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Revision Sheet

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual

Page i

Revision History

SKYRAIDER DS287

[Version 3.4]
Michael Burns
Rock Mallin

[

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual

]

This document will quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS287 Camera. It will include instructions on how to install the Software and Drivers
and how connect the SkyRaider to your computer along with explanations of the

camera’s

major settings. The purpose of this guide is to quickly get you up and

running with the SkyRaider Camera so that you can image.

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Summary of Contents for SKYRAIDER DS287

Page 1: ...ll quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider DS287 Camera It will include instructions on how to install the Software and Drivers and how connect the SkyRaider to your computer a...

Page 2: ...Revision Sheet SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page ii Version Date Revision Description 3 4 08 18 2018 Template Creation...

Page 3: ...e 16 The MallincamSky Window 16 SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work Flow 17 Live Stack Pictorial Work Flow 18 Histogram Pictorial Work Flow 19 ROI Pictorial Work Flow 20 Save Image Pictorial Work...

Page 4: ...t 58 Delete 58 Image Select 58 Select All 58 Select None 59 View 59 Browse 59 Thumbnail 60 Sidebar 60 Histogram 61 Grids 61 Best Fit 64 Actual Size 64 Full Screen 64 Track 64 Reticles 65 Browse 65 Sor...

Page 5: ...eo Folder 101 Zoom 101 Image Select 101 Track 101 Histogram 102 Reticle 102 ST4 Test 103 Advance Reverse 104 Stitch 104 Panorama Straighten 106 Projection Type 106 Seam Finder 106 Exposure Compensatio...

Page 6: ...tware 144 Installing DirectShow Driver 145 Installing Mallincam ASCOM Driver 147 8 AutoGuiding with SkyRaider 149 Guiding with MaximDL and Mallincam ASCOM 149 Guiding in PHD2 with Mallincam ASCOM Driv...

Page 7: ...Guide with another 175 How Do I Pause the Video 176 How do I Undo an Operation 176 How do I make my ROI the whole Image Again 176 How do I Turn Off Dark Field correction 176 How Do I take Another Dar...

Page 8: ...plication gain adjustment and much more for fine tuning the image seen on the computer screen This allows the camera to perform with stunning sensitivity with very short exposures The results are hard...

Page 9: ...ial Sony CMOS sensor IMX287 Series class 1 0 4 MP 6 9 x 6 9 micron pixel size 1 3 4 97 x 3 73 720 x 540 resolution QE 95 tested at 96 2 525 FPS frame per seconds 0 100ms exposure USB3 0 connectivity N...

Page 10: ...lower through put Display 15 or Larger Recommended In the Box The SkyRaider DS287 includes the following standard equipment MALLINCAM SkyRaider DS287 Camera 5 meters 15 feet premium Heavy Duty USB3 0...

Page 11: ...AM Recommend 4GB or more 200MB Free HDD Installing the Software Visit the Software Downloads Page in the Support Tab located on the website www mallincam net Select the Blue Click Here Button to downl...

Page 12: ...program if just downloading MallincamSky The DRIVER folder contains the ASCOM and Direct Show Drivers for the camera The WINDOWS APPLICATION folder contains the camera control software Double Click o...

Page 13: ...e your own location or select the default Click on Install to proceed Windows may again ask for permission to install the device software Click on Install to accept The MallincamSky Software will take...

Page 14: ...the SkyRaiderDS287 on a USB 2 0 cable you will see the name as SkyRaiderDS287C 2 0 Optionally see Installing the ASCOM Driver in Section 7 for more in depth details Double Click on ASCOM DRIVER folder...

Page 15: ...it back in the box for safe keeping Screw in the 2 adapter to the front of the SkyRaider DS287 Insert the SkyRaider DS287 with 2 Adapter attached into a 2 eyepiece adapter on your Telescope Depending...

Page 16: ...n your computer This simple step can improve both thru put power and distance between your computer and the SkyRaider DS287 camera Windows will then automatically load the correct SkyRaider Camera Dri...

Page 17: ...Guider Cable to the SkyRaider DS287 If you are going to use your SkyRaider DS287 as an Autoguider then you will need to attach the provided ST4 cable Attach one end of the ST4 cable into the ST4 slot...

Page 18: ...e The MallincamSky Left SideBar provides the simple click activation and selection capabilities to control all aspects of the image and camera The Left SideBar Base provides selection options for Came...

Page 19: ...ypical workflow when using the SkyRaider DS287 with MallincamSky Start Mallincam Deep Sky Object Planetary Start Trigger Mode then Take Dark Field Trigger Mode to Image Activate Dark Field Video Mode...

Page 20: ...r DS287 User Manual Page 18 Live Stack Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow when Live Stacking with MallincamSky Expose Object Choose and Activate Video Mode or Trigger Mode Live Stack Adjust Image...

Page 21: ...ow A typical workflow when using the Histogram Command with MallincamSky Expose Object Increase Left number or Move Left Bar in Darkens Increase Right number or Move Right Bar in Brightens Select Hist...

Page 22: ...7 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 20 ROI Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow when using the ROI Command with MallincamSky Expose Object Trigger Mode Trigger Mode Video M...

Page 23: ...SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 21 Save Image Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow on how to Save an Image with MallincamSky Expose Object...

Page 24: ...age 22 Record Video Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow on how Record a Video with MallincamSky Expose Object If No Time Limit Set Enter File Location Format Prefix Type Number of Seconds Number of...

Page 25: ...287 User Manual Page 23 Batch Record Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow on how to Batch Record a series of Videos with a single Click Expose Object Enter File Location Format Prefix Type Number of...

Page 26: ...nual Page 24 Auto Capture Pictorial Work Flow A typical workflow on how to Auto Capture a series of Images with a single Click Expose Object Enter File Location Format Prefix Type Capture Mode Total n...

Page 27: ...Page 25 Save Sequence of Images Pictorial Work Flow Trigger Mode A typical workflow on an alternative method to Save a Sequence of Images with the Sequence Command in Trigger Mode with MallincamSky Ex...

Page 28: ...igital Binning A typical workflow on applying Digital Binning Choose a Method usually Additive now select a Binning Number from 1 default to 4 Notice the video window will decrease in size so you may...

Page 29: ...cal workflow when taking a Dark Field with MallincamSky Determine Maximum Exposure Choose and Activate Video Mode or Trigger Mode with Maximum Exposure Required Click on Loop if using Trigger Mode Dar...

Page 30: ...Work Flow Choose and Activate Video Mode or Trigger Mode with Maximum Exposure Click on Loop if Using Trigger Mode Prepare Telescope for Flat Field Apply Flat Field Capture and Resolution Choose Quant...

Page 31: ...Raider DS287 User Manual Page 29 Sharpen Pictorial Work Flow Choose and Activate Video Mode or Trigger Mode with Maximum Exposure Click on Loop if using Trigger Mode Select Sharpen Value Choose percen...

Page 32: ...rom the Camera List in the Camera Tab With the Camera Tab selected on the Left SideBar Left Click on the SkyRaiderDS287 between lines in Camera Heading Once the SkyRaider is selected a black rectangle...

Page 33: ...Quantity Start with 5 exposures to get a feel of the process Then Left Click on the Capture Button The Software will display its progress above the selected Quantity Remember it is beneficial to set t...

Page 34: ...ck into Trigger Mode if you are imaging Deep Sky Objects else remain in Video Mode if imaging Planetary Objects and adjust the Exposure Time to match the current target and the equipment you are using...

Page 35: ...n shots before imaging But if you do notice warm pixels and would like to eliminate them Then follow the step by step instructions located in the section called Dark Field Correction later in the manu...

Page 36: ...vide enough data for external stacking programs to pull out the finest detail from your video images From the Capture and Resolution Tab on the MallincamSky ToolBar select the Largest resolution value...

Page 37: ...box annoys you you can Left Click Hold and Drag corners of the rectangle to resize it to either cover the whole image window or even to be a zero size box at one of the corners of your image window Th...

Page 38: ...ke the object bright enough match your viewing requirements You can also adjust the Gain to the Right to brighten your image Now is the time to adjust the Color Balance and Color Adjustment Contrast G...

Page 39: ...t was enclosed by the ROI s Blue Rectangle To return back to Full Video Mode just Click on the Defaults Button on the ROI Open Tab Using the Scroll Wheel on your mouse when the mouse is over the Image...

Page 40: ...ield Correction by checking the Check the Enable Button in the Dark Field Tab to disable Dark Field Correction just un check the Enable Button in the Dark Field Tab Again for most planetary imaging Da...

Page 41: ...ocesses and controls are provided later in the User Manual The following instructions are used as a guide to assist you in doing Deep Sky imaging Don t forget when finished with a particular step that...

Page 42: ...pixel that the SkyRaider is able to produce This will provide enough data for external stacking programs to pull out the finest detail from your video images From the Capture and Resolution Tab on the...

Page 43: ...eld Correction Tab on the Left SideBar of MallincamSky You will normally determine the maximum exposure time that you will be using for the evening but to get started for the first time we will choose...

Page 44: ...you to select the Quantity of Dark Fields and the option to start the Dark Field Capture process Select 5 for the Quantity then Left Click on the Capture Button which will change its name to Stop in...

Page 45: ...the slider or Click on the Current Exposure Time Value to open up the Exposure Time Window Enter in 1 second 1000 ms in this window and Click the OK button to accept We will use a small exposure so w...

Page 46: ...30 seconds using your Keyboard o You can Click on the up or down arrow in the Time Unit Box of choice to move the exposure time to your required value 30 seconds Click on the Single Button to a take...

Page 47: ...seconds before the Dark fields are applied Obtaining an Image of our First Deep Sky Object is enough for most to start the celebration process again most of us will call for our spouse to have a look...

Page 48: ...f the mess up there is always the Defaults Button to bring your image back To finely adjust the image characteristics open up the Histogram Tab and either enter in the Left and Right values or Left Cl...

Page 49: ...cide what is best for you To shorten the exposure also reduces the resolution you have the option of selecting Digital Binning You can choose no Binning 1 all the way to 4 x 4 Binning Note you will ne...

Page 50: ...Manual will describe in exact detail what each control on both the Top Line Menu and the Icon Toolbar does This Chapter is best read on a rainy day or can be used to jump to the specific section that...

Page 51: ...ar image on your computer MallincamSky supports and can open a variety of image formats These are identified in the Files of type list box MallincamSky can open more than one image simultaneously by C...

Page 52: ...m and allow you use the File Open Video command Select the name of the file you want to open If the file does not appear select the option for showing all files from the Video Files Drop Down Button T...

Page 53: ...opup Window MallincamSky discards all changes made since the last File Save operation The File Save command saves the contents of the entire window unless if there was an ROI Region of Interest define...

Page 54: ...ve The default is unchecked Optimize Huffman codes The default is unchecked Smoothing The values range between 0 and 100 The default value is 0 Save these setting as defaults When saving a file the cu...

Page 55: ...sing Compressions as JPEG the Image quality can be adjusted by the slider bar The values range between 0 and 100 The Default value is 75 Save these setting as defaults When saving a file the current s...

Page 56: ...e current settings will be saved as defaults for the next file save operation For Bitmap bmp PCX pcx Targa tga There is no Option choices Batch Save The File Batch Save command will be enabled when a...

Page 57: ...This prefix will be combined with Name Format to form a final file name naming paradigm File Type In this combo box select the format in which you want the image to be saved can be BMP JPG PNG TIF Cli...

Page 58: ...roperties via the Image Menu choice see Image section in user Manual MallincamSky will accept image data from other applications via the clipboard as long as it is in Windows Bitmap DIB format Mallinc...

Page 59: ...f If an image has been modified before attempting to Exit MallincamSky will issue a warning to ask if user wants to save the images or not Edit This Drop Down Menu will allow you to Cut Copy and Paste...

Page 60: ...d the File and then used Edit Copy into your currently selected folder Remember to use File Paste as New File to paste image into a new MallincamSky Window Paste Shortcut This control allows you to pl...

Page 61: ...under the specified directory in the Folders Sidebar The Browse Window resembles the Windows Explorer Left Clicking on the will expand a folder so that you can examine its contents You can Right Click...

Page 62: ...ar The SideBar can contain 3 different Tabs Camera Folders and Undo Redo Left Click on the SideBar control to expand it You will see the 3 choices each with a check mark beside it Left Click on the ch...

Page 63: ...data as linear or logarithmic Clicking on the Histogram Control again closed the Histogram window Grids The View Grids control has the ability to display a grid overlay on top of your Video Window Yo...

Page 64: ...eft Click on the Grids option on the left of the Preferences Window and adjust the Style No Grid Auto Grid and Manual Grid Line Style Solid Dash Dot or DashDot and Color that you are interested in Lef...

Page 65: ...e Down Arrow along the Horizontal Ruler to where ever you want When it is dragging over the video image there will be a Vertical Line in the Color and Style chosen by you aiding you in judging where t...

Page 66: ...Size to reset the Zoom to 100 Actual Size will be disabled if the View is already set to 100 and place the image video inside the Video Window Tab Full Screen Selecting the View Full Screen control wi...

Page 67: ...Reticles or cross hairs styles to aid in aligning your telescope to a star or another stellar object You can change the color of the Reticle via the Option Preferences control in the Top Menu Line Lef...

Page 68: ...rge or Small Icons Simply Left Click to make your Selection Refresh This control allows you to refresh the contents of the currently selected folder Properties This control will display the current Fi...

Page 69: ...test the ST4 port on the camera You can also pause the Video image on the Video Window from here Start Pause Left Clicking on this control will Pause the SkyRaider Camera s live display Left Clicking...

Page 70: ...oves in a specific direction Due to the various orientations of the SkyRaider Camera once inserted inside the telescope the Green Directions Arrows will not necessarily match the direction of Mount mo...

Page 71: ...ow is not activated Left Click this Snap button on the Camera Sidebar to a capture image quickly Only when the video window is active the Capture Capture Image menu will be enabled If the Live and Sna...

Page 72: ...ions in User Manual on using the Record Button on Left Side Panel to record video in Trigger Mode as this command is identical The only way to view Videos must be saved in ser format using MallincamSk...

Page 73: ...Record Tab in Options Preferences choose the location and file type and duration for recorded Video Files In the Batch Record Tab in Options Preferences chose the number of Videos to be recorded plus...

Page 74: ...y abort the current Video but will continue with the next sequence MallincamSky will also provide you in a status on how the recording are going by displaying a Status Information line on the bottom o...

Page 75: ...lour Bits dialog is opened the default checked color bit is the current image s color bit Check the desired bit and click OK to end the command The image will be converted to the selected color bits i...

Page 76: ...the same adjustment to every pixel in the image The Brightness Contrast command does not work with individual channels and is not recommended for high end output because it can result in the loss of d...

Page 77: ...alue of 20 and a B value of 50 When the values of all three components are equal the result is a shade of neutral gray When the value of all components is 255 the result is pure white when the value i...

Page 78: ...rsa Based on the human perception of color the HIS model describes three fundamental characteristics of colors Hue is the color reflected from or transmitted through an object It is measured as a loca...

Page 79: ...0 The Default values are 0 HMS Select the Image Adjust HMS command to adjust the HL Highlight M Midtone and S Shadow parts of the image Each part s value ranges from 100 to 100 This command is only av...

Page 80: ...then only information about the Red channel will be retained The Green and Blue information will be discarded Invert Select the Image Adjust Invert command to reverse the pixel values of the active im...

Page 81: ...atial Sigma like the domain and the Range Sigma you can affect how many pixels the algorithm uses when applying the smoothing Rotate This control allows you to rotate and or flip your image across an...

Page 82: ...move the portions of an image that does not want so that the focus is on the part of the image that is left First select Edit Image Select the mouse cursor will change into cross hairs from the Top Me...

Page 83: ...and Height will stay proportionate to each other If the Constrain Proportions is unchecked the Width and the Height can be set independently but this will distort the image Reset Resets the image s W...

Page 84: ...ortant to note that even though we re talking about brightness levels we re not just talking about black and white grayscale images but Histograms work equally well and are just as important with full...

Page 85: ...s the following statistical information below the Histogram Pixels Represents the total number of pixels used to calculate the Histogram Level Displays the intensity level of the area underneath the p...

Page 86: ...utput It would take a novel to explain each of these standard graphical enhancement tools So I will leave it up to you to Google Search the enhancement type to see if it is something you could use You...

Page 87: ...ual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 85 You can modify the color effectiveness range with the Range control to color sharpen your image You can modify the image the pixel no pixel count...

Page 88: ...August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 86 You can examine the image as a 3 D color contour map with the 3 D setup control You can apply the Pseudo Color application tools to turn a Black and...

Page 89: ...tio is greatly improved The stacked image may have had some black edges this is because the images in the video has moved and in the stacking process MallincamSky will added black to the image area th...

Page 90: ...nual Page 88 MallincamSky will Open an Image Stacking Progress Bar to inform you of the process Once completed the stacked image will appear in the Video Image window You can now apply other processin...

Page 91: ...r camera Directory The file Directory can be select by Left Clicking the Browse button File The File Name This can be a combination of Name of Format File Prefix and File Type avi or ser format as sho...

Page 92: ...w you to set the number of Video recordings in the batch plus the time interval between each separate recording Clicking on OK accepts the settings The Options Preferences Auto Capture tab will allow...

Page 93: ...enable its edit box You can enter the Total Images from 1 to 9999 to be captured MallincamSky will stop the Time lapse capture process automatically when the Total Images are reached If Total Images i...

Page 94: ...played in the Browse window or not The checked Format can be displayed in the Browse window The Target Tab allows you to label the target that you are currently shooting The 10 solar system objects ar...

Page 95: ...e Line Style for the grid can be Solid Dash Dot or DashDot The Default is Solid Grid Line Color The color of the grid line The Default color is Red 255 0 0 Reticle Color The color of the Reticle The D...

Page 96: ...amSky window to your liking This control allows you to determine what metadata is embedded inside the FITS and EXIF files when they are saved File views that read FITS or EXIF images can then display...

Page 97: ...ictures opened or captured inside MallincamSky s frame If you have made any modifications to the pictures or if you have captured some pictures from the camera choosing the Close All will let you fini...

Page 98: ...scattered through the list 1 Choose the Windows Windows control 2 Select the windows you want to close Hold Ctrl or Shift key to select more than one at a time Here 4 windows are selected 3 Click Clos...

Page 99: ...locate a particular image MallincamSky supports and can open a variety of image formats These are identified in the Files of type list box MallincamSky can open more than one image simultaneously by...

Page 100: ...onal error When an image is closed and not to save its changes is chosen MallincamSky discards all changes made since the last Save operation The Save Icon always saves the contents of the entire wind...

Page 101: ...ft Double Click on a Graphics File inside the Video Window it will open up that Graphics File in a new Tab in the Video Window You can close the Tab in the Video Window by Right Clicking on the Tab s...

Page 102: ...Clicking on the Auto Capture icon MallincamSky will indicate the status of the Auto Capture process on the lower left of the MallincamSky window Batch Record This icon activates the Batch Record rout...

Page 103: ...live or static by using the Left Click Hold and Drag technique Once selected then you can Copy Ctrl C the selected region and then Paste it into another software program Once a Region of Interest Rec...

Page 104: ...information purposes beneath the Video window being displayed Clicking on the icon again will remove the Histogram The icon has a pull down tab where you can choose to display the real time Histogram...

Page 105: ...is used to check if the camera can correctly communicate with the Telescope Mount Connect the ST4 cable provided with the SkyRaider Camera to the ST4 Port on your Telescope Mount Turn on the Telescope...

Page 106: ...n directly enter a number into the number box or Left Click on the up and down arrows to scroll up or down the value in the number box Attempt to orientate the SkyRaider Camera in the eye piece holder...

Page 107: ...ng to create a horizontal panoramic image or a vertical panoramic image Have the camera viewing a specific location or object Now Left Click on the Snap button This will place a snapshot in the viewin...

Page 108: ...ocation stitched images can be arranged using one of following projection mappings Plane Cylindrical Spherical Fisheye Stereographic Mercator or Transverse Mercator Seam Finder MallincamSky provides f...

Page 109: ...n Next to bring up the final Stich Window Again make some logical guesses with the numbers and Left Click on the Finish button when decisions have been made MallincamSky will work thru the Snaps and a...

Page 110: ...Manual Page 108 You can try other Stitching decision by having the Stitched imaged active in your Video Window and Left Clicking on the Stitch Icon again You will notice that your original snapped im...

Page 111: ...87 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 109 Preferences This icon opens up the preferences window This icon is identical to the Main Tab line Options Preferences See above in th...

Page 112: ...red rectangular box on the Video Window to remind you that that control is in effect You will be able to collapse the control window by Left Clicking on the Up Arrow on the control heading Camera List...

Page 113: ...being displayed Left Click on the Drop Down list on the Resolution to see all the allowable resolutions available for your SkyRaider The SkyRaider DS287 has one resolution 720 x 540 The Snap Shot reso...

Page 114: ...he Options Preferences Tab to choose the location name format and duration of the video Left clicking on the Record Icon will tell MallincamSky to start recording a video of what is currently being ca...

Page 115: ...ck on the Slider Bar which selects it you can use the Left and Right Arrow Keys of your keyboard to move the slider this gives you more control For Deep Sky Objects start the Gain at about 50 For Plan...

Page 116: ...ith Auto Exposure checked you will see a Green Rectangle labelled Exposure will appear over your Video Window This Green Rectangle is a marked region that is a reference region for judging if the imag...

Page 117: ...to move the slider this gives you more control If you Left Click on the Current Exposure Time Value a window will open up where you can enter in the exact exposure time you require This window will a...

Page 118: ...ously Loop images from the SkyRaider DS287 You have two methods of setting your exposure to a large value o You can Click in the Time Unit Box of choice and enter in an amount i e 30 seconds using you...

Page 119: ...e format to match your preferences this is great for choosing a folder location for AstroToaster Number in Sequence Use this control to enter in the number of images you would like MallincamSky to sav...

Page 120: ...nnel Red Green Blue there are 12 bits assigned That is there are 4096 212 shades of Red Green and Blue available The larger the Bit Depth the larger the data and the harder the CPU must work to produc...

Page 121: ...d and Drag technique to mode the sliders or Left Click on a slider to activate it then use your Left and Right Keys on your Keyboard to move the sliders If you or the SkyRaider Camera ever get confuse...

Page 122: ...the Hue s slider this selects it then use your Left and Right arrow keys on your Keyboard to adjust the value small Hue adjustments are easier with this technique The value of the Hue setting will be...

Page 123: ...arrow keys on your Keyboard to adjust the value small Contrast adjustments are easier with this technique The value of the Contrast setting will be displayed above the slider Gamma This command contr...

Page 124: ...ams to freeze lowering the Frame Rate can sometime resolve the problem Color Gray This control contains commands allow the SkyRaider DS287 to display its displayed images I color these colors can be a...

Page 125: ...g Bin refers to the method of combining averaging pixels of block of neighboring same color pixels to resize the video to a lower resolution can increase video frames second Skip also known as decimat...

Page 126: ...he Drop Down Size command in the MallincamSky Tool Bar or by scrolling the wheel on your mouse if your mouse has a scroll wheel This command allows you to Zoom in on a specific area of your original V...

Page 127: ...current active video Two vertical line markers white show the upper and lower limits of the intensity levels These markers can be dragged with mouse Left Click Hold and Drag or you can enter in specif...

Page 128: ...o their original settings Left Click on the Auto Button to automatically locate the Left and Right boundaries thus letting MallincamSky determine the best video quality Set the exposure so that the Pe...

Page 129: ...ll link 4 cells in a 2 by 2 array together so you have about 4 times the capture area than one cell But remember nothing is free it gives up the number of horizontal and vertical pixel resolution by t...

Page 130: ...moon try Average to see if it improves your image Number You now have the choice of the type of binning you would None set to number to 1 2 x 2 binning set the number to 2 3 x 3 binning set the number...

Page 131: ...on image The DS287 DS16 and DS2 3 cameras have large chips so using binning setting will still provide enough resolution and Size to image most deep sky objects Dark Frame subtraction in Digital Binni...

Page 132: ...ture Resolution The Exposure Gain Window will expand select the exposure time for the Dark Field You must determine what you believe will be the maximum exposure for this session As you will create Da...

Page 133: ...tom right side of the MallincamSky window you will see a counter letting you know how long is left in that particular exposure Once you have finished taking your Dark Fields don t forget to remove the...

Page 134: ...rints and other unwanted shadow producing things in the light path The result of such optical path obscuration is an unevenly illuminated CCD CMOS chip These noise variations are usually caused either...

Page 135: ...g the camera after you have taken your flats with integration times to allow the flat to produce an image that captures of noise but Flat images should never bloom but should also not be less than a s...

Page 136: ...will display its progress above the selected Quantity Remember the images you select the more averaged will be the Flat Field As the Flat Fields are being exposed you can watch the exposure counter i...

Page 137: ...to slightly brighten towards level 31 or dim towards level 0 the starting point for the image s backest location Using this slider allows you to define what you believe based on your current image sh...

Page 138: ...follwing images captured live illustrate the advantages of Stacking M5 a single 5 second exposure using SkyRaider DS287 on 10 VRC M5 two 5 second exposures stacked using SkyRaider DS287 on 10 VRC M5...

Page 139: ...ell MallincamSky if you would like the images Added made brighter or Meaned made sharper plus inidcate is you are stacking Planets or Deep Sky Objects This command will provide a live status of its st...

Page 140: ...the image Start the Stacking by checking the Enable Box The stacking process will keep you informed with its status by indicating you what the current input stacking number is what the current output...

Page 141: ...eased sensitivity and low read noise for lowlight scenes providing tremendous benefit for real time imaging The LCG mode is comparable to the old NO GAIN while the HCG mode is comparible to high gain...

Page 142: ...sharpen the image Remember that being too aggestive will induce some rough edges around youyur image Just use the slider to sharpen the image from none to 500 Misc Currently this control will allow y...

Page 143: ...load the control parameters from the above file in the Drop Down List Left Click on the Save command and MallioncamSky will open a window that will allow you to give a name to the current sessions and...

Page 144: ...The Management Dialog will also allow you to import a collegues set of parameter files single pgt file whci contains all of their parameter files into your MallincamSky folders When you import a set...

Page 145: ...is allows you a method to reload your parameter files after trying colleagues and not have them overwtitten Parameter File Folder Michael s SkyRaider Dsc Parameters File for New Hamburg Michael s SkyR...

Page 146: ...wnload form the download page The following instruction will represent a Windows Computer There may be a download for a Later version as updates come along Your Browser should download a zipped file c...

Page 147: ...amera The DIRECTSHOW DRIVER folder contains the Direct Show Drivers for the camera The WINDOWS APPLICATION folder contains the camera control software Installing DirectShow Driver Open up the DIRECTSH...

Page 148: ...o close the process The DirectShow driver will give you the ability to display the SkyRaider video using other video display software The software that uses the DirectShow video protocol will always h...

Page 149: ...computer www ascom standards org Open up the ASCOM DRIVER folder then Double Click on the ASCOMMallincamSetup file to Start the installation process Depending upon the version of Windows the followin...

Page 150: ...ady to Install Window will appear Click on Install to install the ASCOM Driver Depending upon the version of Windows you may see the Following Pop up Install it That s it The installation process will...

Page 151: ...er Guiding with MaximDL and Mallincam ASCOM The following is a pictorial procedure on how to select the Mallincam ASCOM driver assumes you have already installed this driver on your computer in MaximD...

Page 152: ...age 150 Left Click the Setup Camera button on Camera 2 from the Setup Tab Choose ASCOM from Camera Model in Setup ASCOM popup Window Now Left Click on the Advanced Button in the Setup ASCOM popup Wind...

Page 153: ...tor Left Click on the OK Button to accept the Mallincam Driver in the ASCOM Camera Chooser Window You will be returned to the Setup ASCOM window then Left Click on its OK button to accept this and you...

Page 154: ...ick on the OK Button to accept the settings and return to the Camera Control Window All you need to do now is select Connect from the Setup Tab to activate the camera and start using MaxImDL as you no...

Page 155: ...87 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 153 Guiding in PHD2 with Mallincam ASCOM Driver Start the PHD2 software Click on the Connection Icon to open up Connect Equipment Window...

Page 156: ...rop Down List Left Click on the Camera Setup Button to open Setup Window Setup Recommendations for SkyRaider is to use 640 480 Resolution with the 8 Bit Depth and Low Frame Rate Left Click on OK to go...

Page 157: ...ton on Camera List to connect camera Select On Camera from the Mount Dropdown list Left Click on the Connect on Mount List and select On camera to tell PHD2 that the mount that the SkyRaider controls...

Page 158: ...lly would PHD can control the exposure time of the SkyRaider Camera with the exposure drop down button If you are using a Mallincam SkyRaider DS287 camera to do your auto guiding with PHD and you are...

Page 159: ...S287 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 157 Running PHD2 with WDM Driver ToupST4 Driver Start PHD2 software Click on the Connection Icon to open up Connect Equipment Window St...

Page 160: ...2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 158 Choose WDM style webcam camera from Camera Dropdown List Left Click on the Connect button on Camera List The Camera choice window will pop up Select MALLINCAM...

Page 161: ...er DS287 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 159 Select Resolution recommend 720x540 or lowest possible and Click on OK Choose ToupST4 ASCOM from the Mount Dropdown List Step 6...

Page 162: ...u can check to see if the SkyRaider can control your Mount by Left Clicking on the Mount Setup Icon and use the Arrow Buttons to see if your mount moves Left Click on the Mount Connect Button activate...

Page 163: ...video image every 1 second Left Clicking on the Cam Dialog Box see image above in PHD2 will open a window where you can adjust the parameters of the SkyRaider Camera such as the actual Exposure as th...

Page 164: ...control the SkyRaider with a variety of other pieces of Software such as SharpCap Now this is the first generation of DirectShow Sharpcap driver interaction and as such not all of the commands are per...

Page 165: ...conds to 5 seconds You will need to record those numbers to assist you SharpCap recognizes that the DS287 does have an extended mode for exposures that are over 5 seconds To turn on the extended mode...

Page 166: ...me setting on the right of the Slider to Pop Up a window that allows you to directly enter in the time in ms You can also control the Gain in the window The other Tabs in the Window will also you to a...

Page 167: ...downloaded from http www astrotoaster com AstroToaster Work Flow Images are sent by MallincamSky to a folder that AstroToaster is monitoring AstroToaster will the align and stack those images producin...

Page 168: ...e files Yellow are the images to be stacked Green is the stacked image There is a check box next to the files All checked files will be combined into the current stacked final image If you Click on a...

Page 169: ...example if you are using Trigger Mode after setting the exposure so that you are seeing the correct amount of detail in the Video Window Use the Options Button in Trigger Mode to choose the same fold...

Page 170: ...ky sends the images to the Monitoring Folder you will see them appear with Yellow squares besides their name Click on the Stack Tab on AstroToaster and Viewer Tab if not activated to activate the auto...

Page 171: ...a file named stacked tif with a Green Square besides its name This is the Stacked image that you are seeing in the AstroToaster Viewer Window Adjust the Image in AstroToaster Click on Color Adj Tab t...

Page 172: ...d at http astroprecisioninstruments com products astro live As of this writing the Version of AstroLive is v1 4 This version did not have the SkyRaider series of camera in mind But the MALLINCAM ASCOM...

Page 173: ...p Control Window Make any adjustments you need then Click on the OK Button to Accept You will be returned to the ASCOM Camera Chooser Window Click on OK to return to the AstroLive Window To activate t...

Page 174: ...ts which will allow you to spend more time using and less time fighting with your equipment You have lots of hardware that is sometimes difficult to get it all working together Sequence Generator pro...

Page 175: ...equired resolution and ensure that you are using Raw as the format Start Running Sequences based on your needs If you are using Sequence Generator Pro then you will need to save flats biases and darks...

Page 176: ...the corners of the Green Rectangle and drag it to the matching corner of your Video Window Next grab the opposite corner of the Green Rectangle and drag it to the same location as the first corner Thi...

Page 177: ...he Right Marker Line or a combination of both to the left will brighten up you image in a more controlled manner How do I Broadcast my image onto Night Skies Network NSN As a direct way is not yet ava...

Page 178: ...ole Image Again Just Left Click on the Defaults Button in the SideBar s ROI control Note by changing the ROI the Dark Fields will be removed from the SkyRaider How do I Turn Off Dark Field correction...

Page 179: ...yRaider Software Unplug the SkyRaider Camera from your computer Locate the MallincamSky Icon on your Desktop and Right Click on the Icon to open up a selection window In this window select Open file l...

Page 180: ...lincam DirectShow drivers you will see a folder named MALLINCAMDshow in the window If you did not install the DirectShow drivers then jump to Step 3 else follow Step 2 to uninstall the DirectShow driv...

Page 181: ...its contents Again there is a program named uninst Double Click on the uninst program name and follow instructions to uninstall the DirectShow drivers Once the DirectShow drivers have been uninstalle...

Page 182: ...ons above in Section 7 of the User Manual on installing ASCOM drivers Finish the Uninstalling Procedure This is a very important step as it clears out the Windows registries Reboot your computer via t...

Page 183: ...d Active Extension Repeater Cable When I try to connect I receiver message Catastrophic failure Exception from HRESULT 0x8000FFF E_UNEXPECTED This message indicates that something has blocked or over...

Page 184: ...w mallincam net software downloads html To summarize as per the research done by Doug Murphy Add a much RAM as you can into your system Settings System Privacy Settings General all off Location all of...

Page 185: ...This problem is experienced by many video gamers and the solution that resolves this problem is to select only 1 or 2 of the CPUs running the program The work around is to tell MallincamSky to use on...

Page 186: ...ose Task Manager from the list This will open up the task Manager Window Locate and Right Click on mallincamsky Process located in the Task Manager This will open up a small Selection Window Click on...

Page 187: ...ight Click on the mallincamsky exe file and another selection window will appear choose Set affinity from that list This will pop up the Processor affinity window Uncheck all Processors Then Check a p...

Page 188: ...t 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 186 Close the Task Manager Window Note you will have to repeat this every time you restart the MallincamSky as windows doesn t remember you selecting 1 proce...

Page 189: ...tar alignment difficulties when stacking images You need bright stars to get a successful frame alignment In other words increase gain or increase exposure or re adjust histogram to deliver a brighter...

Page 190: ...light frames in order to remove hot and warm pixels and amplifier glow However other noise will remain and needs to be removed with other manipulations and software Dark Field Correction Dark Field c...

Page 191: ...ht and the effect they have with respect to exposure times Take this into account when selecting your exposure time for your 10 dark images But remember this is NOT a Dark Frame subtraction the exposu...

Page 192: ...ider DS287 User Manual Page 190 The two screen captures below demonstrate the difference that applying a Dark Field to an image can provide 90 second exposure lens covered 10 Dark Fields Applied 90 se...

Page 193: ...ot to mention all the guys and gals and the Yahoo MallinCam site http tech groups yahoo com group mallincam messages One of the most important decisions you will need to make with broadcasting the ima...

Page 194: ...MallincamSky Software window This allows you to spend some time playing and adjusting the settings prior to connecting to NSN As you become more comfortable you will not worry about that and will adj...

Page 195: ...e A helpful hint I slide over the KVYcam window so that some of the text appears in the KVYcam window Can the members on NSN read the words If not adjust Remember this may take a couple of sessions un...

Page 196: ...Window If you need to you can again use the KVYcam desktop select icon and select or change the location or size of the window for it to grab If you have a dual monitor you can leave the KVYcam windo...

Page 197: ...OGIN button to accept You will next be presented with the Channel Line Up screen for Night Skies network Click on the Login selection on the upper right hand side of the screen Another Login Window wi...

Page 198: ...n NSN may hear an extreme loud buzzing feedback noise Later on we will look at using the microphone but until then I recommend CLICKING on the little microphone symbol on the upper right corner of the...

Page 199: ...ers Select the Camera Now is the time to activate the camera or in our case have NSN driver point to our KVYcam Splitcam Webcam Max output RIGHT CLICK inside the NSN Video window to bring up a Setting...

Page 200: ...he right Over time you will find the sweet spot for your system Select your Resolution from the Pull Down Menu Select a starting value of 1280 x 720 for the system Again play with these to see what se...

Page 201: ...ns that people use It all depends upon what computer equipment you are using Suggestion 1 Get a second cheap monitor This way you can have NSN running in your browser on one monitor and MallincamSky r...

Page 202: ...before login back in Don t worry the NSN viewers sense what is happening and will keep the conversations going while waiting for you to come back on Don t be afraid to ask for advice by typing in on t...

Page 203: ...1 Customizing the Screen You can customize what controls and the defaults for most of the controls you want active by Left Clicking anywhere in the Left Control Panel then choose the Settings choice t...

Page 204: ...d lens assembled right here in our Mallincam facilities Machining is also done at a local machine shop It comes equipped with two 10 mm spacers and one 5mm spacer for precision F ratio reduction to su...

Page 205: ...SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19 2018 SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 203 User Notes...

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