pco cameras

pco.panda 26 DS (USB 3.0), pco.pixelfly 1.4 DS (USB 2.0) and pco.edge 26 DS (CLHS frame grabber).

Models

pco.panda 26 DS USB, pco.pixelfly 1.4 DS USB, pco.edge 26 DS CLHS

Connection

USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 / CLHS

Driver software

pco interface drivers

In PIVlab select

PIVlab LD-PS + pco.panda 26 DS / pco.pixelfly usb / pco.edge 26 DS CLHS

1. Install the software

Standalone app

1. Install the pco interface drivers for your camera: USB 3.0 for the panda, USB 2.0 for the pixelfly, CLHS KAYA for the edge.

MATLAB toolbox

1. Install pco camware.
2. Install pco.matlab.
3. Install the pco interface drivers for your camera: USB 3.0 for the panda, USB 2.0 for the pixelfly, CLHS KAYA for the edge.
4. Install the MATLAB Support for MinGW-w64 C/C++ Compiler.
5. Open the pco.matlab folder (typically C:\Program Files\PCO Digital Camera Toolbox\pco.matlab) and run scripts\setup_files.m in MATLAB.
6. Add the pco.matlab folder to the MATLAB path permanently: Home tab → Set Path → Add with Subfolders…, select the pco.matlab folder, then Save and Close.
7. After connecting the camera (next step), run pco_camera_info.m from the pco.matlab\scripts folder. It shows information about your camera.

2. Connect the camera

1. Plug in the camera and insert the connector fully. On the panda, tighten the screws of the USB plug; on the edge, gently wiggle the plug until it sits firmly. A loose plug is the most common reason why a pco camera is not found.

For full speed: connect the panda directly to a USB 3.0 port, not through a USB hub. Laptops should run on their power supply, because some save energy by limiting USB / CLHS bandwidth on battery.

3. Start capturing

1. Start PIVlab and open the image acquisition panel.
2. Select the configuration for your camera, for example PIVlab LD-PS + pco.panda 26 DS.
3. Start your PIV recordings.

The pco.edge 26 DS CLHS records into the computer’s RAM first. PIVlab suggests this setting when you start a recording.