ASi183mc newest version sc

[Gfischer]

Hi robin

I have tried twice in the last month to upgrade to newest sc. both times my camera will be sensed by sc but will stop working. Sc tries to reconnect but won’t. I then go back to the 12455 version and all is well. My computer tells me I have to remove program to reinstall older version. Is there anyway to reinstall an older version over the newer one? All is working very well and thank you again for all your hard work.

[admin]

Hi,

sorry to hear that you are having trouble with your 183 camera. Unfortunately there is no way to do a downgrade without doing a manual uninstall first. Fortunately though, nothing is lost by this approach (the uninstall won't remove your SharpCap saved settings or license or anything).

Could you please send me a log from an attempt to use your 183 camera with the latest version of SharpCap - there have been two recent changes that could affect your situation:

* New code to try to detect ZWO cameras being stuck and to reset them (in 4.1.12489)
* An update to the ZWO SDK (in 4.1.12516)

The log will help me tell if it is perhaps the former change causing problems rather than curing them.

thanks, and also thanks for sharing your nice Horsehead image

Robin

[Gfischer]

Here is part of log

fo 07:58:10.342775 #26 ZWO ASI183MC has reconnected, trying to reactivate seamlessly in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:10.343491 #26 Device tag data updated in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:10.343649 #26 Stopping preview on existing camera proxy in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Debug 07:58:10.344015 #26 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview() in void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview()
Debug 07:58:10.344454 #1 Notification (Status=Warning): SharpCap is trying to restart your ZWO ASI183MC as it seems to have stopped responding properly in void SharpCap.UI.NotificationViewModel.DisplayMessage(NotificationMessage message)
Warning 07:58:10.444150 #34 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Info 07:58:10.444397 #34 Dropped frames : 27 of type ZWOTimeout in void SharpCap.Base.DroppedFrameLogger.Count(DroppedFrameType type, int count)
Info 07:58:10.444491 #34 Dropped frames : 5 of type ZWOFromSDK in void SharpCap.Base.DroppedFrameLogger.Count(DroppedFrameType type, int count)
Debug 07:58:10.444689 #34 Ended void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.MyGrabThreadProc() in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.MyGrabThreadProc()
Debug 07:58:10.445740 #33 Ended void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GrabThreadProc() in void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GrabThreadProc()
Debug 07:58:10.446903 #26 Ended void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview() in void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview()
Info 07:58:10.447094 #26 Disposing existing camera proxy in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Info 07:58:10.447255 #26 Closing ZWO Camera due to Dispose of Proxy in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.Dispose(bool disposing)
Info 07:58:10.468345 #26 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.Dispose(bool disposing) in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.Dispose(bool disposing)
Info 07:58:11.902114 #26 Created new camera proxy, now attempting restart in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Debug 07:58:11.902551 #26 Started ControlMap SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetControlsImpl(IPreviewControl previewControl) in ControlMap SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GetControls(IPreviewControl previewControl)
Info 07:58:11.914040 #26 Colour space RAW8 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:11.914275 #26 Colour space RGB24 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:11.914470 #26 Colour space MONO8 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:11.914649 #26 Colour space RAW16 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Debug 07:58:11.915136 #26 Ended ControlMap SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetControlsImpl(IPreviewControl previewControl) in ControlMap SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GetControls(IPreviewControl previewControl)
Info 07:58:11.916713 #26 Proxy controls retargeted in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:11.917316 #26 Values for 'StopPreviewWhenChanging' controls have been reset in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Debug 07:58:11.919701 #26 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StartPreview() in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:11.920802 #35 =='Grab Thread' (New Thread)
Debug 07:58:11.920930 #35 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GrabThreadProc() in void System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, object state)
Info 07:58:12.136464 #35 Switching ZWO camera into video mode, exposure is now 50ms in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.EnterCorrectMode()
Info 07:58:12.137845 #38 =='ASI Grab Thread' (New Thread)
Debug 07:58:12.137979 #38 Started void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.MyGrabThreadProc() in void System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, object state)
Debug 07:58:12.138335 #26 Ended void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StartPreview() in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:12.138485 #26 Preview restarted : True in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:12.157394 #26 Values for rest of controls have been reset in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:12.157655 #26 Seamless reactivation of ZWO ASI183MC seems to have worked! in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:17.245176 #38 Switching ZWO camera into still mode, exposure is now 2000ms in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.EnterCorrectMode()
Warning 07:58:21.601400 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:24.850308 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:28.102225 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:31.353899 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:34.605029 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:34.605172 #38 More than 60s lost due to camera failing to send frames, attempting camera reset in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Warning 07:58:34.605261 #38 Attempting to reset ZWO camera in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.TryResetCamera()
Info 07:58:34.605865 #36 =='.NET TP Worker' (New Thread)
Info 07:58:34.605912 #36 ZWO ASI183MC has reconnected, trying to reactivate seamlessly in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:34.607236 #36 Device tag data updated in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:34.607390 #36 Stopping preview on existing camera proxy in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Debug 07:58:34.607813 #36 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview() in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Debug 07:58:34.620149 #1 Notification (Status=Warning): SharpCap is trying to restart your ZWO ASI183MC as it seems to have stopped responding properly in void SharpCap.UI.NotificationViewModel.DisplayMessage(NotificationMessage message)
Warning 07:58:34.706836 #38 Fetching still frame from ZWO camera failed with ExpFailed, exposure is 2000, timeout is 12200 in bool SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetFrameData(int timeout, double startingExposure, BufferFrame frame, CancellationToken cancellationToken)
Debug 07:58:34.707180 #38 Ended void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.MyGrabThreadProc() in void System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, object state)
Debug 07:58:34.708141 #35 Ended void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GrabThreadProc() in void System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, object state)
Debug 07:58:34.709210 #36 Ended void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StopPreview() in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Info 07:58:34.709430 #36 Disposing existing camera proxy in void SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.Cleanup()
Info 07:58:34.709621 #36 Closing ZWO Camera due to Dispose of Proxy in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.Dispose(bool disposing)
Info 07:58:34.731709 #36 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.Dispose(bool disposing) in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.Dispose(bool disposing)
Info 07:58:36.139841 #36 Created new camera proxy, now attempting restart in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Debug 07:58:36.140184 #36 Started ControlMap SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetControlsImpl(IPreviewControl previewControl) in ControlMap SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GetControls(IPreviewControl previewControl)
Info 07:58:36.150933 #36 Colour space RAW8 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:36.151155 #36 Colour space RGB24 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:36.151356 #36 Colour space MONO8 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Info 07:58:36.151536 #36 Colour space RAW16 is valid. in new SharpCap.Base.ColourSpacePropertyControl(IEnumFeature mainFeature, List<ColourSpace> colourSpaces, IPreviewControl previewControl, ControlSource source)
Debug 07:58:36.151822 #36 Ended ControlMap SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.GetControlsImpl(IPreviewControl previewControl) in ControlMap SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GetControls(IPreviewControl previewControl)
Info 07:58:36.154940 #36 Proxy controls retargeted in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:36.155439 #36 Values for 'StopPreviewWhenChanging' controls have been reset in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Debug 07:58:36.157325 #36 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.StartPreview() in async Task<bool> SharpCap.Base.Reconnection.ReconnectableCameraProxy.TryReconnectCameraAsync(bool internalRequest)
Info 07:58:36.158154 #37 =='Grab Thread' (New Thread)
Debug 07:58:36.158262 #37 Started void SharpCap.Base.CameraProxyBase.GrabThreadProc() in void System.Threading.ExecutionContext.RunInternal(ExecutionContext executionContext, ContextCallback callback, object state)
Info 07:58:36.383650 #37 Switching ZWO camera into video mode, exposure is now 50ms in void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProxy.EnterCorrectMode()
Info 07:58:36.385072 #34 =='ASI Grab Thread' (New Thread)
Debug 07:58:36.385212 #34 Started void SharpCap.Cameras.ASI.ASICameraProx

[admin]

Hi,

thanks for posting - it looks like you are getting a lot of dropped frames, which means that SharpCap is responding correctly by trying to reset the camera connection, but that's not really helping.

Can you try turning down the 'Turbo USB' setting to minimum and see if that helps - that's a good first step with this sort of problem. You may have to turn it off of 'auto' mode before you can turn it down.

thanks,

Robin

[Gfischer]

Robin,
That works thanks Robin.

On a different subject. I use the calculator in flat capture tool to set gain and exposure. I prefer my peak on histogram a little lower so I lower exposure a little. How about a slider to have calculator adjust gain and exposure to put peak at user’s discretion.

Just a thought

[admin]

Hi,

good to hear that the Turbo USB reduction has dealt with the dropped frame problem Normally the auto setting seems to work fine, but of course that is controlled by the ZWO SDK, so it's possible that the latest SDK became more aggressive about 'auto' perhaps?

On the subject of flat frame exposure, the constraints as far as I can see are

* Keep clear of very high pixel values (>90%) where the camera might not be responding linearly (in practice, every camera I have tested seems linear up to and beyond 90%)
* Keep clear of very low pixel values - if possible - as the relative errors introduced by value quantization and noise are increased for low pixel values
* capture plenty of photons as that reduces the noise level in both individual frames and in the stacked master flat.

In light of those, I've never really understood the common suggestion to peak the flat at 60% or so - if you know the tails of the histogram are clear of the 90% plus range then why not set the peak at 70-85% and take advantage of the slight improvements in noise levels in the master flat that you will get?

Is there a good reason for the ~60% rule that I've missed?

cheers,

Robin

[Gfischer]

I’ve found that experimenting is the best method. I start at 50% and move in 10% steps each way and try it out. With my 183 sensor 40% seems the best. But I’m sure it varies rig to rig. I like your calculator because it gets you close then minor changes can be made.
I guess it all comes down to “ beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
I really like being able to use both the color and Gaussian filters in enhancements while doing eaa. The color filter really helps with first frames and Gaussian makes the later image smoother.

Thanks robin