Astra Image AVI capture

[stephenmcnelley]

Hi there all software hounds, Astra Image webcam video grabber is a free capture program i just noticed >>

http://www.astraimage.com/

It appears less complex? than K3ccd tools bot has many more features than the toucam's simple Vlounge MPEG capture program.

Has anyone tried this software or know anything about it? Am thinking of having a crack with it but would rather not waste time if it is known to not be adequate or difficult to use. It looks promising enough though.. but i am not that knowledgable with software:shrug: .

Cheers from steve:)

[davidpretorius]

always used the image processing side of things, never knew that there was a video grabber. i will have a look

[[1ponders]]

You might also want to consider having a look at the image capture capabilities of VirtualDub. It's a bit different and it will take some time to find where to adjust setting, but it has a lot more capture options than K3 plus it's histogram ability is great. It will give you a full screen width histogram if you want to use it, not just the tiny one of K3

[matt]

Have just downloaded and am having a play with the ToUcam connected:thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

No matter which program you use to capture with, consider downloading and using WcCtrl (http://www.burri-web.org/bm98/soft/wcctrl/)to adjust your camera settings. Very user friendly and you don't have to go hunting for where to adjust settings in unfamiliar programs. You can also save up to 6 complete settings for different situation.

[matt]

OK

First couple of impressions:

The preview screen refresh rate is much faster and smoother than K3. I love it. Should make focusing muuuuuuch easier.:thumbsup:

Is there any way to increase the size of the preview window?

I've not pointed it at a planet yet (obviously) but that window and therefore the subsequent planetary image might be a little on the small size.

So far so good. A very nice, user-friendly capture program.

Is there a user guide that comes with the download?

[[1ponders]]

What mode do you have it set at Matt? 320x240 (which it defaults to) or 640x480?

[matt]

Got it set to 640x480x16b (YUY2) which is the bigger window.

I'm using a ToUcam Pro II with the 900nc firmware upgrade.

It's weird how the video settings mode window rolls through the same few options multiple times...

[matt]

OK. Not so good.

Looks like you can't give the capture file/s a name ahead of an imaging session?

Also, unlike K3, it looks like the software doesn't automatically update AVIs sequentially.

Video grabber stocks are in decline:(

[stephenmcnelley]

Preview window sucks, Matt is right about some of its limitations i have had a little fiddle with it today. Still it might be useful somewhere at sometime for someone.
Sticking with learning K3 here for now.:)

[stephenmcnelley]

:thumbsup:

Thanks i will try that one Paul, this imaging caper sure is a challenge.... i say through a lack of sleep:zzz2:

Lots of fun though:)

[matt]

Just as a footnote.

The Astra Image AVI capture program does work quite nicely as a focusing aid.

I find its very fast (smooth) refresh rate quite useful, although the preview window's small size is still a pain.

Maybe they'll make a few changes if there's an update?