Casio Mintron Camera Controlling Remotely PDF Instructions
Specification of the Mintron camera
The Mintron camera MTV-12V1-EX uses a Sony exview HAD ½” CCD-chip ICX249AL. The letter “E” identifies the EIA version used in the US with a frame rate of 60Hz (see mid column), the letter “C” identifies the PAL version for Europe using a frame rate of 50Hz (see right column). The PAL version features a number of 752(H) x 582(V) effective pixels with a pixel size of 8.6um (H) x 8.3um (V). The connector shown on the top right can be used to control an Iris lens.
The special CCD chip of the Mintron camera
The Mintron camera MTV-12V1-EX uses a Sony “EX-View” HAD ½” CCD-chip ICX249AL. “EX-View” is a sensitivity-enhancement technology developed by SONY to improve light sensitivity of its CCD by a factor of two for visible light and a factor of four for near-infrared wavelengths. The P/N junction of each photodiode in the CCD matrix is specially fabricated to have a much better photon-to-electron conversion efficiency. In
addition, each photodiode (representing one pixel in an image) has a microscopic lens fabricated over it to better capture and focus light onto the active semiconductor junction. Below please see diagram of its spectral response as well as pictures of the PCB with the chip.
The Mintron used with a NexStar N11GPS and a Hyperstar lens assembly (at f/2.1)
One of the most amazing results using the Mintron at the N11GPS can be achieved when using this camera in conjunction with the Hyperstar lens assembly. This wide-field setup is especially suited for a remote observing setup. You can find an article on how to build the necessary adapter on my homepage. Here are some pictures of the complete assembly:
Changing the green LED of the Mintron video camera to a dimmed red LED
I really like the Mintron video camera for deep-sky observations in conjunction with my N11GPS and the Hyperstar lens assembly very much. However I found the very bright green LED on the back, indicating that the camera is powered and thus active, very annoying. Thus I replaced it with a dimmed red LED and thus:
a) the dark adoption of the eye will no longer be disturbed
b) the likelihood, that the pictures are disturbed by stray light coming from the bright LED is reduced
c) power consumption is reduced by approx. 150 mW. This corresponds to approximately 7% of the whole camera. Thus also the heat generated in the camera and creating warm pixels at the CCD is reduced.
There are only two components to be replaced:
1) the green LED “D1” is replaced by a low current 3mm red LED. Don’t worry; if you mix up the two leads (Anode and Cathode) of the LED, nothing gets damaged. You just have to solder it in once more correctly.
2) the 820 Ohms resistor “R1” is replaced by a 100kOhm resistor Here is the small schematic change. On the left you see the old, on the right the new changed schematic. It may be a good idea to test the combination of your LED and resistor with respect to the achieved brightness before you solder them onto the board because some LEDs may not turn on with 100 uA of current.
Operating instructions for the Mintron camera
There are 5 push buttons on the back of the camera. Pressing the middle button (2 seconds) activates the on-screen menu. Select the individual functions via the UP and DOWN arrows. De-activate any function or change a parameter via the LEFT and RIGHT arrows. Dots after a selection (e.g. AGC…) indicate that there is an extended menu; this is activated via the middle button. RETURN takes one to the previous menu.
1. TITLE
One can insert text, which can later be superimposed onto the camera image. One can change the signs and position via the arrow buttons. The
middle button transfers the selected sign to the bottom line. SP: space forward / back LOCATION: confirm the position of the text via the arrow buttons
2. SENSE UP
Here one selects the maximum integration time for the Star-Light function. In the Star-Light function individual images are added into the camera‘s memory, up to a selected maximum value (128X), thereby increasing the light sensitivity. Because of the technology involved, the image refresh rate reduces with an increase in integration time.
3. ALC/ELC
3.1 ELC
In this mode the camera works with Electronic Light Control (ELC). The shutter works automatically. No auto iris lens is necessary. LEVEL enables one to set the basic brightness manually.
Download Casio Mintron Camera Controlling Remotely PDF Instructions
Comments
Leave a Reply