For MSB Astroart 2.0 Plug-in under Windows 98, 95, NT, 2000.
Copyright 1998-2000 MSB Software. All rights reserved.

Version 2.00 for SBIG™ ST-6 CCD camera.

This driver is copyrighted freeware. This means that this driver can be freely used and copied, but not sold as a separate product. This driver should be used only with Astroart software, by the owner of the Astroart license.
This driver is provided "AS IS". It's not guaranteed that it will work properly on all PCs and all CCD cameras and related hardware. This driver and its documentation are provided without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including the fitness for every purpose. in no event shall MSB software be liable to you for any special, consequential, indirect, or similar damages, including any lost profits or lost data arising out of the use or inability to use this product even if MSB software has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation may not apply to you. In no case shall the MSB software liability exceed the purchase price for the product. MSB Software will help to solve the most common problems related to the setup of this driver and the host PC, but it's not guaranteed that this drivers is able to work on all systems.
If you don't accept these terms don't install the driver in the system.

To install this CCD plug-in under Windows 98, 95, ME, NT and 2000 copy the file d_st6.dll into the Astroart directory. Remember to install also a user interface, available at our web site.

Start Astroart and click CCD Camera from the menu Tools / Plug-ins.
The first command to perform with the control panel is the CCD check; if it fails check all hardware connections; check also the serial port of your PC, this is usually COM1 or COM2.

• Autoguide: To use the CCD camera as an autoguider select between the internal relays and the LX200 (if the mount has a GOTO protocol).
• Filter wheel: Select between The CFW 6/8 and external filter wheels; if needed set by hand the pulse calibration for the CFW6, using the calibration file generated by CCDOPS^TM.
• Antiblooming: This option sets the anitblooming strength: a low value reduce the readout noise.
• Serial port timeout: The time in milliseconds to wait on the serial port during communications. A low value may reduce the download time.
• Double correlated sampling: A special readout mode for the ST-6 which reduces noise but increases the download time.
• DC_restore: A special parameter which reduces the bias during the integration, to reduce the readout glow. See the operating manual of the CCD camera.
• Temperature: Write here the desidered setpoint and click the "Set" button. To display the temperature in real-time click the "Display" checkbox.
• ST-6 head offset: An important parameter (0..255) which sets the bias of the camera. Modify this value to obtain a bias of approx 10000 ADU. This parameter can be also found for every camera using the software CCDOPS^TM from SBIG.
• Visualization: The view mode for every new image. It's possible to set the minimum threshold, the maximum threshold and the transfer function; for more details see the on-line guide. "Progress bar" enables or disables the red gauge which indicates the download status;
• High priority: Useful to prevent that Windows interrupts the driver too often during the download.

2000/11/14: 1.00: The first version, not released.
2001/01/30: 2.00: Filter wheel sequences and autoguide.

1998-2001 MSB Software. All rights reserved.
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