WebCam Philips 900nc focusing problem

[bobson (Bob)]

Hi,

I recently bought Philips web cam and adapter as many other members of this forum from Morgans computers in UK.

Flashed the camera and everything works fine except that I can not reach focus without using 2x Barlow. In other words I need more travel in.

Now, using 2x Barlow is OK on The Moon but on Jupiter its almost impossible with my 12" Bintel dob

I need just about half a cm to get in focus. So I took my old 2" 32mm plossl unscrew the barrel and put the camera with adapter in it and 3 balls of gluetak to hold it in center And some black tape around to block the light from outside.

This works great because I can put it in flash with focuser and this way winding it in reaches focus and still leaves me a few mm to spare. Again, The Moon looks great but Jupiter I can not get it in focus?? Jupiter moons look good and round so I know I am in focus but Jupiter looks just like white blob with no detail at all.

What am I doing wrong?
What do I need to reach focus if not enough travel in? Focal reducer or extender?

Thanks in advance

bob

[AdrianF (Adrian)]

Have you tried adjusting gain and gamma?
With my 900nc I set the gain at about 1/3 scale and can get Saturn and Jupiter to show some detail.
I also custom made a extension tube approx 35mm on a lathe to achieve focus on my Orion 80mm in my sig.

Adrian

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Hi Bob.. The white blob thng is very common with new users of WebCams. I had the same trouble as you also. If the moons aroung Jupiter are nice and clear but Jupiter is a White blob it is not a focus problem. What you are getting is and over exposed image. The Webcam is very sensitive to light so you need to reduce this by doing the following. You need to go into the driver settings for the Webcam. This can often be done by clicking on the Philips icon in the taskbar or in the Webcam settings in the recording software you are using like K3ccdtools etc. You will need to uncheck the auto settings for the webcam and adjust the camera settings your self. When you get in thier this will all make sense. Lower the frame rate to around 10 frames per second and then slide the gain down to almost no gain. do it slow and you will notice that Jupiter will show detail now but will be dark. Set the Exposure to around 1/25 sec and just increase the brightness a little. I am sure you will now see a better image and no bright white blob. Play around with these settings untill you get the result you are looking for. I hope I have been some help. I am also new to this myself and this is how I have got better results. Others with more experience may also add some other or even better advice. You are on the right track to getting results.. I got my first good result with Jupiter last week doing what I have explained to you. Good Luck and let me know how you go..


Cheers
Mardy

[bobson (Bob)]

Martin,

Thanks guys for quick response, I will try that.

Adrian,

I need to wind focuser in more not out.


cheers

bob

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Hey Bob.

You have a choice.

A big blob Joop with nice moons

or

a Nice Joop with no Moons.

If you can see Joops moons then you have your settings way too high.

To get Joop to look nicer, Open Philips Vlounge.
Start with options.

Go into OPTIONS > Video Format.
Set Frame rate at 30fps.
Colour Space at 1420
Output size at 640x480
APPLY > OK

Back to OPTIONS > Video Properties
Image Controls - Control Full Auto unticked
Frame Rate - 25 or 30
Brightness around 80%
Gamma around 10%
Saturation at 100%

Camera Controls
White Balance - Auto unticked
FL (Flueroescent)
Exposure - Auto unticked
Shutter Speed at 1/100th
Gain about 5 - 10% (the less Gain the better)

These settings should give you a fairly nicely coloured Joop with banding (if focus is good).

If not, play with the shutter speed and brightness

When you are happy with the settings just click CLOSE

[bobson (Bob)]

Ken,

"Open Philips Vlounge.

Where is that?

cheers

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by bobson

Ken,

"Open Philips Vlounge.

Where is that?

cheers

It's the Philips software that comes with the camera.
On the disk

[bobson (Bob)]

Ken,

My camera did not come with any software at all. I checked on Philips website and there is no software for SPC880NC nor SPC900NC that is flashed now.

I started playing with settings on wxAstroCapture (K3ccdtools is not for free) and it looks better but still need more tuning up. It would be much easier if it wasn't dob though If it was on proper mount with tracking so I could pay attention on those settings. This way as soon as I start playing with settings Jupiter drifts away from the screen. I will try setting it up on Moon.

If you know where I could download that software let me know

Most of the settings you mentioned I have under properties of the camera and I will try that.

cheers

bob

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Bob, you might have to start a thread in request for the 10 minute loan of the SPC900NC software disk.

Someone near you is bound to have one you can borrow and load into your computer.

You want the V-record section in V-lounge to setup the camera properly.
I think there might be some others like K3CCDTools (as you said, not free) that do a similar job, but I still believe the Philips one is easier and better, plus it is made for it.

I'd post mine over for you to load but mine is for 840k Pro II

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Bob, try this and see if it is the one you need http://philips-vlounge.software.informer.com/

[Clarry (Clayton)]

Here's a link to the software from the Philips website.
http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/d...tn=SPC900NC/00

[BlackWidow (Mardy)]

Hello again Bob.. I will try and help with some links. Firstly you can get a free version of K3ccdtools at this link http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm Go to the verty bottom of the screen and you will have two options of download. You can get afreeversion that you will need to just get a licence key for that lasts for three months and can be extended as you need.. Here are the details.

K3CCDTools 1 version is free of charge for personal, non commercial use.
It is protected by a key which limits its running period for 3 months and is prolongated every 2 months FOR FREE.
Actual free key is available on K3CCDTools Download Page

In respect to your software and drivers issue for your WebCam, you can go to this site. On this page on line 14 is a link for the Drivers I think you need. http://astroromp.com/astronomy/upgra...o_firmware.htm

You could also go to this site http://www.home.zonnet.nl/m.m.j.meij...Y/spc900nc.htm and scroll down to section 6 and you will see a link to download the drivers for you camera..


I hope I have been some help to you Bob. Just play around with the settings I gave you as well as the ones ballaratdragons has advised. Dependent on your Telescope and Camera you will find a setting around both of these that will give you the results you are looking for.. Now you have what you need, have fun trying different settings.. It's all part of the game.


Cheers
Mardy

[erick (Eric)]

Bob, try this software (it's freeware). Eric

http://www.stark-labs.com/craterlet.html

Look for the "shutter" setting and pull it way back.

[bobson (Bob)]

Thanks guys, downloaded all software and will give it a try as soon as I got time

cheers

bob

[buddinseeker (Mike)]

hmm got me tempted it also mentions a webcam adaptor as well, has anyone purchased this to ??

[erick (Eric)]

Yes, get the adapter as well. Various people sell forms of the adapter, but if you buy this one, you will know it is made for this particular camera. You don't want one with thread too long or too short.

I bought one of their adapters - fits the camera well.