PULNIX TM-1325CL camera files 10bit?

[pachacuti]

1) Where can I find camera files for the Pulnix TM-1325CL camera for my IMAQ PCI-1428 frame grabber. The closest thing I find is a TM-1320CL.
2) Does this camera/board combination support 10 bit pixel depth?

[ColinAE]

Hello.

Unfortunately, we don't currently have an NI-supplied camera file for that Pulnix camera. There are a couple of things that you can do to solve this problem:

1. Contact Pulnix. They often will have camera files that we do not have posted yet.
2. Use the NI Camera File Generator, located at:
ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/imaq/pc/ni-imaq/cfgenerator/
Choose the 1.0 version if you are using NI-IMAQ version 3.0, and the 1.1 version if you are using NI-IMAQ 3.1.
This is the best option for you.

If the camera generates 10-bit data, then you definitely can acquire it using the 1428 board!


Regards,
Colin C.
Applications Engineering

[pachacuti]

Thanks for your suggestions:

I have searched the pulnix website and did not find one. The documentation I recieved with the camera says that the frame grabber supplier would provide the camera files. I guess will look at the camera file generator software next.

Currently, I have another problem. The 1428 did grab images using a TM-1320 camera file came with the 1428. However, this no longer works. The error reported is can't detect pixel clock. Any suggestions on how to debug that?

[ColinAE]

Hello again.

The 'Cannot Detect Pixel Clock' error is actually a somewhat common error:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/websearch/3434173630CBC97686256F8000536593?OpenDocument

This problem is almost always related to a connection-type issue. Verify your connections, power cycle your camera, and reboot the pc. If you made any changes to the camera file, then undo those and try again.

Also, try starting with the TM-1400CL cam file, which I believe has the same pixel dimensions as yours.

Regards,
Colin C.
Applications Engineering

[pachacuti]

Thanks again for your suggestion.
I had already done the power on\off and reboot a couple of times before i posted.
I did try using the TM-1400 camera file but no help there either.
I now get ERROR 'IMAQ ERROR oxBFF6001F Can not detect recognizable video source'.

1) What should happen when I 'open camera' ?
I get a new browser window and can highlight a file and click open but nothing happens?
2) I am being told that the 1428 does not support 10 bit capture. Can you clarify?

[RManion]

Hi pachacuti,

When you choose Open Interface, you should be able to select a particular camera file. After you select the camera file, it will return to MAX and the Channel name will change from (in example) chan0: Pulnix 1300 to Chan0: Pulnix 1400 CL.

If the camera previously worked with the 1300 camera file, then the first step to getting it to work again is to find out what was changed. If you have made and saved changes to your camera file, you might need to start anew with a clean copy. The camera files that are shipped with the driver can be found at:

ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/imaq/camera_support/camera_files/

The 1428 should certainly support 10 bit capture. The only thing that will affect this are the current settings selected for your acquisition. These include the settings in Measurement and Automation Explorer and the settings defined by your camera file.

If you are receiving an error regarding the recognition of your video source, and you have already checked the cables, power, and have restarted your computer, you may want to look at the output of your connection and ensure that the board is receiving the proper video signal.

Another thing that has not yet been mentioned is that you may want to check your driver version to be sure it is the most recent version available. As of this date, the most recent driver version for NI - IMAQ is 3.1 and can be found at:

http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BE60070436D?opendocument&node=132060_US

Hope this helps!


Robert
National Instruments

[pachacuti]

Hi Robert,

YES THIS WORKS BUT NO HELP - When you choose Open Interface, you should be able to select a particular camera file. After you select the camera file, it will return to MAX and the Channel name will change from (in example) chan0: Pulnix 1300 to Chan0: Pulnix 1400 CL.

MY QUESTION WAS ACTUALLY ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN I DO "OPEN CAMERA", SEE CAMERA FILES.ICD, SELECT ONE AND THEN WHAT ??? NOTHING POPS UP - SHOULD IT?

I'LL TRY LOADING FROM THE CD AGAIN OR DOWNLOAD TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS - If the camera previously worked with the 1300 camera file, then the first step to getting it to work again is to find out what was changed. If you have made and saved changes to your camera file, you might need to start anew with a clean copy. The camera files that are shipped with the driver can be found at: ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/imaq/camera_support/camera_files/

ARE YOU CERTAIN AS I DON'T SEE ANY REFERENCE TO 10 BIT OPERATION ON THE 1428? - The 1428 should certainly support 10 bit capture. The only thing that will affect this are the current settings selected for your acquisition. These include the settings in Measurement and Automation Explorer and the settings defined by your camera file.

HOW DO I LOOK AT THE OUTPUT OF MY CONNECTION - PUT A SCOPE ON THAT END OF THE CABLE? -If you are receiving an error regarding the recognition of your video source, and you have already checked the cables, power, and have restarted your computer, you may want to look at the output of your connection and ensure that the board is receiving the proper video signal.

I'VE ALREADY DOWNLOADED AND INSTALLED THE LATERS IMAQ - Another thing that has not yet been mentioned is that you may want to check your driver version to be sure it is the most recent version available. As of this date, the most recent driver version for NI - IMAQ is 3.1 and can be found at: http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BE60070436D?opendocument&node=132060_US

Thanks,
Pachacuti

[nipun]

Hello Pachacuti,

1428 supports Base and Medium camera link specifications. One of the base camera link specifications is 10bits x 1 or 2 taps and the 1428 does support this configuration. For more information refer to page 3-2 or the 1428 User Manual. Have a great day!

Regards,
Nipun M

[pachacuti]

Thanks for your reply. Now the score is tied:

1-Yes. The 1428 supports 10 bit CL camera configurations.
1- No. The 1428 does not.

Any other ideas about how to use a Pulnix TM-1325CL camera with it and get 10 bits?

[Brent_R]

Hello,

The 1428 is capable of acquiring 10 bit images. We have not tested the 1428 with the Pulnix TM-1325 yet, however I don't see anything in the datasheet that indicates it wouldn't work. Our current camera files for the TM-1320 and TM-1400 are configured for 8 bit acquisitions. You can use the NI Camera File Generator to modify either of these camera files to work with the TM-1325 in 10 bit mode. I'm not sure which of the two is more similar to the TM-1325, so you may want to try both. You can download the NI Camera File Generator from the following link.

ftp://ftp.ni.com/support/imaq/pc/ni-imaq/cfgenerator/1.1/

Thanks,

Brent Runnels
IMAQ R&D
National Intruments