Learning about the Rollocam App

As of October 15, 2018 Rollocam is compatible with IOS 11 and up.

Software User's Guide

The App can be used in either portrait (button / connector port down)  or landscape mode (button on Right).   In Landscape mode, you can scroll with your finger up or down to reveal the hidden controls.

Rollocam ScreenShot App Landscape ContinuousMove

The bottom right button displays either "phone" or "camera".  To use your phone to capture pictures or videos, simply press on the button with "phone" displayed.  Likewise, to use your camera to take pictures or videos press on the button with "camera" displayed.

USE THE PHONE TO CAPTURE IMAGES

When the "iPhone" button is pressed, the screen shows the preview from the phone's back facing camera.  The phone is ready to store captured images and videos.  We recommend you capture videos in landscape mode.

USE THE CAMERA TO CAPTURE IMAGES

When the "camera" button is pressed, the screen on the phone shows the control menu over a black background.  The phone is simply a handheld controller.  For true move-shoot-move time lapse, use a compatible camera trigger cable sold here.

Rollocam H-2 Screen shot Showing menu on top the camera captureIf you want to use your phone as the camera, simply "keep the App in phone mode - (you see the "Camera" button) and the preview is viewable behind the controls..

Rollocam wheel orientation

The main controls include the top mode selector, which allows you to select one of 4 modes.  Continuous Motion for video, timelapse for stop shoot stop; and stop motion for single shot per motion.  Finally when using the phone as the camera: tracking, where the camera will follow a face and record in HD if you choose.

MODE:              CONTINUOUS, TIME LAPSE, STOP MOTION, TRACKING
DIRECTION.     LEFT or RIGHT is viewed from the slider switch
TRAVERSE:      YES indicates the Rollocam will move back and forth between two points 

Continuous Mode for video

Continuous Mode is used for shooting high quality HD video movies from the back camera.   This mode allows you to control the speed in 10 increments, each one approximately 10% of full speed, which is 2" per second. 

 


Rollocam ScreenShot App ContinuousMove

BUTTON DESCRIPTION FOR CONTINUOUS MOVE

SPEED:         Level 1 to 10, highest speed is approximately 2 inches per second
RAMP TIME: Acceleration/ Deceleration time from still to full speed Time in seconds.
DISTANCE:   Total distance device will travel in inches
DWELL:         Number of seconds the Rollocam delays before it traverses back

Pressing Start initiates motion and in phone mode turns on the recording function.   When distance is reached, or when "Stop" is pressed the system will stop and the recording is saved to your photo gallery.  In Camera Mode, you will need to set your camera to record video, then stop it after the move is completed.  This does offer you an opportunity to have small handles at the beginning and end of your target shot.

TimeLapse Shooting

Index:         Distance between shots in 1/100th of an inch increments to one inch.   
Distance:   Total inches the H-2 moves in a full timelapse. 
Interval:     Time in seconds the system will wait before it moves again.   
Trigger delay: Delay between when it stops and when it shoots.  
Dwell:         Number of seconds the Rollocam delays before it traverses back
When Start is pressed the system starts its motion.

In Phone mode a picture is captured at the end of the move, saving the picture to the photo gallery   When done or when Stop is pressed the system is stopped.  

In Camera Mode, the Rollocam H-2 triggers the camera using an optional camera trigger cable, which you can find here, plugged into your camera's wired shutter release port.

 

Stop Motion Mode

Rollocam ScreenShot App StopMotionStop Motion is kind of cool and i'm sure its gonna create some neat stuff.  Stop motion has one control.  It represents the amount of distance in 1/100th of an inch the system will move, then capture a high resolution shot.    While in Camera mode the Rollocam triggers the camera shutter via the optional camera shutter release cable, which you can find here, plugged into the trigger adapter port.   In phone mode, the picture is taken from the back camera of the phone.

 

  

Tracking Mode

Rollocam H-2 Tracking the users face

Tracking mode is available in phone mode exclusively. In the generic case the wheels are set to cause the Rollocam H-2 to spin in a circle. However, it's really up to you.    With the front camera activated the system will attempt to keep a face in the middle of the screen, by moving the system with the goal of centering the face.  Tracking can be done with the camera in portrait or landscape, however in landscape mode, please orient the phone so that the phone "home" button is on the right side.    

Rollocam in tracking modeWhen "Record" is pressed a 1920 x 1080 video is recorded from the front camera.  When "Stop" is pressed the recording stops and the video is saved to your photo gallery.  You can use the tracking mode up close or from a distance.  The distance is variable and it matters on things such as available light.  More than one face in the capture frame may cause the Rollocam to oscillate between the faces.

 

The CobraCrane Talent Tracker kit includes a Rollocam H2 along with a balancing arm, which allows you to mount your DSLR or other Professional Camera and uses your iPhone to keep your professional camera framed to your face.

Upgradable:

One of the best features of the Rollocam H-2 is that it's app controlled and the app can be upgraded in the future.  We hope to be upgrading the app over time.  Stay tuned.  Lots of exciting things coming. Watch here for a full featured professional grade TimeLapse app, a Move Manager, which controls a wide variety of moves and plays them in order.  Also cool filters for taking fun selfies and adding funny faces and pussycat features for the kids.