To control a modified
webcam there is currently 10 very different options.
Cap4Astro
- Uses the directX interface. Innovative and under
development. Keep your eye on this one!
IRIS
- An incomprehensibly comprehensive program unsurprising supports the
modified cameras.
Astrovideo - Handles
modified and standard webcams. Commercial program based
around 32 bit fit files. Now has scripting. 21 day trial
version available.
Astrosnap - Handles
modified and standard webcams. Lots of features. Free.
Qfocus - One of my
favorite programs for capturing planetary images to avi's
now supports the modified webcams. Free
K3ccd Tools -
Relatively new image acquisition and processing package
with lots of features. Free
Charles Allison Has
some software to control both modified webcams and video
cameras. Free.
Qastrocam
If you wish to use a modified webcam with a Linux computer then you
have only one option. Fortunately Qastrocam is very good
with lots of features. The program and website are French but
Qastrocam includes English menus.
Astroart. Probably the best CCD imaging program; now
supports the modified webcams. Works with all versions of
windows. Demo and full version.
And of course there is Desire - A
hopefully simple image acquisition program which also
supports auto-guiding and self-guiding.
Nb Desire saves images in BMP format. To convert to fit
format use avi2bmp. It should work with all
versions of windows 95-xp including 2000.
Nb2 If you have a previous version of Desire please
uninstall it before installing the new version.
Nb3 The installer has a problem with windows me.
If you would like to use this program with win-me then use winzip to open
the CAB file and copy the contents to the right directories (info in
setup.1st).
Download it here.
Desire v4.0
2.8Mb
The program is free for personal use
but please do not distribute it.
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