Building a Merlin or Orion Motorized Pano-head
4. Nokia 770 configuration
The Nokia tablets come in three models: the 770, N800 and N810 . All will work as a controller. The later models have more memory and better internet features like Flash 9 compatibility. They also cost more. Right now on Amazon.com, the 770 runs $200, while the N800 runs $300 and the N810 runs $385. I picked up a used 770 for $85 with shipping. They run Maemo, a Linux port for Nokia devices. I am new to Linux, but managed to get everything configured. The instructions start here: Papywizard Installation WikiI will cover the more complicated 770 install, as that’s what I did.
Flashing the new OS
The 770 ships with Maemo OS2006, which can not support the python, needed to run Papywizard. You need OS2007 HE (HE=hackers addition). The download requires you enter your Nokia serial number. I used the Latest Fiasco version.
You will also need a flasher, with versions available for OS X, Windows and Linux. I used 770Flasher.app v2.0 which is an OS X gui, but had trouble with it not finding the tablet, so I switched to the Nokia Internet Tablet Software Update Wizard , which worked fine. You run the flasher program, selecting the new OS file, then you power up the tablet while holding down the home button. A USB symbol appears on the screen, and away she goes.
Note: I think my troubles came from trying to power up the tablet after I had been charging it with the power off. Apparently, it goes into a special power state when charging, and should be turned on before removing the power, and then turned off.
Adding software to the Nokia 770
I next needed to set up the 770 with the repositories containing the applications I wanted to install. While you can install applications directly from the files, if you use repositories and their catalogs, you can check for updates and install them more easily. This is pretty convenient for things like Papywizard, which is getting updates pretty regularly. You will need access to the internet on your Nokia, which means a Wi-Fi connection to download and install the applications. Otherwise you could download the applications onto the rs-mmc card using another computer and install from there, but it would be a hassle for sure.
Getting the repositories
You can install the repositories manually by going into the applications manager (see screen capture),
and selecting Tools>Application catalog from the drop down menu.
You can manually enter the catalogs as shown in the Papywizard Installation Wiki. Later you will install some applications contained in these repositories.
Better yet, you can go to this website on your Nokia, and find the ones you will need.
Scroll down and click on the following repositories/catalogs to add them:
- Debian Nokia repository (listed as the Extras catalog in the Papywizard installation wiki) for accesss to the python runtime
- Maemo-hackers (listed as the Hackers catalog in the Papywizard installation wiki) for access to osso-xterm
- gbiloba.org (Papywizard) for access to Papywizard:
Now you can start installing the applications: godmode, osso-xterm, python and Papywizard. (I have emphasized the application names in this section for ease of reading.)
First get and install godmode which does not have a repository, by clicking this link from your Nokia. (You could also save the file on your computer and move it to your Nokia.)
Next use the Application manager to install osso-xterm You should be able to find osso-xterm under Web catalog>Browse installable applications on the initial application manager page. You will need this program to set up the python runtime.
If you can’t find it…
I had problems getting repositories to update with a list of applications. Instead I got “(no applications available)”. The best thing I found was to disable them one at a time in the Application manager>Tools>Application catalog>(choose catalog)Details and select Disable to find the one that was not responding. (Basically, the Nokia goes to a server, and if the server is busy or down, it errors out. I would then update, and browse the applications in the web section of application manager to see if I had osso-xterm. The installation itself went fine.
Once you get osso-xterm running, you can also update the repositories manually:
- Start X Terminal (osso-Xterm). It is found in the Extras folder. (Along with Papywizard after it is installed)
- typing this gives root shell : sudo /usr/sbin/gainroot
- typing this updates repositories: apt-get update
- typing this will install python: apt-get install python2.5-runtime
- type exit to leave the Xterm shell
Now go back into Application manager>Browse installable programs to install Papywizard. In having problems with repositories, I found that programs would appear and then disappear as different repositories errored out. Keep trying, and you will find the program you need. Give it some time to try to connect too. (A couple of minutes won’t hurt.)
You should be able to run Papywizard now. You can check for updates by clicking the button in Application manager under “browse installable applications“. You can explore the software without having an operational head unit. It might be a good time to read the users guide.
This article was written on Monday, November 10th, 2008 and is filed under Making Creations.
For more articles about: nokia 770 (1), slr (1), diy (3)
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on December 21, 2008 at 11:01 am Cool Vid–I think this is what I’m looking for… « Cycling Experiences… wrote:
[...] Merlin/Orion is the pan/tilt head [one builder's approach] [...]
on January 14, 2009 at 2:37 pm chris blake wrote:
I was thinking i would use my laptop be cause i want to use remote contorl software for the rebel xsi. would it work if i used a usb to ttl converter cable into a usb server on top of a 50′ pole with a usb router on the ground?
usb server http://www.silexamerica.com/sx-2000wg.html
usb to ttl cable http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TTL232R&Redirected=Y
router http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1065011&CatId=2667
would appreciate your thoughts on this
thanks,
chris blake
on January 15, 2009 at 11:39 pm Milo wrote:
This is amazing! I have a question. If I used a fish eye lens with this setup wont the shots have a portion of the orion showing in it?
on January 16, 2009 at 3:29 am BeeZed wrote:
Milo – I use a 10.5 mm fisheye and it doesn’t catch any more of the Orion than anything else, if you have it set up correctly. Any lens setup will show the bottom (nadir) if you shoot 360 degrees. People either crop it out or shoot a nadir shot by hand and stitch it in separately. Though you might suspect that the upright would show up when using a fisheye, it doesn’t, at least for the 10.5mm. There is an example with of a stitched panorama with the Orion showing here. I use a method where I take 6 shots around at -15 degrees and the zenith or top shot.
on January 16, 2009 at 3:58 am BeeZed wrote:
Chris – I like the pole setup idea. My main concern is Papywizard being able to resolve the Orion through the complexities of the hardware and the control software possibly conflicting. Some users are direct wiring a laptop to the orion, while others are using a bluetooth antenna to boost range, so those are also possibilities. I think you should go to the source for answers, as Papywizard v2 may have camera control, or at least picture acquisition features. Head over to the Merlin/Orion forum on Autopano.net. There are more folks over there thinking about this stuff. Also check out this thread discussing the version 2. Panning time lapse panography is another potential feature.
on April 5, 2009 at 8:07 am Nick Spirov wrote:
Excellent review!
Your trigger cable is not defective, mine is also non-conductive in the left signal section. It’s made especially for Canons though.
I am beginning an experiment with a “Wi-Fly” wireless to serial adapter component, which will (hopefully) allow control of the Merlin over a standard WiFi network. What’s nice about the Wi-Fly is that it contains a voltage regulator on-board, so no need for power supply electronics. Together with an Eye-Fi memory card I would be able to drive the Merlin from across the street and see all photos the moment they are shot.
Now that would be geeky, don’t you think?
on April 11, 2009 at 10:42 pm BeeZed wrote:
The cable is not defective, just a PITA. I need to have it shorted for use with the Merlin, but stereo for use as a “normal” remote. I am trying a stereo to mono 2.5mm adapter at the moment, and it seems to work. Otherwise I was going to add a switch.
I love the “Wi Fly” possibilities! The new Papywizard has some tethered shooting functions best utilized with a PC. The only issue is that it is still focused on bluetooth. I am not a huge fan of the Eye Fi cards, since last time I looked they transmitted images to your computer via their server, which means you need internet access, not just your local network for it to work.
I’d love to hear what you come up with.
on April 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm DrSlony wrote:
For more information about this project, visit the project’s forum:
http://www.autopano.net/forum/f20-merlin,orion-and-papywizard
on April 27, 2009 at 7:57 pm BeeZed wrote:
Thanks DrSlony for the Autopano link note- while I had the right link in the Resources list, I have now corrected the link in the article.
on July 28, 2009 at 5:56 pm Tived wrote:
Hi,
great review and thanks for sharing.
I am interested in how you have attached your camera, and if you indeed, managed to use your Arca-Swiss mounts (I use RRS gear as well). I am thinking of using a slightly larger camera, either Canon 1D or Nikon D3. Do you think this will pose a problem with NPP?
thanks
Henrik
A Dane Down Under
on July 29, 2009 at 2:16 pm BeeZed wrote:
Thanks for the feedback. I used my RSS MPR-192 and some mini clamps for a while, but ultimately went back to using the bracket that came with the unit. In future I will need to get something machined. (A crown that I can bolt a miniclamp to and a thinner rail perhaps.) The orion/merlin has enough clearance for a D80, but getting a good NPP set up for larger cameras is impossible without major modification of the crown. If you are doing gigapans with a telephoto you can mount the camera in landscape orientation and have better luck, but you will still have issues with clearance. Anything with a vertical grip would be a headache. My recommendation would be to find a used consumer body to use for this project. Less to carry and less headaches trying to set it up.
on December 15, 2009 at 7:05 am Thomaz William Mendoza-Harrell wrote:
Amazing! I have been doing pano work for a couple of years and learning it all alone! so good to hear the experience of others.
I have a Milapse head and also a mechanical pano head (Panosaurus) I waant to go robotic though because I want to do some stop motion and other things like that.
on December 15, 2009 at 1:33 pm BeeZed wrote:
It has been very interesting to watch the growth of interest in these motorised heads. While the Orion/Merlin is a good value – I have several friends who are looking into building their own machine for better accuracy and function. I think they have more fun making the contraption than taking the pictures.
on February 24, 2010 at 1:26 pm bruno wrote:
Hi, this is great,
Thanks BeeZed and everybody.
Could please please someone help me regarding the Merlin?
I’m new to this and would like to try to remotely control the Merlin mount, on a first instance via Ethernet, then with the bluetooth.
Can I use a simple RJ11 cable connectors and put a RJ45 to one end?
Which connectors/colored-wires should I connect on the Ethernet plug?
Thanks
on February 25, 2010 at 6:35 pm bruno wrote:
I now have some answer thanks, is not feasible…
on March 1, 2010 at 8:51 pm BeeZed wrote:
Bruno – I have no experience conrtolling the mount beyond using papywizard. AS long as you can generate serial commands, you can probably get it to work.
on March 1, 2010 at 9:00 pm BeeZed wrote:
The best information is on the Autopano forum devoted to this head, listed in the post. The commands are summarized on the Papywizard wiki. The whole point of the project is to remotely control the robot head. With a little extra hardware connection you can control the camera as well.