Sony DXC-S500 User Manual

Color Digital Camera

iCY SHOT

DXC-S500

Product Information Manual

Internal Use Only

1. INTRODUCTION

As the number of microscopy applications increases, the method of capturing images has changed from using NTSC/PAL-based video signals to the simplicity and convenience of PC-based image data. A flexible interface with PCs along with superior picture quality are now essential to microscopy, and the Sony DXC-S500 Digital Camera System meets these demands by providing both. Comprising two separate units, the DXC-S500 includes a compact and lightweight camera head unit (CHU) and a camera control unit (CCU) with an integrated 3.5 type LCD monitor. The 2/3 type five mega-pixel CCD incorporated in the CHU provides ultra-high-resolution images and precise color reproduction. The LCD on the CCU enables you to monitor live images and offers user-friendly operation. The added advantage of the DXC-S500 is its flexible interface with PCs. An IEEE 1394 interface on the CCU allows uncompressed image data transfer to a PC. A built-in PCMCIA card slot enables you to store images on various media, such as "Memory Stick™", CompactFlash™, SmartMedia™ and removable hard disk drives. What's more, a hot-plug function allows the camera to be effortlessly connected to a PC, while the supplied TWAIN driver supports various application software such as Photoshop®and Image-Pro®Plus. With excellent picture quality, sophisticated features and PC-friendly operation, the Sony DXC-S500 is the ideal system to support your medical and scientific microscopy applications.

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. PRODUCT CONCEPT

3. APPLICATIONS

4. KEY FEATURES

5. PANEL LAYOUT

6. MENU FUNCTION

7. TWAIN DRIVER SOFTWARE

8. SYSTEM EXAMPLE

9. OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

10. SPECIFICATIONS

11. PIN ASSIGNMENT

12. DIMENSIONS

13. TECHNICAL APPENDIX

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2. PRODUCT CONCEPT

Ultra-high-resolution Color Digital Camera for Microscopy

■ Superb picture quality with a 2/3 type five mega-pixel CCD

■ Flexible interface with PCs

◆ IEEE 1394 interface

◆ PC card slot

◆ TWAIN driver

■ User-friendly operation with an integrated 3.5 type LCD monitor

■ C-mount system

3. APPLICATIONS

Bio-medical Microscopy

■ Microbiology

■ Pathology

■ Genetics

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DXC-S500 Product Information Manual

4. KEY FEATURES

Superb Picture Quality IEEE 1394 Interface

By utilizing several core technologies, the DXC-S500 offers superb picture quality. With a five mega-pixel 2/3 type IT CCD, the DXC-S500 can capture ultra-high-resolution and high-precision images. The maximum number of pixels used for image capture is 2560 (H) x 1920 (V), providing superior resolution. The use of RGB primary color mosaic filters contributes to precise color reproduction, while a cooling device cools the CCD chip to 5 ˚C (at 0 to 35 ˚C ambient temperature) to achieve excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Long-term Exposure Shooting

Built-in frame memory provides a remarkable enhancement in sensitivity by allowing the charge accumulation period of the CCD (typically 1/60 second) to be extended to a maximum of 60 seconds.

Fluorescence Image Capturing

The DXC-S500 provides a fluorescent mode

(FL MODE), which facilitates focus and capture adjustments for dark objects at the touch of a button. When activated, it automatically boosts the camera gain level and lowers the frame rate so the dark object can be clearly seen. When focus adjustments have been made, pressing the "CAPTURE" button resets the gain and calculates the appropriate shutter speed (Long-term Exposure) so a clear image can be obtained. And, thanks to the CCD cooling device, the dark noise that is typically seen in Long-term Exposure mode is dramatically reduced.

The IEEE 1394 (400 Mb/s) interface located on the camera control unit enables direct interface with various PCs or IEEE 1394 boards*. The interface supports a hot-plug function for quick access to the camera's image without restarting the PC. The pictures are transmitted in uncompressed IEEE 1394 format for highest accuracy.

* When Microsoft®Windows®is used, IEEE 1394 boards con-

forming to OHCI are supported. For Macintosh®, genuine FireWire® boards are supported.

PC Card Slot

A PC card slot is located on the front of the CCU for storing images directly onto various media. This slot supports PCMCIAATAType II*, enabling data storage in a "Memory Stick", CompactFlash, SmartMedia and removable hard disk drive.

* PC cards supporting 3.3 V power supply only are not available.

TWAIN Driver

The supplied TWAIN driver enables the use of various application software. You can use this driver to monitor live images on the PC application window, and to capture images with a simple mouse click.

DXC-S500 Product Information Manual

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Selectable Image Size and Recording Format

Recorded date and time

Picture quality/picture size

Gain/shutter speed

White balance mode

EV compensation volume/ flash mode/rotation

User ID number

Three recording image sizes are available for selection, and images of each size can be stored in TIFF (uncompressed) or JPEG (compressed, three modes) format.

Image recording size (H x V) TIFF (uncompressed)

FULL: 2560 x 1920 15 MB 5 MB 2.5 MB 1.3 MB SXGA: 1280 x 960 3.8 MB 1.3 MB 630 KB 310 KB VGA: 640 x 480 940 KB 310 KB 160 KB 78 KB

The above image data sizes are approximations.

JPEG (compressed)

High Mid Low

Analog Video Output

Analog composite output (BNC) and Y/C output (S-Video) terminals allow high-frame-rate live monitoring. The output signal supports VGA (640 x 480) size at a 30 fps (NTSC)/25 fps (PAL) frame rate, so you can easily focus the microscope by viewing the image on a video monitor.

User-Friendly Operation

A 3.5 type 200,000-pixels LPS TFT LCD monitor on the CCU provides sophisticated operability, including image capture, index picture display and menu setting. You can also monitor the live image with the built-in LCD monitor.

Index Picture Display

The Index Picture Display allows images stored on the PC card to be previewed as thumbnails. Up to 10 thumbnail images can be viewed at any one time. This allows the user to easily check, playback, and erase stored images.

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DXC-S500 Product Information Manual

AE Functions User File

(max. three files)

The AE (Auto Exposure) function automatically detects the lighting conditions or brightness of the object and adjusts the shutter speed and gain for proper exposure. The DXC-S500 is equipped with a number of AE modes that offer superb image quality.

C-Mount System

To provide an extensive choice of lenses, the DXC-S500 uses the 2/3 type C-mount system for flexible and easy lens mounting.

Foot Switch

An optional FS-20 foot switch is available, enabling you to capture and record images by simply stepping on the switch.

Histogram Display

The DXC-S500 automatically detects the luminance distribution of images, displaying a histogram on the monitor so you can verify the condition of each exposure.

A variety of customized data can be saved as a user file, up to three of which can be stored in the CCU. By loading this user file, you can quickly recreate particular setup conditions.

Black & White Mode

The image output can be selected from either Color or Black & White modes.

Interval Recording

It is possible to record at pre-determined intervals (up to 24 hours).

Picture Rotation

This function rotates the image by 0˚ to 180˚.

(max. 24 hours)

(0˚/180˚ selectable)

2x Digital Zoom

DXC-S500 Product Information Manual

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DISP/INFO

HISTOGRAM

SHUTTER CAM GAIN RED GAIN BLUE

AE LOCK

ERASEPLAY

PC CARD

CAPTURE REC

MANUAL

AUTO

MANUAL

KEY

LOCK

AE MODE WHITE WB MODE

FL MODE

EV COMP

EZ FOCUS/INDEX

ENTER

EXIT

LIVE

5. PANEL LAYOUT

Camera Control Unit (CCU) Control Panel

On/standby switch and indicator

When the power of the unit is on, the indicator is lit in green, and when the unit is in standby mode the indicator is lit in orange.

GAIN (BLUE/RED) controls

Adjusts the red and blue gain levels in manual white balance mode, or after executing the Auto White Balance mode (WB-AUTO).

WHITE (white balance) button and AUTO indicator

When the WB MODE is set to AUTO (the AUTO indicator is lit in green), pressing the WHITE button activates WB-AUTO (Auto White Balance).

CAM GAIN (camera gain) control

In MANUAL exposure mode (the MANUAL indicator is lit in red), turning the CAM GAIN volume adjusts the camera gain level within the range of 0 dB to 12 dB.

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DXC-S500 Product Information Manual

AE MODE button and MANUAL indicator

Sets the exposure mode of the camera to AE-AUTO or MANUAL. In AE-AUTO mode, the electronic shutter speed and the camera gain automatically change in accordance with the brightness of the subject. In MANUAL mode (the MANUAL indicator is lit in red), the electronic shutter speed and the camera gain can be adjusted independently.

SHUTTER (electronic shutter) control

In MANUAL exposure mode (the MANUAL indicator is lit in red), turning the SHUTTER volume controls the shutter speed within the range of 1/10,000 s to 60 s.

AE LOCK button and indicator

In AE-AUTO mode, pressing the AE LOCK button fixes the exposure time (the AE LOCK indicator is lit in green).

ENTER button

In MENU DISPLAY mode: Displays the next layer of

the menu system. In INDEX DISPLAY mode: Displays the selected image in full screen. In Camera LIVE mode: Initializes the focus indicator display .

↑/↓/←/→

In MENU DISPLAY mode: The ↑ (cursor up) or ↓ (cur- sor down) button moves the cursor in the menu display up or down. The ← (data down) or → (data up) button sets the data in the menu display. In INDEX DISPLAY mode: Selects an image from the thumbnail images displayed.

MENU button

In Camera LIVE mode: Displays the MAIN MENU on the LCD monitor.

In PLAY mode: Displays the menu for replay.

EXIT button

When the menu is displayed, pressing the EXIT button restores the previous menu.

buttons

EZ FOCUS (easy focus)/INDEX button

In Camera LIVE mode: Activates 2x electronic zoom

to facilitate focusing operations. In PLAY mode: Displays thumbnail images of still pictures (INDEX DISPLAY) recorded to a PC card.

HISTOGRAM button

In Camera LIVE mode: Displays a histogram of the

image on the LCD monitor.

LIVE button and indicator

Activates the Camera LIVE mode (the indicator is lit in green).

KEY LOCK button and indicator

Pressing the KEY LOCK button for more than two seconds (the indicator is lit in green) disables the operation of buttons and volumes.

* The KEY LOCK mode retains while the unit is switched off.

CAPTURE button

In Camera LIVE mode: Pressing the CAPTURE button stores a picture in the built-in frame memory of the camera.

LCD monitor

Displays the picture being shot, a captured image, or a playback image from a PC card. Also displays the menu, the list of still images (INDEX DISPLAY), or information such as shutter speed, file name, and picture size.

PLAY /+/_buttons

button: Replays a still image recorded on a card.

+ button: Replays the still image of the next file

number.

button: Replays the still image of the previous file

number.

DISP/INFO (display/information) button

In Camera LIVE mode: Displays information on the

camera's live image such as white balance mode, EV compensation volume, and shutter speed. In PLAY mode: Displays information about the image recorded to a PC card, such as record date and time, EV compensation volume, and shutter speed.

ERASE button

In PLAY mode: Erases the files on the loaded PC

card. In INDEX DISPLAY mode: Erases the selected image from thumbnail images.

Card slot

Accepts a PC card or a Memory Stick installed in the MSAC-PC2 Memory Stick adaptor.

CARD EJECT button and access lamp

Pressing this button ejects the loaded PC card. The access lamp is lit in red during reading or writing.

* Do not eject the card while the access lamp is lit.

REC (record) button

Records a still image to a PC card. The access lamp is lit in red during recording.

EV COMP (compensation) +/_buttons

In AE-AUTO or FLMODE, pressing the + or _button adjusts the exposure compensation.

FL (fluorescent) MODE button and indicator

Activates the fluorescent mode of the camera. When activated, the indicator is lit in green.

WB (white balance) MODE button and MANUAL indicator

Sets the White Balance adjustment mode to AUTO or MANUAL. In WB-AUTO mode, pressing the WHITE button automatically adjusts the white balance. In WB-MANUAL mode (the MANUAL indicator is lit in red), the white balance is adjusted manually with the GAIN RED/BLUE volumes.

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