---
title: "Connect the Teledyne FLIR Blackfly S system components"
canonical: "https://help.vicon.com/space/Nexus217/350752046/Connect%20the%20Teledyne%20FLIR%20Blackfly%20S%20system%20components"
format: markdown
---
The following topics describe how to set up the hardware for a Nexus system that includes Blackfly S cameras:

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## Connect cables to the camera

Connect two cables to each camera:

- Connect one cable to the PC for power, control and data.
- Connect the other cable to a Vicon Lock for synchronization.

We recommend initially setting the camera up close to the PC and Lock to verify correct functioning, using the 5 m cables, before introducing any extension cables. Extension cables are a likely source of issues with bandwidth and power, so it is wise only to attempt to add these after the camera is set up and functioning satisfactorily. For further details and advice on suitable cables, contact [Vicon Support](mailto:support@vicon.com).

The following diagram shows a setup for a single Blackfly S camera.

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> Macro (include)

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## Install USB 3.0 expansion card

The expansion card is required when the onboard ports on the PC are not sufficiently fast, or when there are not enough onboard ports on the PC. The expansion card is required when using more than two USB 3.0 cameras.

Install the card in a spare PCIe slot, remembering to connect its external power to either a SATA or Molex drive power connector.

> ℹ️ **Latest drivers**   
> ℹ️ If the USB3.0 host controller card is the recommended Fresco Logic model (see [Recommended Blackfly S hardware for Nexus](https://vicon-help.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/Nexus217/pages/350751999)), based on the FL1100 chipset, support is built-in for Windows 8, 8.1, and 10.  
> ℹ️ However, we recommend downloading and installing the drivers from the [Fresco Logic website](https://support.frescologic.com/portal/en/kb/articles/usb).

## Attach the mounting plate to the camera

Carefully attach the mounting plate to the underneath of the camera with the four small bolts included, taking care not to lose them or overtighten them.

## Attach the lens to the camera

Attach a suitable C-mount lens for the camera.

## Connect the camera to the PC

1. Attach the USB3 cable between the camera and PC.
2. Ensure that the screws are tightened up on the camera side to lock the cable in place and that the connector is not subject to excessive force, eg, from the weight of cables or because it is in a position where it could be knocked.

To avoid the whole weight being borne by the camera's connector, we recommend that you attach the cables to the tripod or rig with cable ties.

> ⚠️ **Important**  
> ⚠️ The USB 3.0 ports on some PCs share resources, which takes up a lot of USB bandwidth. If you are using two FLIR cameras at once, we recommend plugging one camera into a USB port on the front of the PC, and the other camera into a USB port on the back of the PC. This prevents overloading the USB bandwidth.

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## Connect the camera to the Lock

Attach the sync cable from the Vicon Lock unit to the camera. To do this:

1. Rotate the camera end of the cable, which is keyed, until the correct alignment is found.   
The cable end clicks into place.
2. Attach the other end to the Lock unit.   
It uses an RCA phono connection, which plugs into the Lock's GPO port.
3. Make a note of the GPO port that the cable is connected to. You will need this during software setup as it is not detected automatically.

> ⚠️ **Note**   
> ⚠️ No video is displayed in Nexus until the sync cable is correctly connected to a Vicon Lock unit and the Lock is configured in Nexus.

## Position and aim the camera

1. Attach the mounting plate to the tripod head or clamp on the rig.
2. Aim the camera in approximately the desired direction. You can change the exact direction later, when software setup is complete and video is being streamed to Nexus. Ensure you finalize the aim before calibrating.