The Imaging Source DBK 21BF04-Z IMAQ/MAX problems

[Jason Stephens]

Hi, I'm trying to get my  DBK 21BF04-Z camera to work in labview using NI IMAQ.  I am running LabView 7.1 in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and used Vision 8.6.0 Acquisition Software installer.  I just successfully updated the camera firmware with the latest from The Imaging Source.  Prior to installing IMAQ I was able to use The Imaging Source Labview drivers to snap pictures, change camera attributes, etc.  After installing IMAQ none of The Imaging Source drivers work.  My camera shows up in MAX under Devices and Interfaces/NI-IMAQdx Devices but no image is displayed in MAX.  I think it may be related to the fact that when I select the NI IMAQdx IIDC Digital Camera driver in MAX it lists cam0 as Imaging Source DFx 31BF03-Z which is not the type of camera I have.  I think this is occurring because previous to getting the correct firmware from the vendor I had updated it to the DFx 31BF03-Z firmware (because that is the only firmware I could find while I was waiting for a reply from the vendor, mistake I know).  In Windows Device Manager the camera is listed under National Instruments IMAQ Interfaces as The Imaging Source Europe GmbH DBx 21BF04-Z, which is correct.  So my first question is why in MAX the camera model is listed incorrectly?  Is there a way to change this association?  I have subsequently reinstalled the camera driver (from The Imaging Source) and it correctly identifies the camera.

Ideally I would like to be able to use both The Imaging Source Labview Drivers (available here: http://www.theimagingsource.com/downloads/icextlvi.en_US.zip), as well as IMAQ.  As it is I cannot use either with IMAQ installed.  If I uninstall IMAQ I am able to use The Imaging Source LabView drivers.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Jason

[JeffL]

Hi Jason,

It is entirely possible that Image Source's drivers are wiping the IMAQ functionality on install. We have such an issue with AVT cameras - you cannot have both their drivers and IMAQdx installed. If you do install the AVT drivers you have to uninstall them and re-install the IMAQdx drivers as pointed out in this KnowledgeBase 4CNDPI2L: Why Won't My Allied Vision Technology Camera Work With National Instruments ....

It would be good to contact Image Source directly and find out what they mean by 'LabVIEW driver'. If it just a set of VIs and functionality, it shouldn't be a problem. If they're installing actual camera drivers, find out if they're changing firewire items.