Orion STARSHOOT 52187 User's Manual
Contents
1. TV as a displaying device Figure 3 Laptop as a displaying capture broadcasting device Viewing Devices The SSASC outputs a standard composite video signal that can be displayed or recorded on any device with composite video input such as a TV Projector Camcorder DVR or VCR Figure 2 Optionally using the included Orion Video Capture Device camera output can also be viewed and captured on a PC Laptop Figure 3 You can even broad cast your views over the internet using the included Orion Video Capture device and free online service Night Skies Network Read the included Orion Video Capture Device manual for details Camera Feature List e 768 x 494 NTSC 752 x 582 PAL screen resolution e 24 bit color e 30hz Video frame rate NTSC 25hz PAL e Waterproof Wired Remote control e Frame integration for up to 4 seconds exposure 256x Sense up e Automatic Gain control e Auto Light Control ALC shutter speeds from 1 10000 second to 1 100 second e Super Digital Noise Reduction virtually eliminates all hot pixels e Color Bar display for display calibration and testing of video signal e 2X digital zoom feature e Customizable Title text display e Light amp Dark Gamma modes e High and Mid sharpness enhancement modes e Horizontal and vertical mirror functions e Auto white balance mode e Wide and Narrow Auto Tracking White Balance ATW modes aid in light polluted skies e Auto Color and Black and Wh2. AK RETURN Figure 7 Sense Up menu OPTION TITLE OFF H REV OFF V REV OFF COLOR BAR OFF GAMMA TYPE A ZOOM OFF ENHANCER MID DAY NIGHT DAY PRIORITY AGC RETURN Figure 8 OPTION sub menu Background Light Compensation is used when there is a very bright background with very dim front image Note BACK LIGHT is not normally used for astronomy MASK A security camera feature for privacy masking Not used in this application OPTION The option menu contains features that will be modified less frequently than the main menu features Figure 8 TITLE Use UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT and CENTER buttons to select up to 20 characters to be used as an on screen title Figure 9 amp 10 H REV Horizontal Mirror Function Image is flipped in the Horizontal axis V REV Vertical Mirror Function Image is flipped in the Vertical axis COLOR BAR The Color Bar Figure 11 is a useful feature to test video output from cam era to your viewing device GAMMA TYPE A 0 45 Gamma Lighter TYPE B 1 0 Gamma Darker ZOOM Digital zoom x2 ON or OFF The Digital zoom is a useful feature to aid focusing ENHANCER MID Sharpness or HIGH Sharpness DAY NIGHT AUTO Automatically switches to COLOR for bright objects and BLACK amp WHITE for low light object DAY EXT COLOR mode always NIGHT BLACK amp WHITE mode always PRIORITY PRIORITY AGC SENSE controls the auto darkenin
3. INSTRUCTION MANUAL Orion StarShoot AllSky Camera 52187 NTSC 52188 PAL en ORION TELESCOPES amp BINOCULARS Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975 OrionTelescopes com Customer Support 800 676 1343 E mail support telescope com Corporate Offices 831 763 7000 89 Hangar Way Watsonville CA 95076 2011 Orion Telescopes amp Binoculars IN 416 Rev A 06 11 Figure 1 The Orion StarShoot AllSky Camera and included items Welcome to a new world of adventure Your new Orion Star Shoot AllSky Camera SSASC is capable of providing 180 degree color views of the night skies from horizon to horizon in real time The SSASC can even be used during the day to take images of daytime skies Primarily designed to monitor sky conditions the SSASC can also capture meteors satellites International Space Station atmospheric phenomena and much more With the included Orion Video Capture device the SSASC can be used to broad cast your real time images across the internet The included Orion HandyAVI special edition software features time lapse pho tography meteor detection and ability to send images via email or FTP images movie to a website The weather proof dome housing makes it possible to permanently mount the SSASC making it an ideal tool for observatories schools and home use mount ing options sold separately Please read this instruction manual before attempti
4. cations Sensor TV System Sensor size Number of pixels Pixel size Video frame rate A D conversion IR filter Operation Temperature Power Supply Mintron Color sensor 52K9BHN EXCS NTSC 52K9BHP EXCS PAL NTSC PAL Composite Video out BNC RCA 1 2 0 4 megapixel resolution NTSC 768 x 494 effective 811 x 508 total PAL 752 x 582 effective 795 x 596 total 8 4um x 9 8um NTSC 30 frames second PAL 25 frames second 8 bit Yes 20 C to 50 C DC12V 150mA 13 One Year Limited Warranty This Orion StarShoot AllSky Camera is warranted against defects in materials or workman ship for a period of one year from the date of purchase This warranty is for the benefit of the original retail purchaser only During this warranty period Orion Telescopes amp Binoculars will repair or replace at Orion s option any warranted instrument that proves to be defective provided it is returned postage paid to Orion Warranty Repair 89 Hangar Way Watsonville CA 95076 If the product is not registered proof of purchase such as a copy of the original invoice is required This warranty does not apply if in Orion s judgment the instrument has been abused mishandled or modified nor does it apply to normal wear and tear This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state For further warranty service information contact Customer Ser
5. ebsite The software also includes features such as timestamps Scanning AVI files for mete ors frame selection and automated time day recording 7 Internet a Night Skies Broadcasting i Broadcasting on the internet can be accomplished using the Orion Video Capture Device and the free astronomy specific internet broad 11 casting service Night Skies Network NSN Visit www nightskiesnetwork com for details Mounting options As well as being a portable device the SSASC can be permanently installed on buildings with additional accessories Mounting options sold separately by Orion Extension cables The included 50 foot dual Power Video cable can be further extended with an additional cable sold separately by Orion Replacement Dome Cover Replacement dome covers are also available for the SSASC sold separately by Orion Typical Camera Settings For best daytime images WHITE BAL ATW ALC AES ALC SHUTTER 1 10000 to 1 100 AGC OFF SENSE UP OFF For best nighttime images WHITE BAL AWB ATW ALC AES ALC SHUTTER OFF AGC ON SENSE UP ON x2 to x256 For best dual day night images WHITE BAL AWB ATW ALC AES ALC SHUTTER OFF AGC ON SENSE UP ON x2 to x256 Try several different settings to get a feel of how the camera controls work and affect the resultant image on the computer screen The WHITE BAL SHUTTER speed ALC and SENSE UP controls are the ones you will use the most 12 Specifi
6. g on bright objects RETURN Select to return to main menu EXIT SAVE exit and save current settings TITLE gt BS POS END 8123456789 ABCDEFGHIJKLM NOPQRSTUVWXYZ abcdefghijklm noparstuvwxyz ce bO Orion AlISky Cam4xxx Figure 9 TITLE edit menu Lan w Ah AldSky Can TA Figure 10 TITLE being used with live image OPTION TIME HERE VERE COEOR BAR ENHANCER DAYANTGHT PRIORITY RETURN Figure 11 Color Bar Test PRESET exit and default to factory defined settings Removal of Dome Bubble In order to initially focus your view the dome cover will first need to be removed Use the included allen key to unscrew the 4 vandal proof screws on the top of the SASC Be careful not to hit the acrylic dome with the allen key screws or other hard objects Also be careful not to lose the non standard Vandal proof allen key Carefully lift the dome cover directly upwards from the base and place ina safe location Remove the lens cap Be careful not to touch the lens to avoid having to clean it Cleaning supplies sold separately by Orion Focusing Now using your live view as a guide adjust the zoom focal length and then adjust the focus of the fish eye lens using the thumbscrews on the side Figure 12 The SSASC lens has a variable focal length from 1 4mm to 3 1mm giving a range of field of view As the camera user you get to decide which setting is preferred for your
7. ht source ATW Auto Tracking Balance NARROW darkness adjustment WIDE Light adjustment ATW functions by detecting white color in the scene at a color temperature from 3200 to 10000 Kelvin The color temperature is being monitored continuously and the white balance is set automatically by internal controller ATW is most suitable for viewing objects with changing color temperature and which can make the picture color look more natural This mode is also helpful in light polluted skies ALC AES ALC Auto Light Control SHUTTER OFF 1 100 1 250 1 500 1 1000 1 2000 1 4000 1 10000 Automatic Light Control ALC indi re gt SHUTTER 1710009 cates the image sensor s ability to RETURN automatically adjust in diverse lighting conditions to yield the most vivid video image possible Figure 6 Shutter speeds can be selected for different lighting conditions Figure 6 ALC Shutter speed menu For the optimum results at night SHUTTER should be turned OFF AES Auto Electronic Shutter AES is used when a manual or fixed iris lens is fitted and the shutter speed will respond to the amount of light to keep the signal output at optimum level AES allows changing the iris level automatically without using the auto iris lens Note The AES should be switched off when an Auto Iris Lens is fitted hence AES is not used in this application FLC Flickerless mode ON or OFF Flickerless mode is used for suppressing
8. ite day night modes Lens Feature List e High Quality Fujinon Fish Eye Lens e Vari focal 1 4mm gt 3 1mm with horizontal field angle of 185 94 e Wide aperture of f 1 4 optimizing the performance at low lighting intensity Built In ND filter supporting super sensitive cameras e DC Auto Iris for day viewing Housing Feature list e Weather proof IP66 certified e Distortion free acrylic dome bubble window e Heater and fan to prevent fogging of dome bubble cover Getting Started During Daylight We recommend using the SSASC for the first time during the day This way you can become familiar with the camera and its functions without having to fumble with controls and settings around in the dark Place the SSASC on a stable flat surface outdoors The SSASC can be tested indoors but focusing is best done outside with a real sky Plug the male power jack Red of the Dual Power Video extension cable into the SSASC and plug the mains adapter jack into the female power jack Red Plug the mains adapter into a wall socket The device should now have power When used with the included field battery power adapter and a field battery such as the Dynamo Pro available through Orion the SSASC becomes a more portable device Plug the Video jack Yellow that is closest to the male power jack Red into the SSASC and the other end into a TV Power the TV and select the input channel that the video cable was plugged into A live video should
9. ng to use the camera or install the software Parts List Orion StarShoot AllSky Camera SSASC e Allen Key For Vandal Proof screws e 50 ft Dual RCA Power extension Cable e BNC RCA Adapter e Mains Power Adapter e Field Battery Power Adapter e Orion Video Capture device video adapter cables and Software CD e Orion HandyAVI Special Edition software CD Practical Uses of the All Sky Camera Astronomer s Sky Monitor e Use to check sky conditions at remote locations by broadcasting the real time views over the internet via email website and or the free night skies network service e See the Milky Way e Constellations and planets can be easily identified Meteor Satellite Detector e Automatically detect and capture meteors using the included Orion HandyAVI Special Edition software e Images and movies of detected objects can be automatically downloaded to websites via FTP or email All Weather Camera e Create time lapse movies of cloud movements e Image cloud types e Image storms lightning rainbows sunsets auroras Other e Create a 24 hour time lapse from dusk until dawn e Take images at automated times to capture analemma and retrograde movements of the moon and bright planets over long periods of time e Take the portable all sky camera to star parties air shows balloon festivals mountain ranges cities with landmarks etc to make interesting time lapse movies Figure 2
10. now appear on screen The screen will be black until the camera controls are activated To adjust camera settings the SASC comes attached with a waterproof remote control Figure 4 Camera Controls The SSASC camera settings will ini tially be set to factory default values All camera features are controlled via remote control and the OSD menu On Screen Display Selections are made using the navigational Menu buttons up down left right and select button center of the remote control Figure 4 LON 4m v Figure 4 The 5 button remote control Pressing the center button for a short period of time will bring up the OSD menu Figure 5 MENU sWHITE BAL ATW gt ALCZAES A WHITE BAL white balance CCD security cameras feature this adjustment to compensate for ambient light color Since there s a color differ ence between standard light bulb light and sunlight white balance adjusts to ensure a more realistic picture Figure 5 Main OSD menu screen There are two white balance control modes namely Auto tracking white balance ATW and Auto White Balance AWB AWB Auto White Balance AWB is a preset type function whereby white color in the scene is detected and white balance is automatically adjusted then the setting status is stored It auto matically memorizes the adjusted white balance value every time the AWB is selected AWB is most suitable for environment with little change in lig
11. par ticular needs Figures 13 14 2X Digital Zoom Use the 2X digital zoom feature in the options menu as focus aid This mode is most useful at night to focus on stars Turn off the 2X digital zoom when finished focusing Focusing can be difficult with longer exposure settings If possible set the camera to a faster exposure time SENSEUP x2 whilst focusing At night longer exposures are neces sary SENSEUP X256 in order to see as many stars as possible under the given conditions Therefore more lt FAR NEAR WIDE m TELE JU ee ae Figure 12 The SSASC fish eye lens Figure 13 At 1 4mm more sky is seen 181 degree angle of view Image is smallest and low detail resolution Figure 14 At 3 1mm less sky is seen 90 degree angle of view Image is larger and higher detail resolution patience is required when focusing to see the adjusted result on screen 4 sec onds After focusing the dome cover can now be placed back onto the base 10 Re Installation of Dome Bubble Carefully line up the groove on the inside of the dome cover with the notch on the base and gently allow the cover to drop into place The dome cover should now be seated evenly and all 4 screws lined up ready for installation Using the allen key gently tighten each screw until a small bit of resistance is felt then move onto the next screw Repeat for all screws Next tighten each screw mo
12. re firmly and evenly to help ensure a weatherproof seal Take some time to use the camera during the day to become familiar and com fortable with its basic operation For best results you can optimize your images with the camera controls Now that you re familiar with basic camera operation it s time to take the SSASC out at night under the stars to capture some astronomical images When installing at night follow the same focus procedure as in daytime Be patient as focusing on stars in longer exposure mode SENSEUP X256 will take 4seconds to update on screen A permanently installed SSASC should only require you to set the focus once when initially installing The Dome Bubble cover can be wiped clean with a damp soft cloth Be careful not to scratch the surface when cleaning or moving the device Spare domes are available at Orion Viewing and Capture on Laptop PC View and capture your skies on a laptop or desktop PC by using the included Capture Device See Video Capture Device Manual for installation and usage instructions Time lapse and Meteor detection Install the included Orion HandyAVI Special Edition software by selecting install Orion HandyAVI SE from the launcher menu Instructions are located on the launcher menu and in the software drop down help menu The Orion HandyAVI SE software features Timelapse Meteor detection and the ability to send images via email and movies images via FTP to a w
13. the flicker of light illuminating the cap tured scene produced depending upon the frequency of the power source In 50Hz area the CCD exposure time is 1 50sec and if NTSC camera is used with working frequency of 60Hz there will be flicker on the screen Same will happen in using PAL camera in a 60Hz area The shutter speed is fixed to 1 100 sec for the 50 Hz area and 1 120 sec for the 60 Hz area to reduce the flicker of the fluo rescent light Note FLC is normally set to ON AGC Automatic GAIN Control ON or OFF The AGC function provides a clear image in low light condition This controls an amplifier that is used to boost the video signal when the light dims so as to increase the camera s sensitivity SENSE UP OFF x2 x4 x8 x16 x32 x64 x128 x256 Sense Up An image processing tech nology which allows user selectable digital slow shutter speeds in order to allow extra light into a camera thereby providing higher sensitivity in low light conditions Figure 7 The minimum frame integration x2 is 1 32 of a second for NTSC 1 40 for PAL The maximum frame integration x256 is 4 seconds for NTSC 5 sec onds for PAL Set SHUTTER SPEED ALC to OFF for frame integration Low light objects such as stars and the Milky Way require a high value sense up setting such as x256 which gives a total exposure time of up to 4 seconds NTSC 5 seconds PAL BACK LIGHT Background Light Compensation SENSE UP M
14. vice Department Orion Telescopes amp Binoculars 89 Hangar Way Watsonville CA 95076 800 676 1343 ez ORION TELESCOPES amp BINOCULARS OrionTelescopes com 89 Hangar Way Watsonville CA 95076 Customer Support Help Line 800 676 1343 2011 Orion Telescopes amp Binoculars
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