Timestamp#

The Timestamp camera feature counts the number of ticks generated by the camera's internal device clock.

The timestamp value is used by several camera features, e.g., Chunk Features and Event Notification.

Using the Feature#

How It Works#

As soon as the camera is powered on, it starts generating and counting clock ticks. The value is reset to 0 whenever the camera is powered off and on again, or when a reset command has been executed.

The number of ticks per second, i.e., the tick frequency, depends on your camera model. On GigE cameras, read the value of the GevTimestampTickFrequency parameter to determine the current tick frequency.

The timestamp value is also used to synchronize multiple cameras via PTP. On cameras synchronized via PTP, the timestamp value will be (nearly) identical.

Determining the Current Timestamp Value#

To determine the current timestamp value:

1. Execute the GevTimestampControlLatch command.
   A "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value is taken.
2. Get the value of the GevTimestampValue parameter.
   The value of the parameter refers to the point in time when the GevTimestampControlLatch command was executed.

Resetting the Timestamp Value#

To reset the timestamp value to 0:

1. If the PTP feature is available, make sure it is disabled.
2. Execute the GevTimestampControlReset command.

Specifics#

Show all camera models

Sample Code#

ace Classic/U/L GigE Cameras#

// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.GevTimestampControlLatch.Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
int64_t i = camera.GevTimestampValue.GetValue();

INodeMap& nodemap = camera.GetNodeMap();
// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "GevTimestampControlLatch").Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
int64_t i = CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "GevTimestampValue").GetValue();

// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.GevTimestampControlLatch].Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
Int64 i = camera.Parameters[PLCamera.GevTimestampValue].GetValue();

/* Macro to check for errors */
#define CHECK(errc) if (GENAPI_E_OK != errc) printErrorAndExit(errc)
GENAPIC_RESULT errRes = GENAPI_E_OK;  /* Return value of pylon methods */
int64_t i = 0;
/* Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value */
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "GevTimestampControlLatch");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Get the timestamp value */
errRes = PylonDeviceGetIntegerFeature(hdev, "GevTimestampValue", &i);
CHECK(errRes);

# Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.GevTimestampControlLatch.Execute()
# Get the timestamp value
i = camera.GevTimestampValue.Value

Other Cameras#

// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.TimestampLatch.Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
int64_t i = camera.TimestampLatchValue.GetValue();

INodeMap& nodemap = camera.GetNodeMap();
// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
CCommandParameter(nodemap, "TimestampLatch").Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
int64_t i = CIntegerParameter(nodemap, "TimestampLatchValue").GetValue();

// Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.Parameters[PLCamera.TimestampLatch].Execute();
// Get the timestamp value
Int64 i = camera.Parameters[PLCamera.TimestampLatchValue].GetValue();

/* Macro to check for errors */
#define CHECK(errc) if (GENAPI_E_OK != errc) printErrorAndExit(errc)
GENAPIC_RESULT errRes = GENAPI_E_OK;  /* Return value of pylon methods */
int64_t i = 0;
/* Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value */
errRes = PylonDeviceExecuteCommandFeature(hdev, "TimestampLatch");
CHECK(errRes);
/* Get the timestamp value */
errRes = PylonDeviceGetIntegerFeature(hdev, "TimestampLatchValue", &i);
CHECK(errRes);

# Take a "snapshot" of the camera's current timestamp value
camera.TimestampLatch.Execute()
# Get the timestamp value
i = camera.TimestampLatchValue.Value

You can also use the pylon Viewer to easily set the parameters.