Kron Technologies Chronos 1.4 User Manual
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Kron Technologies Chronos 1.4 User Manual

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Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1
Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019
High-Speed Camera
User Manual
for
Software v0.3.1
Document Revision 5
Page 1 of 66

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  • Page 1 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 High-Speed Camera User Manual Software v0.3.1 Document Revision 5 Page 1 of 66...
  • Page 2 Terms of Sale or Warranty. This manual's purpose is to be instruction for the proper use of the Chronos 1.4 and its accessories. If there are any questions about this document, Terms of Sale, or Warranty, please contact info@krontech.ca.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Table of Contents Getting Support......................5 Quick Start........................5 Unboxing......................... 5 What's Included?....................5 Set up........................6 Powering Up, Charging, and Powering Down............6 Taking Shots......................7 Playback........................
  • Page 4 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Backfocus......................22 IR Filter........................23 Removing and Installing the IR Filter..............23 Trigger IO....................... 24 Trigger IO 1 and 2....................24 Trigger In 3......................25 Storage Devices....................26 Software Reference....................

  • Page 5: Getting Support

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Getting Support You can contact Kron Technologies for support setting up and using your Chronos 1.4 camera. The User Forum is a great way to share questions with other Chronos users, as well as get support directly from Kron Technologies staff.

  • Page 6: Set Up

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Lenses and other accessories may also be included if ordered. Check your invoice or sales receipt to know exactly what should be included. Set up ● Insert the battery into the camera's battery compartment. To open the door, push the latch towards the back of the camera (LCD side) with your fingernail, and pull up.

  • Page 7: Taking Shots

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Taking Shots 1. Power up the camera 2. Set resolution in Record Settings - Camera defaults to 1280x1024 on first boot Tip - Don't be afraid to turn the resolution down to get a higher frame rate.

  • Page 8: Setting Resolution And Frame Rate

    Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Setting Resolution and Frame Rate Chronos 1.4 allows you to trade image resolution for frame rate. In many applications, temporal resolution (frame rate) is far more important than spatial resolution (image resolution). Don't be afraid to turn the resolution down! Frame rates can be set on the record settings page.

  • Page 9: Black Calibration

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Black Calibration For best image quality, the camera automatically subtracts a black reference image from all captured frames during operation. This corrects for pixel variations that occur on the camera's image sensor.

  • Page 10: Recording

    Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Recording Chronos 1.4 records to a ring buffer in internal high-speed RAM. In normal record mode, the camera records continuously until stopped either by the shutter button, the on-screen record/stop button, or an external trigger source.

  • Page 11: Playback

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Playback Figure 8: Playback window The playback and save functionality is accessed through the Play button on the main screen. The playback screen only plays back the most recently recorded video segment(s) stored in RAM.

  • Page 12: Saving

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Saving Video can be saved in compressed H.264, Raw, CinemaDNG and TIFF formats to removable storage such as SD cards, USB drives, external hard drives, etc.

  • Page 13: Record Start, Stop, And Triggering

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 The maximum ultimate bitrate is 60Mbps at a 60fps save speed, and is limited by the hardware H.264 encoder on the camera's CPU. If the saved file frame rate is set lower than 60fps, the maximum bitrate will be lower than 60Mbps.

  • Page 14: Synchronizing To External Sources

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Synchronizing to External Sources Frame capture can be precisely controlled by external sources. Two modes are supported: triggered exposure and shutter gating. Triggered Exposure In this mode, an external trigger source connected to either Trigger IO 1 or 2 controls the start of exposure, and the exposure duration is controlled by the camera.
  • Page 15 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Timing Requirements Shutter gating has some limitations on the input signal. 1. Minimum exposure duration of 1us must be maintained, undefined operation may occur with a pulse width below 1us.

  • Page 16: Hardware Reference

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Hardware Reference Hardware Overview Back/Top Figure 11 - Overview of camera (Back) SD Card Slot A Class 10 or faster SD card is recommended for quickest video saving.
  • Page 17 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Indicators Illuminates to indicate the camera is currently recording Power Status Indicator Indicates the presence of AC power and charge status of the battery Indication Un-lit No AC power connected.

  • Page 18: Side Connectors

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Side Connectors Figure 12 - Overview of camera (Front) Power Input 17-20V DC 40W, 5.5/2.5mm barrel jack, positive tip USB/eSATA This port accepts both USB type A and eSATA devices. USB mass storage devices such as flash drives and hard drives can be connected to this port.
  • Page 19 Ethernet Not supported in current software. but the hardware is present in all production cameras. Please check back with Kron Technologies for the latest software update for Ethernet support. HDMI When the camera is connected to a monitor via HDMI, the camera will automatically output a video signal during live video feed, recording, and playback, but not during saving.

  • Page 20: Bottom

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Bottom Figure 13 - Overview of camera (bottom) Figure 14 - Overview of camera (bottom) Mount Point Standard mount point for the camera, to attach tripods or other equipment.

  • Page 21: Lenses

    Lenses Lens Mount Chronos 1.4 is natively a CS-mount camera. C-mount lenses can be used with the included adapter. Other lens types such as F, EF, and PL can be used with an appropriate adapter to convert them to C mount.

  • Page 22: Backfocus

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Backfocus Backfocus is the distance between the lens mounting flange and the image sensor. Backfocus controls how lenses focus, and must be set correctly for your lenses to focus properly.

  • Page 23: Ir Filter

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 IR Filter An IR (infrared light) cut filter is standard on all cameras. The color version of the camera benefits from the IR filter because of improved color reproduction.

  • Page 24: Trigger Io

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Trigger IO Two trigger input/outputs and one isolated trigger input are available on the camera. Trigger IO is used by the camera to communicate to other equipment such as lights or external triggers.

  • Page 25: Trigger In 3

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Trigger In 3 This input is isolated input via an optocoupler. A logic low input is a voltage from -30 to 1V, and a high level input is a voltage of 3 to 30V. Voltages between these ranges (1 to 3V) are undefined.

  • Page 26: Storage Devices

    This is because the eSATAp port only supplies 5v, not 12v. Chronos 1.4 does not support the TRIM feature, which some SSDs require to sustain full performance. Some SSDs are better than others in dealing with lack of TRIM support.
  • Page 27 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 This page intentionally left blank. Page 27 of 66...

  • Page 28: Software Reference

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Software Reference Menu/Screen Overview Main Window The main screen appears when the camera starts. The image on the left is what will be recorded. Control Function...
  • Page 29 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Starts and stops recording. Performs the same function as the red (or Stop) Shutter Button. Util Shows the utility menu, which contains various functions such as the clock, software update, and focus peaking/zebra controls.

  • Page 30: Record Settings

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Settings The record settings page allows adjustment of the size and position of the recorded area on the sensor and the frame rate at which the recording is taken. Lower resolutions can be captured at higher frame rates.
  • Page 31 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Analog Gain Adjusts the ISO setting. A higher gain results in increased sensitivity (less lighting required), but increased image noise. For the best image quality, use the lowest gain possible and increase light level or aperture if more light is required.

  • Page 32: Record Mode, Normal

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Mode, Normal The default capture mode. A single video is recorded using all of the camera’s memory. Note: The red record button on the top of the camera always operates as start/stop recording.
  • Page 33 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 This page intentionally left blank. Page 33 of 66...

  • Page 34: Record Mode, Segmented

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Mode, Segmented In Segmented mode, multiple videos are kept in memory. This is different than Normal mode, where only one video can be kept in memory. As segments are recorded, they are stored in a ring buffer.
  • Page 35 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Control Function Record Length Set the duration of the recorded segment, in seconds. The (seconds) timing of this recording can be changed in the Trigger Delay window.

  • Page 36: Record Mode, Gated Burst

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Mode, Gated Burst In Gated Burst mode, multiple videos are kept in memory. Video is only recorded when the trigger input is active. As segments are recorded, they are stored in a ring buffer.
  • Page 37 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Control Function Prerecord Set the amount of video to save before the trigger becomes (seconds) active, in seconds. Prerecord Set the amount of video to save before the trigger becomes (frames) active, in recorded frames.

  • Page 38: Trigger Delay

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Trigger Delay The Trigger Delay page lets you configure when video is captured relative to an external trigger, such as TRIG1, on the side of the camera. Analog channels will be supported in a future software update.
  • Page 39 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Pre-trigger Sets the amount of time to record before a trigger happens. Example: If you are making a 5000-frame long recording, and you have a pre-trigger time of 2000 frames, when the trigger occurred the camera would record 2000 frames of footage from before the trigger, and another 3000 after the trigger.

  • Page 40: Trigger / Io

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Trigger / IO The Trigger I/O screen allows the configuration of external inputs and how they affect the recording process. Multiple triggers of the same effect are combined with a logical or. Edge detection, which is used for record end trigger, is applied after this operation.
  • Page 41 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 None Disables the associated IO. Invert Inverts the input level, so that trigger input will be sensitive to (Trigger Input) low level instead of high when checked (ie. Recording ends when trigger is pressed instead of when it is released).

  • Page 42: Play Screen

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Play Screen The playback mode allows review, trimming and saving of the recorded video on the Chronos. The image on the left displays what was previously recorded. The colored bar to the right of the playback slider indicates the region to be saved, along with any previously saved regions.
  • Page 43 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Save button Starts saving the marked region of video. Close button Returns to live video mode. This does not erase the recording; it will remain in memory until a new recording is started, a black cal is performed, resolution is changed, or the video is otherwise cleared.

  • Page 44: Save Settings

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Save Settings The save settings popup, in the top-left corner of the Play Mode screen, lets you set how the file is written to the external storage device. By default, it saves H.264- encoded .mp4 files to the most recently attached storage device.
  • Page 45 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Text Overlay When enabled, the timestamp overlay will be shown on top of the (H.264/TIFF) image in playback mode, and in videos that are saved in the H264 or TIFF formats.
  • Page 46 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Comparison of Save Formats H.264 and the Raw formats both save the entire video in a single file. CinemaDNG, TIFF and TIFF Raw will create a folder and save each frame as a separate image in that folder.

  • Page 47: Set White Balance

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Set White Balance Set white balance to correct for lighting temperature or tint. Color correction and white balance are only applied when saving in the H.264 and TIFF formats.
  • Page 48 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Custom Color Matrix Window This window allows manual editing of the values used to process colors. Control Function Custom These 9 values are used in the process of converting between Color Matrix color spaces.

  • Page 49: Util Screen

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Util Screen Main Tab The Utilities page contains general settings and information about the camera. More functions can be accessed through the tabs on the right.
  • Page 50 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Set New Time Applies the current time in the clock adjustment box to the camera's clock. Auto Record Upon booting the camera, and after successfully finishing a video save, automatically start a new recording, even if only a portion of the buffer was saved.
  • Page 51 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Upside-down Rotate the display 180°. Useful when the camera itself is Display mounted upside-down. Apply Applies a software update from a USB drive or, if updating from Software software v0.3.1-RC1 or later, an SD card in the top slot of the...
  • Page 52 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Settings Tab Save settings configuration, such as Focus Peaking settings and Trigger/IO Settings, to an external storage device. This is useful to make backups, so you can restore your camera configuration state, or to save your settings while replacing the system SD card.
  • Page 53 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 About Tab Shows information about camera, such as model, serial number, and software version. Page 53 of 66...
  • Page 54 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Kickstarter Backers Tab A list of the excellent people who contributed to our kickstarter campaign. Without these people, the Chronos would not exist. Take a moment, and scroll through the list.
  • Page 55 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Factory Tab The factory tab contains functionality used for the manufacturing of the camera. And a button to remove user calibration data. (The buttons to save and restore user calibration data are back on the Main tab.)

  • Page 56: Maintenance And Care

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Maintenance and care Optics ● Keep the optical area clean when changing lenses by keeping the body and lens mount caps on when the lens is separated from the camera.

  • Page 57: Troubleshooting

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Troubleshooting Possible Symptom Solution problem Insert battery or connect to mains No power power. Camera won't Remove battery and AC adapter for 10 Crash power on seconds, then reconnect and power on.
  • Page 58 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Extremely blurry image, can't get close to proper Incorrect lens Check if lens is CS or C mount to focus. Except adapter installed determine proper adapter to use.

  • Page 59: Reference Information

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Reference Information Specifications Camera Imaging 1280x1024 1057fps, see resolution table for details Memory 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB Record Time 4 seconds (8GB), 8 seconds (16GB), 16 seconds...
  • Page 60 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Shutter Electronic global shutter, 1/fps to 1us (1/1000,000 s) Dynamic 56.7 dB Range Bit Depth 12-bit Battery Type EN-EL4a Runtime 1.5 hours recording (typical) Charge Time...
  • Page 61 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Audio* Trigger on loud sounds Acceleration* Trigger on camera motion, tilt or shock Image* Trigger on image changes Recording Normal Records into the circular buffer. Once a trigger modes occurs, video can be reviewed and saved.

  • Page 62: Record Rates And Times

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Rates and Times Record Preset VS Record Duration Maximum recording time for a sample of common resolutions at max FPS. Record time Record time Record time...

  • Page 63: Record Resolution Vs Record Duration

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Record Resolution VS Record Duration Recording time for a sample of frame rates as resolution is decreased. Record time Record time Record time Resolution (sec) (8GB)

  • Page 64: Mechanical Drawing

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Mechanical Drawing Page 64 of 66...

  • Page 65: Spectral Response

    Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 Spectral Response Note: These spectral response curves are in units of quantum efficiency. Color (without IR filter) Monochrome (without IR filter) Page 65 of 66...
  • Page 66 Chronos 1.4 User Manual - Software version 0.3.1 Document Rev. 5 – Apr 2019 User Notes Page 66 of 66...

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