 Who is MicroImage Video Systems?
How long has MicroImage
Video Systems been around?
Will a MicroImage camera
work with my microscope?
Can I view the camera images
on my computer monitor?
What do I need to make up a
complete a system?
What monitor should I use?
Can I upgrade my composite /
S-Video system to RGB?
Can I use a standard VCR
with a MicroImage camera system?
Will a MicroImage camera
work with PAL?
Will a MicroImage camera
work with 220V, 50Hz power?
Will my camera work properly
with fluorescent lighting?
Can I use more than one
monitor with a system?
I connected two (or more)
monitors picture looks bad. What's wrong?
How far can the monitor /
printer be located away from the camera?
Can the power supply of a
surgical system be located away from the camera?
Can I purchase
spare/replacement cables for my system?
Are service manuals
available for MicroImage products?
What should I do if I have
problems setting up the camera system?
Will the Timer/Titlers work
with a keyboard I already own?
Will the
TLR300 and TLR400 work with a keyboard I already own?
Will the Timer/Titlers
remember the text I typed after I turn off the power?
Will the Split Screen
Controllers and Faders work with my cameras?
Will the Split Screen
Controllers show me two full images on the screen?
Will the Video Pointer work
with multiple monitors for classroom applications?
Will MicroImage Video
products work with Sync on Green?
How do I adjust the back
focus (parfocal) on my MicroImage camera?
What is S-Video (Y/C) and
why is it better than NTSC?
Why is RGB better than
S-Video (Y/C) and NTSC?
What is the
proper order of the bars in a color bar pattern?
Q: Who
is MicroImage Video Systems?
A: Please
see our company profile
Q: How long has MicroImage Video Systems been
around?
A: We
have manufactured video products since 1970.
Q: Will a MicroImage camera work with my
microscope?
A: A
MicroImage camera will work with any microscope that has a trinocular head (photo tube)
and the appropriate C-mount adapter.
Q: Can I view the camera images on my computer
monitor?
A: You can view the camera images on your computer if you are using an
appropriate frame grabber.
Q: What do I need to make up a complete camera
system?
A: In
addition to the camera and microscope, you will need a C-mount microscope adapter. You
will also need a display device such as a monitor, video printer, or computer with a frame
grabber. Most MicroImage cameras come with the power supply and cables to simplify
interfacing and purchasing.
Q: What monitor should I use?
A: You should use a monitor that supports the video signal you intend to use.
Analog RGB monitors must support a horizontal scan rate of 15,734Hz and a composite sync
signal.
Q: Can
I upgrade my composite / S-Video camera system to RGB?
A: CA1091
and CA1093 systems can be upgraded to RGB with the addition of a CCU209 and appropriate
cables. The A209 camera head will have to be returned to MicroImage Video Systems to be
matched to the CCU. Please contact
MicroImage Video Systems for more information.
Q: Can I use a standard VCR with a MicroImage
camera system?
A: Yes,
if the VCR has standard (baseband) video inputs and outputs. If the connectors are RCA
type, then you will need the appropriate cables to interface with the professional BNC
connectors used by MicroImage Video Systems. A high resolution system with S-VHS
inputs and outputs will provide much improved image quality.
Q: Will a MicroImage camera work with PAL?
A: Some
MicroImage Cameras are available for the PAL system and some are available for the PAL
system on special order.
Q: Will a MicroImage Video Systems product work
with 220V, 50Hz power?
A: Our
products will work if you use an appropriate step down transformer to reduce the power to
120VAC. MicroImage Video Systems products are designed to run with 50 or 60Hz power. Many
MicroImage products either come with or have as an option, a universal power supply which
can work on many worldwide power systems.
Q: Will my camera work properly with
fluorescent lighting?
A: When
the shutter speed is slower than about 1/250, there should not be any problems with
fluorescent lighting. At speeds faster than 1/250, there may be a noticeable color shift
about every eight seconds. This is an issue with all shutter cameras. This phenomenon is
due to the shifting phase of a power line versus camera timing. One cure is to use
high frequency fluorescent lighting. These lamps have a special electronic ballast in them
that operates at a much higher frequency which should eliminate the problem in all but the
most demanding applications. Otherwise, use incandescent or a type of DC lighting.
Q: Can I use more than one monitor with a system?
A: Yes,
however, the monitors must be properly terminated. Please see your monitor documentation
for more information. MicroImage Video Systems also offers Video Distribution
Amplifiers that allow you to connect more
monitors or to support longer cable runs.
When connecting multiple S-Video monitors, a video distribution amplifier is virtually
mandatory, since most S-Video monitors do not have "looping inputs" and
selectable termination.
Q: I connected two (or more) monitors to a
system and now the picture looks washed out or loses sync. What's wrong?
A: The monitor termination switches may not be set correctly. See your monitor
manual for more information. Some monitors do not have selectable termination and are
permanently terminated to a 75 ohm impedance, in this case a Video
Distribution Amplifier is needed to
connect more than one monitor or display device.
Q: How far can the monitor / printer be located away from the
camera?
A: MicroImage
Video Systems recommends 50 to 150 feet maximum for a single monitor (printer) with
standard RG59 cable. If the distance is greater or more than one monitor (printer) is
used, a distribution
amplifier is recommended. For very long cable
distances, special low loss cable may be required. Contact MicroImage Video Systems with your requirements.
Q: Can the power supply of a surgical system be
located away from the camera?
A: Yes.
MicroImage Video Systems typically supplies a 30 foot split cable with a surgical system;
however, longer lengths are available.
Q: Can I purchase spare/replacement cables for my surgical
camera system?
A: Yes.
MicroImage Video Systems encourages you to purchase a spare camera cable in advance,
especially if your cables see heavy use. Keeping a spare cable handy can be especially
helpful in surgical situations where the camera must be available. Spare or replacement
cables may be purchased from a MicroImage Video Systems dealer or direct from
MicroImage Video Systems. We recommend that you to first try to purchase the cable from
your camera distributor.
Q: Are
service manuals available for MicroImage products?
A: Service manuals are available for certain products. Applicable
charges may apply. A Non-Disclosure Agreement may be required for certain information. Please contact MicroImage Video Systems for more information.
Q: What should I do if I have problems setting
up the camera system?
A: You can contact your dealer or MicroImage Video Systems technical
support.
Q: Will the TT300 and TT700 work with a keyboard I already
own?
A: The
TT300 and TT700 timer/titlers only work with XT style keyboards. They will not work with
AT style keyboards. Some keyboards can be switched from AT to XT. Auto switching keyboards
may or may not work with these products.
Q: Will the TLR300 and TLR400 work with a keyboard I already
own?
A: The
TLR300 and TLR400 timer/titlers work with most AT style keyboards. They may not work
properly with every model available but should work with most that have the smaller, PS/2
style connector.
Q: Will the TT300 and TT700 remember the text I
typed after I turn off the power?
A: The
timer/titlers can remember text only if the battery backup (option BB) is installed in the
unit. This option must be installed by the factory.
Q: Will the Split Screen/Fader Controllers work with my
cameras?
A: One of the cameras MUST support full genlock and
MUST have SC and H phase controls. Please note that some cameras have genlock but lack the
SC and H phase controls. The SC Phase control is required to match the colors between both
cameras and its presence also indicates the camera supports full genlock and not just
partial genlock or sync only lock. Only cameras with all controls will work.
Q: Will the Split Screen Controllers show me
two full images on the screen at the same time?
A: No. You can only see a user selectable portion of an image from each
camera. For example: 40% of camera A, 60% of camera B. Please see the PIX/2 mode
chart on the video comparison overview
page.
Q: Will the Video Pointers work with multiple monitors for classroom
applications?
A: Yes,
this is a typical application for video pointer devices. The video pointers work with
multiple monitors, however a Video Distribution Amplifier may be required for
more than a few monitors or longer cable distances.
Q: Will
MicroImage Video products work with Sync on Green?
A: Many
products that support RGB automatically switch between external sync and sync on green as
required. For other products, there is a factory modification available. Some products,
such as the CA2093 camera series only support external sync. See the data sheet for the
product or Contact MicroImage Video
Systems for details.
Q: How do I adjust the back focus (parfocal) on
my MicroImage camera?
A: Please see Application Note AN1 and AN2 for instructions on how
to adjust the back focus on MicroImage cameras.
Q: What is S-Video (Y/C) and why is it better
than NTSC?
A: S-Video
is a modulated video signal in which the chrominance and luminance information are carried
in a separate cable from each other. Because of this, there is little interaction between
the two. This results in a sharper and cleaner picture.
Q: Why is RGB better than S-Video (Y/C) and
NTSC?
A: RGB
signals carry the primary color information at full bandwidth. S-Video and NTSC use
modulated chroma signals which limit the amount of color information each can carry.
Q: What
is the proper order of the bars in a color bar pattern?
A: The order of the colors from left to right should be: Gray, Yellow, Cyan,
Green, Magenta, Red, Blue, and and eighth bar, color Black for full field color bars.
Click here to
see an example of our SMPTE style color bars. |
