VRC Vinten Radamec Control System v1.3.3 VRC Vinten Radamec Control System v1.3.3 Operators Guide Part No. V4009-8001 www.vintenradamec.
Vinten Radamec Control (VRC) System User Guide Version 1.3.3 Publication No.
Copyright © 2012 All rights reserved. Original Instructions: English All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this document 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 manual is believed to be correct at the time of printing.
Contents Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 System overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Starting the VRC software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Starting the VRC EPI server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VRC System User Guide Shots and Shows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Show management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating a new show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loading a show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shot preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Group display preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 CCU recall preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Database Replication and Backup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Getting Started This manual is a guide to how to operate the Vinten Radamec Control (VRC) system. It is aimed at television camera operators with a working knowledge of broadcast robotic equipment and systems. This manual describes how to use the VRC control panel to remotely control camera units (camera, pan/tilt heads and pedestals) and the PC-based VRC client software, that is designed to be operated from a touch screen monitor to create and manage shots and shows.
VRC System User Guide VRC/HDVRC Controller Preview Monitor Fusion Pedestals & Heads (or Heads only) Touchscreen Joystick Panel VRC CSI Computer EPL EPL Gateways Master Nodes Out In Tally Lines From Production Switcher Video Router --Inputs From Cameras Tally Interface Ethernet Switch Colour Code Ethernet RS-232 RS-422 USB VGA Video Other Fig.
Getting Started The controller will perform a standard Windows XP boot up and display the start-up screen showing the VRC shortcut icons on the desktop. Fig. 2 VRC desktop icons Starting the VRC EPI server The VRC EPI server application is the communications interface to the pedestals, heads and cameras in the system and must be running at all times. You must start the EPI server before starting the VRC client application. 1. Double-click the VRC EPI Server icon.
VRC System User Guide Starting the VRC Client application The client window provides all the functions to select and control the robotic heads and pedestals, allowing you to create shows using pre-programmed shots and movements. All users must have their own user account and password to be able to log on to the VDC system. Refer to the VRC Technical Guide (publication no. V4009-4990) for instructions on adding, modifying and deleting user accounts.
Getting Started Fig. 5 VRC EPI Server window 4. Type in your password and then touch Enter to launch the VRC Client application. For a detailed description of using the client application – See VRC Client User Interface on page 21. Calibrating the touch screen All VRC system monitors are touch screen enabled, allowing on-screen options to be selected by touching the relevant graphic with your finger. You can also select these options by clicking on them with the mouse.
VRC System User Guide Automation Interface If the optional Automation Interface is installed, it operates as an additional controller. When a shot is selected at the automation system, the camera select button on the VRC controller screen will turn blue, indicating that the camera is under the control of another networked controller.
VRC Control Panel The VRC system is consists of a computer with a touch screen that runs the VRC application software and a hardware control panel. These two control systems are designed to provide a logical and easy-to-use interface enabling you to control all aspects of the VRC and the attached camera systems. The VRC control panel enables you to select and control connected camera units (incl. camera, pan/tilt head and optional pedestal) to obtain the correct views for the required shots.
14 21 Fig.
VRC Control Panel [1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CCU black level (option) [2] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CCU iris (option) [3] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wash/Wipe (option) [4] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VRC System User Guide Disabling the Panel Disable button The DIP switch in the control panel can be used to disable the Panel Disable button. If the switch is set to ‘ON’ the button is disabled, if the switch is set to ‘OFF’ the button will operate normally. Controlling a camera unit Most of the controls (buttons, joysticks and rotary knobs) only act on the currently selected camera unit. If no unit is selected the controls will have no effect.
VRC Control Panel Pan/Tilt/Zoom joystick This joystick [13] controls the pan and tilt movements of the head and the lens Zoom function. By default: • Moving the joystick left and right will pan the camera left and right. • Moving the joystick forward and back will tilt the camera down and up, respectively. • Rotating the joystick clockwise will zoom out the camera lens. • Rotating the joystick counter-clockwise will zoom in.
VRC System User Guide Remote pedestal operation The following functions are used to remotely operate a robotic pedestal. There are additional functions on the control panel that are used only when operating an RP2A pedestal – See RP2A control functions on page 20. Pedestal orientation The sides of the pedestal are referred to as North, South, East and West. North side East side West side South side Fig.
VRC Control Panel XY/Height joystick The XY/Height joystick [21] is on the left-hand side of the control panel and is used to operate a pedestal. By default: • Moving the joystick left and right will cause the pedestal to travel West and East, respectively, relative to the target. • Moving the joystick forward and back will cause the pedestal to move North and South, respectively.
VRC System User Guide RP2A control functions The following functions are only applicable when operating the RP2A pedestal. These functions are additional to the other pedestal functions listed above. Override The Override button [4] allows the selected RP2A pedestal to continue moving at quarter speed after the detection of an infrared proximity warning or collision with an obstacle. Override will have no effect on proximity detection if Infrared Disable is ON.
VRC Client User Interface The VRC system is consists of a computer with a touch screen that runs the VRC application software and a hardware control panel. These two control systems are designed to provide a logical and easy-to-use interface enabling you to select and control connected camera systems. The VRC client application enables you to set up, store, manage and select the shots for shows. Client workspace The VRC Client application is a GUI-driven, MS Windows-based program. Fusion-TCPI (V0.0.29.
VRC System User Guide The VRC user interface window works in the same way as other application windows, allowing you to reposition the window on your computer desktop by dragging it with the mouse, minimise the window (so that it appears only as an icon on your task bar), maximise the window (so that it appears full screen) and close the application using the Close button.
VRC Client User Interface Preview Panel Groups bar This optional bar displays the same groups as the Primary Panel Groups bar and enables the operator to select a second camera mapping group (possibly for a different studio) to setup the initial shots for another show while the current show is still running. The Preview Panel Groups function would normally only be used if there were fewer than eight cameras in each show.
VRC System User Guide Shot thumbnails When a shot is stored a thumbnail image is captured and displayed in the selected cell. This thumbnail will be surrounded by a frame and has the camera name superimposed across the top of the thumbnail. Camera Name Shot Name Shot Time Fig. 10 Shot thumbnail annotations Optionally, if selected in the Shot Options – see Shot options on page 72, the name of the shot and the shot time will also be superimposed across the thumbnail (see Fig. 10).
VRC Client User Interface Frame Colour Description Red Indicates that the camera is moving (via Cut or Fade) to the shot. See shot A1, above. Yellow banner across frame corner Indicates that this was the last shot selected. See shot A1, above. Green Indicates that this shot is cued and the camera will move to this shot when you select Cut or Fade. See shot F7, above. Dark blue Indicates that the camera is exactly on shot as stored in the show file. See shot E5, above.
VRC System User Guide • If Preview Panel Groups are also enabled, this bar will display the first 8 camera units for the primary group across the top and the first 8 camera units for the preview group across the bottom of the bar. NOTE: The camera buttons on the control panel are always the same as the buttons currently displayed on the touch screen. Camera unit status colour code The colour of the camera button indicates the current status of the camera.
VRC Client User Interface Once selected, any camera can be controlled from the joystick control panel, or using the virtual joystick and controls on the touch screen. When a camera is selected, you can elect to only display the shots stored for that camera in the Stored Shot Pane, if the Per Camera configuration option is selected – see Grid display options on page 66. A text field indicating the selected camera is displayed above the grid of shots.
VRC System User Guide The workspace with Studio A selected is shown below: Fig. 13 The VRC workspace NOTE: The mapping of the camera select buttons on the control panel follows the touch screen mapping. Function buttons and menus The toolbar containing the function and menu buttons is displayed at the bottom of the workspace.
VRC Client User Interface The function and menu buttons are: Button Function Description Menu Displays the Menu dialog enabling you to: manage shows, access the configuration utility and clear all the shots from the current show. 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 pedestal and head movement during a cut or fade operation.
VRC System User Guide Button Function Opts menu Description Displays the Opts menu which enables you to: target pedestals; enable cameras (pedestals, height drives and/or heads); turn X4 mode on/off; rotate/straighten pedestal wheels and select CCU menus for compatible cameras. Toolbar Menu Touching or clicking on the Menu button displays the Menu dialog. Fig. 14 The Menu dialog The Menu options are described in the following table.
VRC Client User Interface Menu option Description Unload Show This will PERMANENTLY DELETE all shots from the current show and there is no undo function. The shots can only be recovered if they were stored before the last backup, either the automatic weekly backup of the database or if the database has been explicitly backed up to an external device. Exit Closes the Menu dialog. Edit menu Touch Edit to display the Edit menu.
VRC System User Guide After using Stop to halt a robotic transition, you can: • Complete that move by selecting the shot again and touching Fade or Cut. • Make another move, by selecting the required shot and touching Fade or Cut. Cut After a shot is selected on the touch screen, Cut becomes available to move the camera unit from the current shot to the selected shot as fast as possible, ignoring the stored shot time.
VRC Client User Interface If Single Select mode in the Configuration screen is ON, you can only select one shot on one camera at a time. Selecting a shot on a second camera will deselect the shot on the first camera. Store Touching Store will save the current position of the selected camera as a shot in the current show for future use – see Adding shots to a show on page 41. You can select where the shot is stored in the stored shot grid.
VRC System User Guide Virtual joystick controls The Virtual Joystick window provides a convenient method of manually controlling camera units (incl. cameras, heads and pedestals, where fitted) from the touch screen when a control panel is not available. 1. Touch Virtual Stick to launch the Virtual Joystick window. Fig. 16 Virtual Joystick window The Virtual Joystick window contains the following controls: • Pan/Tilt and X/Y joysticks • Height, Time, Zoom and Focus sliders.
VRC Client User Interface Opts menu The Opts menu contains context-sensitive options to: • Target pedestals • Enable camera units (incl. pedestals, height drives and/or heads) • Turn X4 mode on and off • Rotate/straighten pedestal wheels • Select CCU menus for compatible cameras. Target (pedestals only) This button is only displayed if the currently selected camera unit includes a pedestal. See Targeting the pedestals on page 95 for information on using this function to target the pedestals.
VRC System User Guide If you cannot enable a pedestal, refer to the pedestal troubleshooting checklist. NOTE: After switching a pedestal from manual to automatic mode and enabling it, the pedestal must be retargeted. See Targeting the pedestals on page 95. Rotate/Straighten Wheels (SP-2000 only) These two buttons are only displayed, if the currently selected camera unit has an SP2000 pedestal. They simplify the process of positioning the pedestal over the target prior to targeting: 1.
Shots and Shows Shows are created by storing collections of camera shots from one or more camera units. This section covers the creation and management of show files and the creation and management of the shots in the show. Show management A show is a collection of stored shots from one or more camera systems saved in a file. To store shots in the grid display, either a new show must be created or an existing show must be loaded. To access the Show Management functions: 1.
VRC System User Guide Creating a new show To create a new show: 1. Select New Show on the Show Management dialog. 2. Use either the keyboard or the touch screen keyboard to enter a name for the new show. 3. Select Enter to return to the workspace, which is now ready to store shots in this new show. The new show name is displayed in the title bar of the workspace. Loading a show To load an existing show: 1. Select Load Show on the Show Management dialog. 2.
Shots and Shows 2. Select the desired show from the scroll list. 3. Touch OK to delete the show or touch Cancel to return to the workspace without deleting a show. Creating Home or Target shots Before creating shots for a new show you should create a shot called HOME or TARGET for each camera unit mounted on a pedestal. These shots should position each pedestal at the correct location for targeting. At the end of every show it is good practice to send each pedestal to its HOME or TARGET shot.
VRC System User Guide For Fusion pedestals, since the TARGET or HOME shot is located behind the target it does not offer the same protection. You may want to create an additional shot called OVER TARGET to protect the target from damage between shows. The workspace should now have one target or home shot for each camera unit mounted on a pedestal. The show is now ready to have additional shots added. Fusion TCPI (V0.0.29.
Shots and Shows Only shots stored for that camera are displayed in the stored shot editing grid if the Per Camera configuration option has been selected. A text field informing the user what camera is currently being viewed is displayed above the grid. NOTE: The video signal for the selected camera can be viewed on a preview monitor, if fitted. 3. Use the joysticks and controls to move the camera into position for the shot, and then frame and focus the shot. 4.
VRC System User Guide Latched Delete Use Latched Delete when you want to delete multiple shots. The normal Delete mode deletes a single shot and then returns you to the workspace. Latched Delete keeps you in the Edit menu after each deletion. 1. Touch Latched Delete. 2. Touch a shot and confirm the deletion. 3. Touch another shot and confirm the deletion. 4. Repeat until all of the desired shots have been deleted. 5. Touch Latched Delete again to exit this mode.
Shots and Shows 2. Touch Time. 3. Type in the desired shot time (in seconds) and touch Enter to return to the workspace. Delete To delete a single shot: 1. Touch the shot you want to delete from the grid display. 2. Touch Delete and Yes to delete the shot and return to the workspace. Resave Resave allows you to save a changed version of an existing shot position in the same cell in the stored shot grid. 1. Touch the shot you wish to change in the grid display. 2.
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Running a Show While a show is being aired, the VRC operator will be occupied with three primary tasks – cueing, trimming and tracking shots. Cueing shots Cueing is the process of setting up the shots before they are used on air. It is important that the VRC operator stays ahead of the show’s rundown by cueing shots as early as possible. As time permits (especially during remote feeds and commercial breaks) the operator can have two or three shots cued ahead of the rundown.
VRC System User Guide Shot status colour codes Shots stored on the workspace are colour coded to indicate the shot status. Fig. 20 Shot status colour codes Frame Colour Description Red Indicates that the camera is moving (via Cut or Fade) to the shot. See shot A1 in Fig. 20. Yellow banner across frame corner Indicates that this is the last shot selected. See shot A1 in Fig. 20. Green Indicates that this shot is cued and the camera will move to this shot when you select Cut or Fade.
Running a Show Changing between shots The functions on the workspace menu bar and the Edit menu enable you to cut or fade between shots and alter the fade time. Cutting between shots Cut moves the camera unit between its current shot position and the selected shot position as quickly as possible (ignoring the stored Fade Time for that shot). 1. Select the required shot on the touch screen: 2. Touch Cut to move from the current position to the selected shot, as fast as possible.
VRC System User Guide The stored fade time can always be modified on air (in realtime) using the: • Fade Time bar on the control panel – See Fade Time control on page 48. • Time slider on the virtual joystick. The shot will be stored with the default fade time (e.g. 4 seconds) that specifies the number of seconds that the robotic system will take to move the camera from its current position to the selected shot position when FADE is selected on the touch screen or the control panel.
Running a Show • Pulling the bar backwards decreases the fade time (speeding up the movement). Fading or Cutting multiple shots The number of shots that can be selected at one time is controlled by the Single Select mode in the Configuration screen – See Shot preferences on page 74. • If Single Select mode is ON (button illuminated), you can only select one shot on one camera at a time. If you select another shot, the previously selected shot is automatically deselected.
VRC System User Guide Trimming shots After a camera arrives “on shot” and before it is on air, the VRC operator will want to take control at the joystick panel and check the framing and focus of the shot and trim the shot as needed. This lets the operator correct for things like: a different anchor than when the shot was created, or the talent not being exactly on their mark. The Focus function, available from the touch screen can be used for this purpose.
Running a Show Focus Menu Option Return 5. Description Touch Return to return to the workspace leaving the lens zoomed in tight and with pan, tilt and focus as you left them. If required, store the amended shot by touching Store and then touching the shot on the touch screen. Tracking shots When a shot is on air you can track the talent if they shift in the frame, slide behind an over the shoulder box, etc. Select the on-air camera at the control panel and track the shot as needed.
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CCU Interfaces If the CCU interface option is installed for compatible camera models, you can control camera functions and CCU controls from the VRC user interface. All of the CCU parameters are saved with each shot. When a shot is recalled, the CCU parameters can be recalled if required. Displaying the CCU control screen To display the functions and CCU control screens for a camera: 1. Touch Opts > CCU to display the Functions and CCU control screens for the selected camera.
VRC system user guide Canon BU-45, BU-46, BU-50 camera functions Power with Home Home Auto White Balance Image Stabilizer Wiper Washer Auto Focus Auto Shooting Mode Bars Aux 1 Aux 2 Aux 3 Aux 4 Fig. 21 Canon BU-45, BU-46, BU-50 camera functions Menu Button Power with Home Home Wiper Washer Bars Auto white balance Image stabilizer Auto focus 54 Description Touch Power With Home to turn the camera on and initialize pan and tilt to the Home position – straight ahead and level.
CCU Interfaces Menu Button Auto shooting mode Aux 1, 2, 3, 4 Description Touch Auto Shooting Mode to select auto or manual shooting mode. In Auto shooting mode, the controls for Iris setting, Shutter speed and Camera gain are disabled. Touch Aux 1, Aux 2, Aux 3, Aux 4 to enable or disable the respective auxiliary outputs at the camera. Refer to the camera documentation for instructions on using these outputs to control external devices.
VRC system user guide Menu Button Description Iris Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the iris setting. If Auto shooting mode is on, the Iris control has no effect. Camera gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera gain to 0dB, +6dB, +12dB, +18dB, +36dB. If Auto shooting mode is on, the Camera gain control has no effect. Genlock phase Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the genlock phase of the camera output video to time the camera into your system.
CCU Interfaces Sony camera functions The Sony 700, 1500, Ex3 and PMW-350 use the same camera functions and CCU controls. Camera Colour Bars Iris Closed AWB ABB Fig. 23 Sony camera functions The PMW-350 uses the same camera functions and CCU controls as the Ex3. Menu Button Description Camera color bars Touch Camera color bars to toggle the camera output between colour bars and normal camera video. Iris closed Touch Iris closed to toggle between iris closed and iris open.
VRC system user guide Sony CCU controls Red Gain M Ped 50 50 Red Ped Iris 50 50 Blue Gain 50 Blue Ped 50 Fig. 24 Sony CCU controls Menu Button Description Red gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s red channel. Red ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s red pedestal level. Blue gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s blue channel. Blue ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s blue pedestal level.
CCU Interfaces Ikegami camera functions Colour Bars Iris Closed AWB ABB Fig. 25 Ikegami camera functions Menu Button Description Color bars Touch Color bars to toggle the camera output between colour bars and normal camera video. Iris closed Touch Iris closed to toggle between iris closed and iris open. AWB Touch AWB to enable the Auto white balance mode of the camera. ABB Touch ABB to enable the Auto Black Balance mode of the camera.
VRC system user guide Ikegami CCU controls Red Gain M Ped 50 50 Red Ped Iris 50 50 Blue Gain 50 Blue Ped 50 Fig. 26 Ikegami CCU controls Menu Button Description Red gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s red channel. Red ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s red pedestal level. Blue gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s blue channel. Blue ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s blue pedestal level.
CCU Interfaces Hitachi camera functions Colour Bars Iris Closed AWB ABB Fig. 27 Hitachi camera functions Menu Button Description Color bars Touch Color bars to toggle the camera output between colour bars and normal camera video. Iris closed Touch Iris closed to toggle between iris closed and iris open. AWB Touch AWB to enable the Auto White Balance mode of the camera. ABB Touch ABB to enable the Auto Black Balance mode of the camera.
VRC system user guide Hitachi CCU controls Red Gain M Ped 50 50 Red Ped Iris 50 50 Blue Gain 50 Blue Ped 50 Fig. 28 Hitachi CCU controls Menu Button Description Red gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s red channel. Red ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s red pedestal level. Blue gain Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s blue channel. Blue ped Touch the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s blue pedestal level.
CCU Interfaces Panasonic camera functions Version 1.3.2 of the VRC software supports the AW-HE870 and AK-HC1800 HD Panasonic cameras. The camera has a special connector cable (available directly from Panasonic) that needs to be used in conjunction with a null modem cable and out device master unit. This needs to be configured in the UTBconfig.XML file. These cameras are supported on Fusion, Radamec and Autocam heads; but the SP2000 does not receive feedback status from the Panasonic devices.
VRC system user guide Panasonic CCU controls Red Gain M Ped 50 50 Red Ped Iris 50 50 Blue Gain 50 Blue Ped 50 Fig. 30 Panasonic CCU controls Menu Button Description Red gain Use the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s red channel. Red ped Use the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s red pedestal level. Blue gain Use the up/down arrow to adjust the gain of the camera’s blue channel. Blue ped Use the up/down arrow to adjust the camera’s blue pedestal level.
Configuration The Configuration screen provides default settings for various operating parameters. • On the User Interface window touch Menu > Configuration to display the Configuration screen. Grid Display Options Grid Size Camera Control Display Headers Per Camera Stick Settings Take Camera Panel Options Single Selection Delete Warning Default Time: 9.
VRC system user guide Grid display options These configuration options are used to control how the editing grid is displayed and what shot thumbnails are displayed. Grid Display Options Grid Size Display Headers Per Camera Fig. 32 Configuration screen – Grid display options Option Description Grid size The number of rows and columns of shots that can be seen on a single page in the editing pane is user selectable. The minimum grid size is 2 rows by 3 columns per page.
Configuration Setting up the grid size To select the required editing pane grid display: 1. Touch Grid Size to display the Grid Size Selection dialog. Fig. 33 Grid size selection dialog 2. Select the required grid size (Rows x Columns) from the list on the left of the dialog. The preview panel displays the selected layout. 3. Touch OK to accept the new Grid Size or touch Cancel return to the Configuration Screen without making a change.
VRC system user guide Stick settings Stick Settings Stick Preferences Fig. 34 Configuration screen – Stick settings Touch Stick Preferences to display the Stick Preferences screen, allowing you to tailor the operation of the control panel joysticks.
Configuration Option Description Compound/Linear/ Exponential This adapts the behaviour of each joystick to suit the operator’s preference. Compound (a combination of linear for small movements and compound for larger movements) is the most common choice. A separate selection for the tilt joystick is not provided, because the pan and tilt settings are synchronised. Any change to the pan joystick selection will be replicated for the tilt joystick.
VRC system user guide Panel options Panel Options Always Enable Drive Always Override Always Disable Bumpers Always Disable IR Always Enable Pan Follow Fig. 36 Configuration screen - Panel options Each of these functions can be toggled ON (the button is blue) or OFF (the button is black on the screen – white in this user guide). The selections are stored for each username that has been created. These settings determine the state of the control panel buttons after a user login.
Configuration Option ON OFF Always Override (RP2A pedestal only) The Override button on the joystick control panel will be On after user login. The selected pedestal will continue moving at quarter speed after detection of an infrared proximity warning or a collision with an obstacle See Bumper disable on page 19. The Override button on the joystick control panel will be Off after user login.
VRC system user guide Shot options Information that is required and displayed for each saved shot is user selectable. Shot Options Display Shot Name Require Shot Name Display Shot Time Require Shot Time Fig. 37 Configuration screen - Shot options Option ON OFF Display Shot Name The name of each shot is superimposed on the shot thumbnail. The shot name is not displayed. Require Shot Name You will be prompted to type in a name when you store a new shot. This is the most common mode of operation.
Configuration Camera control Camera Control Deselect Always Take Rudely Always Stop Fast Fig. 38 Configuration screen - Camera Control options Option ON OFF Deselect A camera that has been selected can be deselected by touching it on the screen. A camera can only be deselected by selecting a different camera. Always Take Rudely Selecting a camera at one controller immediately takes control away from a second controller that may have been using the camera.
VRC system user guide Shot preferences Shot Preferences Take Camera Single Selection Delete Warning Default Time: 9.50 Allow Deselect Fig. 39 Configuration screen - Shot Preferences Option ON OFF Take Camera When you select a shot on the touchscreen, the Camera Preview selection on the joystick control panel automatically follows and the joysticks will control the camera for the selected shot. The shot selection on the touchscreen and the Camera Preview selection are decoupled.
Configuration Option ON Allow deselect OFF When you select a shot on the touchscreen, you can deselect that shot by touching it a second time. When you select a shot on the touchscreen, you can only deselect that shot by selecting a different shot on the same camera. Touching a selected shot a second time has no effect. Group display preferences Group Display Preferences Show Main Panel Groups Show Preview Panel Groups Dock On Top Fig.
VRC system user guide Option Show Preview Panel Can only be selected if Show Main Panel Groups is On. Dock On Top ON OFF Displays the Preview Panel Groups bar showing the camera mapping groups, below the Primary Panel Groups bar. The height of each row of thumbnails in the editing pane is reduced slightly. The Preview Panel Groups bar is not displayed. Displays the Primary Panel Groups and Preview Panel Groups bars, if enabled, above the Stored Shot Editing grid.
Configuration CCU recall preferences CCU Recall Preferences Iris Master Pedestal All Fig. 42 Configuration screen – CCU Recall Preferences If the optional CCU interface is installed for one or more cameras, the camera functions and CCU parameters are stored for each shot. These functions and parameters can be selectively recalled. Option Description Iris Touch Iris to recall only the Iris setting with the shot. Iris recall can be selected with or without Master pedestal recall.
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Database Replication and Backup For VRC systems with two or more controllers, database replication between the controllers is configured during installation and is continuous and automatic. Database backup is not required. Backup databases For VRC systems with a single controller (user interface), it is suggested that you create periodic (e.g. monthly) backups and copy them to an external device such as a CD/DVD or USB drive.
VRC system user guide 4. In the left pane of the dialog, click the + symbol to expand Databases as shown below. Fig. 44 Database objects 5. To backup the VrcsReplicatedConfiguration5 database, right-click it and select Tasks > Backup from the context menus, as shown below. Fig. 45 Selecting Backup from the context menus This displays the Back Up Database dialog for that database.
Database Replication and Backup 6. In the Back Up Database dialog, select OK to create the backup or select Cancel to exit without creating a backup. Fig. 46 Back Up Database dialog 7. When the backup is complete, select OK to return to the SQL Server Management Studio workspace (see Fig. 44). 8. To create a backup of the VrcsReplicatedCore5 database: 9. • Right-click on the database, • Select Tasks > Backup from the displayed menus, • Click OK in the Back Up Database dialog.
VRC system user guide 12. Copy the two backup files (VrcsReplicatedConfiguration5.bak and VrcsReplicatedCore5.bak) to an external device (e.g. a USB drive or a writeable CD/DVD). Restoring databases 1. Close the VRC Client application. 2. Connect the external device (e.g. USB drive) containing the most recent backup files to the VRC controller. Or insert the CD/DVD containing the backup files into the VRC controller drive. 3.
Database Replication and Backup 7. In the left pane of the workspace, click the + symbol to expand the Databases as shown below. Fig. 48 Database objects 8. Right-click on VrcsReplicatedConfiguration5 and select Tasks > Restore > Database from the context menus, as shown below. Fig.
VRC system user guide 9. In the Restore Database dialog, select OK to restore the database or select Cancel to exit without restoring the database. Fig. 50 Back Up Database dialog 10. When the database is restored, select OK to return to the SQL Server Management Studio workspace. 11. To restore the VrcsReplicatedCore5 database: • Right-click on the database. • Select Tasks > Restore > Database from the context menus. • Click OK in the Restore Database dialog. 12.
Troubleshooting If you cannot control one or more heads and/or pedestals, use the following checklists to locate and correct the problem. VRC controller checklist At the joystick control panel: Joystick Enable ON Panel Disable OFF Fig. 51 Joystick control panel 1. Make sure that the Joystick panel power is ON. 2. Make sure that Panel Disable is OFF (button is not illuminated). 3. Make sure that Joystick Enable is ON (button is illuminated).
VRC system user guide At the VRC controller desktop: Make sure that the VRC EPI Server is running with commands scrolling through the window. The VRC EPI Server window may be behind a window or be minimised. Fig. 52 VRC EPI server window 4. If the server is not running, double-click the VRC EPI Server icon on the desktop to start it. 5. If the server is frozen (i.e. commands are not scrolling), close the VRC EPI Server and restart it using the icon on the desktop.
Troubleshooting At the VRC user interface: 6. Check the status colour of each camera: Camera is controlled remotely Pedestal in Manual Camera is online and selected Camera Selection and Status 100 Head Fusion-2 FP-188 Fusion-4 Fusion-5 Fusion-6 Fusion-7 Fusion-8 Camera 9 FP-145 FP-145-2 FHR120 FHR120-2 FP-188/3 FP-188/2 Alternate Head in Manual Camera is online and available Camera is offline Fig.
VRC system user guide EPI switchover with redundant EPI servers Use this section if the Fusion system includes Autocam heads with more than one EPI server to provide EPI server redundancy. 1. During normal operation, all of the Autocam heads will be online and available (white buttons) and the currently selected head will be green. Camera 1 online and selected Cameras 2 - 8 online and available Fig. 54 Camera selection – Normal operation 2.
Troubleshooting If the EPI server has failed: 4. Switch the server AB changeover switch to the backup position. 5. Power down the failed EPI server. 6. Power up the backup EPI server. 7. Double click EPI Refresh on each Fusion VRC or HDVRC computer in the Fusion system that will connect to this EPI server. EPI Refresh Fig. 56 EPI refresh NOTE: Refer to the VRC Technical Guide (publication no. V4009-4990) for instructions on creating the EPI Refresh shortcut, if it is not on the VRC desktop.
VRC system user guide Head checklist Power switch ON Network cable AC power cable Fig. 57 Head connections 1. Make sure that the network cable is connected and fully seated. 2. Make sure that AC power cable is connected and fully seated. 3. Make sure that the power switch is ON. 4. If the head’s network cable is connected to a Fusion pedestal, make sure that the cable is connected and fully seated at the pedestal.
Troubleshooting 5. For Manual/Robotic heads, make sure that both pan and tilt are in Auto mode. Centre lock disengaged Tilt in AUTO Pan in AUTO Fig. 58 Head switches 6. If necessary, select the camera at the VRC Controller and selet Opts > Enable to switch the head to Auto mode. CAUTION! DO NOT attempt to move the Auto/Manual switches on the head to Auto (robotic) mode – you will damage the head. 7. For all heads, make sure that the tilt centre lock is disengaged.
VRC system user guide FP-145 or FP-188 pedestal checklist On the South side of the pedestal: Power switch is ON Network cables Power cables Fig. 59 Pedestal connections 1. Make sure that the network cables are connected and fully seated. 2. Make sure that AC power cables are connected and fully seated. 3. Make sure that the power switch is ON.
Troubleshooting 4. Make sure that Crab (x4) mode is selected. Parking brake OFF AUTO mode CRAB (x4) mode Fig. 60 Pedestal switches 5. Make sure that Auto mode is selected. 6. Make sure that the parking brake is OFF. On the West side of the pedestal column: Cable hooked to column Column in AUTO Fig. 61 Pedestal column requirements 7. Make sure that the column is in Auto mode. 8. Make sure that the robotic height cable is hooked to the moving column.
VRC system user guide On the North side of the pedestal: Emergency Stop buttons UP Fig. 62 Pedestal stop buttons 9. Make sure that both of the Emergency Stop buttons are UP. 10. If necessary, twist the button clockwise and allow it to pop up to restore power to the pedestal. Then, from the VRC controller enable the pedestal with Opts > Enable.
Targeting the pedestals Before shots can be created and stored, all robotic pedestal movements must reference a target. The target for each pedestal is either permanently adhered to the studio floor (Fusion and SP-2000 pedestals) or mounted at the edge of the studio as a vertical barcode (RP2A pedestals). Robotic heads mounted on tripods or fixed mounts, or height drive units do not require targeting. Studio configurations without pedestals do not need to reference a target.
VRC System User Guide Targeting the pedestal 1. Select the camera unit to be targeted on the touch screen or the control panel. 2. Installations may use either a 3-line target or an L-shaped target as shown in Fig. 64. Use the XY/Height joystick on the control panel to position the pedestal so that its north side (with the Emergency Stop switches) is positioned over the edge of the relevant target type as shown in Fig. 64. Pedestal with 3-line target Pedestal with L-shaped target Fig.
Targeting the pedestals 5. Select the relevant target from the list and touch OK. The Fusion pedestal will drive itself across the target while optically scanning the floor to determine the datum target position. When the pedestal stops moving, a dialog appears, either confirming that targeting was completed successfully or that targeting failed. 6. Touch OK to clear the alert dialog and if targeting failed, repeat steps 1 through 5. NOTE: Make sure that the pedestal stops in the position shown in Fig.
VRC System User Guide 3. When the pedestal is correctly positioned touch Target to display the list of available targets. NOTE: If you have targets installed in multiple studios, make sure that you select the correct target for the pedestal being targeted in the studio that you are currently working in - for example, select Studio 1 : Target 1 to target camera #1 in studio #1 or select Studio 2 : Target 1 to target camera #1 in studio #2.
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