To minimize noise and maximize image quality on any digital high-speed camera, it is important to control the sensor temperature. By keeping the sensor at a fixed temperature, you will get better, more repeatable images. For many years, Vision Research has used thermo-electric (TE) coolers based on the Peltier effect to control sensor temperature. The sensor die is attached to the TE cooler and by monitoring the temperature of the sensor, the camera can supply more or less power to the TE cooler to adjust the temperature.

Yes, a copper UTP 10Gbase-T Ethernet interface is standard on all UHS cameras and the CineStation IV. When optimized, this allows for cine downloads at speeds more than 5X faster than the standard Gb Ethernet interface.

While any compatible 10GBASE-T interface card installed in a PC should work, we have been using and recommending the Intel X540-T1 and X540-T2 cards. Be sure the latest Intel drivers are installed, and the appropriate network address is assigned to it (For example, IP 172.16.0.1 and Subnet 255.255.0.0) Also, ensure either the Phantom 10G Network driver is installed.

Vision Research provides a ruggedized connector carrier to be used when connecting a standard CAT6 or CAT6A Ethernet cable between the camera and the interface card. The customer must supply the appropriate cable.

A CAT6A or CAT7 cable is recommended and gives you a maximum 100m distance between the camera and the interface card. (A CAT6 cable is limited to 50m.)

Yes. In fact, there is a viewfinder port on the camera that will supply video and power to a viewfinder or monitor.

Vision Research offers a component viewfinder cable which can be used to power an on-camera monitor or viewfinder that has an XLR4 power input. YPBPR Component video is also provided. This cable’s part # is VRI-CBL-YPRPB-P65-0R8

All UHS-12 digital cameras come with a 280W power supply, providing ample power for a camera with maximum 288GB memory, a 2TB CineMag, and the viewfinder.

We test the ISO of every Phantom camera model to the industry standard ISO 12232. We use the SAT method which we believe is the best method for determining a sensor’s sensitivity. The SAT method does not use gain to boost sensitivity. When using gain to increase sensitivity, you also boost the noise level. A gain adjustment to boost sensitivity is available on all Phantom cameras using image processing tools, if increased noise can be tolerated.

Per the spec, we will often publish both a Daylight (D) and a Tungsten (T) value because the source of illumination has a significant bearing on the result, particularly with monochrome sensors. When T or D is not specified, it can be assumed that the value published is the Daylight variant.

Please note that most modern Phantom cameras include Exposure Index control, which will boost the apparent ISO through the use of pre-defined tone curves that get applied to the raw images. The exposure index (EI) range is specified by Vision Research per camera model to ensure optimal image quality throughout the range.

Yes. You need to order the optional Canon EOS lens mount and use it with one of the tested and supported lenses (see FAQ). The part number is: VRI-MNT-EOS-VSERIES.

Most Phantom cameras come with a fixed amount of high-speed dynamic RAM. When the camera is in the pre-trigger mode (you’ve pressed “Capture” in the user interface), the camera is continuously recording images into that memory. When it gets to the end of memory, it cycles back to the beginning and continues recording, constantly overwriting itself – until the camera is triggered. This behavior is called “circular buffer recording”.

What you end up actually saving in memory is a function of how you’ve set up your trigger. It can be set so that only frames that occur after the trigger are saved (100% post trigger). In this mode, once the trigger is pressed any images already in memory are overwritten and you record until memory is full, then it stops. If you set the trigger to stop the recording (0% post trigger) and save all frames up to the time of the trigger, the camera will simply stop recording upon the trigger and all the frames in memory before the trigger will be saved. Finally, you can set the trigger anywhere in the middle, for example having 90% of the recorded movie be what happens prior to the trigger and 10% after the trigger.

We offer hands-on training for Phantom cameras at our Wayne, New Jersey facility. The two-day class has both lecture and labs for the best learning experience. This class is targeted at applications where the cameras will be used for scientific and engineering applications.
On-site training is available.

For customers outside of North America, who prefer local training, most of our International Sales Partners offer training courses tailored to your needs.

If your application is TV or Motion Picture production, consider training courses targeted at those applications from AbelCine, or other Phantom resellers around the world who focus on the “entertainment” market.

Yes. Look in the General Support Documents page for the CE Declarations here: phantomhighspeed.com/support

Vision Research welcomes slow motion videos from our industrial users as well as our entertainment customers. Submission is easy. Send us an email (phantom@ametek.com ) that explains what you’d like to share. In the body of the email give us all the details about your shoot, equipment used, workflow and anything else you think we need to know. We will send you a permission to use form to complete. This form gives us permission to use your footage and tells us how to credit your work. Once we get the completed form, we’ll work with you to get the footage (we prefer the original cine file). Then, we’ll post your high speed video in the Gallery and on our YouTube channel. Slow motion videos in our Gallery are rotated on a weekly basis and randomly chosen for inclusion into the Gallery.

Vision Research sends out a monthly newsletter that includes product announcements, featured projects and other news. Fill out a Contact form to be added to our email list! http://www.phantomhighspeed.com/Contact-Us/Contact-Form

All Phantom v-Series cameras with the Airborne option (these are no longer shipping) are classified as ECCN 7A994.

All Phantom Miro Airborne and Miro Airborne HD cameras (these are no longer shipping) are classified as ECCN 9A991D.

Any Phantom camera with the FAST option installed (typically this gives you frame rates >= 1,000,000 fps and/or digital exposures < 1 microsecond) such as the Phantom v611, v711, VEO 710 and the Ultrahigh-speed 10, 11, and 12 Series are classified as ECCN 6A003 and are export controlled.

Cameras with ECCN 6A003 can only be exported to these countries with no license required (NLR):
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

All other countries require an export license.

All other Phantom cameras are classified as ECCN EAR99.

No. We’ve been able to achieve these rates of speed without the use of such technology.

We do not manufacturer specialized enclosures such as underwater housings directly. There are manufacturers of underwater housings on the market compatible with Phantom cameras. Here are a few examples:

Gates has a specialized housing for the Flex4K: https://www.gateshousings.com/flex-4k/

Nauticam has an underwater housing for the Phantom VEO (all S-model VEO) https://www.nauticam.com/

Prevco is a subsea engineering consultancy and manufacturer specializing in submersible pressure vessels, instrumentation housings, junction boxes, vent plugs, pressure relief valves and other accessories, also compatible with Phantom cameras

If you supply underwater housings or know of another supplier, please let us know so we can add to this list.