New Features and Improvements

• Chronos 2.1 models benefit from an improved sensor driver configuration. The analog gain values of the LUX2100 sensor have been modified to reduce noise at higher levels of analog gain (also referred to as ISO), such as 6dB, 12dB, and 18dB. This translates to less vertical banding than in prior software versions. Adequate lighting is still highly recommended.

A demonstration video with before and after footage can be found here.

Note: Please download the video to desktop to ensure quality is not lost to online streamming compression. The most significant improvements can be seen along the left and right sides of the frame, and especially at 12dB.

• Chronos 2.1 models no longer require special factory calibration files. All calibrations required to use the camera with the best possible image quality can be performed by a customer in the field within 5 minutes via the Util -> Factory -> Column Gain Calibration function.

• Chronos 2.1 models benefit from newly generated Color Matrix presets, as found in White Bal -> Color Matrix. Previous software versions had color matrices that were optimal for the LUX1310 sensor in the Chronos 1.4, instead of the LUX2100 sensor found in the Chronos 2.1.

• A list of saved files on external media can now be browsed via Util -> Storage -> List Files. The same functionality exists to make it easier for users to select the save destination in Play -> Settings -> Pick Folder. The file browser also allows for users to delete files on external storage devices. This functionality is mirrored in the web page.

• Monochrome cameras can no longer open Color Matrix settings. This was mistakenly enabled in 0.5.0.

• Frame counts are no longer cut-off on the right-hand side of the display when in the Play screen when frame counts are six-digits long.

Known Issues

• If the camera is being controlled via the web page, no messages will be shown on the back-of-camera display if the video output mode is changed between LIVE/RECORDING and PLAYBACK through the web interface.

• If the camera is powered on while connected to 10/100 (non-gigabit) network
  equipment, the back-of-camera display will fail to start.

• When using Live Record Mode to simultaneously record 60 FPS MP4 footage to an external storage device, the video display may momentarily blank or freeze while the stream is being written to the storage device. This will not affect the high-speed recording.

• Saving speed to external devices may be slower than in software versions 0.3.2 or older.

• A blank/black screen will be displayed if certain combinations of higher frame rates and higher analog gain levels are used.

Specific common resolutions where this will occur:

1024 x 768 at or above 18dB
1024 x 576 at or above 18dB
800 x N at or above 12dB
640 x N at or above 12dB

Upgrading and Calibrating your Camera

Follow the instructions from this file.

New Features and Improvements

• [Chronos 2.1 Only] Update to LUX2100 Image Sensor driver to increase the voltage on an analog input to handle vertical banding in variants of sensor batches.
• Updated software to correctly propagate status of disableRingBuffer API parameter.

Known Issues

• [Chronos 2.1 Only] The driver modification will cause black-levels to become distorted. Please perform a Black Calibration on each resolution that you intend to use to account for this.
• [Chronos 2.1 Only] The white balance may be affected by this update. Please configure your white balance as needed.

There are two methods to update to Version 0.5.1. Please ensure that you have an AC adapter connected to the camera, and your calibration settings are backed up before proceeding with the update procedure. 

During this update, the power controller will also be updated, which will cause the power status indicator LED on the top of the camera to blink green and red while the fan runs at 100% momentarily. Do not interrupt or power down the camera while this is taking place..

Method 1 - for cameras on version 0.4.0+

Cameras using Version 0.4.0 may be updated via the internet. Calibration data does not need to be restored using this method.

1. Connect your Chronos to the internet via the ethernet port.
2. Navigate to Util->Storage, then tap Apply Software Update -> Check for Updates

Approximately 15 packages will be upgraded, and then the camera will reboot automatically. This procedure will take approximately 3 minutes.

Method 2 - for cameras on any software version

Cameras using Versions 0.2.x and 0.3.x require a reflash of the microSD card in the bottom of the camera.

1. Download the software update package here: https://debian.krontech.ca/builds/chronos-voyager-20200806.img.xz
2. Use Balena Etcher to write the software to a microSD card. This is recommended as it verifies the integrity of the data written to the microSD card.

For additional information on update procedures, please see this forum post: https://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=531.0

New Features and Improvements

• New Graphical User Interface with Dark and Light Modes
• Ability to set preferred exposure units on the main screen
• Double-tap video display area to zoom
• Ability to record live footage to H.264 mp4 @ 60 FPS in parallel with high-speed recordings, including audio from the built-in microphone or line-in jack
• Automatic input detection and switching between the microphone and line-in jack when recording audio in Live Record Mode
• Toggle Trigger Mode to allow BNC trigger to both START and STOP a recording
• Ability to configure most camera settings via the web page
• Ability to configure Triggers and I/O configuration via the web page
• Power Manager firmware update allowing for a longer button press (up to 3 sec.) to boot the camera
• Power Manager firmware update to perform graceful shutdown when the battery is critically low
• General bug fixes and stability improvements
  

There are two methods to update to Version 0.5.0. Please ensure that you have an AC adapter connected to the camera, and your calibration settings are backed up before proceeding with the update procedure. 

During this update, the power controller will also be updated, which will cause the power status indicator LED on the top of the camera to blink green and red while the fan runs at 100% momentarily. Do not interrupt or power down the camera while this is taking place..

Method 1 - for cameras on version 0.4.0+

Cameras using Version 0.4.0 may be updated via the internet. Calibration data does not need to be restored using this method.

1. Connect your Chronos to the internet via the ethernet port.
2. Navigate to Util->Storage, then tap Apply Software Update -> Check for Updates

Approximately 15 packages will be upgraded, and then the camera will reboot automatically. This procedure will take approximately 3 minutes.

Method 2 - for cameras on any software version

Cameras using Versions 0.2.x and 0.3.x require a reflash of the microSD card in the bottom of the camera.

1. Download the software update package here: https://debian.krontech.ca/builds/chronos-voyager-20200617.img.xz
2. Use Balena Etcher to write the software to a microSD card. This is recommended as it verifies the integrity of the data written to the microSD card.

For additional information on update procedures, please see this forum post: https://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=531.0

A new software interface is available for the Chronos 2.1-HD! Before starting the update process, please ensure that the camera is connected to the internet via the Ethernet port, and connect the AC adapter.

To try out the new GUI, described in this thread, you can access it by the software update menu as follows:

• Navigate to the Storage tab of the Util Window
• Tap the Apply Software Update button to open the software update tool.
• Change the User Interface from Chronos Legacy to Chronos 2.1
• Tap the Apply button to have the UI selection take effect.
• Tap the Quit button to exit the software update tool and return to the GUI.

PDF instructions: Chronos21-softwareUpdateSteps

For detailed instructions, visit https://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=531.0.