Tips / Trouble Shooting

Shutter Release

If you struggle to make “Shutter Release” success in a remote control, please try to set camera settings “Exposure Program Mode” with “M(Manual)” and “FocusMode” with “MF(Manual Focus)”. ∵As camera accepts “Shutter release control” after coming into focus in several Auto Focus modes, sometimes focus mode setting, focus area setting, and shooting environmental conditions prevent camera to accept “Shutter Release”.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “CrDeviceProperty_PriorityKeySettings” with “CrPriorityKey_PCRemote”

  2. “CrDeviceProperty_ExposureProgramMode” with “CrExposure_M_Manual”

  3. “CrDeviceProperty_FocusMode” with “CrFocus_MF”

  4. “CrCommandId_Release” with “CrCommandParam_Down”

  5. “CrCommandId_Release” with “CrCommandParam_Up”

Also, memory card full situation prevents shutter release from execution, so it is recommended to prepare enough space in the memory card and / or prepare dual memory cards before remote control.

Shutter Half Release / Auto Focus

If you struggle to make “Shutter Half Release” success and come into focus successfully in remote controls, please try to set camera settings “FocusMode” with “AF-S”, and “FocusArea” with “Wide”. ∵As camera occasionally takes time relatively to come into focus depends on settings and shooting environmental conditions in several auto focus modes, above settings have relatively wide acceptance to come into focus.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “CrDeviceProperty_PriorityKeySettings” with “CrPriorityKey_PCRemote”

  2. “CrDeviceProperty_FocusMode” with “CrFocus_AF_S”

  3. “CrDeviceProperty_FocusArea” with “CrFocusArea_Wide”

  4. “CrDeviceProperty_S1” with “CrLockIndicator_Locked”
    ~~~ Make sure it’s locked ~~~

  5. “CrDeviceProperty_S1” with “CrLockIndicator_Unlocked” to finish the operation.

Device Property

If you struggle to change camera settings, it is recommended to check enable flag in each DeviceProperty by sending GetDeviceProperties and receiving the latest information before sending SetDeviceProperty.

∵As the specification of camera products, camera settings have exclusive conditions. For example, focus control Near/Far is not acceptable in Focus Mode “AF-S”. In order to identify whether an issue is coming from remote control related or camera settings acceptable/unacceptable conditions, you better try what you want to do first w/o remote control but w/ direct camera operation by camera buttons / menu settings. Then copy operations with remote control. “Help Guide” for each product may help you to understand the specification of camera products including acceptable/unacceptable conditions of settings.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “GetDeviceProperties” with “CrDevicePropertyCode”

  2. Check “CrPropertyEnableFlag” of “CrDeviceProperty”

  3. “SetDeviceProperty” with “CrDevicePropertyCode”

Also, it is recommended to set a value from candidate values list in each DeviceProperty after sending GetDeviceProperties and receiving the latest information before sending SetDeviceProperty.

∵As the specification of camera products, camera settings have variable acceptance for value depends on settings and shooting environmental conditions. For example, acceptable F number value varies depends on the lens attached to the camera, other settings, and the shooting environmental conditions.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “GetDeviceProperties” with “CrDevicePropertyCode”

  2. Check “valuesSize” and “values” of “CrDeviceProperty”

  3. “SetDeviceProperty” with “CrDevicePropertyCode”

Some of DeviceProperties are originally assigned on HardKeys of the camera product, and in these cases, need to change KeyPriority from “CameraPosition” to “PCRemote” before sending SetDeviceProperty. This applies to “ExposureProgramMode”, “FocusMode” and “Still Capture Mode(Drive Mode)”.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “CrDeviceProperty_PriorityKeySettings” with “CrPriorityKey_PCRemote”

  2. “SetDeviceProperty” with “CrDevicePropertyCode”

Transfer of shot images preparation

If you struggle to transfer shot images to PC, please check if you changed “StillImageStoreDestination” before shutter button release. You can select from HostPC/MemoryCard/HostPCAndMemoryCard. When you transfer shot images to PC, you need to change it to HostPC/HostPCAndMemoryCard beforehand.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “CrDeviceProperty_StillImageStoreDestination” with “CrStillImageStoreDestination_HostPCAndMemoryCard(or _HostPC)”

  2. “CrCommandId_Release” with “CrCommandParam_Down”

  3. “CrCommandId_Release” with “CrCommandParam_Up”

  4. Check the folder set by SetSaveInfo() and open image files transferred to PC.

Please note that if once Host PC transfer is set like above, camera side also starts preparing and sending out image files, it is recommended to disconnect after finishing transfer of all images shot on the camera. If disconnected before transfer finishes, camera and PC restart to transfer after reconnection, except for camera power off or physical disconnection case.

Partial transfer size setting

For the following three transfers:

Default partial transfer size is as follows.

Post view transfer Contents transfer in ContentsTransferMode
USB Ethernet USB (*) Ethernet
Windows Not partial 1 MB 2047 MB 1 MB
macOS Not partial 1 MB 2047 MB 1 MB
Linux 16 MB 1 MB 16 MB 1 MB

You can change the transfer size using “SetDeviceSetting” with “Setting_Key_PartialBuffer”.

* : The default value “2047MB” means that content less than 2047MB will be transferred at once. If you do not want to transfer it all at once, change the size to a smaller value. Changing to a smaller value will allow “CrCommandId_CancelContentsTransfer/CrControlCode_CancelContentsTransfer” to be executed.

Selected Media Format

If Still Image Save Destination is Host Device, recording media cannot be initialized.

If you want to initialize it, change Still Image Save Destination to Camera or Host Device and Camera.

Remote Control Settings Example

  1. “CrDeviceProperty_StillImageStoreDestination” with “CrStillImageStoreDestination_HostPCAndMemoryCard(or _MemoryCard)”

Zoom Operation / Zoom Scale

Shows the relationship the Zoom Operation property, the Zoom Scale property, and the Digital Zoom Scale property, and the Zoom Setting property.

Table z-1. All models except specific models

../_images/tips_zoom_operation_zoom_scale_table_z1.png

Table z-2. For specific models

../_images/tips_zoom_operation_zoom_scale_table_z2.png

*1 : Power Zoom Lenses such as SELP1650, SELP18105G, SELP18110G, SELP18200 and SELP28135G.

*2 : When not using Power Zoom Lenses.

*3 : When the Image Size is “CrImageSize_M” or ”CrImageSize_S”.

*4 : Get only.

Live View

If you struggle to have stable live view images, please check following factors affect to transmission of LiveView images.

  • Traffic on the physical connection between PC and camera, such as HUB connection, not related devices connection, and so on.

  • Traffic on the communicational connection between PC and camera, such as frequent shutter releases and transfers, frequent Get/Set device properties, and so on.

  • Performance of PC (CPU power, memory resource, device specification, etc. ).

  • Some functions to be disabled they can be processing loads to CPU on the Single Board Computer, such as Wi-Fi function.

If you prefer stable frame rate of live view images, minimizing image size of Live View images (and/or capturing images), reducing frequency of shutter release, stopping capturing images, and stopping transferring images to PC contributes to it.

Camera Settings Saving

After changing camera settings, if you detach a battery from a camera (or stop power supply through power supply cable) without completing power off sequence with camera power button control, there is no guarantee that camera setting changes are saved. It is recommended to complete power off sequence with camera power button control at least once after you change camera settings, if you prefer to resume camera settings as you changed for next use.

Focus Magnifier Setting

If you want to update “Focus Magnifier Setting”, implement the following steps.

  1. Get a list of properties using the GetDeviceProperties

  2. Look for “Focus Magnifier Setting” from the list of properties to find out the list of selectable focus magnification

Example:

switch (property->GetCode()) {
  case CrDeviceProperty_Focus_Magnifier_Setting:
    CrInt64u currentvalue = static_cast<CrInt64u>(property->GetCurrentValue());
    CrInt32u ratioNow = (currentvalue >> 32);
    CrInt16u xNow = ((currentvalue >> 16) & 0xFFFF);
    CrInt16u yNow = (currentvalue & 0xFFFF);
    CrInt32u valCount = property->GetValueSize() / sizeof(CrInt64u);
    CrInt64u* ratioSetList = new CrInt64u[valCount];
    memcpy(ratioSetList, property->GetValues(),(size_t)property->GetValueSize());

  1. Use the GetLiveViewProperties to get a list of Live View properties

  2. Look for “CrMagPosInfo” in the retrieved list of Live View properties to find out the range of configurable positions

Example:

switch (lvproperty->GetCode()) {
  case CrLiveViewProperty_Focus_Magnifier_Position:
    if (CrFrameInfoType::CrFrameInfoType_Magnifier_Position == lvproperty->GetFrameInfoType()) {
            CrMagPosInfo *pPosInfo = (CrMagPosInfo*)(lvproperty->GetValue());
            posXmax = pPosInfo->xDenominator;
            posYmax = pPosInfo->yDenominator;

  1. Create a 64 bit value by combining the magnification rate obtained in step 2 and the coordinates that do not exceed the range obtained in step 4

  2. Call SetDeviceProperty with the value you created in step 5

Example:

CrInt32u setX = 200; // Between 0 and (posXmax-1)
CrInt32u setY = 150; // Between 0 ant (posYmax-1)
CrInt64u setvalue = (ratioSetList[2] & 0xFFFFFFFF00000000) | (setX << 16) | setY;
CrDeviceProperty prop;
prop.SetCode(CrDeviceProperty_Focus_Magnifier_Setting);
prop.SetCurrentValue(setvalue);
prop.SetValueType(CrDataType_UInt64);
SetDeviceProperty(deviceHandle, &prop);

About the Monitor DISP(Screen Display) for camera body

Shows the relationship the Monitor DISP Mode Candidate property, and the Monitor DISP Mode Setting property.

CrDevicePropertyCode Explanation

CrDeviceProperty_DispModeCandidate
over
0x00000100 		0x00000100 0x00000080 0x00000040 0x00000020 0x00000010 0x00000008 0x00000004 0x00000002 0x00000001 CrDispModeBitNum
spare Monitor Off For viewfinder No Disp. Info. Exposure:TimeOut No Disp. Info. Exposure:On No Disp. Info. Level Histogram Display All Info. Graphic Display Display Only.
0x00000020 and 0x00000040 are exclusive.
Some items may not be displayed depending on the model.

CrDeviceProperty_DispModeSetting
- 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 0/1 The minimum value is 0x00000001 and the maximum value is 0x000001FF.

How to use Focus Position Setting

Focus to tri-purple

  • Pre-adjust the distance for each lens.

  • The user memories the normalized value after adjustment and specifies that normalized value with an absolute specification(reproducible).

  • Have it calibrated under the shooting environment including optical zoom ratio. Also, have it calibrated for each camera and lens unit.

../_images/tips_how_to_use_focus_position_setting.png
(1)
Zoom and Focus Preset 		(2)
Focus Position Setting 		(3)
Follow Focus
CrDevicePropertyCode CrDeviceProperty_ZoomAndFocusPosition_Save
CrDeviceProperty_ZoomAndFocusPosition_Load 		CrDeviceProperty_FocusPositionSetting
CrDeviceProperty_FocusPositionCurrentValue 		CrDeviceProperty_FollowFocusPositionSetting
CrDeviceProperty_FollowFocusPositionCurrentValue
Overview Memorize positions in camera (max. 5).
Direct value cannot be specified.

Move the focus in Near/Far (relative position) when adjusting remotely in advance. 		Focus absolute value can be specified by normalized value (0x0000 to 0xFFFF)

Detailed instructions can be given even remotely. Also, the amount that can be memorized is greater than (1) 		Focus absolute value can be specified by normalized value (0x0000 to 0xFFFF)

There is information to convert normalized values to focal distance.

refs. GetLensInformation()
Accuracy Slight error depending on lens and model differences
Reproducibility Reproducible. If there is no environmental change, the position will be almost the same every time.
If you record the distances and normalized values with the lenses you use in advance, you can match them. 		Since the focus operation is optimized for movie recording, the focus position may not be perfectly reproduced.
Use-case Set focus and zoom to the same position every time Preset focus
Focus position specification(=fastest) 		Focus position specification(=Suitable for movie content)

Time-code specifications of Monitoring

The values obtained by CrLiveViewProperty::GetTimeCode() and CrImageDataBlock::GetTimeCode() have the following specifications.

The tens place and the ones place are set separately.

../_images/tips_time_code_specifications_of_monitoring.png

*1 : 1 when using Drop Frame, 0 when using Non-Drop Frame Note : The value changes only during movie recording.

Time-code specifications of Content Info

The values obtained by CrContentsFile_VideoParam have the following specifications.

The tens place and the ones place are set separately.

../_images/tips_time_code_specifications_of_content_info.png

*1 FP flag: Perform the same behavior of polarity correction bit

Invisible display item on OSD image

Following items are invisible on osd image.

No.

Invisible display item

Main display screen

1
AF Frame
Include focus icon and phase detection AF area.
Shooting Screen
Zako View
Custom Frame Size Change Menu

2

F-Number
Shooting Screen
MR Register/Call Menu
Shooting Screen on Finder

3

Auto Framing

Shooting Screen

4

Focus Map

Shooting Screen

5

ISO Sensitivity
Shooting Screen
Shooting Screen on Finder

6

Shutter Speed
Shooting Screen
MR Register/Call Menu
Shooting Screen on Finder

7

Crosshairs that appear when using the touchpad while the EVF is displayed

Shooting Screen

8
BOL
(Frame of release timing display)

Shooting Screen

9

TCUB

Shooting Screen

10
Tracking Frame
Face Frame
Shooting Screen
Custom Frame Size Change Menu

11

Crosshairs during focus magnification

Focus Magnification Screen

12

Histogram
Shooting Screen
Shooting Screen on Finder
HDMI output
CrDeviceProperty_DispMode

inv_osd_image1

inv_osd_image1_2

inv_osd_image2

inv_osd_image2_2

inv_osd_image5

inv_osd_image6

inv_osd_image6_2

inv_osd_image7

inv_osd_image9

inv_osd_image10

inv_osd_image11

Notify timing of shooting timing pre-notification

../_images/tips_notify_timing_of_shooting_timing_pre_notification.png

CameraSetting File

ControlGeneralSettingFile and GetControlGeneralSettingResultFile can be used to change and confirm camera settings such as FTP settings.
GeneralSettingFile and GeneralSettingResultFile are XML files

GeneralSettingFile

  • This file is generated by the User App and sent to the Camera.

  • It is used to transmit the settings that the User App requests to the Camera.

Example of GeneralSettingFile:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<CameraSetting>
  <FileFormatVersion version="1"/>
  <Group>
    <Item id="0x01001000" label="FileTransfer.ServerSettings" preset="1">
      <Param id="0x01001F01" label="DisplayName" value="News07"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F02" label="HostName" value="FTPHostServer6"/>
      <Param id="0x01001203" label="Port" value="21"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F04" label="UserName" value="cameraman01"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F05" label="Password" value="wqeda4qef"/>
      <Param id="0x01001206" label="PassiveMode" value="0"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F07" label="DestinationDirectory" value="/news07/cameraman01"/>
      <Param id="0x01001208" label="UsingSecureProtocol" value="0"/>
    </Item>
    <Item id="0x01002000" label="FileTransfer.DefaultUploadServer">
      <Param id="0x01002F01" label="DefaultUploadServerSelect" value="News07"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
  <Group>
    <Item id="0x01003000" label="FileTransfer.AutoUploadProxy">
      <Param id="0x01003201" label="AutoUploadProxy" value="1"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
  <Group>
    <Item id="0x01004000" label="FileTransfer.AutoUpload">
      <Param id="0x01004201" label="AutoUpload" value="1"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
</CameraSetting>

GeneralSettingResultFile

  • This file is generated by the Camera and sent to the User App.

  • It is used to communicate the results of the settings applied by the “SDIGeneralSettingFile” to the User App.

Example of GeneralSettingResultFile:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<CameraSettingConfirmation>
  <FileFormatVersion version="1"/>
  <Group>
    <Item id="0x01001000" preset="1">
      <Param id="0x01001F01" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F02" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001203" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F04" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F05" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001206" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001F07" isMatch="True"/>
      <Param id="0x01001208" isMatch="True"/>
    </Item>
    <Item id="0x01002000" >
      <Param id="0x01002F01" isMatch="True"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
  <Group>
    <Item id="0x01003000">
      <Param id="0x01003201" isMatch="False"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
    <Group>
    <Item id="0x01004000">
      <Param id="0x01004201" isMatch="True"/>
    </Item>
  </Group>
</CameraSettingConfirmation>

File specifications

Common Rules

  • Character Enabling

    • Use UTF-8 without BOM.

  • Syntax

    • Follow XML 1.0 standards.

  • XML Declaration

    • Based on the above character encoding and character code rules, the XML declaration is fixed as follows:

      <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

Elements

Define the elements that make up the structure.

The root node’s elements differ between “GeneralSettingFile” and “GeneralSettingResultFile,” so refer to GeneralSettingFile Specific Rules and GeneralSettingResultFile Specific Rules.

  • FileFormatVersion

    • Located directly under the root node. Specifies the version of the file format as follows:

      <FileFormatVersion version="1"/>

    • Attribute:

      • version: A UINT32 value that matches the integer part of this specification’s revision. If the Camera does not support the specified version, no settings will be applied, and no “GeneralSettingResultFile” will be generated. Currently, only version=”1” is supported.

  • Group

    • Groups one or more “Item” elements.

    • Attributes: None.

  • Item

    • Groups one or more “Param” elements.

    • Attributes:

  • Param

    • Represents individual parameters within an “Item.”

    • Attributes:

GeneralSettingFile Specific Rules

  • Root Node

    • The root node is fixed as the following element (tag):

      <CameraSetting>

  • “value” attribute in “Param” element

  • Determining Applicability

    • Elements with unknown “id” attributes are ignored and not applied. These elements are also excluded from the GeneralSettingResultFile.

    • Applicability is determined at the “Group” level. If even one element within a “Group” cannot be applied, none of the settings within that “Group” will be applied.

  • Omission of “Params” within “Items”

    • Since “Items” are composed of “Params” that need to be applied collectively, omitting any “Params” within an “Items” is prohibited.

GeneralSettingResultFile Specific Rules

  • Root Node

    • The root node is fixed as the following element (tag):

      <CameraSettingConfirmation>

  • “isMatch” Attribute

    • If the “Param” in the “GeneralSettingFile” matches the Camera’s settings, it is represented as follows:

      <Item id="0x00000020">
  <Param id="0x2000000B" isMatch="True"/>
</Item>

    • If the settings do not match, it is represented as follows:

      <Item id="0x00000020">
  <Param id="0x2000000B" isMatch="False"/>
</Item>

  • Label

    • The “GeneralSettingResultFile” file does not include the “label” attribute.

Item Data Structure Details

  • FileTransfer.ServerSettings

    • Settins for file transfer functionality.

    • Attributes:

      • id: 0x01001000

      • label: FileTransfer.ServerSettings

      • preset: Specify the index value of the server. Currently, only preset=”1” is supported.

    • Params:

      ID

      Label

      Type

      Description

      Remarks

      0x01001F01

      DisplayName

      String

      Display name of the server

      US-ASCII only. 1 to 15 characters.

      0x01001F02

      HostName

      String

      Host name or IP address

      US-ASCII only. 1 to 254 characters.

      0x01001203

      Port

      UINT32

      Port number

      1 to 65535

      0x01001F04

      UserName

      String

      Username for login

      US-ASCII only. 1 to 254 characters.

      0x01001F05

      Password

      String

      Password for login

      Same as UserName.

      0x01001206

      PassiveMode

      UINT32

      Passive mode setting

      The defined values are referenced below.

      0x01001F07

      DestinationDirectory

      String

      Destination directory

      UTF-8. 1 to 127 characters.

      0x01001208

      UsingSecureProtocol

      UINT32

      Setting for using secure protocol

      The defined values are referenced below.

      • PassiveMode Definition

        Value

        Description

        Remarks

        0

        Passive mode off

        1

        Passive mode on

        Only “Passive mode off” is currently supported.

      • UsingSecureProtocol Definition

        Value

        Description

        Remarks

        0

        Secure protocol off

        1

        Secure protocol on

        Only “Secure protocol off” is currently supported.

  • FileTransfer.DefaultUploadServer

    • Default FTP updload server

    • Attributes:

      • id: 0x01002000

      • label: FileTransfer.DefaultUploadServer

      • preset: Does not Support

    • Params:

      ID

      Label

      Type

      Description

      Remarks

      0x01002F01

      DefaultUploadServerSelect

      String

      Display name of Default FTP upload server

      Same as DisplayName in FileTransfer.ServerSettings

  • FileTransfer.AutoUploadProxy

    • Settings for file transfer functionality

    • Attributes:

      • id: 0x01003000

      • label: FileTransfer.AutoUploadProxy

      • preset: Does not Support

    • Params:

      ID

      Label

      Type

      Description

      Remarks

      0x01003201

      AutoUploadProxy

      UINT32

      Settings for automatically transferring proxy files

      The defined values are referenced below

      • AutoUploadProxy Definition

        Value

        Description

        Remarks

        0

        Turn off automatic transfer of proxy files

        1

        Turn on automatic transfer of proxy files

        2

        Turn on automatic transfer of chunk proxy files

  • FileTransfer.AutoUpload

    • Settings for file transfer functionality

    • Attributes:

      • id: 0x01004000

      • label: FileTransfer.AutoUpload

      • preset: Does not Support

    • Params:

      ID

      Label

      Type

      Description

      Remarks

      0x01004201

      AutoUpload

      UINT32

      Settings for automatically transferring

      The defined values are referenced below

      • AutoUpload Definition

        Value

        Description

        Remarks

        0

        Turn off automatic transfer

        1

        Turn on automatic transfer

Specific video-only camera

List of models that can only shoot video

These models can be connected from multiple users(applications) and display live view images simultaneously. If the number of Connect requests exceeds the limit, the Connect() will fail. Note that the connection is not complete until the OnConnected() callback is received.

No.

Model Name

Connections and LiveView Streaming

1

MPC-2610(BURANO)

5 Users

2

ILME-FX6V/ILME-FX6T

5 Users

3

PXW-Z300,PXW-Z380

3 Users

4

PXW-Z200,HXR-NX800

3 Users

5

BRC-AM7

3 Users

6

ILME-FR7

3 Users
Related pages
*3 in the Supporting physical layer
Get the MediaProfile
FTP information - FTP Job
Zoom Operation / Zoom Scale