Knowledge Base

Using Multiple GigE Cameras

Overview

This section applies to tracking from two up to four GigE cameras using Basler GigE cameras only.

You cannot use a combination of analog and digital cameras. Mixing video images of different camera types is not supported.

Connection Schemes for Multiple Cameras

How you connect multiple GigE cameras depends on which Ethernet interface board you have installed.

• If you have multiple 1-port Ethernet boards, connect each camera to an Ethernet board and each PoE injector to a power supply.
• If you have a 4-port Ethernet board, you can connect up to four cameras. Make sure the Ethernet board also receives power from the PC.

Selecting Multiple GigE Cameras in EthoVision XT

EthoVision XT mixes the camera images in a picture-by-picture fashion.

1. Connect your cameras.
2. In EthoVision XT, choose Setup, then Experiment Settings, and select the number of cameras from the list next to Number of sources.
3. Select the cameras under Source. The camera names will show their own IP address in brackets at the end, which makes it possible to distinguish between the cameras.
4. Select the resolution and frame rate of the first camera. The resolution and frame rate of the other cameras is set automatically to the same values as for the first camera.
5. Next to Merged camera view, select whether the picture-by-picture mixed image should have the same resolution as the images from the individual cameras, or whether the resolution should be the sum of each camera image. The maximum total resolution is 1920 x 1200. The camera model determines the maximum resolution.
6. Click the preview icon to get a preview of the merged camera images.

Important notes for multiple camera setups:

• Noldus does not support video tracking from multiple GigE cameras connected to a laptop computer. Always connect multiple cameras to a desktop computer.
• Each camera must always be connected to the same port on the Ethernet board. The IP address of the camera and that of the adapter are linked. In the case of a multi-port Ethernet board, each port is viewed as a network adapter with its own IP address. If you swap cameras, they will not be recognized. Always label the Ethernet ports and the cameras.
• When using one Ethernet interface board per camera, rename the network adapters listed in the Windows Control Panel, for example Front camera and Top camera.
• Each camera must have a unique IP address

  Verifying Tracking Quality via Trial List

  You can also see the Missing Samples or Interpolated Samples after tracking via the Trial List. Go to the Trial List, then select Show/Hide, then select Variables and here select either Missed Samples or Interpolated Samples. Both should be less than 1% for proper camera setup.

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  Source: EthoVision XT 17.5 - GigE Install and Setup