Video CCD - Part 2

By Rock Mallin

Due to an unbelievable response, many of you have sent me e-mail inquiring about how one can do what I have done. I would like to point out a few items before a project can be put together. The actual quality of the ccd video camera is the most essential to have a successful result. As I stated in the previous article, I have tried over 14 different cameras from various sources. One of the most important points to observe is stay away from surplus electronic parts stores. All they have is surplus. That means the quality of the merchandise they sell is substandard. Including ccd video camera. I have over 21 cameras at my electronic shop and most of them are basically "garbage". Only a few from reliable sources have passed the actual test for the ccd chip quality and so has the rest of the circuitry. I have recently received another camera from a distributor that brings them directly from Taiwan, and I was very impressed with the actual quality of the camera. The ccd chip they use are in fact a Grade1 chip. This is the most important item to look for to have a successful result. There is another company that uses Grade 1 ccd chips and it is made by Toshiba. After soom research, this camera also has a Sony chip in it. There are different brand names that supply the market with these cameras. Another issue, is, the actual components. There are so far only 3 cameras on the market that will take the heavy modification required to have the project happening. One of them offer a duty cycle of actual 25 years continues use. They have to use prime components for that! And that is the actual model I use. The reason being, it will take the extra voltages, the extra gain and extra general torture to improve the actual gain. Here are the specs of the camera I use:

Some time it is worth paying a little extra to get good results. I would like to point out that some cameras were about $45.00 or cheaper and the result was awful! Make sure your camera has these specs, at the very least. Usually the more you pay the better you get. Make sure the company you buy from is a dealer or if you can, buy direct from the distributor. For more info on these cameras, contact me at work: 613-749-7592 or e-mail me at adave@cyberus.ca

See astro-images from Rock's video camera