ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

umasscrew39
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ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#1

Post by umasscrew39 »

For those who have or are planning to purchase the new ASI294mm Pro, ZWO released an updated SDK yesterday to unlock the binning at the request of many users. Now you can use it at 2.31 um pixel size (x1 bin) in addition to the 4.63 um pixel size (now the default x2 bin) when it was initially released.
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#2

Post by admin »

Hi,

yes, I had an email from ZWO this morning announcing the release of a new SDK. I will try to get it into a new version of SharpCap over the next few days. I'd suggest using the 64 bit version of SharpCap if you're going to use this camera in all its 47 megapixel glory :)

Cheers, Robin
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#3

Post by umasscrew39 »

HI Robin

Good reminder- I have been using this camera with the 64 bit version of SharpCap and it works perfectly.

Bruce
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#4

Post by umasscrew39 »

Further update from ZWO on bin settings............


bin1 2.3um 12bit ADC

bin2 sensor bin2 4.6um 14bit ADC

bin3 software bin3 2.3um 12bit ADC

bin4 sensor bin2 + software bin2 4.6um 14bit ADC

Essentially, bin 2 was the only option available when the camera became available.

-------------------------
It will be interesting to test for higher resolution using HW bin 1 vs. SW bin 3.

Bruce
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#5

Post by admin »

Hi,

you should also rerun the sensor analysis, since the data that's previously been collected will now be invalid.

Cheers, Robin
AstroBob1949
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#6

Post by AstroBob1949 »

does this work with ZWO 294 MC Pro ?
psparkman
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#7

Post by psparkman »

When will SharpCap modify their driver for the new ASI294MM as their driver will not unlock the higher resolution? In fact, there is now a bug where if I use the ASCOM driver in another application, then come back to the SharpCap and use the SharpCap ZWO driver, the image is stretched horizontally. I have to close SharpCap and then unplug the power from the camera and the USB connector. Then plug them back in and start up SharpCap.
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#8

Post by psparkman »

Using the 64 Bit version, I am able to access the higher resolutions. I did a sensor test at Bin 1, and the sensor does behave a bit differently and loses the bump in dynamic range at Gain 120. Also, as noted about, the bit depth drops to 12 from 14 and the dynamic range near unity gain drops from about 13 to 11. I think that I will still use Bin 2 for most of my imaging as I was not that impressed with the first images that I took at bin 1. Previous images at the old Bin 1...now Bin 2 levels were excellent and the dynamic range difference is more noticeable then then resolution change. Also, it is a pain dealing with the large file sizes.

One question though Robin. I wanted to try and do a sensor analysis with the 64 Bit application, but set the binning to 2. It will not perform a sensor analysis with binning set to 2. Is there a way to get it to do that?
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#9

Post by admin »

Hi,

the sensor analysis isn't designed to be able to be run with binning enabled – in fact it's not really necessary, since once you have the behaviour of the individual pixels worked out, you can work out the behaviour of the sensor with binning enabled from standard statistical operations. Of course if things like the gain control of the switch between HCG and LCG mode behave differently when binning is applied then that assumption isn't true anymore.

It would be useful to see the final graphs and data from both types of analysis on the 294 MM (both with the later SharpCap running at the full resolution and an older SharpCap running at the lower resolution). Maybe that will let me work out if any additional adjustments need to take place with this model.

Cheers, Robin
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Re: ZWO ASI294MM Pro SDK Update

#10

Post by psparkman »

Thanks Robin. I have attached the two analysis at the new Bin 1x1, and the old Bin 1X1. As you can see, the read noise does behave quite differently, and the camera also lowers to 12 bit from 14 bit.
ASI294MM_Sensor_Analysis_Bin_2.png
ASI294MM_Sensor_Analysis_Bin_2.png (749.74 KiB) Viewed 3564 times
ASI294MM_Sensor_Analysis_Bin_1.png
ASI294MM_Sensor_Analysis_Bin_1.png (801.81 KiB) Viewed 3564 times
Another issue that I had last night was trying to use Focus assist with the 64 bit version and Bin 1x1. I kept getting an error, and SharpCap crashes.
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