New Philips webcam no good for Astro

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I thought I'd jump in and bring this up before people start asking.

There is a new webcam by Philips, the SPC1300NC.

I was in Qcuiag (a Yahoo Astro webcam group) last night and noticed that many people are asking if it is suitable for Astro imaging.

No, it's not. The 1.3mp does sound inviting but:

1. It is CMOS
2. It is rated at <5 lux.

The barest minimum for an Astro cam is <1.

So don't get too excited next time you visit the Philips site and see the new 1.3mp SPC webcam

[matt]

I thought this had already been discussed on IIS???

Yeah. Steer clear of those CMOS webcams.

[iceman (Mike)]

I don't remember it being called that, I know John K posted something a while ago.

Thanks for the info Ken, it's a shame philips don't try and "cash in" on the success their webcams have had in the astro world and develop a proper USB2 CCD budget webcam.

[matt]

Originally Posted by iceman

I don't remember it being called that, I know John K posted something a while ago.

Thanks for the info Ken, it's a shame philips don't try and "cash in" on the success their webcams have had in the astro world and develop a proper USB2 CCD budget webcam.

Yep. Follow John's link in his original post in this thread:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...light=Phillips

Its name is given there in the first few paragraphs along with the model numbers of the other 2 cams

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Yep, as John mentioned 4 weeks ago, the new models were coming out in August. They have been released now. None of them suit us.

Originally Posted by iceman

Thanks for the info Ken, it's a shame philips don't try and "cash in" on the success their webcams have had in the astro world and develop a proper USB2 CCD budget webcam.

Unfortunately large conglomerates like Philips aren't interested in producing products unless they know they will sell hundreds of thousands of units.

Pity coz they have the know-how and technology to make a very very good reasonably priced Astro cam.