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


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<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>

</tt>





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