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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 13:11:28 GMT
Finally had first light with my Jr Pro at the weekend. I have made a control cable to connect to the computer, and a power lead to plug into a cigar lighter socket so that I can draw power from my bench power supply in the shed. This way the power lead will go in one direction whilst the video cable will run to the house in the other direction. Hopefully this will reduce any video signal noise from the power lead. At first I used the Jr Pro with the standard control software and found it easy to work with. I could not get any exposure control, although I found M42 was easy to image by just using the basic controls in the software. I then switched over to Miloslick and instantly got the same view of M42. I still did not have any exposure control with the supplied wireless intervalometer. After several hours of testing, I found that I had not set the com port in the preferences tab in miloslick (Duh) and a firm push on the wireless control lead into the receiver sorted out the problem. From here on in it was plain sailing. The cam worked perfectly. I do still have a slight signal problem causing banding on the image, but I'm sure a bit of cable management will fix that too. M82 with the Supernova was easy, and likewise M51 was a fairly simple target. I have yet to familiarize myself with all the settings in Miloslick, but first impressions of the camera are very good. Here are my first couple of screen grabs with the Jr Pro. I will improve on these with some more practice I am sure. Snapshot of M51
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 14:07:53 GMT
Way to go Allan, glad to here you are all sorted out. Nice M51 by the way!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 14:16:41 GMT
Well in Allan looking great!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 14:47:33 GMT
Thanks Guys, you're too kind. You can see the signal banding issue in the last pic. Once I resolve this and get a bit more experience with the cam and software, things should improve a lot. These were taken with the equinox at its native resolution. I didn't want to use a reducer becuse it would reduce the image scale too much, although the extra speed would have been nice. I'm now thinking I need a bigger faster scope.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 15:38:41 GMT
For me mate removing the wee connectors helped a great deal with my interference issues. Maybe i should have bought better quality ones instead of the 99p things i got. But i was getting mad interference before i switched my cable to a gold plated Male BNC to male RCA cable. That needs no connectors and goes straight from the back of the cam directly into the grabber. Having said that tho...my issue was more with the horizontal lines and your seems to be the vertical lines so might be totally different Edit: Ohh meant to ask mate the video cable you use...is it the one that has both the power and video signal on the same cable? Cause the one i got with the mcx had both...but produced bad interference (different to the above issue...was like big waves this time they were not straight lines) so i ditched it and now just use that cable as a power cable for mount and dew heater.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 16:13:54 GMT
Try svideo?
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Post by johnno on Feb 3, 2014 17:21:38 GMT
Have you tried noise suppressor ferrite core filters, I've just got some and fitted one at each end of the cables, power and video cables, but not really tested them properly, I did have wavy lines going up the screen but since I've fitted these they seem to have disappeared, but I've only tested it once so cant be 100% sure that they work. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121240147745?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2014 19:12:20 GMT
I haven't used the dual purpose cable supplied with the cam yet. It wasn't long enough to reach the mount, so I bought a 20mtr Svideo cable so that I can separate it from everything else. (well at least until it gets indoors). I might get a couple of noise suppressors if I can't resolve the issue.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 0:06:57 GMT
Finally had first light with my Jr Pro at the weekend. I have made a control cable to connect to the computer, and a power lead to plug into a cigar lighter socket so that I can draw power from my bench power supply in the shed. This way the power lead will go in one direction whilst the video cable will run to the house in the other direction. Hopefully this will reduce any video signal noise from the power lead. At first I used the Jr Pro with the standard control software and found it easy to work with. I could not get any exposure control, although I found M42 was easy to image by just using the basic controls in the software. I then switched over to Miloslick and instantly got the same view of M42. I still did not have any exposure control with the supplied wireless intervalometer. After several hours of testing, I found that I had not set the com port in the preferences tab in miloslick (Duh) and a firm push on the wireless control lead into the receiver sorted out the problem. From here on in it was plain sailing. The cam worked perfectly. I do still have a slight signal problem causing banding on the image, but I'm sure a bit of cable management will fix that too. M82 with the Supernova was easy, and likewise M51 was a fairly simple target. I have yet to familiarize myself with all the settings in Miloslick, but first impressions of the camera are very good. Here are my first couple of screen grabs with the Jr Pro. I will improve on these with some more practice I am sure. Snapshot of M51 I missed the show Allan but by the looks of things you had a fantastic first light! You'll be even more frustrated with out naff weather now
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 0:13:40 GMT
Nah, I didn't broadcast Karl, (I'm not that stupid), I needed to get the hang of it first before I embarrass myself too much.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 0:26:38 GMT
Nah, I didn't broadcast Karl, (I'm not that stupid), I needed to get the hang of it first before I embarrass myself too much. Ah I see and yes wise decision. I've had a few dodgy broadcast myself for lack of planning
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 10:43:39 GMT
Hi Allan another way of combating interference is to use Cat 5/6 twisted pair cable with a video balun at each end. Twisted pair cable is very good at resisting interference, not to expensive either.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 13:01:44 GMT
That could be another avenue to try if I can't solve the issue with what I already have, although I would have no idea of how to make one. Is it as simple as making a coax cable.?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 13:51:13 GMT
Its easier, just cat 5 with no plugs, pick one of the wire pairs then just add a video balun at each end (Ebay). The video baluns have 2 screw terminals for connecting to the Cat and a BNC, could make in minutes. Basicly a BNC with screw terminals.
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Post by johnno on Feb 4, 2014 17:24:20 GMT
Allan, how did you go about stacking? I remember Chris A having to use a timer software to do the stacking in Miloslick, has the software been updated for the Pro so you don't need a timer
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2014 17:54:00 GMT
You need the wireless exposure controller still. The software was updated to allow stacking with the jr pro using the wireless exposure controller. You just have to manually sync the software and the timer.
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Post by johnno on Feb 5, 2014 1:25:38 GMT
thanks hemmi,
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 12:33:22 GMT
Made a new cable with video baluns today and got some ferrite ground loop things to test. Forecast for tonight shows a clear spell late evening, so might get a chance to test things out.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2014 4:43:20 GMT
I'm new to this, but what is with the blue and green stars? Is the saturation way up?
john
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Post by Dragon Man on Feb 9, 2014 7:19:51 GMT
John, they are hot pixels.
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