capturing chameleon raw data

[tim_wen]

Hi,

I am trying to capture raw Bayer data from a Point Grey Chameleon camera in LabView.

In NI-MAX it shows up as a IMAQdx device.  So I used the "Low level grab raw data.vi" example for the

IMAQdx devices.  But instead of getting just 1280x960 bytes of Bayer data, I am getting 4 times that amount.

The camera supposedly outputs in raw 8-bit (verified with FlyCap2).  I've read other psosts, but haven't come across a similar problem.  Any hint?

I also need to convert the data to an image (Bayer decode) in real-time and store the raw data.

TIA,

Tim

[SnowMule]

Is that not what you're after?  Each pixel in teh 1280x960 array is composed of an R, G, B, and additional G element... interpolate the data in those components and you'll get the pixel's color.

Normally the camera/micro would take care of the interpolation and just give you the image back. 

[tim_wen]

Thanks.  My problem is that I am supposed to get only 1280x960 bytes for Bayer raw data,

each byte is a color, as you said,

but I am getting 4 times that amount using the "Low-level grab raw data.vi" of IMAQdx example. 

Is there another VI for capturing the raw data?

[SnowMule]

Sounds like you just want the image off the sensor, not the actual "raw" data.

I don't have the full IMAQ toolkit installed, but it should be a straightfoward create-task, read, close-task operation.

[tim_wen]

Hi,

After thrashing around for a couple of weeks, I finally got it working thanks to both Pt Grey & NI tech supports.

I'd like to share the solutions to save other people time.

To record Bayer data from a Pt Grey Chameleon (Or any simmilar cam), a IMAQdx device:

- download a newer version of FlyCap2 (2.3.3.19).

- in "Advanced camera settings" tab, select 'default' channel & restore settings of the camera.

- in NI-MAX, for this IMAQdx cam, find "1280x960 RGB8 15.0fps" for video mode, & "mono8" for format in Acquisition Attributes" tab.

- you should see a B&W Bayer image in MAX.  Exit & save the settings.

To save raw data & display decoded color image in real-time, see the attached example,

which is based on the NI's "Low-level Grab Raw Data.vi" exmaple.