Video cameras

Qualisys offers a variety of cameras for recording video.

The main types of video cameras are:

  • Video cameras for streaming video, see chapter Streaming video.
  • A hybrid camera that can be used both as a marker camera and a color video camera, see chapter Miqus Hybrid.
  • High-speed video cameras for recording of buffered high-speed video sequences, see chapter Oqus high-speed video camera.

For more information on how to use Qualisys video cameras, see chapter Qualisys video capture.

Streaming video

Streaming video can be recorded with Miqus Video, Miqus Video Plus, or the Oqus color video camera (Oqus 2c). When using streaming video, compressed video data is sent to QTM during the capture, allowing for long video captures. For an overview of the sensor specifications of all cameras supporting streaming video, see chapter Qualisys video sensor specifications (in-camera MJPEG).

For more information on capturing streaming video, see chapter Capture streaming video.

Miqus Video

The Miqus Video series is a dedicated video camera for capturing of MJPEG compressed video. The following types of video cameras are available: Miqus VM (monochrome), Miqus VC and Miqus VC+ (color). The Miqus Hybrid camera can also be used as a color video camera. The Miqus Video series is configured with a white strobe and a built-in filter that blocks the IR light for a better image quality. The camera is always configured for video using In-camera MJPEG compression for effective streaming. For information about maximum video capture frequencies at different presets, see chapter Maximum capture rate for streaming video. For detailed specifications, see Miqus Video specifications.

On newer Miqus Video cameras, one of the LEDs in the strobe is infrared, so that it can be used to trigger the active calibration kit in a video-only system.

It is possible to use up to three Miqus Video cameras in a single Qualisys system. For the use of more than three Miqus Video cameras a special setup is required, see chapter Connecting a Miqus Hybrid or Video system for markerless mocap.

Oqus color video camera (2c-series)

The Oqus color video camera (2c-series) is a dedicated video camera for capturing of MJPEG compressed video. It is configured with a clear glass to let in the visible light. There is a filter on the lens that filters out the IR light for better image and the strobe is white.

The camera is always configured for capturing streaming video (MJPEG) by default. When switching off the In-camera MJPEG compression, it can also be used as a high-speed video camera. For more information, see chapter Capture high-speed video.

Miqus Hybrid

The Miqus Hybrid camera is a two-in-one camera which can be used for both marker tracking and color video recording. The dual functionality of the camera makes it especially useful for the exploration of markerless applications.

In Marker mode, the camera uses the near IR strobe (850 nm) for the illumination of markers. The resolution and frame rate are similar to the Miqus M3 camera.

In Video mode, the specification are similar to the Miqus Color Video camera.

On the use of Miqus Hybrid:

  • The Miqus Hybrid camera is designed for indoor use. In Marker mode, the camera is more sensitive to ambient light compared with dedicated marker cameras. In Video mode colors may become washed out due to infrared light from the sun.

  • It is discouraged to use the Miqus Hybrid cameras in Video mode together with other cameras in Marker mode. This will lead to washed out colors due to the near IR illumination from the other cameras.

Oqus high-speed video camera

The high-speed video version of a Oqus camera is adapted to capture full-frame, full-speed, full-resolution high-speed video. In this configuration the camera is therefore equipped with a large buffer memory and a clear front glass to get the best possible performance out of the image capture.

The clear front glass is mounted so that all of wavelengths can be captured by the camera. The normal dark front glass is an IR-filter that removes the visible light. However the high-speed version is also delivered with a removable IR-filter on the lens. Which is important to mount if the camera is in the marker mode, because the data is improved when the visible light is removed to increases the contrast between the background and the marker. For instructions on how to get access to the lens see How to change strobe unit.

For more information on how to capture high-speed video, see chapter Capture high-speed video.