SonotaCo.JP

[neutronman]

Howdy!

I am interested in setting up a meteor camera system. Since I am starting from scratch, I was wondering what the "ideal" system would be (computer config, video card, camera, lens, etc.). Perhaps there is already a thread? I see the WAT902 is recommended...

Thanks for any information!

Best,

JOhn

[SonotaCo]

Hi JOhn, welcome here.

Below is my current recommendation.
It is for NTSC(720x480/29.97fps-i) or PAL(720x576/25fps-i).

[Camera]
WATEC: WAT902H2Ultimate
If you use 1/3"lens only, then WAT902H3Ultimate will be enough.

[Lens]
SPACECOM HZ848DC (1/2" F1.0 f=8-48mm manual zoom with auto DC aris)
HOYA(PENTAX) H6ZMBE (1/2" F1.0 f=8-48mm 3 motor power zoom lens(need controler))
Fujinon YV2.7X2.9LR4D-SA2L (1/3",3-8mmVarifocus F0.95) (can be used with 1/2"CCD in range of 5-8mm)

If you can find F0.8 lens below in used market, it will be best.
CBC(computar) HG1208FCS-HSP (1/2",12mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG0808FCS-HSP (1/2", 8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG0608FCS-HSP (1/2", 6mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG3808FCS-HSP (1/2",3.8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG1208AFCS-HSP (1/2",12mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG0808AFCS-HSP (1/2", 8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG0608AFCS-HSP (1/2", 6mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG3808AFCS-HSP (1/2",3.8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)

[A/D]
Tomson Canopus: ADVC-55 (IEEE1394 interface)
(PAL and NTSC both compatible. all Windows versions)
(Dual capture on one PC is possible - needs dual core CPU and independent IEEE1394 and HDD for each video)

[PC]
Windows Xp/7, CPU:Core series > 2.5GHz, HDD:7200rpm S-ATA > 500MB, with IEEE1394
(If you think HD capture in the future, chose 4 core or more CPU)

My latest PC example
CPU: Intel Core i7-860 2.8GHz/4core/8lp
MB: ASUS P7P55D-E LGA1156/P55
MEM: UMAX DDR3-1333 2GB*2
HDD: HST HDS721050CLA362(500GB)* 2 (one for capture, other for sytem)
DVD: PIONEER DVR-117J (or any)
GRP: TH5450-LE512HD/D2/HS (or any)
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate, 32bit (64bit was not good for DirectShow)

[neutronman]

Wow, thanks so much for the great information!

[ON1DQD]

Hello to all,

This is a very interesting list of recommendations!!!

I was wondering if somebody nows where we can look for aftermaket parts as:

CBC(computar) HG0608FCS-HSP (1/2", 6mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG3808FCS-HSP (1/2",3.8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)

CBC(computar) HG0608AFCS-HSP (1/2", 6mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)
CBC(computar) HG3808AFCS-HSP (1/2",3.8mm,F0.8 ) (discontinued)

About the WATEC: WAT902H2Ultimate
I can find only the WAT-902H2 SUPREME and not the ULTIMATE, what is the difference?

I'm from Belgium and Watec does has only 4 Head distributors 3 of them in the East and 1 in the West (USA) but i'm in Europe so it would be hard to get such Watec camera i guess, any information is welcome.

[SonotaCo]

Hi

[ON1DQD]

Mabe a stupid question but why do we need an IR correcting lens ???

[SonotaCo]

[neutronman]

One more question...

Although slightly less sensitive, i see the WAT-902DM2s offers DSP to reduce hot pixels, as wells as S-video output. But since the output is B&W, will the S-video really be a better signal (I know it is for color)?

Also, are hot pixels much of a problem with the cheaper WAT-902H2 ultimate? i am curious to see if the DM2s is worth the extra money.

Thanks!

JOhn

[SonotaCo]

[APODman]

Mr Sonotaco,

In another topic you also recomended to capture device the BUFFALO PC-SDVD／U2. It works as well as Canopus ADVC-55 ? It works with PAL Wat-902h2 Ultimate camera ?


Thanks

[SonotaCo]

[neutronman]

Regarding hard drives -- is it best to employ 2 drives in Raid 0, or is a single fast drive sufficient?

Thanks,

JOhn

[SonotaCo]