4 Mega Pixels 1/3" CMOS Web Camera

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Recently I have seen 4 Mega Pixel Web cameras on eBay. Has anyone try one of those for astronomy imagining yet?

Specifications:
True 4.0 Mega Pixels camera , it provide up to 2304x1728 resolution ( Photo )
Provide up to 1280x960 resolution ( Video )
Camera Size : 51 x 35 x 77 mm
Built in High Quality CMOS Image Sensor ( 1/3" )
Frame Rate Up to 30 fps
Focus range 30mm - infinitive
Lens 6mm able adjust glass lens , Visual Angle of 62 deg.
High performance with special designed 5-layer optics lens
Image focus : 3cm to infinity
Interface USB 1.1 or USB 2.0
Minimum illumination 2.5Lux@ f1.4 , 0.5Lux@ f1.4
Info noise rate > 48dB
Working temperature -15-50 deg.C
Exposing Control Auto
Gain Control Auto
White Balance Auto
Gamma Correction Auto

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Can you provide a link Karl?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

"Minimum illumination 2.5Lux@ f1.4 , 0.5Lux@ f1.4"

Something amiss there.

Regardless of a chip being CMOS or CCD, the Lux rating has to be <1 lux for Astro work.

Be nice to know what the above quote actually says. Can't have 2 ratings both at f1.4

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

These ones?

As a general rule, CMOS is not very suitable for webcam planetary imaging, though meade sort of did it with the LPI (sorry my prejudices are showing through )

[Karls48 (Karl)]

This one. It got most likely same sensor. I have send them eMail abot Lux rating, but got no answer.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/4-0M-Pixels-U...QQcmdZViewItem

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Warning Will Robinson.

How can it be 1.3 megapixel at the top of column 4 yet 4 megapixel at the right of row 5 ? 'eh? 'eh?

The image capture is interpreted/extrapolated. The real size is the 1280x960 = 1.22 MP.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

[luka]

I had a look at one of these a while ago. All you have to do is to look at the 4 MP image in full size - clearly extrapolated.

[iceman (Mike)]

I'd also question this:

Interface USB 1.1 or USB 2.0

Does that mean it's a USB2 interface that's backwards compatible, or a USB1 interface that's forwards compatible?

There could be horrible compression if it's only USB1.1.

[JohnH]

Sounds like another camera based on the Micron MT9M001 chip as used in the QHY5/QGuider and Fishcamp Starfish to name but a few. It might be ok therefore but it will depend on they way the manufacturer has set it up...usb interface/access to raw frames/frame buffer etc etc.