Early AXIOM Beta Update (*Accepting Orders Soon!)
Submitted by Sebastian on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 16:08
Current Status
New revision of PCBs received, succeeding hardware demonstrated at NAB and Linuxwochen in Vienna. Fixes all tiny problems manually patched in previous version. This first generation hardware is mainly targeted towards hardware and software developers and not recommended for filmmakers yet. Upon assembly we will know if indeed all the problems are taken care of by the new design. Provided such is the case, a number of development-prototypes will be produced for further software and hardware testing. This additional PCB-run sets the schedule back three weeks, which has at this point slipped by two months. Beyond original promise from crowdfunder, the reason is the addition of a huge number of new features which require careful design and testing. Not wanting to sacrifice quality for quick delivery, we issue an appology for any inconvenience or disappointment. Nevertheless the point remains to bring the AXIOM - Beta camera into your hands as soon as possible. Not only is that within sight, the additional development-time has made the Beta more flexible, sustainable and powerful.
Team Talk Volume 3
Team-talks will from heron be shorter with more frequent releases
The next episodes will cover:
- OpenCine, raw development suite
- EU Project KickOff Meeting in Vienna
- AXEÖHM Aprils Fool Video - Behind the Scenes
- NAB Stories
- Update on AXIOM Gamma Upgrade Path
Ordering
All crowdfunding voucher-holders will be contacted via e-mail to evaluate interest for developer-prototypes. Providing essential information for estimating volume-discounts for when components are to be bought in bulk. Once we get a green light about the PCB-design the queue for the first production batch orders will be filled. Since starting production and ordering parts is a costly affair, funds will be pooled for up to one hundred orders, available first to early birds and batch 1-backers. If there are still open slots available they are on offer to the backers of batch two on a first serve basis. Any crowdfunding-backer can decide to order given the opportunity, or to wait for a later version. Voucher-holders always get whatever deal they decide on at-cost. A webshop has been set up and the process of payment and invoice generation is being refined. Backers will also be contacted via e-mail before we start to accept orders.
Production
Production will take an estimated six weeks to two months. Assembly and quality assurance needs to happen concurrently, so there are some quirks to work out there. We are making provisions for unexpected bumps on the road ahead - as is the norm when new workflows are established. Making it a timespan ETA, but also with care not to set a too short of a time-frame on the first production batch. As always, discoveries and solutions are shared in a transparent way. The whole process is not hidden nor closed from or to the community. Anyone wanting to participate has the opportunity to do so.
First Generation: For Developers
Developer prototypes of the AXIOM - Beta contain the entire PCB stack envisioned for the complete camera, with some intermediate solutions for that are not fully populated or integrated yet. Intended primarily for software and hardware developers, people with extensive technical background wanting to make use of it for film-making may be able to work with this level of hardware. It is in no way a finished product yet.
- Information:
- The image sensor and sensor board design is final
- Early Beta comes with OS (Arch Linux)
- LED matrix debug module available
- Triple PMOD debug module available
- Single HDMI 1080p60 module available
- We might already have a triple HDMI 1080p60 module available at time of ordering (if not you can get one at cost later on as well if you are a crowdfunding voucher holder)
- Cmosis CMV12000 sensor only currently (different image sensor modules will be available later on)
- Current limitations:
- Early Beta comes with no enclosure
- No HDMI 4K module available yet
- Camera webinterface GUI not working yet (will be fixed with software update)
- Camera controllable only via Ethernet (SSH) or Serial Console (USB)
- Only test firmware for FPGA - software updates will be delivered frequently online
- Interface Board is an interim solution with limited capabilities. (only half of the sensor connections are available, thus only half of the maximum bandwidth can be achieved, as a result the optional 180° rotation of the sensor board is not available yet)
- Power supply with 5V DC only - either dual 5V DC (2500mA) or one larger 5V adapter (5000mA)
- Current Power Board is an interim solution (dynamic changing of internal supply voltages not yet supported: using a different image sensor module in the future will require manual reconfiguration of power board)
- Tripod mount (1/4"-20 thread) available on the Canon EF/Nikon F lens adapter only
- Lens mount: passive e-mount with Canon EF or Nikon F mount adapter (both passive)
- Swapping image sensor module for a different type is not plug and play yet (requires manual reconfiguration of power board)
- Early Betas come without colour-calibration yet (we want to develop this process together with the community)
- Screw-on IR/UV cut off filter required (we will offer these for purchase)
- Beta has no Optical Low Pass Filter (OLPF) - some people consider that a good thing :)
- Possibly interim solution for mainboard (no configurable data routing to/from shields yet) - fixed, pending testing.
- No addon shields available yet (Genlock, Timecode IN/OUT, Trigger, debug, breakout, etc. shields will be available later on)
Upgrade Path
The first generation hardware is still modular, and will fit the enclosure when that is made, any board can be replaced by a later revision at cost, once available (requires no soldering, but care must be taken when inserting the boards). Developer-prototypes contain three specific boards that are to receive new revisions in the coming months: the sensor interface board, the Beta main board and the power board (power board upgrade is only required if you want to connect a different sensor model in the future). The enclosure options and prices will follow later on.
Taxes, Shipping, Customs
Price-estimates do not contain any taxes (VAT, import duties & taxes) or shipping-cost, because this depends on location and details of your order, which is added during the on-line ordering process.
Packages will ship from within the European union and invoices will be issued from the apertus° company located in Belgia. (The apertus° organization is Austrian because they were founded by different people). Several options for shipping service are offered. Insurance/tracking on shipping will not be foregone, unless you, the customer, specifically ask for it at your own risk.
Project:
apertus° is a member of
and the AXIOM project is certified Open Hardware by
.
and the AXIOM project is certified Open Hardware by
.
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9 Comments
Since the first picture of
Since the first picture of the assembled pcb's and it's first stills it's damn hard not to hold it in your hands, hook it up with a nifty fifty an finally run out and shoot what ever shows up. Can understand those, that couldn't hold on themselves anymore and started asking a**es off in mails - but on the other hand: it is a new, unexplored way and the view is still great, so why not take the time, to reach the ultimate top? You guys are doing great! Great ideas, good improvements, funny comunicated. Keep struggling! Thanks, phil
I'm dying to get my axiom,
I'm dying to get my axiom, but I would prefer dying for a good rather a fast made one. So take "any" time you need guys !
keep up the great wOrk,
keep up the great wOrk, better tO take the time tO get it right than tO rush and run intO prOblems
Loved the video update - but
Loved the video update - but that dead pixel! Arrgh! Keep up the good work guys, still saving my money, so can afford to wait a few months for more complete hardware/software.
We talked about the dead
We talked about the dead pixel being our new trademark in the last Team Talk (Vol 2) but we will also create an article about it now that this little man has become so popular :)
Insanely epic! :>
Insanely epic! :>
I like to get shorter and more frequently update videos.
Will the final Beta has a IR/UV-Filter that can optionally get shipped disassembled?
Please don't forget to implement Bitcoin-Payment until the final Version get sold. You could use a payment provider like Stripe to directly transfer them to USD (with fees) or use a Wallet yourself and sell them manually to Euro, directly or to a strategic time. But maybe you loose money or have to wait some months.
Keep up the great work!
We will evaluate integrating
We will evaluate integrating the UV/IR cut off filter directly into the lens tube yes.
We already accept bitcoins as donations: https://apertus.org/donate
For purchasing the Beta thats not an option though as we need to spend the money on parts and components immediately and can't wait a few months before we can convert them...
Is there any possibility of a
Is there any possibility of a b/w sensored early beta please?
I'm still hoping to use it in battle but time is against us….!
Atleast it could be a 'B' camera and provide real world feedback to the community.
Yes, monochrome sensor should
Yes, monochrome sensor should be possible, price is basically the same.
The software will require some special handling for monochrome but we have to do that at some point anyway so we as well start now :)
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