> Used IR Cap and Cam, no luck at all getting this to work
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EncryptedToast |
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Hi all,
I picked up a used IR Cap and Cam that a guy said he was replacing with a Track IR system. Have it all hooked up and when I try the test, I see some crosses show up on the camera screen, but they flicker and jump all over the place like crazy. The threshold is SOOOO sensative, it goes from big huge blurry circles around the cross marks to completely gone.
Have tried every setting I can see, nothing seems to work. It is obviously picking up something because I can see the crosses in the preview and the skull model jumps around, but its very erratic and not even close to useable.
Are there tips on what I can do given this setup:
- 3 point cap with IR LEDS
- Microsoft Lifecam VX-3000
- Freetrack (latest version, just downloaded it yesterday)
Are there particular settings I should be using?
The online handbook is marginally helpful, the screen shots are in French (!) so they are pretty worthless to me.
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EncryptedToast |
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Hello, anybody out there?
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dewey1 |
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EncryptedToast @ 25/08/2010 - 03h30 a dit:
I picked up a used IR Cap and Cam that a guy said he was replacing with a Track IR system.
Have you considered that because of it having problems that is why he is buying a TrackIR? Did he claim that it has worked?
How is powered?
First thing to try:
Stream format to 30.00 frame rate, I420, 353x288 then apply.
Camera properties advanced; uncheck Auto Gain, exposure 1/30s then apply.
Can you focus camera manually?
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nadrealista |
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You have more documentation i DOCS folder of FT installation folder.
It sounds like you might have some big light source behind your back that web-camera is picking (window, bulb etc.).
Also, you can take screen shot of FT while that is happening (1 picture = 1000 words)  |
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EncryptedToast |
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dewey1 @ 25/08/2010 - 15h54 a dit: EncryptedToast @ 25/08/2010 - 03h30 a dit:
I picked up a used IR Cap and Cam that a guy said he was replacing with a Track IR system.
Have you considered that because of it having problems that is why he is buying a TrackIR? Did he claim that it has worked?
How is powered?
First thing to try:
Stream format to 30.00 frame rate, I420, 353x288 then apply.
Camera properties advanced; uncheck Auto Gain, exposure 1/30s then apply.
Can you focus camera manually?
Yes I have considered that it doesnt work, he assured me it does. So....anyhoo.
The cap is powered via a AA battery. The webcam is USB.
Not sure what you mean by "focus camera manually"?
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EncryptedToast |
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nadrealista @ 25/08/2010 - 16h01 a dit: You have more documentation i DOCS folder of FT installation folder.
It sounds like you might have some big light source behind your back that web-camera is picking (window, bulb etc.).
Also, you can take screen shot of FT while that is happening (1 picture = 1000 words)
Thanks will check the docs folder.
I tried completely in the dark, so not sure about any stray light sources. Even tried a desk lamp behind the cam, since I read sometimes that helps. No difference there at all.
I took a screen shot, several actually, and oddly enough it doesn't seem to record the crosshairs. I mean I can see the entire Freetrack interface, but what I see in the "preview" screen does not show up at all. Its all black, doesnt reflect what it is truly showing.
Is that normal?
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nadrealista |
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I've just tried SC and it works. It must be something with overlay settings. I don't know how to help you with it.
In general, preview section should be black and only LEDs should be visible as white dots. If you have some other light regions, camera might think that these are tracking points and bcs of that, skull makes erratic movements.
Please, use search function of forum and find some of my previous posts. I used to post pictures of camera's settings inside of FT. That might help.
Also, on last tab of FT, named 'About', you have 'Help' button. It contains info too.
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EncryptedToast |
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nadrealista @ 25/08/2010 - 20h30 a dit: I've just tried SC and it works. It must be something with overlay settings. I don't know how to help you with it.
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What is "SC"?
nadrealista @ 25/08/2010 - 20h30 a dit:
In general, preview section should be black and only LEDs should be visible as white dots. If you have some other light regions, camera might think that these are tracking points and bcs of that, skull makes erratic movements..
White dots? I only see crosshairs with fuzzy red dots in the middle.
nadrealista @ 25/08/2010 - 20h30 a dit:
Please, use search function of forum and find some of my previous posts. I used to post pictures of camera's settings inside of FT. That might help.
Also, on last tab of FT, named 'About', you have 'Help' button. It contains info too.
Been all over the search function, unfortunately not many posts here are relevant to these issues.
I also looked for a DOCS folder in the FT install path, the closest I can find is one called Manuals. Half are in French and the English ones are all about the hardware. So really no help there either. 
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dewey1 |
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Did you try the settings I mentioned previously?
You say powered with a AA. What does that mean, a single 1.5v AA?
Do you have any information from previous owner about which leds are used and how it is wired?
Has the IR filter inside the camera been removed?
Does it have filter installed to reduce the non IR light like reflection from sun light or other light sources? Floppy disk media for example.
Please be more explicit or specific!
The red dots tell me you are not in I420 stream. Probably RGB or some other color mode.
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benmeijer |
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EncryptedToast @ 25/08/2010 - 03h30 a dit: Hi all,
The online handbook is marginally helpful, the screen shots are in French (!) so they are pretty worthless to me.
In the first screen of Freetrack select the tab "About" and then the "Help" - button.
It's all in English and very extensive!
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EncryptedToast |
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Woohoo, you guys are great. Got it tracking now
Ok, at least now I can get the model to move, but its very faint. When I go into IL-2 I have control, but its not nearly enough. Need to work on the sensativity I am guessing?
Off to read some more.... |
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EncryptedToast |
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Ok I found the sensitivity setting....wow that is touchy. Now I can see the full range that I need to.
The thing I am not clear on is, is there a difference between sensitivity and max rotation?
As it is now, it is so sensitive that if I barely move my head I am whipped around looking over my back shoulder, so my view is always bouncing all over the place.
If I turn it down, I cant turn much. Its like having a neck injury and only being able to move a little bit.
Are these two separate settings I am after?
Also, the Z axis ( I think thats the one ) doesnt work at all in IL-2. I cant lean forward to zoom in, yet I have seen videos with people using Freetrack and they have that ability... ?
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Morpheus |
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There is a mod for IL2 to have 6 DOF but don't know where find it (it was on All Aircraft Arcade but website closed and is now All Aicraft Simulation, login requiered to acces download http://allaircraftsimulations.com/forum/) Hope you find what you want..... |
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EncryptedToast |
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Update of sorts:
I got everything working for the most part, although the performance is less than stellar. It says 30 FPS in the preview and seems smooth but when I fire up IL-2 and look around it is pretty jerky. Especially zooming in and out.
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SEE |
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When you launch IL1946, Freetrack will load the 'IL1945' default file and overide any adjustments you have made. I use FT in 6DOF and have excellent results. Go to 'Global' in the FT screen and uncheck 'load Defaults' and check 'AutoSave' and increase the level of smoothing. You do not need more than a value of 1 for the zoom. Also use the Graphs for each of the axis and tailor them to suit the amount of movement and dead zone.
IL1946 was never written for 6 DOF and when you move in and out you will notice three distinct changes in the FOV. Set your flightstick so that the POV buttons access some of the FT axis control functions. MY POV has four actions depending on which direction I toggle it - Pause FT, Autocentre with Pause, Disable X Y (when I'm on someones six) and set view to widest Field of View (assign the keyboard stroke in the IL2 Keyboard assignmenst to your POV). When I'm on someones six, I move closer to the screen but hit the POV to restore the wide view rather than move back through three distinct changes of view. You can assign any keystrokes in FT and toggle them.
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