Vintec mVRC User manual

User Guide
Part No. V4063-0010
EN
www.vinten.com
Robotic Control System

Copyright © 2017
All rights reserved.
Original Instructions: English
All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this publication may be stored in a retrieval
system, transmitted, copied or reproduced in any way, including, but not limited to, photocopy,
photograph, magnetic or other record without the prior agreement and permission in writing of the
Vitec Group Plc.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this publication is believed to be correct at the time of printing. Vitec
Videocom Ltd reserves the right to make changes to the information or specications without
obligation to notify any person of such revision or changes. Changes will be incorporated in new
versions of the publication.
We are making every effort to ensure that our publications are updated on a regular basis
to reect changes to product specications and features. Should this publication not contain
information on the core functionality of your product, please let us know. You may be able to
access the latest revision of this publication from our website.
Vitec Videocom Ltd reserves the right to make changes to product design and functionality without
notication.
Trademarks
All product trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of The Vitec Group Plc.
All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
Published by:
Vitec Videocom Ltd
Email: [email protected]

1
Contents
Read Me First
Getting Started2
1
Setting up a Basic μVRC System
3
4
5
6
7
Using the μVRC
Running a Show With the μVRC
μVRC Conguration
Technical Specications
Important Safety Information 2
About this User Guide 3
Box Contents 4
μVRC Computer Components and Connections 5
Joystick Panel Controls and Connections 6
Upgrade Options 7
Connecting the μVRC 8
Starting the μVRC 9
Adding Robotic Camera Units to the System 10
Using the Joystick Panel 12
Using the Touch-Screen Display Interface 14
Working with Shots and Shows 20
Cueing, Trimming and Tracking Shots 24
User Preferences 26
Conguration Management 31
Sort Cameras 33
About Screen and License Management 34
Device Conguration 35
CCU Interfaces 38
CCU Database 41
44

2
1Read Me First
Important information on the safe installation and operation of this product. Read this
information before operating the product. For your personal safety, read these instructions.
Do not operate the product if you do not understand how to use it safely. Save these
instructions for future reference.
Warning Symbols Used in these Instructions
Safety cautions are included in these instructions. These safety instructions must be followed to
avoid possible personal injury and avoid possible damage to the product.
!
WARNING!
Where there is a risk of personal injury or injury to others, comments appear
supported by the warning triangle symbol.
Where there is a risk of damage to the product, associated equipment, process or
surroundings, comments appear supported by the word ‘CAUTION’.
ELECTRIC SHOCK
Where there is a risk of electric shock, comments appear supported by the hazardous
voltage warning triangle.
WARNING! Risk of electric shock. Always disconnect and isolate the product from
the power supply before attempting any servicing or removing the covers. Always check
cables for signs of damage. Damaged cables can cause personal injury and/or damage
the equipment. It is the responsibility of the local organisation to ensure that the product
is periodically checked for electrical safety in accordance with local regulations.
!CAUTION! This product must be connected to a power supply of the same voltage (V)
and current (A) as indicated on the product. Refer to the technical specications for the
product. Using alternative power sources will invalidate the system EMC liability. All
connections to other devices must be made using shielded cables.
Intended Use
The μVRC robotic control system is designed to control compatible robotic camera equipment and
accessories. Camera operators can remotely control movements of axes and other functions.
The μVRC is designed for use in TV studios and other applications including houses of worship,
conference facilities and auditoriums.
Electrical Connection
Operating Environment
!WARNING! Slots and openings are intended for ventilation purposes to ensure reliable
operation of the product and protect it from overheating. Do not block or cover any
slots and openings. Protect the product from water, moisture and dust. The presence of
electricity near water can be dangerous.
Important Safety Information

3
Mounting and Installation
!
WARNING! Always ensure that all power and auxiliary communications cables are routed
so that they do not present any danger to personnel. Take care when routing cables in
areas where robotic equipment is in use.
Cleaning
WARNING! Risk of electric shock. Always disconnect and isolate the product from the
power supply before cleaning. Do not use solvent or oil-based cleaners, abrasives or wire
brushes. Clean with a dry lint free cloth.
Maintenance
!WARNING! The tting of non-approved parts or accessories, or the carrying out of non-
approved alterations or servicing can be dangerous and could affect the safety of the
product. It may also invalidate the terms and conditions of the product warranty.
Safety when Working with Robotic Equipment
In normal operation remote-controlled equipment can move suddenly and without warning. Since
audible warnings are not suitable for use within the studio environment, it is recommended that
only trained personnel be allowed to work in the active areas where remote controlled robotic
equipment is located.
The safe operating zone is a minimum of 1 m (3 ft).
Safety Notes for Operators
Operators must familiarise themselves with the working footprint of the robotic equipment,
including all installed payload items (lens, zoom and focus controls, viewnder, prompter, etc.) to
prevent inadvertent collisions or injury to personnel.
If personnel are too close to robotic equipment that is about to move, the operator should prevent
the motion from starting or stop the motion if it has started.
We strongly recommend that the operator veries visually that the active area is clear of hazards
and personnel, both before and during remote operation.
This user guide covers the installation, conguration and operation of the μVRC robotic control
system.
In this user guide, the following symbols are used to indicate useful or important information:
About this User Guide
NOTE: Gives additional important information about the product.
TIP: Gives extra advice and ways to perform a particular step or procedure.

4
2Getting Started
Box Contents
1μVRC computer
2Joystick panel
3μVRC power supply
NI USB connecting cable
NI Power cable (x3)
NI User guide
1
2
3
NI - Not Illustrated

5
μVRC Computer Components and Connections
1Touch-screen interface
2Adjustable stand
3Power button
4Power socket
5Network port
6USB3 ports
7VESA mounting holes (X4)*
8USB 2 ports
4
1
3
2
5
6 6
7
* For more information on the VESA mount, see Technical Specications on page 44.
8

6
Joystick Panel Controls and Connections
1Main joystick control
2Shot control keys
3Focus controls
4Keys not currently used
5Hand rest pad
6Camera selection keys
7USB port
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

7
Upgrade Options
The standard μVRC has built-in functions to set up and run a basic robotic camera system,
consisting of up to four Vantage heads and cameras.
Upgrade licenses are available for purchase to expand the system or functions. If additional
licenses are purchased to upgrade the μVRC, a license key is issued. The license key must be
applied in the License Management window to activate the new features. For more information,
see About Screen and License Management on page 34.
μVRC Plus Four V4063-8001
Up to eight Vantage heads can be controlled.
μVRC Total Control V4063-8002
Any number of Vantage heads can be controlled.
PTZ Control V4063-8003
Control a single PTZ camera (Sony or Panasonic).
ICE/Fusion V4063-8004
Adds control of Vinten ICE and Fusion robotics.
Hexagon V4063-8005
Adds control of Vinten Hexagon robotics.
CCU Control
(broadcast cameras) V4063-8006
Add paint/shading control for a single broadcast camera (Sony).
Automation Interface V4063-8007
Allows a third party control system to integrate with the µVRC.
Shot Thumbnails V4063-8009
Adds support for an external video capture interface to allow
shots to display thumbnails from live video.
Distributed network
control, database
replication and
backup
V4063-8008
Allows multiple µVRC to share control. Also allows interaction
with HD-VRCs.

8
Connecting the μVRC
System and Power Connections
The μVRC system is easily connected together. Robotic cameras are connected using standard
Ethernet connections. Use a powered Ethernet switch to expand the number of connections
available to suit your system requirements. The control panel is connected and powered with the
supplied USB lead.
The μVRC computer connections are located on the rear of the product. See the section μVRC
Computer Components and Connections on page 5.
For more information on connecting up robotic cameras and components, refer to the
documentation supplied with the products.
Ethernet
USB
Connections
µVRC Computer
Ethernet Switch
PTZ Heads
Vantage Heads
Joystick Panel
µVRC Power Supply
19 VDC Power
* To connect PTZ heads, an additional license is required. For more information see Upgrade
Options on page 7.

9
Starting the μVRC
Powering Up
When all connections in the μVRC system have been made, the μVRC computer can be powered
up.
To power up, depress the power button recessed on the rear edge of the case.
Starting the μVRC Application
When the μVRC computer has booted up, double tap on
the Fusion Client icon.
If only one user-name is set up on the system with no
password set, the μVRC automatically logs in.
If multiple user-names have already been set up, select
the appropriate name in the User Selection window.
Enter the password, if one has been set.

10
3
Adding Robotic Camera Units to the System
Conguration Management Tool
The Conguration Management Tool allows you to add any connected hardware to the μVRC
system. You can build each individual robotic camera unit by adding the hardware components
(robotic head, camera, lens, etc) tted.
Setting up a Basic μVRC System
When the μVRC system has been powered up and the application has started, you can begin
to congure and control the connected robotic cameras. Basic conguration is described in this
chapter to get you up and running quickly.
If any addition licenses have been purchased, they should be applied to the μVRC system during
set up. For more information see About Screen and License Management on page 34.
• If you are unfamiliar with the μVRC interface, see Using the μVRC on page 12
• To further set up and rene the μVRC system, see Configuration Management
on page 31
The Conguration Management Tool has built-in intelligence to identify compatible
and incompatible hardware components being added to a robotic camera unit.
From the main μVRC workspace tap the Menu > Conguration Management buttons to open
the Conguration Management Tool window.
1
2
3
1Proles List - Available robotic heads, cameras and other components
2 Camera Storage Grid - Cells for storing robotic camera units
3 Camera Properties - Conguration section for robotic cameras and hardware

11
Adding a Robotic Head and Camera or PTZ Camera
1.Select the appropriate robotic head
or PTZ camera (example shown is a
Vantage Head) from the Proles List*.
2.Drag the selected device into an empty
cell on the Camera Storage Grid.
3.In the Camera Properties section,
enter a name for the new camera
(example shown is Vantage 1) and its
network IP address to connect it to the
μVRC system.
4.If a Vantage head is selected, drag the camera type
tted from the Proles List into the same cell as the
robotic head.
5.When all the cameras and components have been
added to the Camera Storage Grid, tap the Apply
Changes button.
6.Tap the OK button to allow the software to restart.
When the μVRC restarts, added cameras are available for selection from the Camera selection
and Status Bar.
Cameras and components can be removed from the μVRC system by returning to the
Conguration Management Tool and tapping the red cross on a camera or component.
All shots stored for the camera will also be deleted.
*Products available for selection appear in white text. Products in black text require
an additional license to be purchased and applied. For more information see
Upgrade Options on page 7.
If the !icon is still displayed on a camera or component, something has not yet
been congured (such as a missing protocol, missing IP address, etc.). Conguration
must be completed for the camera and components to fully function.

12
4
The μVRC user interface consists of a joystick panel and a PC workstation with integral touch-
screen display, through which all functions and operations can be utilised.
Using the Joystick Panel
The joystick panel enables you to select and control connected robotic cameras. Additional keys
are available to select cameras and other useful functions.
Using the μVRC
Joystick Camera Controls
The joystick panel provides the best way to smoothly control camera movement and adjustments.
Pan axis control
Tilt axis control
Zoom control
Course focus control
Fine focus control
Control functions can be reversed in the μVRC conguration.

13
Joystick Panel Keys
The joystick panel has a selection of useful short cut keys which duplicate features and functions
available on the touch-screen display. The keys provide quick access to functions when the
operator is using the joystick to control cameras.
1Camera shot control keys (fade/stop/cut)
2Function keys (not currently used)
3Numeric keypad (not currently used)
4Camera selection keys*
5X4 key (zoom proportional)
6Camera selection shift key* (provides access to cameras 9 to 16)
*The number of cameras available for selection is dependent on the system license.

14
Using the Touch-Screen Display Interface
The μVRC touch-screen display is the primary interface with the system, enabling you to select
cameras and setup, store, manage and select shots for shows.
The main μVRC workspace window provides instant access to functions required to operate the
remote camera control system.
The window comprises:
1
Stored Shot Grid - This grid of cells is used to display the shots that have been created
and stored for each camera in the current show, or the shots stored for the currently
selected camera depending on the setting of the Per Camera conguration option.
2Camera selection and Status Bar - The robotic cameras can be selected from this
workspace bar or the control panel.
3Toolbar containing function and menu buttons
1
2
3
Stored Shot Grid
The grid size (number of shots that are visible on a single page can be selected using the Grid
Size option on the Conguration Screen – see Grid Display Options on page 26. Depending
on the number of shots stored in the current show and the grid size selected, the shots may span
several pages.
1Camera name
2Shot time
3Shot name
1
23

15
Shot Status Colour codes
The background of the shots stored in the grid are colour coded to indicate the shot status.
Shot Colour Description
ARed Indicates that the camera is moving (via Cut or Fade) to the shot.
B Green Indicates that the shot is cued and the camera will move to this
shot when Cut or Fade is selected.
C Dark Blue Indicates that the camera is exactly on shot as stored in the show
le.
D Light Blue Indicates that the camera has been trimmed off the shot stored in
the show le.
F Grey Indicates shots that are available for selection.
AB C D E
Camera Selection Status Bar
Available robotic cameras can be selected from this bar. The colour of the camera button indicates
the current status of the camera.
Frame Colour Description
A Green Camera is currently selected and controlled by the control panel.
B White Camera is available for immediate selection and control.
C Black Camera is ofine and unavailable.
E Grey Camera needs to be enabled. Tap the Opts button and select
Enable from the Device Control eld.
AB C D
When selected, any camera can be controlled from the joystick control
panel, or using the virtual joystick and controls on the touch screen.

16
Function and Menu Buttons
The toolbar containing the function and menu buttons is displayed at the bottom of the workspace.
The buttons and menus enable you to create and manage shots and shows, and congure the
μVRC system.
Button Function Description
Menu Displays the toolbar menu enabling you to: manage shows,
congure the system and preferences.
Edit
Displays the edit menu enabling you to: rename a shot,
delete a shot, edit the shot time, replace a stored shot with
a new one and move shots to different positions in the grid.
Stop Stops all camera movement during a cut or fade operation.
Cut
Cuts from the current shot(s) to the selected shot(s) as fast
as possible. This function can be latched to immediately cut
to a shot when it is selected. Cut is not suitable for on-air
moves.
Fade
Fades from the current shot to the selected shot in the time
duration stored in the shot. This function can be latched to
immediately fade to a shot when it is selected.
Store
Stores the shot on the currently selected camera unit into
the selected cell in the grid. A show must be opened to store
shots.
Focus
Zooms the lens of the current on-shot camera unit
(thumbnail coloured dark blue) all the way in tight and
displays the Focus menu.
Sequence Available for Vinten Hexagon track only, when the Hexagon
license upgrade has been purchased and applied.
Virtual
Stick
Displays the Virtual Joystick window, providing a method of
controlling cameras from the touch screen when the control
panel is not available.
Page Up/
Down
Enables you to scroll up and down through pages of
multiple stored shots.
Options
Displays the Options menu which enables you to: Enable
cameras; turn X4 mode on/off; select CCU menus for
compatible cameras and device conguration. Options are
for the currently selected device and not visible if no camera
is selected.

17
Toolbar Menu
Tap Menu to display the toolbar menu.
Menu Option Description
Show
Management
Displays the Show Management functions, enabling you to create, load, list
and delete shows - see Show management on page 20.
Conguration
Management
Displays the Conguration Management screen, enabling you to congure the
system, manage users and licenses - see Conguration Management on
page 31.
User
Preferences
Displays the User Preferences screen, enabling you to congure: editing grid
display options, joystick settings, etc. See - User Preferences on page 26.
Sort Cameras
Displays the Sort Cameras screen, where the order cameras appear on the
Camera Selection and Status bar can be changed. See Sort Cameras on
page 33
About
Displays the About screen with software and license information. Licenses
are also updated and applied here. See About Screen and License
Management on page 34.
Exit Exits the μVRC application.
Return Closes the menu.
Edit menu
Tap Edit to display the Edit menu. This has options that let you rename shots, modify the fade
time, delete shots, re-save a shot or swap shot positions on the grid. Tap Return to exit from the
Edit menu. For more information – see Managing Shots on page 22.
After using Stop to halt a robotic transition, you can:
• Complete that move by selecting the shot again and tapping Fade or Cut.
• Make another move, by selecting the required shot and tapping Fade or Cut.
Stop Button
The stop button is used to halt the movement of a camera during a fade or cut to a stored shot.
There are two stopping options selectable in the User Preferences screen:
• The standard stop option provides a ‘gentle’ synchronised stop which halts robotic camera
movement in approximately two seconds - recommended for on-air use.
• The other stop option provides a ‘fast’ abrupt stop that is not synchronised and may produce
a small amount of instability on the camera, and therefore should not be used on air. See -
Camera Control on page 28.

18
Store Button
Tapping the Store button will save the current position of the selected camera as a shot in the
current show for future use. You can select where the shot is stored in the stored shot grid.
Focus Button
When you are on shot (stored shot coloured dark blue), tapping the Focus button will zoom the
lens all the way in tight. You can then:
1.Use pan and tilt, if necessary, to frame the person or object that you want to set focus on.
2.Adjust the focus.
3.Select one of the Focus Menu options described below.
Focus Menu
Option Description
Keep Camera
After the focus has been adjusted, tap Keep Camera to return the camera
to the shot’s original pan, tilt and zoom settings and keep the adjusted focus
setting. The shot stored in the show database is not updated, so the next time
you recall the shot it will have the original focus, not the adjusted focus.
Keep Shot
After the focus has been adjusted, tap Keep Shot to return the camera to the
shot’s original pan, tilt and zoom settings, keep the adjusted focus setting and
store the adjusted focus in the show database. The next time you recall the
shot it will have the adjusted focus.
Cancel Tap Cancel to abandon the adjusted focus setting and return the camera to the
shot’s original pan, tilt, zoom and focus settings.
Return Tap Return to return to the workspace leaving the lens zoomed in tight and
with pan, tilt and focus as you left them.
A show must be created and opened to store shots. For more information
see Show management on page 20.
Cut and Fade Buttons
After a shot is selected on the touch-screen, the Cut and Fade buttons become available to move
the camera from the current shot to the selected shot.
Latching
If latched Cut or Fade is selected (tap Cut or Fade before selecting a shot), the camera will
automatically move to a new shot as soon as it is selected on the touch screen, with no need to
tap the buttons.