- Speed 3
- Speed 4
- Speed 5
- Speed 6
- Speed 7
1369 μS
1308 μS
1247 μS
1186 μS
1125 μS
1064 μS
1016 μS
1631 μS
1692 μS
1753 μS
1814 μS
1875 μS
1936 μS
1983 μS
1339 <> 1399 μS
1278 <> 1338 μS
1217 <> 1277 μS
1156 <> 1216 μS
1095 <> 1155 μS
1034 <> 1094 μS
1000 <> 1033 μS
1601 <> 1661 μS
1662 <> 1722 μS
1723 <> 1783 μS
1784 <> 1844 μS
1845 <> 1905 μS
1906 <> 1966 μS
1967 <> 2200 μS
3
Manual Photo
- Neutral **
- Focus
- Shutter release
1175 μS
1500 μS
1800 μS
1000 <> 1349 μS
1350 <> 1650 μS
1651 <> 2000 μS
4
Timelapse
1175 μS
1000 <> 1399 μS
4
Camera On/Off
1800 μS
1601 <> 2000 μS
1, 2, 4
3
Neutral *
Neutral **
1500 μS
1175 μS
1400 <> 1600 μS
1000 <> 1349 μS
1, 2, 4, 3
Signal out of scope
n/a
1 <> 999 μS / 2001 <> ∞μS
1, 2, 4, 3
No signal ***
n/a
0 μS
* Neutral state has a value of 1500 μS for all modes/states
(except "Manual Photo" mode !)
** Neutral state for "Manual Photo" has value of 1175 μS
*** No signal state will occur when there are no SIGNAL
INPUTS into the #REC2’s channels.
**** Zoom is limited to "Speed 1" while recording video with
a still camera because of legal reasons from Sony Corp.

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 6
FLIGHT CONTROLLER / TRANSMITTER INTEGRATION
TRANSMITTER
#REC2 can be controller via transmitters PWM output interface or SBUS interface if the receiver supports such output.
If utilizing PWM based receivers simply plug in the channels that you wish to control on #REC into the receiver and adjust the output
values required for activating the functions.
Conversion tables for most common transmitter brands can be found on the following link:
PIXHAWK / PIXRACER / ARDUPILOT BASED FC
#REC2 can be connected to a Flight Controller to control functions automatically or setting the Flight Controller to act as a passthrough
for the signal activated by transmitter.
Please note that none of the Ardupilot based flight controllers output power through the rails - therefore #REC2 needs a power supply.
To achieve this, it is recommended to utilize an external BEC of 5V to ensure proper functionality for #REC2 or any other accessories.
Below is an illustration of usable channels for connecting #REC2 for AUTOMATED TRIGGERING:

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 7
MISSION PLANNER
If you wish to trigger Seagull #REC2 from a Flight Controller, setting it up in Mission Planner is also straight forward.
Start Mission Planner and follow the steps below:
1. Click on INITIAL SETUP >> OPTIONAL HARDWARE >> CAMERA GIMBAL
2. "SHUTTER" - in the drop-down list, chose the channel that Seagull #REC2 CH1 SHUTTER RELEASE channel is connected to.
3. "PUSHED" - Set the "Value" as in the table:
State / Function
Value
Range
NEUTRAL
1500 μS
1400 <> 1600 μS
SHUTTER RELEASE
1325 μS
1250 <> 1399 μS
4. "NOT PUSHED" –Set the value "1500" ( Neutral state –see table above )
5. "DURATION" –Set the value "10"

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 8
DJI Flight Controllers / A3
#REC2 can be controller via DJI A3 flight controller. It is very easy to setup automated flight photo capturing via DJI Assistant 2
software. For controlling more features of #REC2 an expansion kit is required, since by default it is not possible to utilize other F ports
and bind them to the channels of LB transmitters.
Below is an example of integrating #REC2 and configuring via DJI Assistant 2:
AUTOMATED CAMERA ON / OFF
If you wish to integrate "Camera On/Off" into your Survey / Mission plan with Ground control or Mission Planner software, simply
follow the steps below. (Please note that you might need to setup the Flight Controllers channels in the parameters to function as
SERVO/PWM OUTPUT. As well as some of the Sony cameras require the power switch to be set onto ON position –then powered OFF
via #REC2 command for below scenario to work)
In this scenario we want to turn on the camera after take-off.
NOTE: Repeat the sequence at the end of the mission in order to retract the lenses to protect the mechanism before landing. Very helpful on plane platforms as well as multirotor
platforms in order to prevent dust getting into a retractable lens mechanism on a compact camera

© 2020 Seagull UAV All Rights Reserved. 9
PORT / PIN DEFINITIONS
*Do not exceed the voltages specified for the VIN PIN and DO NOT CONNECT any voltage input to the SYNC PORT (only to be used
with #SYNC2 or other hardware meant to interface with the port)
TROUBLESHOOTING
To determine the current state of Seagull #REC2 - simply read the output of the LED and reference it to the table below:
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
•Supply voltage: 3.9 –12v (5v recommended –do NOT exceed 12v!)
•Current draw: 30.6mA (PS-DISABLED)
•Dimensions: 39.5mm x 21.5mm x 10.5mm
•Weight: 8g (without cables)
PORT
DEFINITION
PINS
CH1
CH1 PWM INPUT
Shutter Release and Video
GND
INTERCONNECTED
VIN (3.9V –12V)
PWM SIGNAL IN
CH2
CH2 PWM INPUT
Zoom IN / OUT
GND
INTERCONNECTED
VIN (3.9V –12V)
PWM SIGNAL IN
CH3
CH3 PWM INPUT
Manual Focus / Shutter Release
GND
INTERCONNECTED
VIN (3.9V –12V)
PWM SIGNAL IN
CH4
CH4 PWM INPUT
Timelapse and Camera ON / OFF
GND
INTERCONNECTED
VIN (3.9V –12V)
PWM SIGNAL IN
SBUS
SBUS INPUT Interface
GND
INTERCONNECTED
VIN (3.9V –12V)
#REC2 RX PIN
FOR SBUS
SYNC
#SYNC2 / Camera Feedback
GND
3.3V OUTPUT ONLY
*DO NOT CONNECT
ANY INPUT V !
FEEDBACK SIGNAL PIN
(ACTIVED @ LOW 0V)
Cable connection between #REC2 and the CAMERA
n/a
n/a
n/a
Micro USB connection to write Settings for #REC
n/a
n/a
n/a
“2” REC2
ACTION
Off
The unit is powered OFF
Blinking (1s interval)
Camera RECORDING VIDEO
2x Blink - OFF
CH INPUT is not present
Blinking Fast
Camera is OFF or NOT CONNECTED
Flashing Rapidly
CH INPUT is out of range <1000uS or >2000uS
Faded
Inside a function
Solid On
Inside a function
Fading
NEUTRAL