High res exview camera.

[mill]

Just found this camera on the Jaycar website.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC8622


High Resolution ExView Colour CCD - Pro Style

High Resolution ExView HAD CCD-equipped camera to dramatically improve low-light performance.

Features:
* Perfect for use with infra red illuminators.
* High Resolution Sony ExView HAD CCD Sensor.
* Extremely high performance in low light levels
* OSD
* Mechanical ICR
* Flickerless
* Auto Iris Control
* Automatic White Balance
* Back Light Compensation
* 3 Stage Automatic Gain Control
* High Speed Electronic Shutter

Specifications:
* Sensor: 1/3"
* Sensor brand: Sony Hi-Res ExView HAD CCD
* Sensor resolution (H x V pixels): 752 x 582
* Resolution (Horizontal TVL): 550
* Minimum illumination (lux): 0.0003 (Sense-Up)
* Power requirements: 24VAC/12VDC
* Current draw: 250mA / 3W
* Weight: 500g

[robz]

Hi Martin, as no one has responded, I'll have a crack.

This camera is a new breed for Jaycar and looks interesting.

From what I've discovered by researching and talking to knowledgeable astrophotographers, it will be o.k for a live feed to a monitor with the ''sense up'' on. How noisy this will be.....who knows:question:
Due to limited exposure control, without modifications, it's probably o.k. for planetary imaging. DSO............I doubt it.

I'm no expert on this as I'm in the learning process and have a Honeywell CCD security camera on my work bench awaiting dissassembly and an initial trial at the telescope.

Getting the appropriate software to playback the images as good as the live feed is a problem at the moment, so I'm stuck at the present point in time.:confused2:

[mswhin63]

I have a similar one in spec, slightly lower lux but unfortunately I am not happy with the resulting images, my webcam performs far better.

Mine has a 0.0001 lux spec but not sure if it is going to be of any use. When I get a wide angle scope I may get different results.

It will only serve as planetary camera and will require a very high quality PAL to USB converter.

One of the biggest issues is the weight hanging off and places a lot of stress. Need a purpose built adaptor which can have filter placed in it.

I will pull it out again one day but in no real hurry ATM.

[ballaratdragons]

Martin, I have gotten right into this exact subject over the last few weeks because of my starting to do broadcasts.

The Jaycar camera isn't as sensitive as the Samsung cameras.
It is also limited on sens-up. It will only go to 128x sensup which is about 2.5 seconds.

Samsung have a model (SDC-435) with the same chip that is becoming very popular for Astro video at around $150 and has 8.5 seconds sens-up.

The Samsung I am getting (SCC-A2333) is even more sensitive at 0.0000006 lux and 8.5 sens-up and 1/2" chip but it costs $470. Not exactly a budget model but it is much better than the SDC-435.

[mswhin63]

BTW, sens up in the security cameras will only provide monochrome so you will need filters.

Not sure about the Samsung but the Jaycar and the one I got from Altronics are the same.

[robz]

I'm playing around with a HONEYWELL HD4DX dome security camera at the moment.
Don't intend to use it for deep sky, only planetary imaging.

It has a Sony Super HAD 1/3 inch chip and 540 lines res.
Lux is about 0.5 in full colour or 0.03 in B&W.

There are numerous settings in it's on board menu and these can be altered when the lens is removed for telescope coupling.

I tried DVD free capture software and unchecked ''compression'' and found that the quality of the image with on board lens was recording a very clear image but at a very slow frame rate..............still impressed though.

I have used the 'GADGET GEEK'' brand video to USB adaptor and am very pleased with it (available from Dick Smith's).:thumbsup:

[DavidU]

Hi Ken, where do you get the SCC-A2333 camera?

[ballaratdragons]

The Samsung cameras sens-up in full colour or Monochrome. You choose the settings.

[ballaratdragons]

David, you can get them from a few places in Oz but after I did the ring-around and email enquiries the cheapest place I found (by $100) is a Security company up here in Ballarat.

Oh, and further study has informed me that the sens-up time is 10.24 seconds on the Australian PAL version. :)
The USA NTSC version does the 8.5 seconds.

[ozskywatcher]

Are you aware if there is any video on the web taken by someone using the camera?

Thanks,

Paul.
www.nightskyonline.info

[renormalised]

It might be dearer, but have a look at the GStar-Ex (http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/gstarcam.asp).

If you want to see one in action....go here...Frog Rock Observatory (http://my.hwy.com.au/%7Esjquirk/images/images.html)

[ballaratdragons]

I've only see a rare few on You Tube, but quite a few people in USA broadcast almost every night with the less sensitive Samsung SDC-435, and 1 guy with the SCC-A2333 occasionally.
The results are quite outstanding. Far better than Stellacam 1 and 2, and the Mintron cameras which are all much more expensive.

Remember, these cameras are not intended to beat cameras such as dedicated CCD's or DSLR's. They are for 'Live' previewing, or broadcasting.

Although some people have imaged, stacked and processed with them they aren't really cut out for that work.

They fill a niche, and fill it nicely.

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, I am familiar with Gstar's range.

I currently broadcast with Erick's Gstar, but look forward to using the more sensitive Samsung when it arrives next week.

And I am not going to get into a slinging match about which one is better and all sorts of technical jargon, comparisons etc, because Steve Massey sells the Gstar at his business and I refuse to put down a product he is trying to sell. Steve has a business to run.
People can make their own decisions. I made mine by careful research.

[riklaunim]

TV/monitoring cameras are not so good choice for astrophotography. They have limited resolution, usually older CCDs of not so good sensitivity, heavy, requiring good frame grabber and offering limited "compatibility" with astro software and equipement. And really usable TV cameras like Watec WAT-120N with integration that can do much more are priced like dedicated DS cameras (not cheap) and are used in various occultation, meteor showers detectors etc.

[ballaratdragons]

The times they are a changing :D

and I have just said they aren't really meant for Astrophotography (imaging > stacking > processing > pretty picture).
They are suited for 'Live' work.

[ozskywatcher]

Ken,

Thanks for that.

Paul Floyd.

[koputai]

Ken, would you mind posting links to some of these regular broadcasters?

Thanks,
Jason.

[renormalised]

I wonder how the Samsung would go if it was optimised for astro work, like with the GStar, Mallincam or Watec cameras. With such a low lux, it'd be perfect for the really faint fuzzies. Redesign it to add a peltier, add a direct to USB connection for the imaging and a few other things. Might be onto a good one:):)

Where did you get it from??

[ballaratdragons]

Here ya go, Jason. http://www.nightskiesnetwork.com/
I'm one of the broadcasters in there. (currently using Gstar)
Next week I will be broadcasting with the Samsung A-2333.

[ballaratdragons]

Carl, optimised how?
Gstars aren't peltier cooled.
Either do they do anything that the samsung doesn't :shrug:
Actually, the Samsung does more.

Mallincam and Watec are cooled. :thumbsup:

Some guys are already modifying the Samsungs. Even a Yahoo group for this already :lol:

So, cooling is already being played with.

USB? Yep, they connect by USB video grabber cable.

What other things when you say "and a few other things"?


Where to get them from?
Google 'Samsung Techwin cctv' and you will see the Australian sellers.
Lots of models to pick from.
Here are all the models: http://www.samsungtechwin.com/prd/pro_list.asp?cat_biz=CTV
and here: http://www.samsungtechwin.com/prd/pro_list.asp?cat_uid=212&cat_biz=CTV&cat_lev=AB