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DBK 31AF03.AS
Low Cost, High Resolution FireWire Color Astronomy Camera without IR Cut Filter
- Color FireWire camera without IR cut filter
- 1/3" CCD, progressive scan
- Resolution 1024 x 768
- Max. 30 fps
- Max exposure time 60 min
- C/CS Mount
- Software included
High resolution, fast refresh rate
The astronomy camera DBK 31AF03.AS combines a high resolution, fast refresh rate and a low price. Therefore, it is ideally suited to amateur astronomers wishing to deploy a mega pixel camera. Using the shipped software - IC Capture - you can save the captured images to lossless and uncompressed AVI files.
Fast display of color images
For the visualization of the raw data from the color CCD (RAW format), the data stream must be post processed (color interpolation). Interpolated color images require much more bandwidth to transfer than original RAW images. Color interpolation in the CCD camera DBK 31AF03.AS can be switched off and thus 30 color frames per second can be transfered. In this case, the images are color interpolated on the host PC with the shipped software IC Capture.AS. Alternatively, should color interpolation not be desirable at all, AVI files can be written in RAW format.
Sony® color CCD
The astro CCD camera DBK 31AF03.AS is fitted with the color CCD ICX204AK, manufactured by Sony®. The resolution of the CCD is 1024 x 768 pixel at a format of 1/3". Even at long exposure times, its noise is minimal. Due to the high quality of the ICX204AK, it is often used in medical image processing applications.
IR cut filter
Color cameras that do not possess a color filter offer users a large degree of flexibility: Filters may be added as required by a specific application. Therefore, we ship the astronomy camera DBK 31AF03.AS without an IR cut filter.
Fast data transfer via FireWire
The astro CCD camera DBK 31AF03.AS outputs high resolution images in a fast sequence. In order to transfer these large amounts of data to the host PC, a very fast bus is required - FireWire (IEEE 1394).
Shipped software for Windows®
This camera ships with the camera driver IC WDM DCAM TIS and the control software IC Capture.AS. To learn more about these software products, please take a look at the software section:
Below are sample images and 'in action' images of astronomy cameras (click to enlarge).:
Christopher Go - Jupiter GRS, Red Jr and Callisto
Rainer Ehlert - DMK on Astronomik FR-03 filter wheel
Bernhard Christ - Prominence
Dan Kaplan - DMK camera on Questar 3.5
Efrain Morales - Jupiter
Edward Roach - Saturn
Technical specification, detailing all important parameters of the DBK 31AF03.AS astronomy camera:
| Camera Parameter | Parameter Value |
| Product Code | DBK 31AF03.AS |
| Type | color FireWire camera without IR cut filter |
| Connection | FireWire |
| Manufacturer | The Imaging Source |
| Sensor | CCD |
| Type | progressive scan |
| Sensor specification | Sony ICX204AK  PDF |
| Format | 1/3" |
| Resolution | 1024 x 768 pixel |
| Dynamic range | 8 bit |
| Exposure time | 1/10000 s to 60 minutes |
| Gain | 0 dB to 36 dB |
| FPS @ Max resolution | 30 fps |
| Video formats @ Frame rate | 1024 x 768, BY8 (RAW) @ 30, 15, 7.5, 3.75 fps 1024 x 768, UYVY @ 15, 7.5, 3.75 fps |
| Lens mount | C/CS mount |
| Supply voltage | 8 V to 30 V via the cable |
| Current consumption | approx 200 mA @ 12 VDC |
| Dimensions (H x W x L) | 50.6 mm x 50.6 mm x 50 mm |
| Mass | 265 g |
| Max. temperature (operation) | -5 °C to 45 °C |
| Max. temperature (storage) | -20 °C to 60 °C |
| Max. humidity (operation) | 20 % to 80 % |
| Max. humidity (storage) | 20 % to 95 % |
| Subject to change. | |
Accessories for the DBK 31AF03.AS are sold separately. Not included with the camera.
Cables | |||
| Order Code | Description | Unit Price | |
| CA-1394-66/1.8 | Cable connecting two 6-pin IEEE 1394 devices, length 1.80m | $ 11.95 |  |
| CA-1394-64/PJ/2 | Cable connecting a 4-pin and a 6-pin IEEE 1394 device, it additionally offers a connection to the power supply of the FireWire bus, length 2m | $ 29.80 | |
Power Supplies | |||
| Order Code | Description | Unit Price | |
| Dxx 21F04/Mainy/US | PSU for the Dxx 21F04 camera series (ONLY REQUIRED if the 1394 bus does not supply power), input range 90 to 264 VAC, output 12VDC/1A, US plug | $ 38.35 | |
| Dxx 21F04/Mainy/EU | PSU for the Dxx 21F04 camera series (ONLY REQUIRED if the 1394 bus does not supply power), input range 90 to 264 VAC, output 12VDC/1A, EURO plug | $ 38.35 | |