Configure the cameras

Aim

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

note    Settings are stored in the camera software, not on the PC. When you work with multiple cameras, repeat the procedure for each camera.

Procedure (general)

1. Make sure MediaRecorder (and EthoVision XT, when present on the computer) is not running.
2. Start the the Basler Pylon Viewer  software that comes with the GigE cameras.

   

   note    The Basler Pylon Viewer software is installed automatically when you install the camera drivers.
3. Choose Choose Tools  >  Options  and set the the User level  to Expert or Guru.
4. In the the Devices  panel, under under GigE, double-click the Basler camera.

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5. To preview the camera image, click the the Continuous  Shot  button on the toolbar.

   

   note    To be able to adjust the settings, click the the Stop  button first.

   

6. Follow the instructions below that apply.

To center the camera view

With this procedure you make sure the camera view is centered.

important    If you center the camera view in MediaRecorder, the settings may not be stored in the camera drivers. Here in Pylon viewer you make sure that the settings are stored in the drivers, also for future recordings.

1. In the the Features  panel, open the the Basler camera  item and then the the AOI Controls  item (Image Format Control Control for USB 3 cameras).
2. Select both options options Center X  and and Center Y.

   

3. Save the settings.
   See To save the camera settings

To set the pixel format

note    This option applies to black and white digital cameras.

1. In the the Features  panel, open the the Basler camera  item and then double-click click Image Format Controls.
2. Set the Pixel Format  to to Mono 8.
3. Save the settings.

See See To save the camera settings

important    This corresponds to the option Y800 in MediaRecorder. In Pylon viewer you make sure that the settings are stored in the drivers, also for future recordings.

To adjust the camera exposure time

The exposure time (or shutter time) is the time the camera shutter is kept open to let light in. The exposure time limits the maximum achievable frame rate. If the sum of the exposure time and the time needed for reading the chip (readout time) is greater than the time between consecutive video frames, the next frame may be dropped, resulting in a lower frame rate, and missed samples during tracking.

To adjust camera exposure that matches a frame rate:

1. In the the Features  panel, open the the Basler camera  item and then double-click click Acquisition Controls.
2. Make sure that that Exposure  mode  is is Timed, and and Exposure  Auto  is is Off.
3. Next to to Exposure Time (Abs)  [us], enter the exposure time you require, in microseconds.
   For Zebrafish larvae, enter enter 4000 or 2000, depending on the video resolution chosen.
   In all other cases, you may choose a higher value. For rodents a value below 20000 is fine. Faster animals require shorter exposure times.
   Press Press Tab  or click another field to confirm.
4. To check that the exposure time is compatible with your frame rate, click the the Continuous Shot  button on the toolbar.

   

   At the bottom of the live video window, locate the frame rate resulting with the new exposure time. This should be the same as the one next to Acquisition Frame Rate (Abs) [Hz].

   If the resulting frame rate is lower than than Acquisition Frame Rate (Abs) [Hz], then either lower the exposure time (this will make the video image darker; open the lens diaphragm to compensate for this), or lower the video resolution. Do this until you see the expected frame rate.
   
   

5. Save the settings.

See See To save the camera settings

To adjust the camera gain

This applies to both color and black/white Basler cameras.

important    Increasing gain also increase image noise. Do this only if no other option is left to improve the image brightness. For example, make sure that the lens aperture is maximal, and increase lighting.

1. In the the Features  panel, click click Analog Controls.
2. From the the Gain Auto  list, select select Off.
3. Next to to Gain (Raw)  (Gain [dB]  for USB 3.0 cameras), select the value you require. A higher Gain results in a brighter image, but also more noise and a grainy image.
   

   

4. Save the settings.

See See To save the camera settings

To adjust white balance

If you have a color camera, you also need to adjust its white balance.

1. Click Click Color Improvements Control.

   

2. Point the camera at a piece of white paper, so that the camera image is entirely white. Click in the field next to to Balance White Auto  and select select Once  from the list.

   

3. Save the settings (see below).

To save the camera settings

1. Click the the Stop  button.

   

2. In the the Features  panel, open the the Configuration  Sets  item (User Set Control  for USB 3 cameras).
3. From the the Configuration  Set  Selector  list (User Set Selector  for USB 3 cameras), select select User Set 1.
4. Next to to User Set Save, click click Execute. The camera settings set in the previous steps are now saved under User Set 1.
5. From the the Default  Startup Set  list (User Set Default  for USB 3 cameras), select select User Set 1.
   

   For GigE cameras:

   

   For USB 3 cameras:

   

6. Close Pylon Viewer.

These settings will be used each time you start up MediaRecorder.

tip    You can also save different settings for the same camera in User Set 2 and User Set 3. Under Under Default  Startup Set  (User Set Default), select which you want MediaRecorder to use.