Summary of Contents for Codex ACTION CAM
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Page 1: User Guide
USER GUIDE ACTION CAM VERSION 2015.03.03 CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 1... -
Page 2: Safety Warnings
Disclaimer Codex products are continually developed to remain at the forefront of the industry, and as such the information in this guide is subject to change without notice. Whilst Codex endeavour to ensure that all documentation provided is correct at the time of writing, this document is not guaranteed to be error-free. - Page 3 Working with High Energy Light Sources High energy light beams may damage the CCDs - even when the Action Cam system is not powered on! If you shoot a scene that includes a bright light beam, be careful not to let the beam be directed into the lens of the camera. If you take off the lens, be sure that the protection cap is immediately put back onto the lensmount.
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
6. Loading and Unloading Media ............25 7. Preparing for Recording ...............26 8. Setting the Frame Rate ..............26 9. Recording ..................27 10. Playback ..................28 11. Remote Head LED Indicators ............28 12. Recommended Settings ...............29 CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 4... -
Page 5: Introduction
Welcome to this guide for Codex Action Cam - a complete shooting and capture solution for situations that require a compact form factor and low weight. Codex Action Cam itself is a tiny remote head camera for shooting at up to 60fps. The output is 1920x1080 12-bit RAW for exceptional quality. -
Page 6: Product Diagrams
Glows continuously when on, flashes during link detection and in case of malfunction. CoaXPress interface (F) For connection with Camera Control Recorder via 75 Ohm coaxial cable with BNC plug Bottom mount (G) 1/4” thread for attaching tripod, handle, base-plate, etc. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 6... -
Page 7: Camera Control Recorder
For connection to computer for remote control and software updates The Action Cam CCR looks similar to the Codex Onboard S recorder but is functionally different. Action Cam Remote Heads cannot be used with an Onboard S recorder, and other cameras cannot be used with the Action Cam CCR. -
Page 8: Control Panel
Rotate to navigate through menus, or jog during playback STOP/SELECT Press to stop recording. In other menus press to select the menu item For further details please refer to the section ‘Menu System’. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 8... -
Page 9: Hardware Setup
The Action Cam CCR supplies power via the CoaXPress link to each of the Remote Heads. Therefore DO NOT connect from the CXP 1 or CXP 2 connections to a device other than an Action Cam Remote Head, as this may cause damage either to the CCR or to the connected equipment. -
Page 10: Remote Head To Camera Control Unit
Remote Heads to synchronize their shutters with the ALEXA. Note: if synchronising the Action Cam to the ALEXA RS output the exposure level for the Action Cam should be set during a test when the ALEXA is recording (the ALEXA only outputs the RS sync signal when it is recording). -
Page 11: Connection Examples
3.7 Connection Examples 3.7.1 Point of View (POV) / Action Camera Setup 3.7.2 Multi-Camera Setup CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 11... - Page 12 3.7.3 Witness Camera Setup 3.7.4 S3D Camera Setup 3.7.5 Broadcast Setup CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 12...
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Page 13: Installing Lenses
3.8 Installing Lenses Action Cam can be used directly with C-mount lenses (suitable for 2/3” CCD Cameras), or with PL, B4 or EF mount lenses using the corresponding adaptor available from Codex. To attach a C-mount lens gently screw it into the standard C-mount thread of the Remote Head. -
Page 14: Adjusting The Flange Back Distance
If the focus is sharp when zoomed in, but soft when zoomed out, the back focus may need adjustment. Action Cam Remote Heads allow for easy back focus adjustment by changing the flange back distance between the rear of the lens and the CCD. This can be done using typical back-focusing techniques, e.g. a test chart or a back focus collimator. -
Page 15: Menu System
Some menus allow text entry but also have presets available, indicated by < and > symbols (e.g. Setup- >Slate). Press the Next button under the display to move through the presets. Then press Accept to use a preset, or otherwise Cancel. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03... -
Page 16: Setup
Slate settings (Shot and Roll naming) • Capture settings (EI, WB, Shutter Angle, FPS) • Video settings • Timecode settings Delete Press to delete a previously saved preset from the list. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 16... - Page 17 Sets the number of Remote Heads to be recorded. Aspect Square Sets the pixel aspect metadata for the recordings. Anamorph x1.3 This affects the desqueeze applied by the Codex software when producing deliverables such as ProRes or Avid MXF for editing and dailies. Output 4:2:2 Sets the video output mode.
- Page 18 Use this menu to adjust timecode settings. The Action Cam will automatically sync to an external LTC source, or you can set the internal timecode generator with the Set TCG option. The timecode mode is always continuous run (and not record run).
- Page 19 This may be from an electrical GPI trigger switch or from an RS port on ARRI ALEXA which sends a trigger signal when the Camera is recording - both of these are connected via the GPIO port on the Action Cam.
- Page 20 The network port settings (IP, Mask, Gateway, DNS) can be configured to facilitate connection from another computer. This can be used to load LUT files onto the CCR and also to control the Action Cam from another computer via network.
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Page 21: Monitor
Use this setting to specify the IP address for a connected CDL server. 5.2.9 Licence This menu contains details of the licensed features on an Action Cam. By default these should be HD and Multi. 5.2.10 Date/Time This menu contains system date and time settings that can be adjusted to be correct for the locale. These settings are used for the internal timecode generator and also to set the creation time metadata for recordings. - Page 22 To set a value other than the presets available here use the Filecard. This sets metadata that does not affect the recorded data, and can be modified after recording/prior to generating files for post production if necessary. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03...
- Page 23 Repeat Bounce ‘Stop’ will end playback at the last frame of the clip, ‘Repeat’ will play the clip over and over, and ‘Bounce’ will play the clip forwards and then backwards. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 23...
- Page 24 Changes to this setting affect the live video output. This sets metadata that does not affect the recorded data, and can be modified after recording/prior to generating files for post production if necessary. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 24...
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Page 25: Loading And Unloading Media
Close the door and the Capture Drive will be loaded. The LED on the Capture Drive will flash blue whilst it loads, CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03... -
Page 26: Preparing For Recording
Note: Setup->Video->Cam Sync must be ‘Free Run’ to allow custom frate rates. If Setup->Video->Cam Sync is set to ‘RS’ then the shutter rate is determined by the sync signal from the ALEXA and custom settings are not possible. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03... -
Page 27: Recording
In this case please refer to the later section Warning and Error Messages for further information to resolve the problem. Frame Rate 1 Camera Record Time 2 Camera Record Time 23.98 107 (minutes) 24.00 25.00 29.97 30.00 47.95 48.00 50.00 59.97 60.00 CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 27... -
Page 28: Playback
Connected to CCR but no data being transferred Solid green Connected to CCR and data is being transferred 1/2 second pulse red Error during data transfer Fast flash red System error CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 28... -
Page 29: Recommended Settings
12. Recommended Settings The table below covers the recommended input and output settings for a range of shooting setups the Action Cam can be used on: Setting Action Cam Multi Cam Witness Cam S3D Cam Broadcast Cam Setup->Video->Fps Your choice... -
Page 30: Mounting Options
13. Mounting Options The Action Cam CCR has an integrated quick release mounting system built into the base. This can be used with a mount plate in a range of configurations to provide flexible solutions for mounting on its own rig or in combination with other camera systems such as the ARRI ALEXA. -
Page 31: Dimensions
14. Dimensions 14.1 Remote Head Dimensions 41.8 58.2 13.2 17.2 14.2 Camera Control Recorder Dimensions RS422 187.6 mm 139 mm CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 31... -
Page 32: Technical Specifications
3200 K, 4300 K, 5600 K, 6500 K, User Input Exposure Control 100, 200, 400 ASA, User Input Gamma Action Cam Log Electronic Shutter 11.2, 22.5, 45.0, 90.0, 135.0, 172.8, 180.0, 270.0, 356.0° Remote Head Connections CoaXPress (via 75 Ω BNC Cable) -
Page 33: Colour Management
16. Colour Management 16.1 Video Output Code Distribution Chart The following table details how the Action Cam Log Curve distributes 10-bit SMPTE video code values across the available latitude in Stops from the camera. Stop 10-bit SMPTE video code (v) Codes / half stop 2.0 (800 ASA clip point) -
Page 34: Cineon" Equivalence
16.2 “Cineon” Equivalence The Action Cam log encoding is based on classic Cineon, but with different parameters: Parameter Cineon Log Value Action Cam Log Value Black White FilmNegGamma 0.667443421 16.3 Special Values The following values are provided as common reference points:... -
Page 35: Use Of Exposure Index
16.4 Use of Exposure Index The native ASA of Action Cam is 200, with a clipping point at 600% video level. The Action Cam Log Curve can represent values up to 2400%. The standard Exposure Index settings available in the camera are 100, 200, and 400. -
Page 36: Warning And Error Messages
CXP1 by the CCR. The signal could Head and the CCR. be absent or too weak (or not from an Action Cam Remote Head). No video input signal 2 detected No valid input signal detected on Check cabling between the Remote CXP2 by the CCR. -
Page 37: Connector Pin-Outs
3 IDX SDA (IDX digital data) 4 AB DATA (Anton/Bauer coms) 5 Battery V+ (12-28V DC) RS422 - 6 pin 0B Lemo socket For connection to Codex Control Panel CDX-P065 only. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 37... -
Page 38: Appendix
12. When satisfied, tighten the locking lever to secure the back focus ring. Note: The hexscrew on the side of the Action Cam is not an adjustment for focus. It releases the “Lens mount lock” which can be used to alter / rotate the mounting position of the Lens relative to the camera body in 12 different positions so that the Lens scale remains readable. -
Page 39: A2. Recommended Test Charts
Siemens Star Chart A printable eps file is available for download at http://www.codexdigital.com/products/action-cam DSC FH SW FiddleHeads Test Chart http://dsclabs.com/shop/resolution-focus/fiddleheads-with-resolution/ Note: a usable chart should be printed at least A3 size or larger CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 39... - Page 40 Figure 2. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03 PAGE 40...
- Page 41 CODEX 60 POLAND STREET LONDON ENGLAND W1F 7NT UK TEL +44 207 292 6918 CODEXDIGITAL.COM INFO@CODEXDIGITAL.COM Codex reserve the right to alter the specification at any time and without prior notice. © Copyright Codex September 2014. CODEX USER GUIDE - ACTION CAM 2015.03.03...
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