GenTL Management

The GenTL (short for Generic Transport Layer) standard provides a generic way to allow the Software to enumerate cameras, communicate with cameras, and if possible, stream data from cameras independent from the underlying transport technology, and configuring features of connected frame grabbers. This allows the Software to control cameras (including third-party cameras) and to acquire data in a transport layer agnostic way.

  1. Right-click GenTL on the device list and then click Select cti File.
  2. Select a cti file from the local PC and load it.
    Note:

    • The cti files of GigE interface and USB3 Vision interface are provided by the Software (directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\MVS\Runtime\Win32_i86 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\MVS\Runtime\Win64_x64).

    • The Software supports loading the cti files of GigE, CameraLink, CoaXPress frame grabber. The saving path of the file is C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\MVS\Runtime\Win32_i86 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\MVS\Runtime\Win64_x64.

      Table 1 cti File Description
      File Name Device Type

      MvFGProducerCML.cti

      Camera Link frame grabber.

      MvFGProducerCXP.cti

      CoaXPress frame grabber.

      MvFGProducerGEV.cti

      GigE frame grabber.

      MvProducerGEV.cti

      Camera with GEV interface.

      MvProducerU3V.cti

      Camera with USB interface.

      MvProducerVIR.cti

      Virtual camera.

    • The Software also supports third-party cti files which conform to the GenTL standard.

    • For third-party cti files, you need to get them by yourself. You can contact the corresponding manufacturer for support.

    • If you have configured the default path of cti file, the Software will load it automatically once you start the Software. See General Settings for details about how to set the default path of cti file.

    The device list will enumerate the cameras that can be discovered by the cti file.

    Note:

    CoaXPress cameras can only be connected by GenTL. If connected, you can control the camera and acquire image data.

  3. Optional: Connect the frame grabber, and then click to refresh cameras after loading the cti file.

    Different icons indicate different status of a frame grabber.

    Table 2 Frame Grabber Status

    Icon

    Status

    Description

    Available

    The frame grabber can be connected and operated.

    Connected

    The Software has been connected to the frame grabber. You can configure parameters of the frame grabber and enumerate cameras connected to the frame grabber.

    The cameras connected to the enumerated frame grabber will be displayed. You can double-click a camera to connect to it.

  4. Optional: Perform the following operations.

    • For CameraLink frame grabbers which cannot enumerate real cameras, right-click a frame grabber and select Open as a Virtual Camera to connect and operate the cameras of the frame grabber as virtual cameras.

    • After connecting to the frame grabber, the feature tree of the frame grabber will be displayed on the right. Configure the features if necessary.

    • After connecting to the frame grabber, right-click it and then select Save GenlCam XML to save the frame grabber's GenlCam file to the PC in XML format.

    • After disconnecting to the frame grabber, you can right-click the frame grabber and select Upgrade Firmware to upgrade its firmware.

    • Upgrade firmware of a single camera connected to frame grabber: Click to connect to a frame grabber and enumerate cameras connected to it. Right-click a camera and select Upgrade Firmware. Click to select an upgrade package (a dav file), and then click Upgrade.

      Note:

      Reboot the PC after upgrade, or the upgrade will not take effect.

    • Clear the currently loaded cti file: Disconnect all cameras under GenTL. Right-click GenTL, and then click Clear cti File.