Live view to laptop screen, recommendations?

[5ash (Philip)]

I spent several years imaging with a G star and can verify that the on screen almost live images are great, showing lots of detail. I don't understand one of the previous comments that a dSLR on 30 sec exposure can give you "live view " that's just what it's called not what it is, it's an after image . At least a video ccd camera like the G star will give you virtually live view with 2.5 sec frame rates. The Samsung scb 4000 has the same size sensor as the G star and is. About 10 x more sensitive. However it has a more complicated OSD menu ,but on the other hand is about $150 cheaper than the g star and is a colour ccd camera .needs the IR filter removing , but Ken has posted a video on u tube that shows you how,not very hard to do.
Philip

[Regulus (Trevor)]

Alan,

An IIS friend bought a Swann web cam from Harvey Norman.
Shaped like an eye-piece but a little narrower, with a resolution of 1280x800.
We cut the base out of an old film canister , since they will fit a 1.25 ep holder.
Plug it into a usb port and use any web cam software. Most will let you adjust frame rate, contrast, gain and colour etc.
Since this is not for pro imaging it was perfect for displaying on a monitor for general viewing.
Cost $39 + and old film canister.

Hope this helps

[5ash (Philip)]

Originally Posted by Regulus

Alan,

An IIS friend bought a Swann web cam from Harvey Norman.
Shaped like an eye-piece but a little narrower, with a resolution of 1280x800.
We cut the base out of an old film canister , since they will fit a 1.25 ep holder.
Plug it into a usb port and use any web cam software. Most will let you adjust frame rate, contrast, gain and colour etc.
Since this is not for pro imaging it was perfect for displaying on a monitor for general viewing.
Cost $39 + and old film canister.

Hope this helps

Wouldn't be much good for deep sky objects but would be ok for the moon and brighter planets.
Philip

[Cloudy (Alan)]

Originally Posted by Regulus

Alan,

An IIS friend bought a Swann web cam from Harvey Norman.


Hope this helps

Thanks for the advice!

Still looking at getting a GStar but just saving up some money for it. The film canister method may do for the time being.

[INeedMySpace (Neville)]

Is there anyone in Brisbane with a samsung scb-4000 setup I could view?

[2stroke (Jay)]

The scb-2000 can be had for $100 on ebay alot of the time, I would jump on the cn forums where there a whole section dedicated to video astronomy and have a look. Lol have a snb-7000 here atm i'am trying to get a long exposure mod onto, 1080p , just hoping i can do something firmware wise

[5ash (Philip)]

[QUOTE=have a snb-7000 here atm i'am trying to get a long exposure mod onto, 1080p , just hoping i can do something firmware wise [/QUOTE]
Haven't heard anything about this camera for Astro work? The 2000 & 4000 are CCD cameras this one is CMOS perhaps a bit noisier at higher senseups . It's also got a 1/2.8" ( 1/3 ") sensor compared to the 4000 , much harder to find objects using a 1/3" sensor than a 1/2" sensor .
Regards philip
Ps I could post some pics from a 4000 if your interested.

[2stroke (Jay)]

Haven't had time to tinker with it yet, at worst I'am using it with a fish eye for a all sky cam. Had this given to me by a friend and its a dam expensive camera lol, retail with the lens and electronic focuser its around $800 worth. At worst ill sell off and get a snb-4000, just has some dam fine features that would make it great for the job. Really it's overkill for a all sky cam though i simply plug it into a wifi point and can broadcast over the network, no cables or pc needed. The scb-2000 and scb-4000 are proven and are unreal i just got this for free and wanted to try and tinker.

[Spaced-out]

Originally Posted by 2stroke

Haven't had time to tinker with it yet, at worst I'am using it with a fish eye for a all sky cam. Had this given to me by a friend and its a dam expensive camera lol, retail with the lens and electronic focuser its around $800 worth. At worst ill sell off and get a snb-4000, just has some dam fine features that would make it great for the job. Really it's overkill for a all sky cam though i simply plug it into a wifi point and can broadcast over the network, no cables or pc needed. The scb-2000 and scb-4000 are proven and are unreal i just got this for free and wanted to try and tinker.

Hi, Sorry to hijack the thread but am currently looking into this camera as something for Lunar and possible brighter planets. I'd be very keen to know your thoughts on it if possible? I have an SBC2000, Mallincam Xtreme and two others cams with the same spec as the SBC 2000 but now I'm looking into HD though not for DSOs. I occasionally broadcast on Night Skies Network and I'm looking for something that may improve the image. The SNB 7000 looks like a possibility.

Many thanks

Karl