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 Basler Pylon Viewer software that comes with the GigE cameras.

   

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

   `

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

   

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

   

7. 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 Features panel, open the Basler camera item and then the AOI Controls item (Image Format Control for USB 3 cameras).
2. Select both options Center X 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 Features panel, open the Basler camera item and then double-click Image Format Controls.
2. Set the Pixel Format to Mono 8.
3. Save the settings.

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 Features panel, open the Basler camera item and then double-click Acquisition Controls.s.
2. Make sure that Exposure mode is Timed, and Exposure Auto is Off.
3. Next to Exposure Time (Abs) [us], enter the exposure time you require, in microseconds.
   • 
     For Zebrafish larvae, 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 Tab or click another field to confirm.
4. To check that the exposure time is compatible with your frame rate, click the Continuous Shot button on the toolbar.

   

5. 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 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.

1. Save the settings.

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 Features panel, click Analog Controls.
2. From the Gain Auto list, select Off.
3. Next 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 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 Color Improvements Control.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 Balance White Auto and select Once from the list.

   

3. Save the settings (see below).

To save the camera settings

1. Click the Stop button.

   

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

For GigE cameras:

For USB 3 cameras:

1. 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 Default Startup Set (User Set Default), select which you want MediaRecorder to use.