Should I modify the camera file to change the greyscale resolution of my Photonfocus camera from 8 to 12 bits?

[melanie4]

I have some difficulties to use my Photonfocus camera with 12 bits greyscale resolution.

I have a Photonfocus camera MV-D1024E-160-CL-12, a NI PCIe-1429 frame grabber, PFRemote 2.0 and Measurement & Automation Explorer 4.2.1.3001.

If I work with 8 bits greyscale resolution (PFRemote -> Data Output: Resolution : 8 bit) and look at the image with MAX (Système -> Périphériques et interfaces -> NI-IMAQ Devices -> img0: NI PCIe-1429 -> Channel 0: PhotonFocus MV-D1024-160 (file in attachment), everything is working.

Now I'd like to work with 12 bits and I don't know exactly what I have to change? I've tried to change only the resolution in PFRemote (PFRemote -> Data Output: Resolution : 12 bit) but then the image in MAX remains a 8 bit resolution. Then I've tried also to modify the camera file (file in attachment). I've put the "BitDepth" and the "BitsPerComponent" at 12 instead of 8 and the "BinaryThreshold" to (0,4095). But when trying to grab an image in MAX, an error occured: "Error 0xBFF600FE Le nombre de bits par pixel requis est invalide".

Should I really modify the camera file in order to grab 12 bits images? Or what should I do?

Thank you

Mélanie

[Robert_Eastlund]

Dear Melanie,

Please trying using the attached camera file.

[melanie4]

I've tried with you camera file and an error appears when trying to load this file in MAX : "Error 0xBFF60018 Le fichier de caméra est manquant ou endommagé"

[Robert_Eastlund]

What revision of NI Vision Acquisition are you working with?

[melanie4]

version 8.5

[hasi]

Hi,

I have a similar problem with the Photonfocus camera MV 1024-160. It works fine at 8-bit with NI-IMAQ, but it does not work properly at 12-bit. I think the problem is the camera file. I downloaded the camera file generator, but I didn't find the options for the camera from Photonfocus.

I am using PCIe-1427 as the frame grabber, software NI-IMAQ 4.6.1, NI_IMAQ I/O 2.5.0, NI Vision 8.6.0.

I will appreciate it very much if someone can give me a hint for solving this problem. Thanks in advance!

Hasi

[toto26]

Hi,

When you set your camera in 12bit mode using PFremote, you have to load the 12bit icd under MAX.

Because PhotonFocus doesn't provide the serial syntax, the icd cannot switch automatically (which is possible with other brands).

What you have to do is to have 2 separate icd files. One for 8bit, the other for 12bit mode.

Under MAX, load the right one before changing the mode in PFremote.

To create yourself icd files, use Camera File Generator, it can be found here.

Regards

[hasi]

Hi toto26,

Thank you very much for the information. I did exactly the same thing as you suggested for 8-bit, and I were able to change the resolution (number of pixels), exposure time, frame rate without any problem. I understand that I need to coordinate the MAX icd file and the settings of PFRemote.

When I tried to switch to 12-bit, I found that I need the camera file (.icd) for 12-bit. I tried the attached icd in the previous discussion (Photonfocus MV-D1024E-160-CL-12 12-bit 1429 X4 only.zip 2 KB). There was an IMAX Error: Error 0xBFF6002C, FIFO overflow caused acquisition to halt. Then I think maybe this camera file is not good for me because I have a PCIe-1427, instead of a PCIe-1429. 

So, I downloaded the camera file generator (from the same link you suggested) to create my own camera file. When I run the generator, the first window popped out was for camera setting, and there was no Photonfocus in the choice for the Manufacturer. Is it true that I cannot create camera files for Photonfocus camera, or I simply don't know how to use the generator?

Thanks again for the help and I look forward to more advices.

Regards,

Hasi

[toto26]

Hello,

You can specify the manufacturer you want, this list is just an example, type your manufacturer in it.

Just specify the image size, pixel type, and when you're done, in the main window, select the tap configuration of your camera until you get a correct image. Then save your icd, and load it in MAX.

Then for your FIFO overflow error, this is due to the framegrabber wich doesn't have a memory buffer built in.

In fact, if your PCIe bus is solicited by other component (such as NIC) the datas won't be able to be fully acquired.

This is a known behavior of this board which has been replaced by the 1433 (512Mo RAM and PoCL)

Regards

[hasi]

Hi,

Thank you for the prompt reply. It is very helpful. I can create camera files now. 

Unfortunately the frame grabber 1427 cannot support either 10-bit or 12-bit acquisition in this case (error of FIFO overflow). I will try other frame grabber if possible.

Thank you very much for the help again!

Regards,

Hasi