HIKROBOT Frame Grabber Selection Tool
Select your HIKROBOT camera model or enter your interface, channel count and power requirements to instantly see suitable HIKROBOT frame grabbers with protocol, interface speed, bus and chassis information.
How does it work?
A frame grabber is a PCIe card that transfers image data from the camera to the PC. The right card is chosen according to the camera interface, the number of cameras to connect, the data rate and the cable length.
Interface and protocol
Camera Link and CoaXPress cameras always require a suitable frame grabber. For GigE, 10GigE and USB 3.0 cameras, a card is used to connect several cameras, to power the camera via the card (PoE) or to dedicate bandwidth. X over Fiber provides a fibre link for high data rates over long distances.
Channels, power and chassis
The channel count shows how many cameras can be connected to the card. Cards with PoE, PoCL or PoCXP support power the camera over the data cable. The card’s PCIe bus and its full- or half-height form factor must suit the PC chassis.
Related tools
To evaluate camera frame rate and data volume use the line speed, exposure time and frame rate calculator; for all cards see vision components.
Frequently asked questions
What is a frame grabber and when do I need one?
A frame grabber is a PCIe card that transfers image data from the camera to the PC. Camera Link and CoaXPress cameras always require a suitable frame grabber. For GigE, 10GigE and USB 3.0 cameras, a card is used to connect several cameras, to power the camera via the card (PoE) or to dedicate bandwidth.
What should I consider when choosing a frame grabber?
The card is chosen according to the camera interface, the number of cameras to connect, the data rate and the cable length. The channel count is the number of cameras that can be connected to the card. Cards with PoE, PoCL or PoCXP power the camera over the data cable. The PCIe bus and the full-height or half-height form factor must fit the PC chassis.
How do I use the frame grabber selection tool?
There are two ways. In selection by camera model, you choose your HIKROBOT camera series and model, and the tool lists the cards that HIKROBOT’s selection tool recommends for it. In selection by features, you enter the interface/protocol, minimum channel count, camera power and half-height chassis needs. The results show protocol, interface speed, channels, bus and chassis.
What matters for long cable runs and bandwidth?
X over Fiber provides a fibre link for high data rates over long distances. The maximum interface speed in the tool is per channel; total bandwidth depends on the PC’s PCIe slot and bus width. You can assess frame rate and data volume with the line speed calculator. FST can help you choose the right card for your number of cameras, cable length and PC.