|
ZWO cameras timeout during downloads, especially if both imaging
I have a QHY-5IIL and three ZWO cameras running of a laboratory power supply (big and beefy). These cameras are all connected to a powered Mbeat 7 port high speed hub (4 high speed USB 3 ports and 3 USB2 ports) individually toggled on or off. This in turn is connected by a 3 metre high speed USB3 cable to a new quad core PC with two USB3 ports. My challenge since upgrading the PC in my astro lab is downloads from my two ZWO imaging cameras can slow or timeout occasionally - much more likely if both are running, whether or not the QHY or 120MM-s are running as auto-guiders into PHD or PHD2 respectively.
For imaging I run a ZWO ASI1600MM-c plus 7 port filter wheel into one of the high speed ports, a ZWO ASI071MC-c Pro into another and a ZWO 120MM-s from a OAG on the 1600MM-c into a third USB3 ports. The QHY and focusers run into the other USB2 ports
All these cameras are limited in the driver to only use 40% of available bandwidth (5 Gbps). I note the image download timeouts seem more frequent on my newer, more powerful astro-lab PC than my older dual core PC that used to struggle with the load. I very, very seldom take video using Sharpcap. Both cameras are used 99% of the time to capture unbinned 2 - 6 minute subs. So I wouldn't expect bandwidth load to be that high - a 30MB file (if binned 1x1 ) or 7 MB binned 2x2 once every 2 - 6 minutes from each camera over a 5 Gb/sec pipe should be no issue.
So any idea what is going on? I generally control one camera from SGP and another from either The SkyX Professional Edition + Camera add on (as ASCOM cameras) or APT (latest release).
I am thinking of wiring another 7 identical port split high speed and USB3 powered hub off a 5 metre USB3 cable plus extender into the second USB3 port on my Astrolab PC - giving two x 5 GBps lanes to my peir. I wonder if it is a driver or Windows 10 configuration problem (Power settings are to never power down the USB port - only ever the monitors - as I run everything remotely over gigabit cat 6e cable into gigabit switches from my house 30 metres away over TightVNC.
Much appreciation if anyone can suggest what is going on and how to best avoid / correct it!
|