DCS LDT-M1 Bedienungsanleitung
LDT-M1 User Manual
11/02/2020
LDT- M1 User Manual
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Introduction
DCS’ LDT-M1 is a lens encoding system for the Arri ALEXA Mini and Mini LF. It reads the Focus,
Iris and Zoom motor movements and translates this information into compatible data for the
host camera. This metadata is then written directly into the ArriRaw camera files in real time.
Please note: LDT-M1 requires a connection to the camera through the LBUS on the lens mount.
If a lens mount is being used which does not have the LBUS connection the LDT-M1 cannot
record metadata. If this is the case contact DCS and ask about the LDT-R1 which can record the
lens data on an SD card.
Please note: LDT-M1 works with the Preston system but in order to create a lens table a WCU-4
handset is required.
LDT-M1 Components
Add image
1
ETH
10-pin 1B Lemo
2
LDE
12-pin S103 Fischer
3
SERIAL
4-pin 0B Lemo
4
MDR
4-pin 0B Lemo
5
CAM
4-pin 0B Lemo
6
CAL
Calibration Button
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Physical Connections
Name
Type
Description
Cable Codes
ETH
10-pin 1B Lemo
Ethernet to RJ-45
computer
connection
ETHA
LDE
12-pin S103 Fischer
Lens data encoder
connection port for
LDT-E1 and Arri
LDE-1
LDE, LDE-1
embedded cable
SERIAL
4-pin 0B Lemo
Serial passthrough
connection port
CT
MDR
4-pin 0B Lemo
Preston MDR Serial
connection port
MDR, MDRP
CAM
4-pin 0B Lemo
LBUS connection to
camera
LBUS
Cable Types and Codes
All DCS cables are categorized using a code and a bend relief color for each of the cable
types. Cables have two default lengths, 12 or 18 inches and the connector type can be
straight (S), right angle (R), or anglissimo (O). Custom cables can be made upon
request.
Code
Bend
Relief
Color
Type
Port Name
Description
ETHA
Black
10-Pin 1B Lemo
to RJ-45
ETH
ETHA cable connects the LDT-M1 to a
computer for firmware updating.
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LDE
Green
12-pin S103
Fischer to 6-pin
0B Lemo
LDE
LDE connects the LDT-E1 to the LDT-M1.
CT
Orange
4-pin 0B Lemo to
6-pin 1B Lemo
SERIAL
CT cable connects the Preston MDR 2 or 3
serial port with a CineTape. This cable
connects to the LDT-M1 Serial connector if
the Preston MDR serial ports are in use.
MDR
Blue
4-pin 0B Lemo to
4-pin 0B Lemo
MDR
MDR cable connects the LDT-M1 to a Preston
MDR 2 or 3 serial port.
MDRP
Blue
4-pin 0B Lemo to
4-pin 0B Lemo
MDR
MDRP cable connects the LDT-A1 to a
Preston MDR 2 or 3 serial port. Also provides
power.
LBUS
Red
4-pin 0B Lemo to
4-pin 0B Lemo
CAM
LBUS cable connects LDT-M1 to the LBUS
port of the Alexa Mini / Mini LF camera. It
injects the encoded data into the RAW file.
Setting up the Preston
The Preston MDR must be running firmware 1.15 or later please update your MDR first.
In order to correctly create lens maps, Preston F-Mapping must be disabled. This can be
enabled for normal operation once the maps have been made but it is essential it’s disabled
during setup.
●Press the Menu key,
●Select Lens,
●If the focal length and serial number of a lens appears to the right of
“Lens”, press F-Map OFF,
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●The HU3 is now ready for basic operation.
Setting up the Alexa Mini
The Camera’s internal lens mount must be disabled in order to use the external LBUS connector.
●Choose MENU > Electronic Control System (ECS) >Lens data > Lens info > Settings,
●Untick ‘Enable lens mount’.
Change ‘Focus unit’ to ‘Imperial’
Overlay Lens Data on a Monitor
In order to display lens data as an overlay on an SDI monitor, do the following:
●Choose MENU > Monitoring > SDI > SDI processing > Overlays > Status components,
●Tick on Lens data.
Rigging the camera
●Connect the LDT-M1 using the MDR Blue Cable from the MDR port on the LDT-M1 to
Serial 1 on the Preston MDR-3,
●Plug the LBUS Red cable from the CAM port on the LDT-M1 to the LBUS Port on the lens
mount of the Alexa Mini,
●Turn off the Arri WCU-4 handset,
●Connect the Preston Hand unit to the MDR,
●Use the calibration button on the LDT-M1 to calibrate the lens. Visually check all active
axes are calibrating,
●This system requires that the MDR is ALWAYS calibrated from the LDT, not the button on
the MDR itself,
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●Make sure all the axes that are plugged into the MDR are active by operating the Preston
Hand Unit,
●Ensure that the motors are all in the right direction for normal use by the Preston HU3,
Programming a New Lens Table
Creating a lens table is essential to the encoding process. It requires inputting the
relevant lens information (lens name, brand, serial number etc.) and then inputting all of
the marks from each axis (focus/iris/zoom) for each lens. The following guide explains
this process.
Creating a New Lens Table
Mapping a new lens table is crucial to ensuring that the data encoded throughout the
production is precise.
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When mapping a lens, a methodical process needs to be adopted. As standard practice,
DCS suggests to enter a mark point on the WCU-4 for each engraved mark on the lens
and let the LDS system interpolate the rest of the data.
Ensure that the lens calibration happens without any motor slip. When moving the lens
axis with a remote handset, mark alignment should always be achieved from the same
direction to avoid slack on the lens.
Initial check
Establish which direction will be used on the Preston HU3 for the run of the show (close
focus, infinity, wide open iris, close iris, wide zoom, tight zoom). DCS suggests keeping
it consistent throughout the whole set of lenses.
Switch off the Preston HU3 and connect the WCU-4 to the Alexa Mini. Make sure you can move
the Preston motors connected by operating the WCU-4.
Do not move Preston Motors or change direction while encoding the lenses unless
required by rigging purpose.
Remember to insert an SD card into the slot of the WCU-4 before starting.
Always calibrate the lens from the LDT-M1 calibration button.
The directions of the Focus, Iris, and Zoom axis on the WCU-4 may have to be changed to match
the direction of the Preston motors. In order to change the motor direction on the WCU-4 or on
the Alexa Mini:
●Choose MENU > Electronic Control System (ECS) > LBUS lens motor configuration,
●Set the configuration for the lens motor. You have the following options:
○Focus/Iris/ Zoom motor torque - Available values in the range of 1 (lowest) to 4
(highest),
○Focus/Iris/Zoom motor direction - Available values are Left and Right,
○Focus/Iris/Zoom motor teeth count - Leave this setting to AUTO.
Do not change the direction of the Preston motors.
Please follow the ARRI WCU-4 User Manual in order to map lenses using the WCU-4.
Adding a New Lens
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Mount a new lens to the camera. On the LDT-M1 press the calibrate button. On the WCU-4
Choose: MENU > LENS DATA > LENS PROGRAMMING > CREATE LENS FILE.
Select the lens brand, it can either be selected from a list or added manually. Use the up and
down buttons to select from the list, or select custom to enter a custom lens brand name. Press
OK or the user button to confirm the selection.
To enter a custom brand lens use the zoom stick to select characters on the left hand side of
the screen. In order to select a character press the user button. In order to delete a character
press the delete button. When finished press the OK button to select the lens type.
To select a focal length use the up and down buttons or the zoom stick to navigate the list. In
order to enter a custom focal length press custom. For a zoom lens select zoom and then press
OK or user button to confirm.
To enter the lens serial number use the zoom stick to highlight a number and press the user
button to select it. Press the delete button to delete the last number. Press the OK button once
the serial number is complete.
Select the unit of measurement for focus, use the up and down buttons or the zoom stick to
select metric or imperial and then press the OK or User button to confirm.
Mapping a Lens Table
Once all the lens information is entered, select either ‘Focus’, ‘Iris’ or ‘‘Zoom’ (if a Zoom
lens is being used) axis to start mapping the lens.
Mapping The Focus Axis
Use the focus knob to move through the span of the axis, ensuring that it reaches each
end of the lens. If not, check if there were any slips during calibration.
To programme the focus scale press the focus button.
To set the infinity mark for focus rotate the focus knob until the lens reaches infinity. Press the
OK or user button to set the infinity point.
To set the close focus mark. Rotate the focus knob until the lens reaches closed focus. Use the
up and down buttons or zoom stick until the close focus value appears on the screen. Press the
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OK or the user button to confirm. Now repeat the above steps in order to populate your lens
table. Work through each engraved value on the lens to ensure maximum precision. Use the
Down button to edit any data points.
Once all focus values have been entered press finish to save. Press OK to return to the Select
Axis Screen.
Mapping the Iris Axis
Use the iris slider to move through the span of the axis, ensuring that it reaches each
end of the lens. If not, check if there were any slips during calibration.
Now move onto mapping the Iris by pressing the Iris button.
Set the iris to wide open. Use the up and down buttons or the zoom stick to select the open iris
value. Press the OK or User button to confirm.
Now work through the rest of the Iris marks. Move the iris slider to the next engraved mark on
the lens and press the OK or user button to confirm and repeat until all the desired marks are
entered.
When finished press the OK button or the Finish button
Mapping the Zoom Axis
If encoding a zoom lens press the Zoom button.
Use the zoom stick to move through the span of the axis, ensuring that it reaches each
end of the lens. If not, check if there were any slips during calibration.
Use the iris slider to move the zoom axis. Set the zoom to its widest zoom mark then use the up
and down buttons or the zoom stick to set the wide focal length on the handset. Press the OK or
User button to confirm the focal length.
Move the zoom scale to the next focal length mark. On the handset use the up and down
buttons or zoom stick to set the focal value length. Press the OK or User button to confirm the
value. Repeat for the rest of the focal length points.
After entering all focal length points, press the OK button to return to the Select axis screen.
Once completed press the OK button to return to the Select Axis Screen.
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To save the lens table, first be sure to insert an SD card into the WCU-4, then press the Save
button. The file will be saved on the folder/ARRI/ALEXA/LDA.
It is possible to change the name of the lens that will be displayed on the camera or motor
controller before finally saving onto the SD card. This name will also be the name of the lens file.
Press the Mode button and select insert, overwrite or delete a character. Press the Save button
when happy with the name to save it to the SD card.
Edit a Lens Table
An existing lens table can be edited with the WCU-4 hand unit and then stored back on the SD
card. Load the lens file to edit onto an SD card in the (folder /ARRI/ALEXA/LDA) and insert the
SD card into the SD card slot of the WCU-4.
Go to MENU > LENS DATA > LENS PROGRAMMING > EDIT LENS FILE.
Use the UP and DOWN soft buttons or the zoom stick to scroll through the list of lens files on
the SD card. Press the SELECT soft button or the User button to select a lens file.
On the following screen, use the FOCUS, IRIS or ZOOM soft button to select the lens scale to
edit. If metric and imperial scales exist, select the scale unit first.
The following screen provides three different options (OFFSET, SLIDE, SNAP) for editing
existing data points.
Offset Function
Use the OFFSET soft button to correct a fixed offset between the complete lens scale and the
corresponding scale on the WCU-4 screen:
Select a reference witness mark on the WCU-4 display (e.g. infinity).
While keeping the OFFSET soft button pressed, drive the lens scale to the corresponding
witness mark.
Release the OFFSET soft button when lens scale and display scale match.
Slide Function
Use the SLIDE soft button to correct an offset for a single data point:
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