2 cameras on 1 computer

Chillie (Henry) · #1 14-04-2009, 10:33 PM

Finally some of my gear is starting to arrive. Still waiting on telescope and a few other things.

The little web book (8.9" screen) that I'm using now has a built in web cam and I wish to connect my CCD camera to it. Will there be any conflicts with having two cameras on one computer?

Computer is a Toshiba NB100 and the CCD camera is this one:
Skywatcher CCD camera SWCCD-TELE

While I'm talking about CCD cameras. Is 300,000 pixels high enough resolution for astrophotography? The built in web cam (1.2 Mega pixels) creates a grainy picture.

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #2 14-04-2009, 11:01 PM

I use an eeepc in the field and discovered (after hours of stuffing about) that you need to disable the in-built camera for your external device to work properly

In general though, video from two distinctly different sources tend to work ok together.

Chillie (Henry) · #3 14-04-2009, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the heads up Jonathan.

The driver and software came on a CD R with no company logo although it's supposed to be new. I haven't attempted to install it yet but I have looked at the CD. I need to install it to get access to the manual (if there is one).

If it doesn't work on my web book, I'll install it on my larger lap top. It doesn't have a built in web cam but it needs a new battery ($100+).

Anyway! I'm off to bed.

troypiggo (Troy) · #4 15-04-2009, 08:19 AM

What "web book" do you have? I have the Acer Aspire One, and didn't have to disable the built-in webcam for my DSI II Pro. They both work at the same time, although have no idea why you'd want to do that. I haven't yet tried using my Toucam at the same time as the DSI, but will be trying that too in the very near future.

Chillie (Henry) · #5 16-04-2009, 06:28 PM

I have the Toshiba NB100. I have installed the camera on my large laptop (the one without a built in camera) and things look a bit dodgy. The software came on a burnt CD with no logos. The brand of the camera is Acuter. Windows XP didn't like the driverand I got the "Blue screen of death" when I disconnected the camera. Any idea how to uninstall a driver? The software that came with it is PhotoLib2002. I can't find an updated version.

Glenhuon (Bill) · #6 19-04-2009, 11:03 AM

In XP look under Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager/Imaging Devices. You should be able to find the camera in there and remove it by selecting its properties.

Bill

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #7 19-04-2009, 11:20 AM

I've also found that I don't need to disable the onboard camera for a DSI Pro. Just my usb video capture device. Odd thing that. Luckilly for me at least, the eeepc has a tray utilility that lets me switch it on and off easily.

Glenhuon (Bill) · #8 19-04-2009, 11:42 AM

I tried guiding with the DSI and PHD and Imaging with the 300D using DSLR Focus on one laptop (my old Dell) but found there was conflict and one or other of the programs would lock up. Now using 2 lappies dedicated to each function.

Bill

Chillie (Henry) · #9 20-04-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenhuon

In XP look under Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager/Imaging Devices. You should be able to find the camera in there and remove it by selecting its properties.

Bill

Thanks Bill. I'm on my Webbook (the one with the built in web cam) at the moment. I'll delete the driver tomorrow then re-install the telescope camera and let Windows find a driver that will work.