Set up USB 3 cameras

Set up USB 3 cameras

Main topics

The steps to install USB 3 cameras

Prerequisite

You have USB 3 cameras that supported with MediaRecorder.

See Supported USB cameras in Recording devices

Which situation applies to you?

In case of Basler USB 3.0 cameras, your computer has a USB 3 card and its drivers are installed. The cameras are configured. Also MediaRecorder has been set up to use with these cameras. You can connect your cameras and start recording.

See Connect the USB 3 cameras to the PC and Record video

Carry out the entire Procedure below.

Procedure

  1. In case of Basler USB 3 cameras, install the supported USB 3 interface card, even if your computer already has USB 3 ports.
    See Install the USB 3 interface card
  2. Carry out the prerequisite steps before installing MediaRecorder.
    See The steps to install MediaRecorder in Installation
  3. Install (MediaRecorder with) the camera driver. Installing the camera driver is only needed for the Basler USB 3 camera. For the Logitech BRIO no driver installation is needed.
    See Install the USB 3 camera driver
  4. Connect the USB 3 cameras to the PC
  5. Configure the Basler USB 3 camera

See also

Supported USB cameras in Recording devices

Install the USB 3 interface card

MediaRecorder was tested with the following USB 3 interface cards:

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To install the USB 3 interface card

  1. Turn off your computer and all connected peripherals, such as the monitor and printer. Make sure that the computer is unplugged.
  2. Remove the PC's case according to the instructions provided in the PC's user manual.
  3. Select a free PCIe expansion slot, and remove the corresponding extension cover. For details about PCIe slots, see PCIe slot properties in Set up analog cameras
  4. Unpack the USB 3 interface card, place it into the slot, and press it carefully into position. If the card does not fit into place easily, remove it and repeat the operation.
  5. Fix the card to the chassis and re-fit the computer's cover.
    If you have a 4-port Fresco Logic U3X4-PCIE4XE111 rev 1.1 board, make sure the board receives power from the PC. Connect the power connector on the board (Molex/IDE male 4-pin DC) to one of the power supplies inside the PC. Connector types vary between computers. Many computers have a SATA 15-pin power connector. Use an adapter cable with a 4-pin female Molex connector at one end and a SATA 15-pin connector at the other end. 

    image.png

Install the USB 3 camera driver

Aim

To install the software that allows communication between your camera and the operating system of the computer with MediaRecorder.

Prerequisites

See Install the USB 3 interface card

See The steps to install MediaRecorder in Installation

To uninstall old drivers

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Choose Program and Features.
  3. Select Pylon Camera Software Suite and choose Uninstall.

Install the camera drivers for the Basler USB 3 camera

If you did not yet install MediaRecorder

  1. Download the installation files from my.noldus.com, and extract the contents.
  2. Browse to the file MediaRecorder 6 Setup.exe and double-click it.
  3. In the Drivers and tools field, choose Basler USB Camera driver - pylon [version number].
  4. Click Next, accept the License Agreement and click Install.

If you already installed MediaRecorder

Follow the instructions in If you did not yet install MediaRecorder and choose Modify in the installation window.

Alternatively:

  1. Download the necessary files from my.noldus.nl and extract the contents. 
  2. Browse to Drivers\Basler\7.1.0.25066
  3. Double-click the file Basler_pylon_7.1.0.25066.exe.
  4. Agree to the terms in the License Agreement.
  5. In the Profiles window, choose Camera user and click Next.
  6. As camera type, choose USB and click Next.

    image.png

  7. Optionally, change the location where the camera drivers are stored and choose Next > Install.

To uninstall old drivers

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Choose Program and Features.
  3. Select the Basler camera driver and choose Uninstall.

Connect the USB 3 cameras to the PC

Connect the cameras to the USB 3 interface card of the MediaRecorder computer.

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TIP  USB 3 connectors and ports can be recognized by their blue color coding.

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Or by a double-S in front of the USB icon.

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Important note

Configure the Basler USB 3 camera

Aim

To adjust settings in the USB 3 camera, like the video frame rate, resolution, and exposure.

NOTE The camera settings are stored by the camera itself, not on the PC. When you work with multiple cameras, repeat the procedure for each camera.

Procedure

1. Make sure MediaRecorder (and EthoVision XT, when present on the computer) are not running.

2. Start the Basler Pylon Viewer software that comes with the USB 3 camera.

pylon viwer icon.png

NOTE  The Basler Pylon Viewer software is installed automatically when you install the camera drivers. 

3. In the Devices panel, under USB, double-click the Basler camera.

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4. Under Features, open the item Basler acA1920-155um and choose the settings you would like to change. For details, see the corresponding settings in Configure the cameras in Set up GigE cameras.

5. Save the settings under User Set Control.

See also