STH-MDCS-VAR

The STH-MDCS-VAR holds two megapixel cameras on a variable baseline rig for maximum flexibility in prototyping applications requiring megapixel resolution: Low-noise, high-sensitivity CMOS imager. Color or monochrome. Uncompressed video at megapixel resolution (7.5 fps) or VGA (30 fps). IEEE 1394 FireWire interface. Full synchronization of the two cameras. Variable baseline from 5 to 20 cm. Includes C/CS-mount lenses and SRI Small Vision System software for real-time stereo analysis. High performance and low power, with megapixel resolution in a flexible package.

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Features

Color and monochrome versions
Variable baseline: 5 - 20 cm (monochrome), 11 - 20 cm (color)
Maximum resolution: 1280H x 960V pixels
Dual-cable FireWire interface for power, data, and control
Accepts standard C/CS-mount lenses
Direct digital information from the imagers, bypasses analog noise and frame grabber jitter
External synchronization: all MDCS devices on the same IEEE 1394 bus are synchronized to capture images at the same time
Subsampling modes (decimation) for smaller frame sizes, faster frame rates, lower noise
Electronic gain and exposure
All modes fully under user control via the IEEE 1394 bus
Conforms to Digital Camera Specification version 1.30
Milled solid aluminum alloy body for extreme rigidity on each camera, milled aluminum bars for rigid camera mounting.
Seamless interface to SVS™ stereo analysis software

Camera Kit

STH-MDCS3-VAR stereo head, color or monochrome
20 cm variable baseline rig
4.5 mm C-mount locking lenses standard; other lenses available as options
Small Vision System stereo analysis software (one license for either MS Windows 2000 / XP / Vista* or Linux 2.4 / 2.6)
Two 2 meter IEEE 1394 6-pin to 6-pin cables
Hardware and Software Manuals (download)

Requirements

Pentium-compatible PC (Pentium MMX, AMD K6-2 or better) running MS Windows 2000 / XP / Vista* or Linux 2.4 / 2.6 kernel
IEEE 1394 PCI or PCMCIA card with 2 free ports. IEEE 1394 card must supply 2W of power through the 6-pin cable. Most PCI cards do this; PCMCIA cards must have a separate transformer power input. Interface cards are available from Videre Design, see Accessories

* Vista compatible for all cameras sold after 12/01/08.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Description
Imagers	½” format CMOS 1280 x 960 active area Progressive scan Color or monochrome
Digital Camera Specification	Version 1.30
Formats	1280 x 960, 640 x 480 Center zoom mode 8 bit monochrome or Bayer color pattern
Frame Rates	3.75, 7.5, 15, 30 Hz Max 7.5 Hz at 1280 x 960
Exposure	1 line time to full frame; rolling integration
Gain	0 - 18 dB
Sensitivity	2.1 V/lux-sec
S/N	>> 45 dB, no gain
Power	< 2 W
Synchronization	External: 60 us
Lens	4.5 mm F 1.4 C-mount, locking lenses included 3.5 mm and 6.0 mm lenses optional
Size	6.4 cm high x 2.5 cm deep x 27.9 cm long (2.5 in high x 1 in deep x 11 in long) excluding lenses Dimensional Drawings
Stereo Baseline	Monochrome 5 - 20 cm (2 - 7.9 in) Color 11 - 20 cm (4.3 - 7.9 in) continuously variable
Weight	425 grams (15 oz) without lenses
SVS™ software	Linux kernel 2.4/2.6 MSW 2000, XP, Vista* * Vista compatible for all new cameras after 12/01/08. Not compatible with earlier cameras.
Environment	0 - 40° C (32 - 104° F), < 90% humidity (non-condensing)

Download STH-MDCS-VAR Data Sheet (PDF)

STH-MDCS-VAR Models

Part Number	Description
STH-MDCS-VAR-C-C/CS	11-20 cm baseline, color, 1280 x 960, C/CS lenses STH-MDCS System
STH-MDCS-VAR-M-C/CS	5-20 cm baseline, monochrome, 1280 x 960, C/CS lenses STH-MDCS System

STH-MDCS-VAR Accessories

Videre Design offers a selection of lenses, cables, interface cards, and additional software licenses to meet your application needs.

Part Number	Description	Product Compatibility
LENS-CL-3.5-1/2 Data Sheet	3.5 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 103° HFOV x 76° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-4.5-1/2 Data Sheet	4.5 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 79° HFOV x 59° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-6.0-1/2 Data Sheet	6.0 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 57° HFOV x 44° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-12.0-1/2 Data Sheet	12.0 mm, ½” format, high resolution fixed lens, F 1.4, C-mount with locking screws, 30° HFOV x 23° VFOV	All
LENS-CL-4.5-12.5 Data Sheet	4.5-12.5 mm: ½” format, variable focal length, F 1.2, manual iris and manual focus, CS-mount, 81° ~ 30° HFOV x 60° ~ 22° VFOV	All
1394-PCI	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCI Controller Card	All
1394-CARDBUS-110	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCMCIA Cardbus with 110v transformer	All
1394-CARDBUS-220	3-Ports FireWire IEEE 1394a PCMCIA Cardbus with 220v transformer	All
ADAPTER-110	110v Transformer: 9 VDC / 110 VAC 500ma P-5	All
ADAPTER-220	220v Transformer: 6W 12V 0.5A MULTI PLUG, 12VDC, 500mA, Positive Center, 2.5mm I.D. x 5.5mm O.D. x 9.5mm Female, 100 ~ 240VAC, Power output 6W	All
1394-CABLE-2.0	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 2 meter cable	All
1394-CABLE-4.5	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 4.5 meter cable	All
1394-CABLE-10.0	1394 FireWire 6 pin to 6 pin 10 meter cable	All
SVS-MSW	Additional license for SRI Small Vision System software – MSW version	All
SVS-LINUX	Additional license for SRI Small Vision System software – Linux version	All

Overview

SVS™ Stereo Analysis Software

Downloads

Manual

Small Vision System User's Manual - Version 4.x (PDF)

Manuals

STH-MDCS-VAR and STH-MDCS-VARX Stereo Head User's Manual (PDF)

Data Sheet

STH-MDCS-VAR Data Sheet (PDF)

Worksheet and Overviews

Stereo Parameter Worksheet: Calculate lens focal length and stereo baseline for your application
Imager and Lens Characteristics
Monochrome, Color, and Infrared

STH-MDCS-VAR Case Studies

Smile: STH-MDCS-VAR Camera Application

Successfully Tracking People in Public Interactive Spaces

Researchers at the University of Canterbury designed a camera system that could accurately track human motion and estimate human poses in varying settings, regardless of fluctuating environmental constraints...more

Go Digital: STH-MDCS-VAR Camera Application

Book Digitization

The digitization of books has been undertaken on a variety of scales for at least a decade. Various library projects, such as the Virginia eText Project and Project Gutenberg, aim to produce replacement copies of texts that are deteriorating or to make rare physical collections more widely accessible. Videre Design's STH-MDCS-VAR stereo vision cameras are used in one of the largest, mass-digitization projects in the world.