can the IMAQ 1424 be configured for other digital cameras?

[Grant Senn]

I hope the answer is yes! Because when I read:

�Compatible with Cohu, Dalsa, Hamamatsu, Kodak, and Pulnix cameras�

I didn�t take that to mean

�ONLY COMPATIBLE with Cohu, Dalsa, Hamamatsu, Kodak, and Pulnix cameras�

That is to say I was operating under the impression that you could configure the IMAQ 1424 to work with other cameras, as long as you have all the pertinent information of said camera. What worries me is on my initial attempt in the IMAQ software it says that the option to configure a camera only works for non-digital card/cameras. I haven�t got into the software and hardware in great detail yet, maybe I will find that this is a non-issue but I just thought I would ask,
in that if the answer is no I wont waste anymore time. So, if I can configure the 1424 to work with �OTHER� cameras, can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks a 10^6

Grant

[BruceAmmons]

Grant,

Yes, it can be used with other cameras. The list of compatible cameras only includes the ones NI has already written configuration files for.

For cameras not in the list, you need two things. You need a cable that will connect all the appropriate signals. This may require a terminal block or custom cable. You will also need an camera configuration file, that tells the camera how to read the video signal, how to react to different signals, etc. The main problem is that NI does not document the format of the configuration files, so it can be difficult to write your own. They are usually willing to help by writing the basic file, but you are on your own if you want to implement anything fancy. If you study other files, it isn't too difficult to figure
out how to do it.

I would contact NI and discuss the specific camera you are trying to connect to the 1424. If it is a common camera, they may already have the files or cables you need (or know where they can be found). If it is not a common camera, they can tell you what needs to be done and how difficult it will be to do.

Bruce

[KenSun]

Grant,

For the latest list of supported cameras, please go to Camera Advisor at http://www.ni.com/camera

National Instruments will only be able to provide technical support for these tested and approved cameras. So, we strongly advise that you use one of these cameras.

Thanks! For more information, please feel free to contact National Instruments at (512)795-8248

Ken Sun
National Instruments
Applications Engineering

[Patrick Tyler]

Ken,
A couple of years ago I was sent an application called camconfig.exe (version 1.0 build Alpha 6) that enabled me to create my own framestore configuration files. I have used this successfully, but now have a problem because it does not seem to work with Max version 2 and imaq version 2.5 - please can you help...
Thanks,
Patrick

[Grant Senn]

Hey Patrick

Well, the NI tech guys have an app for the new MAX, but, they dont give it out. But if you call them, they will take your info, run it through that app, generate the file and send it to you. A real pain in the you know what if your just want to try and tweak thing... you know the very stuff you typicaly have to do with a non standard camera. But, it will get you started. Out of all the NI products I have use in the past, these camera cards are the worst. In that unless you use a NI approved camera, you will have to go through this process. It is said and borders on false advertisment, in that the card will work with other non standard cameras... but they dont provide the tools with the card to do it. Thus it adds a big cost in time t
rying to do simple set up and tweaks. I highly recomend you use another co card unless your using a NI aproved camera.

[gmiles@inventeering.com]

Yes, Check out the Activex Control on http://www.inventeering.com it interfaces to USB Cameras and has LabVIEW examples