IEEE 1394 firewire camera not detected in MAX

[AmdP]

Hi, 

I have the following SPOT INSIGHT 2 MP Monochrome camera:

http://www.spotimaging.com/downloads/public/pdf/IN1800.pdf

The camera is connected to the PC through a firewire 1394 cable, and when I am using the manufacturers software is working well.

However, I am not able to see it in MAX, as I wanted to use it with Labview's NI-IMAQdx.

However, it seems that this camera is not DCAM/IIDC compliant according to this link:

http://damien.douxchamps.net/ieee1394/cameras/search/o/

Does this mean that it is impossible to use it with NI-IMAQdx? Is there any other solution?

Thanks!

[PackersFan]

I don't remember about the DCAM/IIDC Compliance, but I do remember that with Firewire cameras you need to have IMAQdx installed and NOT the manufacturer's software.  The device needs to be recognized and used with the NI driver - the manufacturer's driver will interfere.

I would recommend uninstalling the manufacturer's driver and then trying again.

In case there's anyone out there reading this post and using a USB camera, this does NOT apply to you.  With a USB camera you need BOTH the IMAQdx driver AND the manufacturer's driver.

[AmdP]

Hi PackersFan and thanks for the reply!

First let me say that I have the IMAQdx installed, but I had no idea that having the manufacturers software installed may have any influence on whether MAX recognises the camera or not. I will do what you suggest and let you know.

Reading more about the topic I found out this:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/9FFF247558F4A51C86257418007C95EA

, the main idea being that: "Firewire cameras must be compliant with the DCAM specification to work with the NI-IMAQ for IEEE 1394 and NI-IMAQdx drivers. Most camera manufacturers specify DCAM compliancy in their camera documentation (manual or specifications list). It is important to note that not all Firewire cameras are fully DCAM compliant."

So that is why I was suspecting that my camera might not be DCAM compliant... I specifically asked the manufacturer to provide me with this information and I am currently waiting for their reply.

In the meantime, if their answer would be that indeed the camera is not DCAM compliant, is there anything I might do in order to connect it properly to MAX and implicitly to IMAQdx?

Thanks for the prompt answer and have a nice weekend!

[PackersFan]

Nope.  Sorry, if it's not compliant it won't work.  You'd be better off spending your time looking for a new camera.

[cicadelle]

Hi AdrianP,

Did you succeeded to connect your Diag camera to MAX ? I have a similar issue with a Spot Flex camera, and any feedback would be helpful !

Thanks and best regards

Thibault

[AmdP]

No, it seems (according to Diagnostic Instruments) that SPOT cameras are not DCAM/IIDC or Direct Show compliant, and therefore are not recognised by MAX...So you cannot use, NI-IMAQ capabilities for them. A pitty!

P.S.

DCAM (1394-based Digital Camera Specification) is a digital camera interface standard that defines the protocol for exchanging video data with IEEE 1394 cameras. This standard was initiated by the IIDC (Instrumentation & Industrial Digital Camera) workgroup of the 1394 Trade Association.

[cicadelle]

Thank you for the quick reply. It is a pity indeed that it cannot be used with MAX...

[AmdP]

You're welcome!