Thema: Exposure settings

Exposure Settings

Open the Exposure Settings dialog to adjust the exposure settings of the camera and to optimize it for the current lighting condition.

The MOBOTIX camera is equipped with several automatic features so that the best possible images can be created under all weather and lighting conditions. Normally, only extreme conditions call for manual modifications of the exposure settings.

When modifying settings manually, you should always start with the factory default settings.

Notes:

Some of these settings can be changed using the pull-down menus above the image on the Live page.
Click on the More button to display all options of the dialog.

Description of Parameters

Automatic contrast

It is recommended that this setting always has the value Auto in order to create high-contrast images under all lighting conditions.

Brightness

Changing the Brightness parameter will adjust the entire image area.

Notes:

Configure the Exposure Fields first (see below). This is usually sufficient to achieve good image exposure.
If setting the exposure fields does not produce satisfying images, you may want to use the Brightness parameter for fine tuning.
Selecting high values for this parameter that are too high may lead to overexposure of bright image areas.

Backlight correction

This parameter also is used for adjusting the brightness of an image. However, it only affects the darker portions of an image.

Notes:

Configure the Exposure Fields first (see below). This is usually sufficient to achieve good image exposure.
If setting the exposure fields does not produce satisfying images, you may want to use the Backlight Correction parameter for fine tuning.

Night Improvement

This setting improves contrast in dark scenes or in scenes lacking contrast.

Note:	Activating this parameter may result in an increase of image noise.

Exposure Field

Exposure fields are defines image areas that are used for exposure and color adjustments. To facilitate exposure field positioning, you can select from a number of pre-defined exposure fields.

Notes:

When your camera is a dual lens model, you can define different exposure fields for each lens.
You may also use the exposure fields to perform White balance.

Pre-defined Exposure Fields:

Center	An exposure field at the image center with a size of 220x160 pixels.
Spot	An exposure field at the image center with a size of 90x65 pixels.
Top	An exposure field at the top of the image with a size of 570x234 pixels.
Middle	An exposure field at the image center with a size of 570x234 pixels.
Bottom	An exposure field at the bottom of the image with a size of 570x234 pixels.
Right	An exposure field at the right side of the image with a size of 210x410 pixels.
Vertical	An exposure field at the image center with a size of 210x410 pixels.
Left	An exposure field at the left side of the image with a size of 210x410 pixels.
Right & Left	Two exposure fields at the left and right sides of the image with a size of 155x410 pixels each.
Extra	Select this value, if you want to define customized exposure fields in the configuration file.

Exposure Field Weighting:

Using this parameter, you can define how much the exposure fields are to be considered for exposure control--relative to the remainder of the image.
Values: Total .. 0% .. 100%

The factory default setting is 100% which means that only the exposure fields are used for exposure control.

White Balance Weighting:

Using this parameter, you can define how much the exposure fields are to be considered for white balancing--relative to the remainder of the image.
Values: Total .. 0% .. 100%

The factory default setting is Total which means that the entire image is used for white balance.

Average Brightness:

Using this parameter, you can influence the average brightness within the exposure fields. Note, that too high a value may affect the exposure time.
The factory default setting is 40%.

Max. Exposure Time

Set the maximum exposure time in seconds.

Minimum exposure time

Set the minimum exposure time in seconds.

Reaction Time

Controls the speed of adjusting to changed illumination:

The default setting Fast will adjust exposure control rapidly, but this may slow down frame rates if the illumination changes frequently.
Use the Slow setting to minimize this effect.

This setting is also relevant, if you are using MxPEG Viewer.

Frequency of Power Supply

This parameter sets the camera to the power supply frequency of the respective country to prevent interference.

The factory default setting for Europe is 50 Hz. For Canada, the U.S.A. and Japan, set the power supply frequency to 60 Hz.

Note:	In the lower part of the dialog, the current exposure settings of the image sensors are displayed.

Store the Configuration

Click on the Set button to activate your settings and to save them until the camera is rebooted.

Click on the Close button to close the dialog. While closing the dialog, the system checks the entire configuration for changes. If changes are detected, you will be asked if you would like to store the entire configuration permanently.