The copyright of this manual is held by PHOTRON LIMITED.
Product specifications and manual contents are subject to change without notice.
PHOTRON LIMITED bears no responsibility for any results by using our products nor by applying this manual to any operations.
Company names and product names listed in this manual are trademarks of their respective companies.
Portions of this product use software licensed under the GPL version 2.0/LGPL version 2.0.
Such portions are not covered under warranty due to the nature of open source copyright. However, this product is covered by PHOTRON LIMITED under the
conditions listed in the warranty and the instruction manual.
Refer to the following URLs for more information about GPL/LGPL licensing.
For more information about modified GPL modules and their method of distribution, please contact the retail outlet where you purchased this software or your
nearest Photron sales office (see page 39). Please note that any distribution costs shall be covered by the customer.
Icon/Symbol
Description
This symbol indicates supplementary items to be aware of when
using the software.
This symbol indicates the location of a reference.
This symbol indicates instructions that should always be followed
when using the software, or things to be careful of when using the
software.
This symbol indicates content that should always be read.
This symbol indicates a space for you to use for making notes.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Photron high speed camera.
This document describes the necessary procedures, settings, and precautions when using the FAST
Drive high speed camera and FAST Dock.
Please refer to this document before using the product.
If you have any questions, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this document.
Manual Notation
The following icons and symbols are used in the explanations in this manual.
About This Manual
The following explains the structure of this document.
Introduction
The outline of this book
For Safe and Proper Use
Rules that must be followed to ensure safe use of this product
1. Precautions
Precautions regarding the use of this product
2. Connecting to the High Speed Camera
How to connect the FAST Drive to the high speed camera
3. Connecting to the PC (Using FAST Dock)
How to connect the FAST Drive to the PC without going through the camera
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
How to manage data and enter the settings using the remote controller
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
How to operate the FAST Drive using the PFV
6. Product Specifications
Specifications for the FAST Drive and FAST Dock
7. Contact Information
Information for contacting Photron regarding any questions you may have or if the product is
defective
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a
serious injury.
This symbol indicates actions that carry the risk that a person could receive a
moderate injury, or that damage to physical property might occur.
This symbol indicates actions that require caution.
This symbol indicates actions that are prohibited and must be avoided.
This symbol indicates actions that must always be performed.
Caution
Warning
Using the System Safely and Correctly
In order to prevent injury to yourself and others, and to prevent damage to property, carefully observe
the following safety precautions.
Photron has given its full attention to the safety of this system. However, the extent of damage and
injury potentially caused by ignoring the content of the safety precautions and using the system incorrectly
is explained next. Please pay careful attention to the content of the safety precautions when using the
system.
The safety precautions to be observed are explained with the following symbols.
■ Do not perform actions that will damage the AC cable or plug.
(Do not damage the cable, modify it, use it near a heater, excessively bend, twist
or pull on it, place heavy objects on it, or bundle it.)
Using the cable when damaged can cause fire, electric shock, or a short circuit.
■ Do not use the system in a manner which will exceed the rating of the power
outlet or wiring equipment used.
Exceeding the power rating might cause a fire from excessive heat.
■ Do not insert metallic objects inside, or pour liquids such as water on, the system.
Doing so can cause fire, electric shock, or malfunction from short circuit or heat.
■ Do not disassemble or modify the system.
There are high voltages inside the system that can cause electric shock.
■ Do not plug in or unplug the power cord with wet hands.
Doing so can cause electric shock.
■
This chapter lists the contact information to use when contacting Photron if the
system malfunctions or if a portion of the manual is unclear.
Not fully plugging in the power cable can cause fire from electric shock or heat.
■ When something is wrong with the system, unplug the power cable immediately.
- When a foreign substance or liquid, such as metal or water, gets inside.
- When the outer case is broken or damaged, such as from a fall.
- When the system produces smoke, a strange smell, or strange sound.
Using the system in these conditions might cause a fire or electric shock.
Warning
■
Always unplug the system when cleaning it or when it is unused for a long period
of time. Leaving or storing the system connected to the power source might cause
fire from insulation deterioration or electrical discharge.
■Please consult us in advance when you perform an event by which laser light or direct rays
fall on the image sensor surface.
■ Do not set the system in a location where the temperature gets unusually hot.
The trunk and inside of a car can get especially hot in summer.
Doing so can cause the outer case and internal components to deteriorate or cause a fire.
■ Do not place the system in a location prone to oily smoke or steam, or in a location with
a lot of humidity or dust.
Oil, moisture, and dust conduct electricity, which can cause a fire or electric shock.
■ Ambient temperature 0-40° C, humidity 80% RH or lower, maximum altitude 2,000m
or lower.
In addition, if exceeding these limits, use in a condensation-free environment.
Doing so can cause malfunction.
■ Do not store the equipment in a location where the temperature goes below -20°C
or higher than 60°C. Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
■ This device is for indoor use, do not use it outdoors.
Do not use in a location that has dust.
■
When shipping, remove the connecting cable and use the original packaging or a
dedicated carrying case.
Do not ship the equipment in an environment where the temperature goes below
-20°C or higher than 60°C. Also, prevent condensation from forming during shipment
Caution
“CE” mark indicates that this product complies with the European requirements for safety,
health, environment and customer protection. “CE” mark equipments are intended for sales in
Europe.
These symbols indicate that this product is not to be disposed of with your household waste,
according to the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC), the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) and/or your
national laws implementing those Directives.
This product should be handed over to a designated collection point, e.g., on an authorized
one-for-one basis when you buy a new similar product or to an authorized collection site for
recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and batteries and accumulators.
Improper handling of this type of waste could have a possible impact on the environment and
human health due to potentially hazardous substances that are generally associated with EEE.
Your cooperation in the correct disposal of this product will contribute to the effective usage of
natural resources.
For more information about the recycling of this product, please contact your local city office,
waste authority, approved scheme or your household waste disposal service or visit
www.photron.com.
(EEA: Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein)
This product is in conformity with the protection requirements of EU Council Directive
2014/30/EU (Class A) on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
electromagnetic compatibility.
Warning: This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference, in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
European Union (and EEA) only
■ ALWAYS take appropriate anti-static precautions when cleaning or working near the
Image sensor.
■DO NOT use any form of cleaning equipment using electrostatic or ‘charged fiber’
technology.
■ Please discharge any electrostatic build up in your body by touching a grounded metallic
Surface before working near the camera sensor.
■ Very gently, use only clean and dry air to remove dust from surface of the image sensor.
■ To remove stubborn contamination use the highest grade (e.g. VLSI grade) pure
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) with optical wipes of ‘clean room’ grade.
■ Extreme care must be taken! Gently wipe across the sensor in a single action.
(DO NOT rub to avoid abrasive damage to delicate optical coatings on the glass surface.)
Cleaning of the Image Sensor Surface
Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) events may cause immediate and unrecoverable damage to
the image sensor. Please read the following instructions and take EXTREME CARE when
cleaning the image sensor surface.
7. Contact Information ......................................................................................................... 40
1. Precautions
1. Precautions
① This document explains how to save data to the FAST Drive and view
data when using models that support the FAST Drive from the FASTCAM
series.
② The explanations in this document also include usage of the Photron
FASTCAM Viewer ("PFV").
The PFV must be installed in advance.
③ Communication between the FAST Drive and the PC uses Gigabit
EtherNet and USB 3.0.
If your PC does not support those standards, the transfer speed may be
significantly reduced and save operations may fail.
④ The ACCESS light (LED) lights up when connecting to the FAST Drive.
The ACCESS light flashes when accessing or saving data.
Do not disconnect the cable when the light is flashing.
Doing so may result in data corruption or prevent data from being saved.
⑤ Refer to the camera unit's hardware manual, PFV user's manual, and
your PC's manual before using the equipment.
1 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
2. Connecting to the High Speed Camera
FAST Drive
connector
USB 3.0
connector
2. Connecting to the High Speed Camera
This section explains how to connect the FAST Drive to the Photron high speed
camera.
① Remove the FAST Drive slot cover on the rear of the camera.
② The camera is equipped with a FAST Drive connector and a USB 3.0
connector.
③ Connect the dedicated cable to the FAST Drive connector and the USB
cable (micro B) to the USB 3.0 connector.
2 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
2. Connecting to the High Speed Camera
④ Connect the opposite end of the dedicated cable to the FAST Drive.
⑤ Set the FAST Drive in the camera's dedicated holder and lock it.
⑥ Connect the USB cable (type A) to the PC's USB 3.0 connector.
The FAST Drive driver must be installed in advance.
Install the driver in the following location on the install DVD when [Photron FAST Drive Reader]
is shown in the Device Manager.
If you are using a PC with a 32-bit OS: Driver¥32bit(x86)¥FAST Drive Driver
If you are using a PC with a 64-bit OS: Driver¥64bit(x64)¥FAST Drive Driver
3 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
3. Connecting to the PC (Using FAST Dock)
3. Connecting to the PC (Using FAST Dock)
This section explains how to connect the FAST Drive to the PC without going
through the camera. Use the FAST Dock when not connecting through the
camera.
① Connect the AC power supply adapter to the rear of the FAST Dock.
② Connect the AC cable to the AC power supply adapter.
③ Connect the AC cable to the power outlet.
4 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
3. Connecting to the PC (Using FAST Dock)
FAST Drive
connector
USB 3.0
connector
④ Connect the dedicated cable to the FAST Dock's FAST Drive connector
and the USB cable (micro B) to the USB 3.0 connector.
⑤ Connect the opposite end of the dedicated cable to the FAST Drive.
⑥ Connect the USB cable (type A) to the PC.
The FAST Drive driver must be installed in advance.
Install the driver in the following location on the install DVD when [Photron FAST Drive Reader]
is shown in the Device Manager.
If you are using a PC with a 32-bit OS: Driver¥32bit(x86)¥FAST Drive Driver
If you are using a PC with a 64-bit OS: Driver¥64bit(x64)¥FAST Drive Driver
5 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
This section explains how to save data and enter settings using the remote
controller.
4.1. FAST DRIVE Menu
Display the menu to operate the FAST Drive.
① Press the [MENU] key on the remote controller to open the menu screen.
② From the menu screen, press [OTHERS] => [FAST DRIVE] and then the
[ENTER] key. The [FAST DRIVE] Menu is displayed.
6 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4.2. FORMAT (Erase All)
Format the FAST Drive to prepare it for use.
This erases all of the data on the FAST Drive.
① From the [FAST DRIVE] menu, select [FORMAT] and press the [ENTER]
key.
② Press the [ENTER] key while [FAST DRIVE] is selected.
7 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
③ A message is displayed to confirm if you really wish to format the FAST
Drive. Press the [ENTER] key if they are no problems.
④ The display will count up to 1025 during formatting.
8 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
⑤ The display returns to the [OTHERS] menu when the formatting has
completed.
If for some reason it is unable to format the drive, an error message such as the following is
displayed. In such a case, press the [ENTER] key to return to the [OTHERS] menu.
9 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4.3. SAVE
Save the video data in the camera's memory to the FAST Drive.
① Set the camera to PLAYBACK status and open the [FAST DRIVE] menu.
② Select the [SAVE] item and press the [ENTER] key.
③ Press the [ENTER] key while [FAST DRIVE] is selected.
10 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
④ The save operation begins. While the data is being saved, the display
counts down in units of megabytes to show the remaining storage
capacity.
Press the [ENTER] key to cancel the operation.
⑤ The display returns to the [OTHERS] menu when the save operation has
completed.
All of the video data in the camera's memory is saved.
You cannot select which data to save.
11 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
Press the [ENTER] key while saving to cancel the operation.
[CANCEL] is displayed on the screen while the operation is being canceled, and then display
returns to the [OTHERS] menu.
If for some reason it is unable to save the data, an error message such as the following is
displayed. In such a case, press the [ENTER] key to return to [OTHERS].
12 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4.4. DATA LIST
Display the data saved on the FAST Drive as a list (8 data items at a time).
① From the [FAST DRIVE] menu, select the [DATA LIST] item and press
the [ENTER] key.
② Press the [ENTER] key while [FAST DRIVE] is selected.
13 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
③ The data saved on the FAST Drive is displayed as a list.
The list displays the save completion date and time, and the number of
saved frames in the order that they were saved.
④ Press the [▶] key on the remote controller to display the next page and [◀]
for the previous page.
If the current page is the first page, then pressing the [◀] displays the last page.
A maximum of 1024 data items can be saved, and up to 128 pages can be displayed.
14 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4.5. INFORMATION
Display the total capacity of the FAST Drive.
① From the [FAST DRIVE] menu, select the [INFORMATION] item and
press the [ENTER] key.
② The total capacity of the FAST Drive is displayed.
15 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
Mode
Setting Description
MANUAL
Save from the FAST DRIVE menu
AUTO
Automatically save when recording finishes
4.6. SAVE MODE
Set either of the following modes to save data to the FAST Drive.
① From the [FAST DRIVE] menu, select the [SAVE MODE] item and press
the [ENTER] key.
② Use the remote controller's [▴▾] key to select [MANUAL] or [AUTO] and
press the [ENTER] key.
16 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
4.1.1 Operation During AUTO Mode
When the SAVE MODE is set to [AUTO], the camera starts saving to the
FAST Drive immediately after the recording finishes.
The following explains the operations when the trigger mode is set to
[START].
The environment settings must be set with the PFV to start saving to the FAST Drive
immediately after the recording finishes. For more details, refer to the section 5.2.1 Auto Save.
① Start recording.
<READY (standby status)>
<REC (recording status)>
17 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
② [SAVE] is displayed when the recording finishes, and the camera starts
saving to the FAST Drive.
③ While the data is being saved, the display counts down in units of
megabytes to show the remaining storage capacity.
Press the [ENTER] key to cancel the operation.
18 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
④ The display returns to the [LIVE] screen when the save operation finishes.
19 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
4. Remote Controller Operating Instructions
Press the [ENTER] key while saving to cancel the operation.
[CANCEL] is displayed on the screen while the operation is being canceled, and then the
display returns to the [OTHERS] menu.
If for some reason it is unable to save the data, an error message such as the following is
displayed. In such a case, press the [ENTER] key to return to [OTHERS].
20 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
Connection Method
Available Operations
Gigabit EtherNet
Formatting, saving to the FAST Drive
USB 3.0
Formatting, playback of saved data, download to the PC
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
This section explains how to operate the FAST Drive using the Photron
FASTCAM Viewer (PFV).
The available operations differ depending on the method used to connect to the
FAST Drive.
5.1 Format
Erase all of the data on the FAST Drive.
5.1.1 Connecting with Gigabit EtherNet
Format the drive from the [SAVE] or [LIVE] tabs in the control panel.
SAVE tab
① Display the [SAVE] tab, click the [▼] to the right of the [Save] button, and
then click [FAST Drive Save].
21 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
② The [FAST Drive Save] dialog box is displayed.
Click the [Format] button.
③ The confirmation screen is displayed. Click the [OK] button.
22 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
④ The [Data List] information disappears when the formatting finishes.
LIVE tab
① Display the [LIVE] tab and click the [Camera Option] button.
23 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
② Click the [FAST Drive] entry in the tree on the left side and click the
[Format] button.
③ The confirmation screen is displayed. Click the [OK] button.
24 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
5.1.2 Connecting with USB 3.0
Format the drive from the [FILE] tab in the control panel.
① Display the [FILE] tab, click the [▼] to the right of the [Open File] button,
and then click [Open FAST Drive].
② The [Load FAST Drive] window is displayed.
Click the [Format] button.
25 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
③ The confirmation screen is displayed. Click the [OK] button.
④ The [Camera Data list] information disappears when the formatting finishes.
26 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
5.2 Saving to the FAST Drive
Save the video data in the camera's memory to the FAST Drive.
The data can be saved to the FAST Drive automatically or manually (MANUAL)
from the PFV.
Check the remaining storage capacity before saving.
All of the video data in the camera's memory is saved.
You cannot select which data to save.
5.2.1 Auto Save
Automatically save the recorded data to the FAST Drive after recording.
Enter the environment settings to automatically save.
① Display the [LIVE] tab on the control panel and click the [Record Option]
button.
27 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
② Check the [Auto Download] and [AutoSave in FAST Drive] options under
[Operation After Recording Complete].
③ Click the [OK] button.
Once the settings are entered, the files will be automatically saved to the
FAST Drive after recording is complete.
28 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
5.2.2 Manual Save
Save the video data in the camera's memory to the FAST Drive.
① Display the [SAVE] tab on the control panel, click the [▼] to the right of the
[Save] button, and then click [FAST Drive Save].
② The [FAST Drive Save] dialog box is displayed.
Click the [Save] button.
29 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
③ The [FAST Drive Download Time] screen is displayed.
④ A progress bar and a remaining capacity countdown are displayed when
the save operation begins.
⑤ The message [Download completed] is displayed when the save operation
is complete. Click the [OK] button.
30 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
⑥ The details of the saved data are displayed in the [Data List] of the [FAST
Drive Save] window.
⑦ Click the [Close] button.
31 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
5.3 Playing Saved Data
Play the data that was saved to the FAST Drive.
① Display the [FILE] tab on the control panel, click the [▼] to the right of the
[Open File] button, and then click [Open FAST Drive].
② The [Load FAST Drive] dialog box is displayed.
Select the target data from the [Camera Data list] and click the [Open]
button.
32 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
③ The video contained in the selected data is played back.
The same operations can be performed similar to standard file playback.
[FAST Drive Data No.xx] is displayed in the screen title when playing data stored on the FAST
Drive.
33 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
5.4 Downloading to the PC
Download the data on the FAST Drive to the PC.
① Display the [FILE] tab on the control panel, click the [▼] to the right of the
[Open File] button, and then click [Open FAST Drive].
② The [Load FAST Drive] dialog box is displayed.
Select the target data from the [Camera Data List], select the save format
from the list, and then click the [Save] button.
34 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
5. Photron FASTCAM Viewer Operating Instructions
To specify the save destination, click the [Edit] button under the [Save Path and File Name] and
set the destination.
To set the details of the save format, click the [Option] button.
For more details about the save format options, refer to the “Photron FASTCAM Viewer User's
Manual Operation section”.
③ The download status is displayed when the download begins.
35 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
6. Product Specifications
Environmental Conditions
Storage temperature range
-20 to 60 degrees (prevent condensation)
Storage humidity range
Less than 85% (prevent condensation)
Temperature range for guaranteed
performance
0 to 45 degrees (prevent condensation)
Humidity range for guaranteed
performance
Less than 80% (prevent condensation)
Maximum altitude for use
Less than 2,000 m
External Dimensions
Unit
23.0 (H) x 102.0 (W) x 146.5 (D) mm excluding protrusions
0.90” (H) x 4.01” (W) x 5.76 (D)
Weight
Unit
400 g 0.88lbs
Environmental Conditions
Storage temperature range
-20 to 60 degrees (prevent condensation)
Storage humidity range
Less than 85% (prevent condensation)
Temperature range for guaranteed
performance
0 to 45 degrees (prevent condensation)
Humidity range for guaranteed
performance
Less than 80% (prevent condensation)
Maximum altitude for use
Less than 2,000 m
External Dimensions
Unit
27.0 (H) x 140.0 (W) x 193.0 (D) mm excluding protrusions
1.06“ (H) x 5.51“ (W) x 7.59“ (D)
AC/DC power supply adapter
40.0 (H) x 69.0 (W) x 132.0 (D) mm excluding protrusions
1.57“ (H) x 2.71“ (W) x 5.19“ (D)
AC/DC Power Supply Adapter
Input voltage
100 V to 240 V
Frequency
50 Hz to 60 Hz
Output power supply voltage
24 V/2.7 A
Unit's DC Power Supply
Power supply voltage
24V
Power consumption
20 VA
Weight
Unit
600g 1.62lbs
AC power supply adapter
390 g 0.85lbs
6. Product Specifications
6.1 General Specifications
① FAST Drive
② FAST Dock
36 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
6. Product Specifications
6.2 Dimensional Drawings
③ FAST Drive
Units: mm
37 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
6. Product Specifications
④ FAST Dock
Units: mm
38 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
6. Product Specifications
⑤ AC power supply adapter
Units: mm
39 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
7. Contact Information
Items Verified
Concrete Example
Contact Information
Company, school or organization name,
customer contact name,
contact phone number,
Contact e-mail.
Product Name
The Photron FASTCAM Viewer version number and the
high-speed camera name,
SD Memory Card name.
For the version number, check the version information.
Condition of the system and what is known about it.
Contact Information
In Americas
and Antipodes
PHOTRON USA, INC.
9520 Padgett Street, Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92126-4426, USA
Phone : 800-585-2129 or 858-684-3555
Fax : 858-684-3558
E-mail : image@photron.com
www.photron.com
For inquires related to PFV, contact Photron at the contact information listed below.
Additionally, the following items will be verified when inquiring, so please prepare them in advance.
40 FAST Drive/FAST Dock User's Manual
FFAASSTT DDrriivvee // FFAASSTT DDoocckk
User's Manual Revision 1.09E
Publication Date April, 2018
Publisher PHOTRON LIMITED
21F, Jimbocho Mitsui Bldg.,
1-105 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051