CEI Color Six Operator's Manual

Digitally-controlled, self-contained video assist camera

Hide thumbs

Table Of Contents

Table of Contents

Quick Links

CEI Color Six

NTSC and PAL

Operator's Manual

Preliminary Edition, October, 1999

Table of Contents

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Color Six and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for CEI Color Six

Page 1 CEI Color Six NTSC and PAL Operator’s Manual Preliminary Edition, October, 1999...
Page 2 CEI Color Six Operator’s Manual Copyright © 1999 by CEI Technology, Inc. No part of this book, including interior design, cover design and illustrations, may be reproduced by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Contents Description ..............1 Features ................. 1 Warranty ................ 2 Mounting ............... 4 Power ................5 Video output ..............6 SMPTE Time Code Input ..........7 Shutter Pulse Input ............7 Setup Adjustments ............8 External Adjustments ............ 8 Picture Rotation ............. 8 Picture Centering ............
Page 4 Menus and Adjustments ..........16 Camera Information Menu .......... 16 Camera Setup Menu ............ 17 Speed ................17 Color/Monochrome ............. 18 Gain ................18 Electronic Shutter ............18 White Balance ............. 19 Electronic Zoom ............19 Aspect Ratio ..............19 Image Reversal ............
Page 5 Store ................24 Display Vertical Position Menu ........24 Time Code Menu ............24 User Bits Menu ............24 Set All To Default Menu ..........25 Run Demo Menu ............25 Sensitivity ..............25 Video Resolution ............25 Input Signal Requirements .......... 25 Output Signals .............
Page 6 Super 16 Converted SR-1 or SR-2 ......36 Arriflex SR-3 ............... 37 Super 16mm ..............38 SR-3 Support Bracket ..........39 CEI Retrofit of Arri SR-3 Elbow......... 40 For Super 16 ..............41 For standard 16 ............42 Moviecam Compact ............ 42...
Page 7: Description
Features The advanced design of the Color Six includes a number of features not found on other dedicated systems: • A backlit LCD monitor • Film footage counter •...
Page 8: Warranty
• Adjustments for image rotation, size and centering • Wide range of operating voltages • Color or monochrome outputs Warranty The CEI Color Six comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Misapplication, operation outside of specified limits, or physical abuse may void the warranty.
Page 9 All CCD cameras can develop degradation of individual pixels, resulting in small “spots” in the picture. All Color Six cameras are carefully screened during manufacture to eliminate sensors that contain bad pixels. Should pixel degradation occur, CEI will, at its option, repair or replace any camera that develops spots within 30 days after the camera is shipped from the factory.
Page 10: Mounting
See the Appendix: Verify that your film camera is among those listed, and follow the mounting instructions. Mounting and adjustment of the CEI Color Six will be easy, if the instructions are followed carefully. The only tools required are a 1/16-inch and a 3/32-inch hex driver.
Page 11: Power
System may not perform as expected if installed in any other standard C-mount camera. Power Power in to the Color Six can be carried on either of two 3- pin Fischer connectors. Pin assignments for these connectors are: 1 Ground and power return...
Page 12: Video Output
POWER switch is turned on until the LED initially illuminates. The Color Six is internally protected against polarity rever- sals: Nonetheless, every effort should be made to ensure that battery polarity is correct before connecting the camera.
Page 13: Smpte Time Code Input
SMPTE time code and user bits at lines 16 and 18 of the output video. It can also be displayed on the built-in LCD monitor and the “B” video output. The time code signal must be provided to the Color Six as a standard 0 to +5 volt signal. Shutter Pulse Input...
Page 14: Setup Adjustments
Picture Rotation Access to the rotating ring is gained through .1-inch wide slot in the headpiece of the Color Six (see figure 1). A short 1/16-inch hex driver with a knurled end (normally stored in the camera head) is inserted into the holes on the rotating ring, which may then be turned through a range of about 350°.
Page 15: Picture Centering
Focus The CEI Custom Universal Optical System is focused by rotating the lens barrel. To adjust focus, 1. Locate the control ring closest to the video camera on the lens barrel.
Page 16: Picture Size
Picture Size The image size adjustment control for the CEI Custom Universal Optical System is located on the lens barrel. To adjust picture size, 1. Locate the control ring closest to the film camera on the lens barrel.
Page 17: Iris Adjustment
If the output video shows appreciable noise, verify that the iris is properly adjusted. Internal (Electronic) Adjustments When the Color Six video assist camera is operated in the AUTO mode, all electronic adjustments are set either to default values or automatically adjusted for normal video with average lighting.
Page 18: Using The Multipurpose Control
Using the Multipurpose Control This one control has two components on the same knob: Figure 2: Side view of Color Six 1. A push-button switch, which is used to enter and exit display and adjustment modes, and to step from higher to lower levels on the various menus, and 2.
Page 19 The effect of turning the encoder depends on where you are in the menu hierarchy. Starting from the higher level menus, such as the one that follows the opening screen, turning the multipurpose control scrolls through the other high level menus.
Page 20: Saving Custom Settings
Saving Custom Settings All of the manual settings are automatically stored in non- volatile RAM for future use, even if camera power is turned off or disconnected, so you can switch between MANUAL and AUTO modes without losing them. Should your shoot- ing conditions change radically, you can reset them all at the next to the last menu, SET ALL TO DEFAULT, and start over.
Page 21: Message Display
Figure 3: Color Six connector panel Message Display When the Color Six is first turned on a startup screen will appear briefly, on which is displayed the operating software version and directions for halting the scrolling message or exiting the startup screen. If the camera is powered up in the...
Page 22: Menus And Adjustments
The multipurpose control is inoperative in the AUTO mode. When the Color Six is in MANUAL operation, the opening screen lasts about 20 seconds or until the multipurpose control is clicked. It is replaced by the first menu, which...
Page 23: Camera Setup Menu
Camera Setup Menu The next menu offers quite a few options, as follows: Speed This is the video frame rate output from the color Six . The options are 1. AUTO: In Automatic, the Color Six video frame rate will...
Page 24: Color/Monochrome
(e.g., when the camera stops running) the Color Six defaults to 30 fps. 2. FLKR: In Flicker, the Color Six runs at the NTSC standard 30 frames per second. This will produce at least some degree of flicker in the scene through the taking lens of a running film camera.
Page 25: White Balance
White Balance 1. AUTO: Automatic white balance balances the video output based on a reading taken from the whitest portion of a scene. One of the other options may be preferred if the scene contains no white, or if the camera is slowly panned across such a scene.
Page 26: Frame Lines Setup Menu
Frame Lines Setup Menu The next menu allows the operator to select either from one of eight sets of previously saved frame lines, to customize one or all of them to his own liking, or to select none of the above.
Page 27: Style
2. The size of any frame, and 3. The position (centering) of any frame. Adjustment is as follows: 1. With frame lines set to either A, B, or A+B, turn the multi- function control to underline the word after ADJUST. 2.
Page 28: Intensity
S V I D o r Y U V With SMPTE set to ON, the time code and user bits (input to the Color Six through the 6-pin AUX connector) is inserted in the vertical interval at lines 16 and 18.
Page 29: Image Mix Menu
Three choices are available under IMAGE MIX: 1. LIVE is the normal live video taken by the Color Six . 2. When MEM is selected, the following two digits become brighter, and indicate the storage location of the image being viewed in the output.
Page 30: Store
Time Code Menu While not exactly a menu (since no selections are possible), the TIME CODE displayed in this view is that being sup- plied to the Color Six from the film camera through the 6-pin AUX connector. User Bits Menu...
Page 31: Set All To Default Menu
RUN DEMO. The first screen shows the operating hours log of the Color Six : The program then steps through each menu in sequence, and activates and changes each possible parameter. Scrolling messages de- scribe the functions where it can be helpful.
Page 32: Output Signals
(in MAN operation) at operator’s option. Power Requirements 10 to 32 VDC clean (filtered) input. The CEI Color Six consumes 5.5 Watts with the LCD monitor OFF, 7.5 W with the LCD monitor ON, and 8.5 W with the LCD monitor at HIGH backlight level.
Page 33: Universal Optical System
SR-3, optical adapters supplied by Arri or Jurgens may be used. When using an optical adapter provided by a manufacturer other than CEI, the proper focal distance may be provided through the use of an extender tube. Caution: Remove any extender tubes before installing the CEI Universal Optical System.
Page 34 • The XI is a still later generation with further improvement in field flatness, and the addition of an anchor mechanism to assist in securing the lens to the video camera. Directions for mounting the XI with lens clamp are as follows: 1.
Page 35: Aaton 35
The Color Six can interface with a variety of doors, includ- ing the Arri Rotating and Arri/CSC doors available from CEI. See the equipment list at the end of this manual to order the necessary hardware. Use with Jurgens Universal...
Page 36: Arriflex 35Bl
Color Six . 8. Orient the Color Six as shown below. 9. Tighten the clamp to hold the Color Six in place. Overtight- ening the clamp will result in interference with the size adjustment ring. Loosen the clamp enough to allow size adjustment, then retighten.
Page 37: Arriflex 435
Do not use the blue spacer ring. 2. Screw the tap lens (C-mount threads) into the Color Six tightly, but do not overtighten. 3. Loosen the positionable C-mount lock using a 3/32-inch hex driver.
Page 38: Arriflex 535A
Color Six . 2. Position the Color Six adapter to align with the wedge shoe. 3. Tighten the 6mm screw in the plate to secure the Color Six adapter to the 535A. 4. On initial installation, attach the 535A adapter first, then add...
Page 39: Arriflex 535B
System, if installed, and insert the lens barrel into the clamp on the 535A adapter. 6. Rest the Color Six on the padded foot and tighten the clamp. 7. The clamping block position can be adjusted on the mount- ing plate. Adjust the clamping block position to best center the ground glass image prior to using the Color Six centering screws.
Page 40: Using The Arri Video Elbow
5. Connect the assembly to the 535B and tighten the black ring. 6. Tighten the headpiece dovetail adjustment. 7. Connect and apply power to the Color Six . Using a high- quality monitor, adjust the focus control on the Arri optics.
Page 41: Using The Cei/535B Interface
9. Complete the centering and rotation adjustments using the controls on the Color Six as described on pages 8-9. Iris adjustments are made using the Arri optics. Using the CEI/535B Interface Use the 535B adapter with a CEI Universal Optical System containing the letters XR or XI in the serial number.
Page 42: Arriflex Sr-2
Arriflex SR-2 The Arri standard T-bar cannot be used with the Color Six . Instead, a beam splitter system is used to connect the Color Six to the Arri SR-2. The beam splitter is a conversion of the standard viewing system, and is more compact and less expensive than the standard T-bar.
Page 43: Arriflex Sr-3
Arriflex SR-3 Use of the Color Six with the Arriflex SR-3 requires a light splitter and video optics, available from Arriflex. The recommended splitter is the Arri Color 50/50 splitter. The black-and-white 80/20 splitter will also work, but video performance may be degraded.
Page 44: Super 16Mm
Tighten the black ring. 6. Tighten the headpiece dovetail adjustment. 7. Connect and apply power to the Color Six . Using a high- quality monitor, adjust the focus control on the Arri optics. 8. Center the picture using the three set screws above the black ring.
Page 45: Sr-3 Support Bracket
Arri friction lock into a precisely centered position. 4. The Color Six should rest firmly against the foot protruding from the mounting plate. 5. Screw the padded retaining bolt into the foot until the outer knob pad contacts the Color Six .
Page 46: Cei Retrofit Of Arri Sr-3 Elbow
3. Remove the four Phillips screws and dismount the black metal flange from the gray painted body. 4. Mount the CEI retrofit with the four Phillips screws, with the clamp screw outboard. Tighten all four screws, then loosen the two outer ones (the ones with nonmetallic washers) 1/4...
Page 47: For Super 16
8. Mount the elbow and Color Six camera assembly securely to the SR-3 9. Pivot the Color Six to the desired position. If using a CEI SR-3 support bracket, rest the color camera against the clear pad on the support bracket and screw the restraining bolt into the appropriate hole such that it lightly seats against the Color Six .
Page 48: For Standard 16
For standard 16 There is no internal size adjustment for standard 16, but by installing thin shims between the Color Six and the elbow in Step 8 of the installation procedure, you can make incremen- tal size reductions in both standard and Super 16.
Page 49 2. Mount the plate to the Compact using the two screws provided. 3. Insert the lens and CEI camera into the clamp. Allow the camera to rest on the plastic-coated foot, and tighten the lens clamp using a 3/32-inch hex driver.
Page 50: Index
Camera Information menu Index Camera Setup menu 17 CCD 1, 3 CEI/535B interface 35 Charge-coupled device 1 Aaton 35 29 Color/Monochrome 18 AC power 6 Adjustment 20 Default frame rate 7 Gain, automatic 18 Description 1 anamorphic lens 19 Display Vertical Position...
Page 51 Frame lines: adjustment 20 Frame lines: background 21 LCD monitor 14 Frame lines: intensity 22 LCD Monitor Setup menu Frame lines: page 20 Frame lines: shading 20 Lighting, incandescent 19 Frame lines: style 21 Lighting, outdoor 19 Frame rate, automatic 17 Frame rate, manual 18 Menus and adjustments 16 Message display 15...
Page 52 Picture size 10 SVID Pixel degradation 3 S-video 23 Polarity reversal 6 Power 5 Power consumption 5 Termination 7 Power requirements 26 Time code 22 Power source 5 SMPTE time code 7 Power switch 14 Time Code menu 24 Tools 4 Requirements, input signal Undervoltage 14 Resolution 25...
Page 53 White balance 19 White balance, automatic 19 White balance, manual 19 White flag 23 YUV 23 YUV video 7 Zoom 10 Zoom, electronic 19...
Page 56 CEI Technology 880A Maude Avenue Mountain View, CA 94943 (650) 969-1910...