Included Items System Requirements Computer: 2GB of memory or more 20GB or more recommended hard disk space Intel Core2 2.8GHz equivalent or higher Screen resolution 1024 x 768 or higher recommended USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. (USB 3.0 is recommended for fastest download speed and video frame rate) CD-ROM drive or connection to the internet is required to install the software and drivers.
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the computer and wait for the below screen to appear. If it doesn’t appear, go to “My Computer” and double-click on the CD-ROM drive where the Meade SkyCapture was placed. Then, double click on autorun.exe.
Connecting the Camera 1. Connect the Meade DSI IV to the computer using the included USB cable. Wait for the camera hard- ware to complete the installation. 2. Plug the included AC power adapter into an AC outlet, and plug the power cable into the DSI IV’s “DC 12V”...
2. Open SkyCapture. On the left side of the screen, the Camera window displays the camera controls. By default, the Camera List and Capture & Resolution tabs will appear. 3. Confirm your Meade DSI IV series camera model is shown on the Camera List. For example “MEADE_ DSI_IV_COLOR”.
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7. Click Record to start recording video. Note that recording video even for a few moments can quickly consume a lot of storage space on your computer. When recording video be sure you have ample space available. For a Windows system, the default save location is: C:\Users\(your user name)\Documents\SkyCapture You can change the save path by going to Options: Preferences, under the Record tab.
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Deep sky imaging typically requires longer exposures. Video Mode is limited to 5 second exposures. Trig- ger Mode is best suited for long exposure astrophotos. The Meade DSI IV’s thermoelectric cooler (TEC) also suppresses the inherent noise in longer exposure images.
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Capturing Sequences in Trigger Mode Deep sky imaging typically requires capturing several exposures which will later be stacked in software (such as freeware Deep Sky Stacker or the MaxIm DL software suite). So instead of taking an individual image, we should sequence several images. SkyCapture allows you to capture a sequence of images au- tomatically.
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Using the DirectShow Driver in Third Party Software Example using PHD2 software: Select “Windows WDM-style webcam camera” in the camera selection drop list box and click “Connect” button. Choose “MeadeCam” in the pop up Camera choice box. Choose the resolution in the Camera mode box.
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Go back to the main interface and click the loop button to start the exposure as the following.
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Select “ASCOM” and click the “Advanced….” button. NOTE: Do not select the “Meade DSI” camera model shown in the list. The “Meade DSI” driver is for the DSI I, II, and III camera models and will not work with the DSI IV.
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Select “ASCOM Meadecam Driver” in the drop list box and click the “Properties” button. Adjust the camera settings as appropriate, or use the default settings, then click “OK” Click the ”Connect” button to accomplish the connection.
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Select the “Video DS” in the pop up dialog and click “OK”. NOTE: Do not select the “Meade DSI” camera model shown in the list. The “Meade DSI” driver is for the DSI I, II, and III camera models and will not work with the DSI IV.
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Using the ASCOM Driver in SharpCap Select “ASCOM Meadecam” item in the ASCOM cameras section of the Cameras menu. Change settings (or not) and click “OK” to start the video.
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Using the DirectShow Driver in SharpCap Select “MeadeCam” item in the DirectShow cameras section of the Cameras menu to start the video.
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