Release notes for 2.10.1
This feature release of AstroDMx Capture introduces new functionality along with performance improvements that should increase frame rates for lower-spec computers when streaming from colour cameras requiring debayering. It also addresses some bugs reported since the release of version 2.9.7.
Preview Display
The preview display code has been completely rewritten, primarily to support new features for the next major release of AstroDMx Capture (version 3). A beneficial side-effect of this rewrite is an improvement in frame rates for low-spec computers when streaming from colour cameras that require debayering. This has been achieved by processing the debayering operations in a separate thread, helping to eliminate bottlenecks introduced by the debayering process.
- The use of low spec computers with high resolution cameras is not recommended.
During the operation of AstroDMx Capture, the user may see text on the preview screen. Previously, this text was displayed in yellow, but depending on the brightness of the background, it could be difficult to read. The informational text now has a black background, ensuring it remains visible even if the preview display is white.
DMx White Balance
AstroDMx Capture has included a feature called “DMx White Balance” for quite some time. In this release, the function has been enhanced with additional white balance algorithms. The supported algorithms are Simple, Greyworld, and Leaning. Greyworld is the default, but depending on the nature of the object being imaged, the feature may perform better with either Simple or Leaning. The new controls can be found in the Controls: Preview Controls group.
The hyperbolic stretch feature in AstroDMx Capture is designed to map high bit-depth streams to the 8-bit preview screen and has been part of AstroDMx for some time. This release improves the user interface for this feature, including the ability to type values directly as well as use sliders.
Flat Field and Dark Frame Calibration
AstroDMx has long supported real-time frame calibration for either the preview screen (leaving the saved data untouched) or both the preview screen and saved data. Previously, for colour cameras, this feature required the use of “Full Debayer.” In this version, it is now possible to calibrate the preview screen even when not saving fully debayered (RGB) image data. This is useful for situations where a camera produces significant amp glow, and the user prefers not to see the amp glow on the preview, while leaving the saved data untouched.
Reported Bugs
Cameras that do not operate in exposure units of microseconds were not handled correctly, causing the exposure countdown indicator to sometimes display incorrectly. This was purely a UI related issue and did not affect the operation of the cameras. This has been fixed in version 2.10.1.
When connecting to Altair cameras with specific resolutions, a crash could occur. This issue has also been fixed in version 2.10.1.
General
For more information about this release, please see the changelog. The new version (2.10.1) can be found on the main downloads page.
