INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Orion StarShoot™
Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV
#52175
Providing Exceptional Consumer Optical Products Since 1975
OrionTelescopes.com
Customer Support (800) 676-1343
E-mail: support@telescope.com
Corporate Offices (831) 763-7000
89 Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA 95076
© 2008-2010 Orion Telescopes & Binoculars
IN 404 Rev. B 06/11
Welcome to a new world
of adventure. Your new
StarShoot Solar System
Color Imaging Camera IV
(SSSSI-IV) is capable of
capturing detailed, fullcolor images of astronomical objects in our solar
system. The planets, Moon,
and Sun (with optional solar
filter) can all be imaged to
Figure 1. To use the SSSSI-IV, a
telescope, mount and computer are
required.
create spectacular views on
your computer which can be saved for emailing or printing later. The SSSSI-IV can even be used during the day
to take images of terrestrial subjects. You’ll find that this
inexpensive, yet capable and easy to use, camera will
enhance all of your journeys with your telescope.
Please read this instruction manual before attempting to
use the camera or install the needed software.
Parts List
• StarShoot Solar System Color Imaging Camera IV (SSSSI-IV)
• USB Cable
• CD-ROM
• Dual Format Windows PC / Mac OS X CD-ROM
System Requirements (refer to Figure 1)
Telescope
The SSSSI-IV can be used with virtually any telescope that is compatible
with 1.25" format eyepieces. The camera simply is inserted into a focuser in
the same way as a standard eyepiece (Figure 1). If you use a star diagonal,
you should remove it before installing the SSSSI-IV. If your telescope does
not have enough inward focus travel, you will need to use an optional 1.25"
Barlow lens to extend the telescope’s focal plane to the camera’s imaging
plane (Barlow sold separately).
For most types of astro-imaging with the SSSSI-IV, using a telescope with a
focal length of at least 1000mm is recommended. Otherwise, the image scale
may be too small. To increase the effective focal length of your system, use a
Barlow lens or other type of tele-extender lens.
Mount
While using an equatorial (EQ) mount is recommended to achieve the best
results, one is not absolutely required for imaging with the SSSSI-IV, as the
maximum exposure time is only a fraction of a second, astronomical objects
will not drift significantly through a telescope attached to an altazimuth
mount or Dobsonian base during single image captures. Use a sturdy mount
that is appropriately sized for the telescope tube being used.
For obtaining the best planetary images, however, we do recommend an
equatorial mount. Planetary imaging requires combining many individual
images, and having an equatorial mount will prevent the planet from
drifting out of the field of view of the camera during the time it takes to
acquire the large number of images necessary. A motor drive (single-axis)
is recommended too for convenient capture of sequential images without
manual re-adjustment of the telescope’s position.
Computer
A computer is required for normal use of the SSSSI-IV. For astro-imaging in
the field at night, a laptop computer is highly recommended.
For windows users the camera driver and Orion Capture software requires
Windows XP, Vista or 7.
For Mac users the camera driver and Webcam Monitor software requires OS
X and Quicktime 6.5.1 or later on Mac OSX 10.3.
The following hardware is required:
• Processor – Pentium III™ or equivalent, or higher (Windows);
Power PC G3/G4/G5 or Intel-Based Macintosh computers (Mac OS X)
• Recommended minimum memory size is 256 MB.
• Disk Space – 100 MB minimum, 500 MB or more recommended for
saving images.
• Video Display – 800 X 600, 16-bit color or higher. 1024x768 or higher is
recommended.
• Mouse (external or built-in)
• Internet connection required to display on-line help and downloading
image processing software
• High Speed USB 2.0 port
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Software and Driver
Installation
Before the camera can be used, image
capture software and a camera driver
must be installed onto your computer.
Windows Installation
Turn on your computer and allow the
Windows operating system to load as
normal. Insert the included CD-ROM
into your computer’s CD-ROM drive,
and the Launcher will appear (Figure
2). This allows you to install the Orion
StarShoot Solar System Imager camera
driver and the Orion image capture
software (Orion AmCap).
Camera Driver Installation
Do not connect the SSSSI-IV to
your computer yet.
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the drive.
The Launcher will appear. If you are
using Windows Vista, the AutoPlay
window will appear first. Select Run
autorun.exe.
2. Click Install Camera Driver.
3. The D-PEN Software Installation
will start.
4. You are now ready to install. Click Install. The installation will proceed.
5. When installation is complete click the Finish button.
Once the driver is installed, the computer will recognize the SSSSI-IV
whenever it is plugged in.
Capture Software Installation
Now that the camera driver software is installed, the capture software must
also be installed.
1. Return to the Launcher and click Install Capture Software.
2. The Orion AmCap Setup Wizard appears. Click Next.
3. Select a destination folder and Click Next.
4. Click Next again to start the installation.
Figure 2. The launcher provides an
easy menu for software installation.
(Windows)
Figure 3. When initially connecting
the SSSSI-IV to a computer, a Found
New Hardware notification will
appear and automatically install the
camera to your computer. (Windows)
5. When the wizard is complete,
click close. This has installed the
capture software.
6. Plug in the camera into your
computer’s USB port.
7. A Found New Hardware
notification will appear in your
Windows task bar (Figure 3). The
found new hardware wizard will
launch. Select next. Select install
the software automatically. Select
next. Select Continue Anyway and
the hardware wizard will begin
Installation.
8. Wait a few moments and the
camera will automatically install
on your computer. When Device
Installed Successfully notification
appears you will be ready to use
the camera.
9. Open Orion AmCap from the icon
on your desktop. The Live Video
Window should appear (Figure 4).
The software will recognize many
cameras so check that D-PEN is
selected from the device menu.
Mac Installation
Turn on your computer and allow the Mac operating system to load as
normal. Insert the included CD-ROM into your computer’s CD-ROM drive,
and the Launcher will appear (Figure 5). This allows you to install the Orion
StarShoot Solar System IV Imager camera driver (Sonix SN9C201 Webcam
Driver) and the WebCam Monitor capture software.
Camera Driver & Capture Software Installation
Do not connect the SSSSI-IV to your computer yet.
Double Click “Sonix SN9C201 WebCam Driver Install.pkg”.
The Software Installation will start. Follow the on screen instructions.
Once the driver is installed, the computer will recognize the SSSSI-IV whenever it is plugged in.
The camera driver software (SN9C201 driver) and WebCam Monitor capture
software is now installed. Now connect the SSSSI-IV to your computer.
Figure 4. The live video window.
(Windows)
Figure 5. The launcher provides an
easy menu for software installation.
(Mac OS X)
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