TVGuider-great news

[allan gould]

For those of you that are going to or have purchased a TVGuider from Martin Myslivec I have some brilliant news.
I am trying to eliminate a computer in the field and thats why I purchased my TVGuider as its stand alone, but then I found I had to use a computer to precisely focus my DSLR with DSLRFocus. Back to square one. But the TVGuider also has video in and out ports, so I looked at the 350D and realised that it has a video out port. Using the cable that came with the camera I plugged it into the TVGuider and lo and behold up came my photo in COLOUR. I then zoomed into the photo that I knew was just out of focus and there was small doughnuts on the screen. So the screen has the resolution to see slighly out of focus stars. Zooming into focussed stars you just see pinpoints.
This means that for focussing a DSLR and guiding I only need the TVGuider (and the DSLR camera).
HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also since the screen is a colour screen you can see your photos in colour from the video feed. This also means that if you use a camera other than the Watec B/W ie a colour camera you will see in real time your guiding shot in colour.
I have enclosed some photos but I dont know if the IIS photo size limit will show the features I talk about clearly.
So Houghy you can get rid of that fancy video screen at the eyepiece and sell it to someone else
Regards, Allan gould

[[1ponders]]

This is good news. Thanks for the feedback Allan.

[h0ughy]

wow that is good news. now all I have to do is wait????

[[1ponders]]

What do you reacon h0ughy? Will we see it before Astrofest? If not I'll have a few other toys that we can play with anyway ;) :lol:

[allan gould]

Well if yours don't arrive, I will be bringing mine with me so that you can see how it performs

[[1ponders]]

I'm looking forward to it Allan. There should be a pretty hefty IIS contingent there again this year. Martin may find he gets more orders than he can cope with :lol:

[Astroman]

So I guess if you have an AV switch you can switch between DSLR and Guide cam simply by turning a knob or pressing a button, wow great news.

[allan gould]

Astroman was correct about using a switch for the TVGuider to direct the video input from the imaging camera or the guiding camera to the screen in turn. I have been in contact with Martin Myslivec about this (as I was thinking of getting a second screen) but he has sent me a schematic for making such a cable and switch so that you take an image with guiding on. Then stop the guiding, flick the switch to the imaging camera input, check focus or composition then flick the switch back to the guiding camera and take another shot if needed. So much simpler for using the same screen and not having to grovel in the dirt to see the small 350D screen to check focus etc. If you would need the schematic then contact me privately with a PM and your email address. This really makes the TVGuider a great unit. I'll have it at Qld Astrofest if anyone is interested.
Regards, Allan Gould

[h0ughy]

t minus 5 days Allan, see you there, very interested in this. Will Martin make this feature available before we get our units?

[allan gould]

No, I asked him off my own bat and he supplied me with the schematic which was good of him. I have attached the schematic as the size is now OK. Apparently its easy to make but being a total prat when it comes to electronics Ive asked my mate to make it for me.
Save me a spot next to you and we can swap note. Arrive Wednesday.
Allan

[h0ughy]

Done,
somehow I thing you will see me long before I see you?? LOL

post a pic of yourself so I know who to look out for. I will be set up near the phone area.

[[1ponders]]

We'll be in Losmandy Alley Allan ;)

[allan gould]

I'm not the guy in a white suit and I now have a moustache

[h0ughy]

lol, NOW ONE FOR THE MONEY AND TWO FOR THE SHOW 3 TO GET READY AND 4 TO .........

look forward to meeting you

[Merlin66]

What sort of $$$ for this set up???
Checked out the web site, but prices????
Does the 350D definately talk to this unit????

[allan gould]

From my talks with Martin Mylivec
1) ~$US650 for video (guiding camera) and TVGuider unit and $400 without video camera ie TVGuider alone
2) TVGuider has video in and out ports to the 3.5" screen which the 350D can be plugged into to give a photo up on the TVGuider's screen in colour (see above).
The switch can be used to get input from imaging or guiding camera. Not both at once.

[allan gould]

Just a quick note. My friend Peter (a real mate) made and posted up to me the video cable switch described in a few messages above. It works brilliantly. So now I can switch between the guiding or imaging camera and have it display on the TVGuider screen. Compose and focus easily and in comfort. If you get a TVGuider then this is a real must.
Regards, Allan

[[1ponders]]

I would imagine the 300D would "talk" to it np as well?

[h0ughy]

OK post a picture of it!! Would your friend consider doing a few others, after all there are not many in existence in Australia? be happy to pay, i am as useless as the proverbial on a bull with things like this

[allan gould]

Yes as far as I can see the 300D has a video out port and cable which works the same as the 350d

[allan gould]

This is the switch. First shot shows switch, canon video in and video connection to TVGuider. The second shows the guide camera video in port.
Hope this helps. You think your useless - my soldering looks like it was done by a blind idiot on a roller coaster - and I don't know what I'm doing either.
Ill contact him and let you know $.
Allan

[h0ughy]

:rofl: you describe me very well;)

[Loupy31]

Hi Allan,
Glad to hear that it works well.
Regards Peter :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

Peter, you are a genuis!! :thumbsup: :D

[Loupy31]

Thanks h0ughy,
I love to tinker with electronics......I built that one from parts I had in my "parts box", Allan tells me a few others might be interested,
I will find out what the current cost of the parts is and let you guys know.

Regards Peter

[h0ughy]

thanks mate for that:thumbsup: definitely me and probably ponders:whistle:

[[1ponders]]

Yes please!!!!! :D

I've only just managed to get my fingers unsoldered from the last two wires I tried to solder together.

[h0ughy]

and here I was thinking you were giving the Vulcan handshake all the time...:whistle: :rofl: :D

[[1ponders]]

:lol:

[[1ponders]]

When you get to Duckadang, I'll show you the only successful thing I have ever done with a soldering iron, and it has nothing to do with soldering :lol:

[h0ughy]

I really wish to thank Allan for trailblazing all of this before we get ours, Allan, three cheers!!:thanks:

[[1ponders]]

Hear Hear!!! :clap::clap: