Beginning
Before you can do any imaging you must make sure the CCD camera, cabling, computer and software are working. The best way to start is during the day inside. Connect the camera to the computer and load the software. Select the camera with the software and set about a 1 second exposure. Keep everything else default. Refer to the software instructions. You should see something on the screen. Cover and uncover the camera input (lens or nose piece). You should see big changes on the screen. Without a lens you will only see shades. It is possible to use a piece of aluminum foil with a pin hole to act as a lens, but just seeing the shades change will tell if the camera is working.If you do not see the changes the causes may be:
1. The connecting cable is bad or a bad connection. Try another cable. Do not use cables over 12 feet long.
2. If a USB port is used it must be a powered port for cameras like the DSI series. This means the port must have a 5VDC supply connected to it. While connecting directly to computer port may work to some degree, it will cause problems. Use a powered port. For the DSI use a USB 2.0 port. The USB 1.0 works to some degree, but will be very slow and many times will not work.
3. The software drivers may not be installed. Usually you will get a message as such. Reinstall the program.
4. You may have something selected that disables the camera or causes the image not to be seen. Use all default settings with about 1 second exposure.
5. The camera may be bad. If possible test another camera on the same set up or try the camera on another computer .
Created 6 August 2007
Modified 7 August 2007
