thx for the links- mine's the MT9M001 cmos also- when i previously did reseach on the micron chip- the only thing different i seen was variations of the programming, my camera 'worked' with virtually any capture software i tried- but like i say- i couldnt get ANY KIND of a viewable image-- i kinda hope something IS wrong with the camera, so whenever i get it back- ill see if these others give me better camera controls- john- BTW- heres the link to what i got for curiousity sake http://www.opticstar.com/Run/Astrono...p=0_10_0_50_80
Funky little fellas ain't they....hope it does what you want it too, mine has been very good since I resolved my USB issues - though the clouds and rain have meant it has not been used in anger as much as I would like....keep us posted...
Well I've been able to get my win2000 notebook to recognise it and give some pics. It's cloudy and blustery outside so the pic is through an old 500mm mirror lens of some books on the other side of my office. The image certainly demonstrates that it works. Hooray!!!
It seems very sensitive and a 10 sec dark exposure doesn't have too much noise. I will have to wait a while before the conditions are a tad better before I could venture outside. Maybe on the weekend.
Re-configured the camera for use with Guidemaster which I prefer as I get better control over the guide parameters and a visual confirmation of the tracking and drift. The first results are attached. The on - screen image seems less bright that with PHD making it a little harder to select guide stars - but the control, sub frame and drift alignment tools make it worth the swap imho. Guiding was to +-2" which is as good as I think I am entitled to expect out of this equipment...
Hi Guys,
I received my QHY5 (from Gamma) yesterday. I plan to use it to autoguide my Nexstar 11 GPS (it has an ST4 compatible autoguider port) while I image with an 80ED mounted on top with an Canon EOS 400D.
I checked the firmware and it as VID:1618 PID:0901 which is the QHY CMOS.
The first thing I done was install the windows XP drivers in the QHY5 Qguider Drivers/Drivers directory on the CD Gamma provided. This worked fine and the red light on the camera came on.
I then copied the CCDSoft 5 drivers into the correct directory in CCDSoft (I own CCDSoft 5 as I have an ST-237a). I can then see the camera in the drop down list, but when I try to connect to it I get an error. Does CCDSoft 5 need different firmware? There is no documentation on this.
I then down loaded the demo of MaxIm /DL and copied the two files off the cd into the MaxIm directory as documented. Once again I can see the camera (Q-Guider) in the MaxIm drop down window, but when I try to connect to it I get the error saying "An error has occurred while attempting to communicate with the camera" The notes say you need the ALcc5 or CCD Labs firmware.
I exclusively purchased the camera to autoguide via my ST4 port, is there any other autoguding software I should try?
As mentioned above I run VIDPROGRAM and I see that it is programed with VID:1618 PID:0901 This is the QHY CMOS. So, do I need to reprogram the firmware to use CCDSoft or MaxIm /DL and if I do reprogram the firmware do I need to use different windows XP drivers other than the QHY5 Qguider Drivers that I initially installed?
Once last question, where can I buy a 1.25" nose piece for the camera? I need this to mount it to my SCT.
Any help that could be offered would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Stephen,
You will need to change the firmware to use with the other software. VIDPROGRAM a Programs the astrolumina ALccd5 (16C0:081A) VIDPROGRAM g Programs the CCDLABS qGuider VID/PID (1781:0C7C).
After running the vidprogram util, power down the camera.
Then install the drivers for either CCDLABS or Astrolumina, depending on which firmware was chosen.
Then power up the camera, and Windows will find the driver needed.
*Note* If the driver and firmware do not match, vidprogram will not run.
Hi DeanoNZL,
Thanks for the advice! Do I need to uninstall the QHY5 CMOS windows drivers I initially installed? Also, where in device manager (I'm using XP SP2) do I look to find the camera? I had a bit of a look, but couldn't find it.
Regards & thanks,
Stephen
{quote=DeanoNZL;233369]Hi Stephen,
You will need to change the firmware to use with the other software. VIDPROGRAM a Programs the astrolumina ALccd5 (16C0:081A) VIDPROGRAM g Programs the CCDLABS qGuider VID/PID (1781:0C7C).
After running the vidprogram util, power down the camera.
Then install the drivers for either CCDLABS or Astrolumina, depending on which firmware was chosen.
Then power up the camera, and Windows will find the driver needed.
*Note* If the driver and firmware do not match, vidprogram will not run.
Hi Stephen,
Don't uninstall the drivers, it will need them again if you want to change the firmware.
I have all the drivers installed so I can "play"
In device mgr, it will be under USB controllers when the driver is loaded.
Hi DeanoNZL,
Thanks for the advice! Do I need to uninstall the QHY5 CMOS windows drivers I initially installed? Also, where in device manager (I'm using XP SP2) do I look to find the camera? I had a bit of a look, but couldn't find it.
Regards & thanks,
Stephen
a) No need to uninstall old drivers
b) Goto Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager and look at your USB controller - if the camera is connected and talking it will show up there...
Thanks Guys,
I'll check it out tonight when I get home.
Does anyone know if CCDSoft 5 will work with the ALCCD5 firmware?
cheers,
Stephen
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeanoNZL
Hi Stephen,
Don't uninstall the drivers, it will need them again if you want to change the firmware.
I have all the drivers installed so I can "play"
In device mgr, it will be under USB controllers when the driver is loaded.
Sorry guys, but this sort of messing with drivers, compatability etc is what put me off this guider and indeed anything that uses a laptop. I want simple cos I'm stupid
Hi Guys,
I can see your side Allan, but I have to have a laptop to capture from CCD.
Plus, by changing the firmware code, it changes from a Guiding cam to a 1280*1024 rolling shutter cam for video use.
So far, results have been favourable.
Hopefully to be used for the total eclipse next month, if the clouds & rain ever clear.
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the advice today. I'm at home now and have reprogrammed the firmware to ALCCD5 and have installed the ALCCD5 windows drivers. I now have the camera happily working in both CCDSoft 5 and MaxIm/DL 4.5.
One last question, does anyone know where I can by a 1.25" nose piece for this camera?
Regards,
Stephen
Quote:
Originally Posted by whmacs
Thanks Guys,
I'll check it out tonight when I get home.
Does anyone know if CCDSoft 5 will work with the ALCCD5 firmware?
Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the advice today. I'm at home now and have reprogrammed the firmware to ALCCD5 and have installed the ALCCD5 windows drivers. I now have the camera happily working in both CCDSoft 5 and MaxIm/DL 4.5.
One last question, does anyone know where I can by a 1.25" nose piece for this camera?
I had another run with the camera and Guidemaster - my polar alignment was poor - carry/plonk method - however the software coped well and I was happy to see there was no detectable field rotation in 3 and 5 min exposures. The attached is M20 again at 50% of full scale. I am please with the tightness and roundness of the stars - I had the guide exposure up at 5s so the mount was behaving itself too. I estimate the errors were mostly +-1"
