USB Color Camera without IR Cut Filter with 60 images/s
Up to 60 color frame per second
The astronomy camera DBK 21AU618.AS outputs up to 60 color images per second. It is therefore ideally suited to methods in astrophotography that require high frame rates. Using the shipped software - IC Capture.AS - you can capture lossless and uncompressed images sequences as AVI files.
Fast display of color images
The raw data (8 bit/pixel, RAW format) from the color CCDs require some post-processing. This is taken care of in the color interpolation process: Raw data is converted into one of many commonly used color formats. This requires at least 16 bits per pixel and thus, broader bandwidth during transfer. Color interpolation in the astro CCD camera DBK 21AU618.AS can be switched off, thus 60 color images per second can be transfered. Color interpolation can then be carried out on the host PC, with the shipped software IC Capture.AS. Alternatively, should color interpolation not be desirable at all, AVI files can be written in RAW format.
Sony color CCD
The camera DBK 21AU618.AS uses the near infrared, extremely sensitive CCD ICX618AQA from Sony. The format of this CCD is 1/4". The chip outputs data using progressive scan at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. Even at long exposure times, its noise is minimal. Thanks to the high quality of this CCD, it is often deployed in medical image processing applications.
No IR cut filter
Although the astro CCD camera DBK 21AU618.AS has a color CCD, it does not have an IR cut filter. It is therefore possible that users of this astro CCD camera can fit their own filters, thus being able to set it up to their own requirements.
Fast data transfer via USB 2.0
The astronomy camera DBK 21AU618.AS generates a high rate of uncompressed, color images. In order to transfer these to the host PC, a very fast bus is required. Hence, the camera is fitted with a USB 2.0 connector.
Shipped software for Windows
This camera ships with the camera driver and the control software IC Capture.AS.
- Color USB camera without IR cut filter
- 1/4" CCD, progressive scan
- Resolution 640 x 480
- Max. 60 fps
- Max exposure time 60 min
- C/CS Mount
- Software included
Our expert comment:
Device driver for The Imaging Source cameras (also for Windows 7) can be found here: Device driver for The Imaging Source cameras
The new 618 cameras with CX618 chip are much more sensitive than the previous ICX098BQ DMK chip and have twice as high a full frame rate.
The new chips from the Sony ICX618 ALA series provide:
- 50% more sensitivity in the blue
- 100% more sensitivity in the green
- and
- 200% more sensitivity in the red
than the previous DMK models with the older ICX098 and ICX204/205 chips. The shorter exposure times make it even more efficient to 'freeze' the seeing and making better use of the higher 60fps frame rate.
(Bernd Gährken)
