PixController - Automated Camera Control Systems

PixController Universal Camera Controller Board
ACC-Terminal (Plug-n-Play connection for Sony ACC Digital Cameras)

Overview

Specs

Board Dimensions

Introduction
The Sony ACC Terminal PixController Universal is a complete electronic kit to construct a Wildlife Video Surveillance Camera System, or Remote Security System. It uses an integrated Passive Infrared (PIR) detector which detects body heat and motion to trigger any ACC Terminal compatible Sony Digital Camera. The board will send a command to the attached camcorder to power the digital camera on, shutter a photo, then power the camera off. The advantage of this type of unit is that you simply connect your camera to the board with the the supplied ACC Terminal cable. No camera modifications are needed. Note: This will only work on Sony digital cameras with an ACC Terminal port. The User Switch Settings let you adjust the delay between photos, day/night/24hr recording, and setup the Walk-Test PIR mode. To purchase the ACC Terminal PixController Universal just purchase the PixController Universal with the ACC Terminal PIC Chip.

Using the 2.5mm Port
In order to use the 2.5mm port with ACC Terminal camera you must configure the solder jumpers. For more information click here. You must solder jumpers J1, and J7. Then simple connect the Universal board to your camcorder with the supplied 2.5mm cable.

2.5mm Cable Information
The included 2.5mm cable with your PixController Universal kit can be cut and soldered into the camera port if you desire other uses.

New Style Cable

    The Base Ring is the Copper solder braid. (ACC Ground)
    Mid Ring is the Red wire. (Not Used)
    Tip is the White wire. (ACC Signal)

Old Style Cable

    The Base Ring is the Copper solder braid. (ACC Ground)
    Mid Ring is the White wire. (Not Used)
    Tip is the Red wire. (ACC Signal)

   Note2: If you re-configure the 2.5mm port you MUST remove any previous solder jumpers first.

Powering up your ACC Terminal Universal Board
When applying power to your ACC Terminal configured Universal board you must follow these steps:

1. Start with both the camera off and the Universal board off.
2. Plug the 2.5mm cable in between the camcorders ACC Terminal port and the Universal boards 2.5mm port.
3. Power on the camera.
4. Power on the Universal board.

After these steps have been followed correctly you should see the camera power down after about 5 seconds of applying power to the Universal board. If you get a series of 5 blinks on the red LED this means the Universal board cannot "see" the camera. This can mean you don't have the 2.5mm cable plugged all the way into either the Universal board, or camera, or you have not configured the Universal boards 2.5mm port yet.

If you see a blinking green LED this means you powered up/down the ACC Terminal board too quickly. Please power down the camera and Universal board, and unplug the 2.5mm cable, wait for 30-60 seconds, then follow steps 1-4.

Batteries
With a recommended 4 AA Cell battery supply you will get approximately 4-8 months of continuous use. Purchase NiMH Rechargeable Batteries Here

What is an ACC Port?
The ACC Terminal port was developed by Sony as a remote control protocol for the higher end models of their digital cameras. ACC Terminal connectors are usually 2.5mm mini plugs - about the size of a Walkman headphone.

LANC or ACC 2.5mm Stereo Connector Diagram

ACC Terminal connector photo

Types of Digital Cameras that can be used
Listed below are the types of digital cameras the Universal ACC Terminal board. Devices are connected to the Control board VIA the Cameras ACC Terminal cable (plug-n-play), and do not require any camera modifications. This is a great way for a beginner in the trail camera building market to start out.

Note: This is not a complete list. Any Sony digital camera with an ACC-Terminal port will be compatible with this control board. Some of the Sony digital cameras on the list may not have an ACC-Terminal port. Sony has made some models listed here with and without a ACC-Terminal port. When making a purchase be sure to check for the ACC-Terminal port.

ACC Terminal port Sony Digital Cameras Note: This is not a complete list
DSC-V1 5.0MP DSC-F717 DSCF505V DSCF707 DSCF717 DSC-F828	DSCS70 DSCS75 DSCS85 DSCV1	MVCCD1000 MVCCD200 MVCCD250 MVCCD300 MVCCD350 MVCCD400 MVCCD500 MVCFD90 MVCFD92 MVCFD95 MVCFD97

If you find other cameras that work please email us at support@pixcontroller.com and we will make note of it for other users.

Using your LANC camcorder with "Photo" button
If you have a Sony camcorder with a LANC port and your camcorder also has a "Photo" button you can connect your camcorder you can utilize the ACC Terminal PIC chip to shutter still photos with your camcorder.

ACC Terminal PIC DIP Switch Settings
ACC Terminal DIP Switch Settings