133 replies to this topic

[astrocapture]

Hello,

 

Yes, with RAW16 the Min / Max values are converted to 8 bit to use less screen space and have a single 0-255 scale.

 

1) SER Video playback is a planned feature (will arrive in future)

 

2) You phone has probably slightly bigger text size and the word RAW is not displayed when the button has focus, I'll double check this behavior

 

3) Yes, this is a good idea. Now only frames and file size are displayed.

 

If both the "TURBO USB" and "high speed" options are active, the fps increase until they reach the maximum expected ones. But they fluctuate a lot, until they drop to "0 fps" with max resolution! Dropped frames also increase! It happens at high resolutions with 8 bits of color, and at all resolutions with 16 bits of color. No problems with low resolution frames with 8 bit colors.

 

I guess that Turbo USB is the same as USB bandwidth limit set to 100. This may cause trouble if the computer can't handle the USB traffic in realtime, because your camera doesn't have DDR memory to cache images and data that can't be received by PC will be lost. High quality cables can help a bit if Low quality cable are introducing errors and causing some packets retransmission.

You can try to disable the antivirus and any power saving feature of the computer to get the maximum performance.

 

It's an pretty old camera, last update 2013. My advice is to sell it and get a new, faster and better, USB 3 astro camera.

 

Thank you

[antarex]

The only thing I can try, is to replace the USB 2.0 cable with the ASI120MM.

 

Back to Astro Capture.

Another idea that came to mind...
You could add flipping (horizontal, vertical, both) of the image.

 

Thank you

[astrocapture]

Hello,

 

I have logged the following feature requests:

 

- UI clipping issues on rounded screens

- Video recording duration

- .SER video playback

- .Fits format

- Image flipping (H,V,Both)

- Save / Load settings

- Abort shoot
- Preview performance improvements
- Display options (Contrast, Gamma, Saturation)
- Debayer

- Color Balance

 

While I can't guarantee that all requests will be implemented, they will be accurately evaluated.

 

Thanks again for your suggestions

 

Note: lined features are now implemented

Edited by astrocapture, 15 March 2024 - 07:33 AM.

[astrocapture]

Hello @antarex,

 

 

v3.2 is now out with the following requested features:

- Increased margins to avoid UI clipping issues on rounded screens
- .SER video recording duration is now displayed while recording
- .SER video supported in the Gallery (first frame)

 

Let me know if the margin is enough to read everything on your model,

Have a nice weekend

Edited by astrocapture, 15 March 2024 - 08:26 AM.

[antarex]

Hello, the margin is still slightly cut. On the "0" of the counter on the left, and on the "C" of the temperature on the right.

Have a nice weekend

[astrocapture]

Hello, v3.3 increase a bit more the margin now

[antarex]

Hi, now the margin is ok.

Thank you

[astrocapture]

2) If I click "SAVE RAW", to take a first photo. After that, only "SAVE" appears in the rectangle.

This bug is fixed in v3.4 that's now available. A new Gain of 250 (sweet point for some camera) is also added.

[spins120]

I want to thank you for creating this app! I have dreamed of live view on a telescope since I got my 8" dob, and you've made it possible in a very simple way. I connected my 585mc the other night powered by my 10.4" tablet with your app, and its amazing. I did have a question.

Perhaps I'm just too much of a rookie here, but I was hoping for the live view to be a smoother video then just 1 second pictures happening. Is there a users manual or something like that that would allow me to see what each "button" is used for and means? I have been trying each one but the live view just shows one picture a second. Again, sorry for the rookie knowledge.

Thank you

[astrocapture]

Hello @spins120,

 

Thank you for your question,

 

An user manual describing all available features is a very good idea.

 

USB 2.0 is very slow and you can't get high fps at full resolution. You can reduce the resolution and use binning and ROI to partially overcome this issue, although the real solution is to use an USB 3.0 device. Be careful during the purchase because USB C and USB 3.0 are different things and most USB C phones/tablets are USB 2.0 only.

Power saving mode can affect Android performance too, charging the device while the camera is connected with a splitter may improve fps in this case.

 

If you set 640x480, RAW8, 1/60, BIN1 what's your fps?

[antarex]

This bug is fixed in v3.4 that's now available. A new Gain of 250 (sweet point for some camera) is also added.

Ok, thank you!

[spins120]

If you set 640x480, RAW8, 1/60, BIN1 what's your fps? 

 

Hi, Thank you for taking the time to respond.

I get 8-12 fps at the above settings, but it doesn't seem to matter what I do or change, it sticks with one frame a second on the display. Just tonight, the camera only worked in the 1600 x 900 resolution, everything else would lock up of freeze. It used to be I could pick each resolution. I am not sure if that helps or not. I did notice that I could pinch/spread zoom in and out, and double tap worked each time for zoom (2 levels), then back to normal size. That's new. 

I will look out for a tablet with USB 3.0, as I bought this one for another purpose,  and it was on sale. Is there a better tablet to get? apple, android, etc etc.

I know this app is really for phones, but the top row of buttons on the tablet are really close to the bottom row, and my fat fingers want a free isle seat, as in, I often pick the wrong button, maybe a bit more gap? 

Thank you for all your efforts on this app.

[astrocapture]

Hello @spins120

 

It's a bit strange because also old smartphones are able to get at least few fps. Can you try another device / USB adapter or cable?

 

The app is compatible with all Android devices (Apple is not compatible) and is designed to work on smartphones and tablet.

 

For the best Astro Capture experience a tablet with USB 3 and fast CPU and memory is suggested.

 

You are welcome

[astrocapture]

Is there a users manual or something like that that would allow me to see what each "button" is used for and means?

Hello,

 

The app User Manual is now available:

 

https://www.majinsof...ptureManual.pdf

 

Cheers

Edited by astrocapture, 21 March 2024 - 10:39 AM.

[spins120]

Just saw version 3.6 update!  Thank you and for the larger buttons.

 

When I open the app now it goes straight into 1280 x 720 which is a perfect middle of the road resolution, and I am getting a solid 7-11 fps, and seems much more stable as well.  VERY NICE!

 

I will test it further when I have clear skies, but it looks faster now. Also, I will try it on my phone (I don't know why I haven't yet) It has a USB 3.0 type c, my tablet is USB 2.0 type c, so I  see first hand what you mean by there can be differences in type c ports, and it will be interesting to see the differences in the video performance.

 

Just built my first attempt of a equatorial platform (yes it works!) and along with this app (your hard work) on my tablet, I have reached a new euphoria in this world of astronomy. Words can't express the joy it gives me, and now my wife asks me "what did you do?!" because of the big stupid grin on my face. 

Edited by spins120, 22 March 2024 - 03:56 PM.

[astrocapture]

You could add flipping (horizontal, vertical, both) of the image.

Hello @antarex,

 

Only to tell you that v3.7 is released with two new Settings:

 

- Camera Flipping (None, Horizontal, Vertical, Both)

 

- Display Control (Gamma)

 

While the camera flipping is not affecting performance, a Gamma setting different from 1.0 may slow-down the camera preview

 

@spins120 thank you very much!

Edited by astrocapture, 23 March 2024 - 06:57 AM.

[antarex]

Hello @antarex,

 

Only to tell you that v3.7 is released with two new Settings:

 

- Camera Flipping (None, Horizontal, Vertical, Both)

 

- Display Control (Gamma)

 

While the camera flipping is not affecting performance, a Gamma setting different from 1.0 may slow-down the camera preview

 

@spins120 thank you very much!

Thank you!

[astrocapture]

Hello all,

 

v3.8 is now out with the new "Session Description" feature requested some weeks ago.

 

From the Settings page you can add a custom description that is saved in Photo and Video metadata. This feature is very handy to organize material in post-production.

 

 

The update include some other minor improvements, from the changelog:

 

- .SER Video metadata improvements
- Small UI improvements (Fullscreen, Gallery metadata, Recording time)

Edited by astrocapture, 28 March 2024 - 09:46 AM.

[antarex]

Good! Thank you

[astrocapture]

Hello all,

 

v3.9 is now out bringing new features and bug fixing

 

- Added shutter countdown for exposures over 1 sec

 

- Fixed video recording without session description

 

Kindly reminder to leave a review on the Play Store if you like the app

Edited by astrocapture, 08 April 2024 - 08:38 AM.

[astrocapture]

Hello,

 

v4.0 changelog:

 

- Added Display subsampling setting (for slow devices)

 

- Fullscreen for Gallery and Settings page

 

 

Note:

 

Subsampling is reducing the preview resolution to speed-up the frame rate on low-end smartphone.

The new behavior is now by default "NO SUBSAMPLING", so the preview will be sharper. In previous releases the (fixed) value was "SUBSAMPLING 2" and the preview resolution was half the recorded one. This setting can now be changed from the Setting page.

Edited by astrocapture, 09 April 2024 - 10:26 AM.

[astrocapture]

1) I used the Galaxy S10 plus again (which should transfer compatible with USB 3.0) together with its adapter (the original white one, which is perhaps only USB 2.0?) , and I connected them with a USB 3.0 output cable to a USB 3.0 HUB. I then connected the asi224 mc camera in input with its USB 3.0 cable, to the same 3.0 HUB.

Even using the HUB 3.0, to power the camera separately, the fps are very low! half compared to asicap app!

At maximum resolution 1304x976, with RAW8. The fps are around 7-8 variables. With asicap app instead 14 fps, is still very low but almost double. And the fps are higher in the asicap app, at all resolutions and even with RAW16.

Why are the fps lower with astro capture, compared to asicap app?

Hello @antarex

 

Only to tell you that v4.2 critically increase performances on all devices. Timings are now better than AsiCap.

 

Changelog

 

- Performance improvements

 

- USB Bandwidth settings

 

- No Preview option (under subsampling) for maximum recording performance

 

- UI improvements

Edited by astrocapture, 10 April 2024 - 06:54 AM.

[astrocapture]

I got some feedback that v4.2 was unstable with some devices because too much data was not sustainable. v4.5 is now released to fix reported issues.

 

In the settings page there is a new "Video Mode" to enable better fps, but is now not enabled by default because some devices can't handle it well.

• Added Camera Video Mode settings
• Temperature updated every 5s to reduce traffic
• Gain is now defaulted to 0 (common photographic use case)
• "Tricky USB 2.0" Resolutions are now marked with an asterisk
• FPS shown is now an average (more stable indicator)

Edited by astrocapture, 10 April 2024 - 11:59 AM.

[cos]

I really want this app to work. Id be happy to buy something like this for a few bucks. Just tried with Galaxy s23ultra. Still not working, however I am going to leave it installed with hopes for future updates. Happy to provide feedback tests.
1. Screen takes a really long time to update
2. App generally freezes a lot
3. Just set to 3 seconds and gain 300 on an asi585mc, still cant see any stars. (Same settings capture data easily on sharpstar) So something is off with gain/offset
4. Custom gain settings to allow users to match unity gain would be nice
5. I dont get what video mode does,
6. None of my images are in xolor


Please keep updating and trying. This could be an amazing tool

Edited by cos, 11 April 2024 - 01:28 AM.

[astrocapture]

I really want this app to work. Id be happy to buy something like this for a few bucks. Just tried with Galaxy s23ultra. Still not working, however I am going to leave it installed with hopes for future updates. Happy to provide feedback tests.
1. Screen takes a really long time to update
2. App generally freezes a lot
3. Just set to 3 seconds and gain 300 on an asi585mc, still cant see any stars. (Same settings capture data easily on sharpstar) So something is off with gain/offset
4. Custom gain settings to allow users to match unity gain would be nice
5. I dont get what video mode does,
6. None of my images are in xolor


Please keep updating and trying. This could be an amazing tool

Hello cos,

 

Thank you for your valuable feedback.

 

The app now works in two mode: normal and video mode.

- Normal mode is the default, slower and more stable, intended for photographic use.

- Video mode is much faster, intended for video, but some devices can't handle such amount of data and the camera can freeze after some time. From my tests keeping an exposure longer than 1/15 in video mode is working fine. Faster exposures (ex. 1/100) are producing 100 fps that can't be managed by the smartphone and connection get easily disconnected.

 

1) Can you provide more specific info?

2) Not touching the cable / camera is helping a lot to avoid communication issues. An USB 3 Splitter with a power delivery is helping a lot for stability too. Are you connected with an USB 3 cable?

3) Gain is working fine on the tested camera (ASI 178 MM), can you try it with the wide lens in sunny conditions? Is Asicap gain working with your camera?

4) Listed gains are covering the whole range, intermediate values are not very different (scale is logarithmic)

5) It's a new mode, explained at the beginning of this post

6) Yes, they are RAW images and you need to debayer them in post-processing