11.6.2 Configure the settings relating to image quality (“Image adjust” setup menu) (SC384/SW175/SW174W/SW172/ST165/ST162)
Click the [Setup>>] button of “Image adjust” on the [Image/Position] tab of the “Image/Audio” page. (→11.6 Configure the settings relating to images and the preset positions [Image/Position]) The settings relating to image quality can be configured with the setup menu displayed in a newly displayed window. When the values are changed, the changed values will be applied to the currently displayed image on the [Image/Position] tab.
[Wide dynamic range (WDR)]
Select “On” or “Off” to determine whether or not to activate the wide dynamic range function.
This function compensates brightness so that it produces clearer images even if objects have various illumination intensities.
On: The wide dynamic range function will work.
Off: The wide dynamic range function will not work.
Default: Off
Note
When the wide dynamic range function is activated, noise may be increased in the dark area of the object.
When “Outdoor scene” , “ELC(1/30s)” , “Indoor scene (60 Hz)”, or “Indoor scene (50 Hz)” is selected for “Light control mode”, this setting is available.
[Face WDR]
The “Face WDR” setting can calibrate the illuminance level of people's faces on images to improve the visibility by synchronizing the face detection function with the wide dynamic range function when their faces are too dark to recognize.
Select “On” or “Off” to determine whether or not to interact with the face detection function.
On: The interactive control with face detection will work. The wide dynamic range controls over around face.
Off: The interactive control with face detection will not work.
Default: Off
Note
When “Off” is selected for “Wide dynamic range”, it is impossible to activate the “Face WDR” setting.
There may be some cases that the effect is not distinct when the faces are too dark to recognize due to strong backlight.
[Adaptive black stretch]
Select “On” or “Off” to determine whether or not to activate the darkness compensation function. The darkness compensation function can make darker parts of images brighter by digital image processing.
On: Activates the darkness compensation function.
Off: Deactivates the darkness compensation function.
Default: Off
IMPORTANT
When “On” is selected for “Adaptive black stretch”, noise in the darker parts may be increased, and parts around borders between the darker parts and the brighter parts may become darker/brighter than the other darker/brighter parts.
Note
When “On” is selected for “Wide dynamic range”, the “Adaptive black stretch” setting is unavailable.
[Back light compensation (BLC)]
Select “On” or “Off” to determine whether or not to activate the back light compensation (BLC) function. When “On” is selected for “Wide dynamic range”, this setting is unavailable.
The back light compensation function can compensate back light by setting mask areas on brighter parts of images.
On: Mask areas will be set automatically.
Off: Mask areas will not be set automatically. It is necessary to set them manually.
Default: Off
[Mask area]
When “Off” is selected for “Wide dynamic range” and “Back light compensation (BLC)”, it is possible to compensate for backlight by masking brighter areas.
Refer to 11.6.3 Set mask areas for information on how to set the mask area.
[Light control mode]
Select the light control mode from the following.
Outdoor scene: Depending on the brightness level (illuminance), the iris will automatically be controlled together with the shutter speed adjustment to control light. When shooting a bright subject such as outdoor, etc., select this parameter. Be aware that flicker may occur when a subject is under fluorescent lighting.
Indoor scene (60 Hz) / Indoor scene (50 Hz): The shutter speed will automatically be adjusted to prevent flicker caused by fluorescent light. Select 50 Hz or 60 Hz corresponding to the location where the camera is in use.
Fix shutter: The selected value will be set as the fixed shutter speed.
1/30 Fix, 3/100 Fix, 3/120 Fix, 2/100 Fix, 2/120 Fix, 1/100 Fix, 1/120 Fix, 1/250 Fix, 1/500 Fix, 1/1000 Fix, 1/2000 Fix, 1/4000 Fix, 1/10000 Fix
Default: Outdoor scene
Note
When a faster shutter speed is selected (up to 1/10000), it is possible to capture a fast moving object with less blur.
When a faster shutter speed is selected, the sensitivity will become lower. Smear also may appear under bright light condition.
When “On” is selected for “Wide dynamic range”, “Fix shutter” is not available. To configure “Fix shutter”, set “Wide dynamic range” to “Off”.
[Light control mode]
Select the light control mode from the following.
Indoor scene (50 Hz) / Indoor scene (60 Hz): The shutter speed will automatically be adjusted to prevent flicker caused by fluorescent light. Select 50 Hz or 60 Hz corresponding to the location where the camera is in use.
ELC(Maximum exposure time): The lighting control will be automatically performed by adjusting shutter speed in the range of ELC.
ELC(1/30s)/ ELC(3/100s)/ ELC(3/120s)/ ELC(2/100s)/ ELC(2/120s)/ ELC(1/100s)/ ELC(1/120s)/ ELC(1/250s)/ ELC(1/500s)/ ELC(1/1000s)/ ELC(1/2000s)/ ELC(1/4000s)/ ELC(1/10000s)
Default: ELC(1/30s)
Note
The shorter the maximum exposure time is, the more accurately it is possible to capture a fast moving object with less blur.
When a faster shutter speed is selected, the sensitivity will become lower.
When a faster shutter speed is selected, flickering may happen.
In case flickering happens, it may be improved by configuring the following settings.
In the area of 50 Hz power supply frequency: ELC(3/100s), ELC(2/100s), ELC(1/100s)
In the area of 60 Hz power supply frequency: ELC(3/120s), ELC(2/120s), ELC(1/120s)
When flickering still remains, set flicker-less mode.
Under extremely strong lighting, flickering may happen even when “Indoor scene” is selected for “Light control mode”.
When the brightness (illuminance) level on the screen is set to a relatively low level with the [Brightness] buttons, flickering may frequently happen.
When the setting for “Light control mode” is “Indoor scene (50 Hz)”, “Indoor scene (60 Hz)” or “ELC” whose maximum exposure time is 1/2000s or longer, brightness may not be remarkably changed even when [Brightness] buttons are clicked.
In such cases, either of the following can reduce flickering.
Moderate the illumination intensities of objects by changing the camera direction.
Set the brightness (illuminance) level on the screen to a brighter level with the [Brightness] buttons.
When “On” is selected for “Wide dynamic range (WDR)”, only “Indoor scene (50 Hz)”, “Indoor scene (60 Hz)” and “ELC(1/30s)” are available.
[AGC]
Select a method of gain adjustment from the following.
On(High)/On(Mid)/On(Low): When the luminance of the subject becomes darker, gain will be automatically incremented and screen will become brighter. “High”, “Mid” and “Low” are indications of gain level.
Off: Images will be captured with the fixed gain level.
Default: On(High)
[Auto slow shutter]
The electronic sensitivity enhancement (sensitivity up) can be carried out by adjusting the storage time of the sensor.
The following are available for the recording duration.
Off(1/30s), Max.2/30s, Max.4/30s, Max.6/30s, Max.10/30s, Max.16/30s
Default: Off(1/30s)
IMPORTANT
When “On” is selected for “Auto slow shutter”, frame rate may become lower. Noise or white dots (blemishes) may sometimes appear.
Note
When “Max. 16/30s” is selected, for example, sensitivity will automatically be increased up to x16. When “Off” is selected for “AGC”, this setting is unavailable.
:
When “Off” is selected for “AGC”, “Off(1/30s)” will be set for “Auto slow shutter”.
[Day & Night(electrical)]
Select switching between the color mode and the black & white mode from the following.
Off: The color mode is selected.
Auto: Switches from color to black-and-white images when the ambient brightness (illuminance) of the camera is approx. 1.0 lx or less /approx. 4 lx or less /approx. 2 lx or less . It takes time to switch between modes.
Default: Off
[White balance]
Select a method of white balance adjustment from the following.
White color can be adjusted by “Red gain” and “Blue gain”.
ATW1: Selects the automatic tracing white balance mode. The camera will constantly check the color temperature of the light source and adjust the white balance automatically. Operating color temperature range is approx. 2,700 K - 6,000 K.
ATW2: Selects the automatic tracing white balance mode under a sodium lamp. The camera will adjust the white balance automatically under a sodium lamp. Operating color temperature range is approx. 2,000 K - 6,000 K.
AWC: Selects the automatic white balance control mode. This adjustment is suitable for a location where a light source is stable. Operating color temperature range is approx. 2,000 K - 10,000 K.
Default: ATW1
Note
Under the following conditions, color may not be faithfully processed. In these cases, select “AWC”.
When shooting a subject whose major part is a thick color
When shooting blue sky or sun at sunset
When shooting a subject whose luminance is too low
When “AWC” is selected, click the [Set] button.
[Red gain]
Adjust the red color of images.
When the cursor is moved in the “+” direction, the red color will become thicker.
When the cursor is moved in the “–” direction, the red color will be thinner.
Click the [Reset] button to reset the color to the default.
Default: 128
[Blue gain]
Adjust the blue color of images.
When the cursor is moved in the “+” direction, the blue color will become thicker.
When the cursor is moved in the “–” direction, the blue color will be thinner.
Click the [Reset] button to reset the color to the default.
Default: 128
[DNR]
The digital noise reduction function reduces noise automatically under the condition of low illuminance. Select an effect level “High” or “Low” for the digital noise reduction.
High: High DNR, afterimage remains
Low: Low DNR, reduces afterimage
Default: High
[Chroma gain level]
Adjusts the chroma level (color density).
When the cursor is moved in the “+” direction, the colors will become thicker. When the cursor is moved in the “–” direction, the colors will be thinner. Click the [Reset] button to reset the color to the default.
Default: 128
[Aperture level]
Adjust the aperture level (outline compensation).
Images will be sharper when the cursor is moved in the “+” direction, and will be softer when the cursor is moved in the “–” direction.
Click the [Reset] button to reset the color to the default.
Default: 16
[Pedestal level]
Adjust the black level of images by moving the cursor. When the cursor is moved to the “+” direction, images will become brighter. When the cursor is moved to the “–” direction, images will be darker. Click the [Reset] button to reset the color to the default.
Default: 128
[Close] button
Click this button to quit the “Image adjust” setup menu.