Axis 206 Web Camera no longer in production

[Ragnarokae]

Our team went to order another web camera (Axis 206) and we were informed that the Axis 206 is being replaced by a newer model (Axis 0302004 M1011 Camera; details at http://www.amazon.com/Axis-0302-004-.../ref=de_a_smtd). Is it ok to purchase and use this newer model?

[cdennisxlx2]

I would assume that you could get the camera to work with the CRIO. As for it being legal for the FRC season I would say that we would have to wait for the updated manual to come out, and when the season starts it may be a good question for the FRC help forums.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Ragnarokae

Our team went to order another web camera (Axis 206) and we were informed that the Axis 206 is being replaced by a newer model (Axis 0302004 M1011 Camera; details at http://www.amazon.com/Axis-0302-004-.../ref=de_a_smtd). Is it ok to purchase and use this newer model?

Can you buy it? Sure.

Can it be used with the 2009 electronics? I'm not qualified to answer--perhaps someone more involved with the camera can answer.

Can you use it on your 2010 robot? We don't know yet, and won't until Kickoff whether it will be legal, feasible, or wise to use for next season.

If you're cool with experimenting with the camera at the risk of being out $200 on something that turns out to be illegal or useless next year, that's your team's choice. Only a few CDers know how that will pan out--and if you ask them, they'll probably start talking about bananas or clownfish.

[Jared Russell]

According to Bill's Blog, rookie teams will get an Axis 206 camera in the 2010 KoP while veterans will be expected to re-use theirs.

EDIT: Also, I looked on the Axis site and I would think that the Axis 207 would actually be the closest replacement (it is essentially a 206 with MPEG4 support, but it still supports the MJPEGs used by the 206).

[Akash Rastogi]

I'm sure BB will have more updates as the season gets closer about acceptable cameras. I hope we're not mandated to use an Axis product (it is a great product though).

[adamdb]

I wanted to bring this question up again now that the kickoff has passed. Our Axis 206 camera seems to have disappeared since last year, so we will need to purchase a replacement. You can still buy the discontinued 206 from a few places, but the price of the M1011 is lower. The 207 seems to be significantly more expensive as it has a built in web server. I think the M1011 looks like a closer fit.

[RyanN]

I don't see anything in the rules about it. You are generally allows to buy any type of sensor that you would like to use that can be bought off the shelf, but there seem to be some restrictions to for the camera.

Refer to R45C, and keep in mind R43. Other than that, I don't see any rules restricting what camera you can use, plus the manual says this in R45:

C. If a 5V camera is used (such as the KOP camera), the camera power feed must be connected to the 5 Vdc supply terminals on the Power Distribution Board.

The bold part seems to emphasis that you can use other cameras besides that used in the KOP, and it gives no distinction to what camera it is talking about. Just "a 5V camera."

Of course, I'm not the law, so I would check with FIRST GDC. If you are able to use another camera, make sure it will work with the rules (5V power, Ethernet connection.)

[silv940]

It should have been made clear already which camera we can use, especially since veterans didn't get a new one. The camera seems vital in Breakaway.

[EricVanWyk]

R68
All outputs from sensors, custom circuits and additional electronics shall connect to only
A. other custom circuits, or the following:
B. additional COTS electronics, or
C. input ports on the Digital Sidecar, or
D. input ports on the Analog Breakout, or
E. the RS-232 DB-9 serial port on the cRIO-FRC, or
F. the Ethernet bus connected to Port 2 of the cRIO-FRC, or
G. the CAN-bus if and only if all Jaguar speed controllers on the CAN-bus are wired in full compliance with Rule <R63> and Rule <R64>.

Custom circuits and additional electronics are allowed to utilize the Port 2 Ethernet bus and/or the CAN-bus to communicate between devices. Note however, that the ROBOT must be controlled by the cRIO-FRC (see Rule <R56>). Thus, any additional devices on the Ethernet or CAN-bus must not provide command signals that do not originate from the cRIO-FRC It is our intent to incrementally open access to the full control system technologies in a controlled manner that reduces the risk of “unanticipated surprises” as we gain experience with the system.

R68 looks to allow "whatever" to be attached to ethernet 2.

My interpretation would be that it is legal to use any camera that doesn't violate other rules.

[silv940]

Originally Posted by EricVanWyk

R68 looks to allow "whatever" to be attached to ethernet 2.

My interpretation would be that it is legal.

It looks like it would be OK, but It's still not clear enough for me.

[Kims Robot]

Post it once the Q&A Open:
http://forums.usfirst.org/index.php

Thats the best way to get a real answer to this.

[silv940]

Thanks, Ill do that

[Greg McKaskle]

I'm not sure if it is still possible to purchase Axis 206 camera from any distributors. The M1011 has had basic testing and seems to work with the WPI libraries with no issues. I'm not sure what differences or benefits it may have over the 206. It has also been a couple years since I've looked for alternative cameras. If someone is evaluating competitive cameras, be sure to look beyond simple things like frame rate. The lag, exposure settings, and other issues are far more important. One other thing I seem to remember about the 1011 is that the lens is fixed focus and not replaceable.

Greg McKaskle