From: "Tim" <tjp314@pacbell.net>
Date: May 22, 2005 1:26:31 PM MDT
To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: First real videos
All:
I'm going to have to explore this some more when I can take the time to do so, but here's
what I found:
Last night, I used Astro IIDC's stacking option in the beta 2.0 to make tiff files from each
video. I then used unsharp masking in "Gimpshop" to sharpen the result. Doing so
produced an annoying "grid overlay" to the image (like looking at Jupiter through a screen,
so I ran a gaussian blur of about 2 or 3 pixels radius across that, which produced at least a
somewhat pleasing final result without the gridding.
This morning, I converted several videos from .mov to .avi files so that I could process
them in Registax on Virtual PC. Every one crashed Registax before it finished stacking.
So, I then used graphiconverter to make .bmp files out of the frames. Although I could
select all the frames from a video, Registax wouldn't actually open them unless I kept the
number below 250. Over that, it would simply return to the "select" window and not do
anything. I stacked and processed 250 images from one video and got the same, but
more annoying "screen effect" as I did from sharpening the resultant stack from Astro
IIDC.
The good news is that I can probably save myself a lot of steps by using Astro IIDC and
unsharp masking the tiff file instead of jumping through conversion hoops to run Registax
(I haven't tried KIS yet). But the bad news is that this "screen effect" is likely due to the
camera itself (as I've noticed a similar effect from my 3com Homeconnect camera versus
the better ToUcam using the same processing in registax).
I need to pick out a "final" camera for "serious" planetary imaging anyway...
-Tim.
--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Tim" <tjp314@p...> wrote:
All
I will say that I'm absolutely impressed at the improvement I can see that is OBVIOUS in
working with a firewire camera and Astro IIDC over a USB camera and OE drivers. The
image quality with my Aplux camera (Unibrain fire-i about 3 years old) versus that from
the Tuocam Pro (about 2 years old now) is truly amazing. I look forward to the
evolution
of Astro IIDC.
I registered my Mac so I could upgrade my cameras as they improve. I'm already giving
serious thought to my next one.
-Tim.
--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "Alan Friedman" <alan@g...> wrote:
I think you will be excited to try the stacking routines
available in AstroIIDC version 2.0 once it is final - but will let
Milton have the pleasure of talking more about that one when he is
ready.
best,
Alan
---------- Original Message
----------------------------------
From: "Tim" <tjp314@p...>
Reply-To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 17:28:17 -0000
<html><body>
<tt>
Hi Neale:<BR>
<BR>
I got some more decent videos last night. Mostly, I'm fiddling
with the best setting for <BR>
exposure, number of frames/movie, and I'm still just beginning
to explor the stacking and <BR>
averaging options in Astro IIDC to figure out which works best for
me.<BR>
<BR>
I've used Registax extensively with my ToUcam and various
scopes (8" f/6 Springfiled <BR>
Newt., 12.5" f/23 Cass, 6" f/10 Jaegers refractor, Orange C8, and
now the C9.25), and <BR>
have become pretty comfortable with it. <BR>
<BR>
Alan: Your step by step of how to best use KIS is going to be
great. Problem I had was <BR>
figuring out the first thing to do. All my results were just a blur,
so it must have been <BR>
stacking without aligning. So, I'll try your suggestions out.<BR>
<BR>
This morning, I downloaded Quicktime Pro so that I could export
avi's and process with <BR>
Registax in Virtual PC 6. I've just started processing one of the
videos, and it seems to be <BR>
working (though I'm having to use an old version of Registax
because version 3 is giving <BR>
me an "access violation" message with the video I chose).
Converting from the .mov to the <BR>
.avi file takes pretty long (several minutes), so it would be better
if I didn't have to do that.<BR>
<BR>
On my PC, I was able to acquire a 2 minute - 1200 frame avi of
Jupiter and process it in <BR>
registax fast enough (5 or 10 minutes at most) to be able to
throw away the .5gb file and <BR>
acquire another video - thus keeping hardisk space usage to a
reasonable level.<BR>
<BR>
-Tim.<BR>
<BR>
--- In Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com, "neale_monks"
<nmonks@b...> wrote:<BR>
Tim,<BR>
<BR>
My article at Cloudy Nights (which I am fairly certain
you've<BR>
seen...) does at least outline <BR>
the options. Keith's Image Stacker is powerful, but very difficult
to<BR>
use (in my opinion) in <BR>
part thanks to a bizarre interface. Astro Stack is impressive,
but<BR>
again doesn't work like a <BR>
"normal" Mac app, and the sequence of steps required is a
bit<BR>
strange. I have a great <BR>
fondness for Lynkeos, which works quickly and easily, and
while less<BR>
powerful that the <BR>
others is at least simple to use. Sadly, I think Registax probably
is<BR>
the best processing app <BR>
out there, but on my PowerBook at least running it on Virtual
PC 6<BR>
poses no problems at <BR>
all. You don't mention Lynkeos, and I suggest that of them all,
it's<BR>
the nicest choice for <BR>
just getting your feet wet.<BR>
<BR>
<a href="http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?
item_id=1044">http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?
item_id=1044</a><BR>
<BR>
Although aimed at absolute beginners, the webcam imaging
chapter in<BR>
my book is pretty <BR>
detailed, and you may want to take a look at a copy. As far as I
can<BR>
tell, I'm the first person <BR>
to write a book explaining step by step what to do, and
perhaps<BR>
equally importantly, why. <BR>
At least, that was my aim; I'll let others decide if I managed to
do<BR>
that well!<BR>
<BR>
<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/books/
books.html#astro">http://homepage.mac.com/nmonks/books/
books.html#astro</a><BR>
<BR>
It isn't clear in your question whether or not you mean you
have no<BR>
idea what to do now, <BR>
or rather know what to do, just can't do it with Keith's
Image<BR>
Stacker. If the latter, I <BR>
apologise for going over "Astronomy 101" stuff here! I do have
a<BR>
basic knowledge of KIS, <BR>
and am happy to post that here if needs be.<BR>
<BR>
Cheers,<BR>
<BR>
Neale<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
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