Philips:
General questions about this 2007 designed webcam SPC900NC
1. Is it compatible with Windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit?
Yes, it is. Auto detect, no drivers require.

2. Max resolution @ 90 fps?
320 x 240 @ 90 fps.

3. Why this dinosaur still for sale from your online store?
This is the main strong selling point why many astrophotographer choose this model. General user usually do not appreciate it.

A brief overview of Webcams and Astronomy

Not all webcams are made equal.

For a webcam to be suitable for astrophotography it needs to be particularly sensitive to light. Webcams with CCD (Charge Coupled Device) chips are generally more sensitive than CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) chips, certainly in webcams, although some more recent makes of CMOS chips used in professional DSLR cameras are able to offer the required light capturing ability.

Generally if you are searching out a webcam for use with a telescope, try to find a CCD webcam, otherwise be sure that any CMOS webcam is sufficiently sensitive and has been tried by other astonomers. The Toucam Pro I and II models were the original favourite choice for astronomers. For example a very cheap webcam, the Philips SPC230NC is a 1.3Mpixel CMOS chip, but its Minimum Illumination is 5 Lux (the amount of light it can detect and requires to operate effectively), whereas the SPC900NC's CCD chip has a Minimum Illumination of < 1 Lux, and hence why it is so popular for astrophotography. A typical family living room is lit to 50Lux, the dark limit of civil twilight is 3.7Lux, the full Moon overhead at tropical latitudes provides 1 Lux, the full Moon on a clear night provides 0.27Lux, a quarter moon 0.01 Lux, and a moonless clear night sky with skyglow gives just 0.002 lux. Total starlight shining through an overcast sky provides 10 to the power -4 lux.

Specifications for video cameras such as camcorders and surveillance cameras often include a minimum illuminance level in lux at which the camera will record a satisfactory image. A camera with good low-light capability will have a lower lux rating. Still cameras do not use such a specification, since longer exposure times can generally be used to make pictures at very low illuminance levels, as opposed to the case in video cameras where a maximum exposure time is generally set by the frame rate.

The SPC900NC uses the same Sony ICX098QB CCD sensor as the Toucam Pro's with a pixel size of 5.6 x 5.6 microns (=0.0056mm), which allows a high resolution (320x240 Pixels non interpolated). This table shows the chip is a 1/4" Type which has 659 pixels horizontal x 494 pixels vertical, in a 14-pin Plastic DIP package with a CXD2450R Combined timing pulse generator, and a primary colour mosaic (Bayer) filter mounted.

Windows 7 compatible.
http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/compatibi...bcams&os=32-bit

This post has been edited by DAViS: Sep 13 2012, 05:21 AM

Hi name,

We have learn that Malaysian cannot afford good product at high price so we do not intend to bring this model (much more advance) that replace on last year model.

Last year model actually is clearance item that Philips allowed us selling at below cost price. None of the single unit able to sell on the shelf.

Digital camera face recognition software can do the job, so as well this webcam having the similar function as well.

Hi. If the photo sensor, low lux function and many more not that good, why astronomy hobbyist choose Philips instead of Logitech?

Hi.
People look at the price they would think few times to make decision.

Stock ready. Today bank in tomorrow send.

I have some stock on hand, if you want it you can bank in and get it soon.

Yes, it can remove. About the thread size, I have no idea.

*I thought you organizing a bulk for this, but I have not heard anything from you

If you want, you can take all of them 10 unit at one go.
Let me know soon.

Hi. You can buy one and try.
We do not open up new unit for demo or testing.

Hi. Please read the PDF file.

10 unit already booked.

Another 28 unit allocated for sales (not limited to LYN) but still waiting for the new shipment coming in.

You can recruiting more new member in here

Very good. Until now you have not sharing out your gear setup
Can post some information in here?

Mine in hometown.


This post has been edited by DAViS: Aug 12 2007, 07:50 PM

Low profile-mah,
Would remove the photo later, this gear is like Panda in animal world.

In my town people with telescope is very rare but there is one geek built an observation tower there with proper piling and Huge telescope.

Mr. Teoh from Bukit Mertajam, you guys should know him. Always appear in magazines one.

I think appear in Star Gazer, Star Hunter something similar in mandarin.
I can't be the donour, Philips is not my own company. (hopefully I can own their single share)

If I am not mistaken you are from BM as well right?
I know his daughter we are same peer in school.

Waiting new shipment comes in.