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Machine Vision    
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T H E   S P A C E
Since the only pictorial input into this installation is its immediate surroundings as seen by the cameras, the choice of space assumes a critical role. Odd spaces of intersecting corridors, staircases, corners with horizontal, vertical, or diagonal shapes and shadows are an ideal backdrop for the observer approaching the exhibit. When only a featureless room is offered, Steina includes large vertical photo panels by Woody Vasulka to be mounted on the walls to provide a graphic backdrop.

Machine Vision (and Allvision) are the only works of Steina’s requiring daylight or a fair amount of artificial illumination. They are closed-circuit environments with no additional media on tape or disk. There is no audio present.

 
E Q U I P M E N T
The Vasulkas can provide all the equipment listed below, or share resources with the exhibitor. This will be reflected in both shipping and equipment budgets.
1. ALLVISION (see separate description)
2. Rotation: A camera fitted with a motorized prism lens provides a continuous rotation. 3. Zoom: A camera fitted with a motorized zoom lens provides a continuous in/out zoom.
  video camera
motorized prism lens
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (3 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable
  video camera
motorized zoom lens
power supply (3 VDC)
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (12 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable
4. Pan: A moving mirror assembly placed in front of the camera provides a continuous pan, back and forth. 5. Tilt: A moving mirror assembly placed in front of the camera provides a continuous tilt, up and down.
  video camera
motorized mirror assembly
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (12 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable
  video camera
motorized mirror assembly
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (12 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable
6. Double Rotation (slant mirror): A vertically placed camera points into a rotating slanted mirror, resulting in a rotation on two axis, horizontal and vertical. 7. Bird’s-Eye: A vertically placed camera is fitted with a motorized prism lens and a small mir-rored sphere providing a continuous rotation.
  video camera
motorized mirror assembly
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (3 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable
  video camera
motorized prism lens
power supply (12 VDC)
power supply (3 VDC)
tripod
video cable to monitor
power cable


SUMMARY OF EQUIPMENT
 
  8 b/w video cameras
15 powersupplies
2 moving mirror assemblies
2 prizm lenses
1 bird’s-eye lens
1 zoom lens
1 slant mirror
7 tripods
NOTE: These mini installations come pre-assembled. They need only to be mounted on tripods and arranged in space. There are 8 video cables from each installation to the monitors.
 
M O N I T O R   M A T R I X   A N D   P L A T F O R MS
The placement of the monitors is determined by the size of the monitors and the space itself. A matrix of 12 monitors, 3 x 4 is recommended. The following diagram shows the wiring sequence for 12 monitors.
 
 
T H E   D I S P L A Y
By selecting more sensitive cameras, the general light level in the environment could be kept low and the balance of light could tip in favor of stronger display image. The monitors should therefore not be exposed to direct light. The space should be flooded in all directions either by artificial or natural light. It is important that the environment reflected in the sphere exhibits great variety of forms and architectural features, contrast in color and brightness. The dynamic additions to the environment are the viewers.
 
V I D E O   A D J U S T M E N T
All 75 ohm terminators located on the back of the monitors must be switched to open, except for the last monitor on each chain. Contrast should be high and brightness below middle. The basic rule here is to set up the proper deep color black as a reference to the maximum contrast and brightness. With that, the other components (hue, color saturation) can be assigned. The persons installing the environment must use their esthetic judgment as to the proper monitor settings for maximum visual impact.
 
D A I L Y   O P E R A T I O N S
TO START:
Power up the monitors, cameras and motors at each station. Verify that each installation goes into motion and displays video on the monitors. If not, turn power off and on again. If problem persists notify Steina by phone, fax or e-mail.

TO SHUT DOWN:
Power down monitors, cameras, and motor assemblies.

MAINTENANCE:
Power down monitors, cameras, and motor assemblies.

 
P O W E R   R E Q U I R E M E N T S
 
Video monitors (12)

VDC Power Supplies (15)

Turntable
Sony PWM 1910



15 VDC
120 watts

5 watts

40 watts
NOTE: All power supplies for Machine Vision are dual standard, 110 to 220 VAC. Video: PAL/NTSC (cameras/monitors of a matching standard).
 
L I S T   O F   P O W E R S U P P L I E S
  1. Allvision
2.Rotation I
3. Zoom
4. Pan
5. Tilt
6. Slant Mirror
7. Rotation II
12 VDC + 12 VDC
12 VDC + 3VDC
12 VDC + 3 VDC + 12VDC
12 VDC + 12 VDC
12 VDC + 12 VDC
12 VDC + 05VDC
12 VDC + 03 VDC
 
 
C R E D I T S
At the entrance these credits should appear:
“Machine Vision by Steina, with instrumentation by Josef Krames, Woody Vasulka, and Bruce Hamilton.”
 
S H I P P I N G   I N F O R M A T I O N
Installation is shipped in four crates. Weight and dimensions available upon request.