DIY LANC CONTROLLER

With this device you can control a video camera via LANC commands. The desing is based on David Meeds software and Viktor Carlquists hardware. I have made changes to the code and redesigned the schematic and pcb. Now you can turn the camera on with the same button you turn it off.

If you read the source code you will find a section where you can change the LANC codes to what ever you want. You have to change the byte 0 and 1. You can find LANC commands here. After editing you can assemble a .hex file with MPASM and flash it into the pic chip. There are plenty of DIY pic programmers and ready made ones on the internet.

Below you find a table for my assembled hex file (name of command and hex values). Some mystical bug causes that continuous commands (zoom, focus etc.) don't work on some places (marked grey).

LANC command table:

	A	B	C	D
1	Power off Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: 5Eh	WB toggle Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 49h	Focus near Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 47h	Zoom tele Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 04h
2	WB reset Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 77h	Backlight Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 51h	Focus far Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 45h	Zoom wide Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 14h
3	Menu Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: 9Ah	Menu right Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: C2h	Auto Focus Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 41h	Shutter Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 61h
4	Menu up Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: 84h	Menu Down Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: 86h	Exposure Byte 0: 28h Byte 1: 53h	Rec/Pause Byte 0: 18h Byte 1: 33h

Pins A-D and pins 1-4 forms a keyboard matrix. You can use different commands by connecting pins A-D to pins 1-4. Connecting pin C to pin 3 gives auto/manual focus command. You can use reed relays or some other switches. Combination A-1 turns the camera off. It also turns the camera on by hardware. It connects LANC to GND.

Connector pinout:

The two upper pins of the pin-header are ground and +5V (when camera is on). You can connect a led+ resistor to these or control monitor to turn on/off etc. Use this for low current only.

The LANC connector is a 2.5mm stereoplug.

Component layout (red line is a jumper wire under the ic):

Parts list (links to www.elfa.se):
•JP1-JP1 jumper wire
•R1-R5 10kΩ
•R6-R9 100kΩ
•CN1 3-pole Molex angled
•CN2 2*5 pin-header angled
•C1-C2 18pF
•RL Omron G6H-2100-5
•IC1 PIC16F84A-04/P + DIL socket
•IC2 LM78L05
•Q1 4MHz crystal low-profile

You also need:
•3-pin Molex female
•flat-cable connector 10-pole female
•flat-cable 10 and 3 pole
•2.5mm stereo male plug

PCB image. Print 600dpi for correct size.

You can build your own controller or buy a ready build controller from me. I sell these for 50€. You may define cable length, straight or angled plug and LANC commands. The keyboard cable is 50cm by default. You have to add switches yourself.

Future plans:
•fix the bug for continuous commands
•code a series of commands onto one button (then you can change WB with one press of a button)

Coming soon (I hope): The rest of the DIY video housing.

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