Post Capture Processing avi Files

Discussions of using SharpCap for Planetary Imaging
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Pete
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Post Capture Processing avi Files

#1

Post by Pete »

Greetings, I am a total noob at astro-imaging. I have a ZWO ASI224MC imager on a Vixen ED80sf scope which I have motorised myself using OnStep. I have SharpCap 3.1 on a Windows 10 PC.

I imaged Saturn tonight using the imager and a 2X Celestron Barlow lens and I now have an avi file on disk containing 200 images. Now what?

How can I process my avi file to stack my images? I cannot make SharpCap do this post-capture. Please can somebody tell me exactly how to do this.

Thank you.
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#2

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turfpit
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#3

Post by turfpit »

Pete

Outline steps in my document here http://docs.sharpcap.co.uk/howtos/jupiter/

You will need to use these 3 programs
  • PIPP
  • Autostakkert
  • Registax
There is plenty of info out on the web about how to use these. Search for example Autostakkert tutorial etc. PIPP could be omitted initially.

Personally, I use SER as the capture format (rather than AVI).


Dave
Pete
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#4

Post by Pete »

Thank you both for your help. I used AutoStakkert and this is the result of my first essay into astro-photography. Just two images but, it's a start.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RTdrftq4r7XtQnqv9 I used my Vixen ED80sf on a Porta Mount II that I motorised. I used my ASI224MC camera alone for the Moon which was 9 stacked from still frames and a 2X Barlow for Saturn where I used an avi file (won't do that again, only 8bit depth) with 2000 frames.

Thanks to your guys I'm up and starting to walk.

Thanks again
Pete
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turfpit
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#5

Post by turfpit »

Pete

Those are excellent results for first time - well done. I keep my first Saturn well hidden ;)

Some things to try.
  • In Autostakkert, check the box Sharpened. 2 files will be produced. The one called *_conv will be sharpened and can give quite good results for minimum effort. The file without _conv in its name will need further processing in Registax to get the best result.
  • For the moon, use 8-bit, SER and capture a video of say 400 frames. Stack the best 25% in Autostakkert.
  • For Saturn, use 8-bit, SER and capture 1 minute. Stack the best 25% in Autostakkert.
The reason for using 8-bit in planetary/lunar is to try to beat the seeing (atmospheric turbulence). 8-bit will give a much faster fps than 16-bit - higher fps will give better results.

This image https://www.astrobin.com/343145/?nc=user was captured with 8-bit RAW SER.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=736 was also an 8-bit capture using a £7.99 webcam.

The 16-bit captures are best used for deep sky images.

Dave
Pete
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#6

Post by Pete »

Dave, Thanks for the tips. If the planets ever re-emerge from behind the clouds I shall do as you suggest.

Cheers
Pete
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morayskies
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#7

Post by morayskies »

Hi

If you have a few minutes, take a look at this tutorial video I've put together showing the steps I use to process Jupiter AVIs.

It briefly shows how I use PIPP, AutoStakkert and Registax.

https://screencast-o-matic.com/u/nvei/j ... ge_process

By the way, make sure you have audio on. There are one or two tips I mention that aren't in the text captions :D
Clear Skies

Richard
Celestron 6" SCT, SW ED80, SW 6" f8 "Newt", SW 90mm f10 refractor
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Re: Post Capture Processing avi Files

#8

Post by turfpit »

Richard

Good work, a useful tutorial - it will help people get started with planetary post-processing.

Might be worth reading the comments by cgarry (author of PIPP) in https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/573161-ser-or-avi/.

Have you considered posting this in the Tutorials Forum, where it would be more visible?

Dave
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