Section 6 – Accessories for your CCD Camera
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6.7. Third Party Products and Services
There are numerous third party products and services available directed to the CCD user.
Appendix E mentions a few vendors who have supported SBIG products just to give you an
idea of the ever increasing interest in this new technology.
6.7.1. Windows Software
Our CCDOPS version 5 software is compatible with Windows 95/98/2000/Me/NT/XP.
However, many users also want additional image processing or analytical features not found in
CCDOPS. Therefore, since January 2001, all SBIG cameras also include CCDSoftV5 which is a
joint software development of SBIG and Software Bisque. There are also several other
commercial Windows programs available which include a stellar database, telescope control for
computerized telescopes like the Meade LX200, and CCD camera functions in an integrated
package.
6.7.2. Image Processing Software
There are a host of image processing software packages capable of reading and processing FITS
and TIFF files and many packages will read and process native SBIG image formats as well. In
addition to commercial software, a number of web sites offer public domain and shareware
programs.
6.7.3. Getting Hardcopy
One older way of producing a hard copy of images taken with the CCD camera is to simply
take a photograph of the computer screen while the image is displayed. It is best to use a long
lens and step back from the monitor to reduce the appearance of the curvature of the edges of
the screen, and use an exposure longer than 1/30th of a second to avoid the video refresh rate of
your monitor. Darken the room, and use a brighter background than is visually optimum.
For the best quality hard copy, save the files in TIFF format and send a copy of the file on a disk
to a photo lab which offers printing of digital images. The Windows version of CCDOPS allows
for printing of the images, and there are a number of third party software programs for the PC
such as Pizzaz Plus which will capture and print the display on your computer screen. These
programs, however, do not produce very detailed prints and are useful only to a very limited
degree. Recently, photo quality color desktop printers have become commonplace. Many of
these printers will do a reasonable job with commercial image processing programs such as
Adobe Photoshop.
6.8. SBIG Technical Support
If you have any unanswered questions about the operation of your CCD camera system or have
suggestions on how to improve it please don't fail to contact us. We appreciate all your
comments and suggestions. Additionally if you are interested in writing software supporting
SBIG cameras, we offer technical support regarding our file formats found in Appendix B, and
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