Machine Vision using Logitech QuickCam STX. Please Help

[Deiter]

I am a Computer Science Student in University of the Philippines Los Baños. Iw ould like to ask about which good tools can i used to begin my project : Machine Vision Fire Detection

I am using Logitech QuickCam STX and planning to develo pusing VIsual C++

I dont know whether i will use the Logitech SDK or the DirectShow kit of microsoft.... please advise me whichone is better.

also, Can anyone give me some good references?

thanks!

[s_a_s]

Hello,

I don't know that there is much National Instruments can do to help you with choosing between the Logitech SDK and Mircrosof's DirectShow APIs for C++ development.  We do have a driver that we provide free of charge for devices that support DirectShow, but it requires both LabVIEW and the Vision Development Module (which are not free) and the API is not exposed development languages other than LabVIEW.  Your University may already provide access to this software so you may want to contact them to see if it is available for your use.

You can also find some good information on USB cameras at this URL:
http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/274A74A901399D0486256F32007295F9

Our NI-IMAQ drivers do have an API that is accessible through C++, but those drivers do not have support for USB cameras.  We also have a driver for IEEE 1394 (Firewire) cameras, but you would need an IEEE 1394 camera that is compliant with the DCAM or IIDC specifications.  This can also be accessed through C++.

The link above may be a good place to get started in finding information on non-National Instruments products.  Hope this helps.

[borchhhnah]

Where are these drivers (for DirectShow) located?

[s_a_s]

Hello,

The drivers that NI has that use DirectShow are called NI-IMAQ for USB cameras and can be found in a link at the bottom of the URL in the previous post, or alternately here:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/niepd_web_display.display_epd4?p_guid=ED6942DF78E34659E034080020E74861

Please note the system requirements of both LabVIEW 7 (minimum) and NI Vision 7.1; these drivers will not work in any other development environment.

[Brian Chase]

What if I'm trying to get a Directshow compliant USB device to link with LabWindows?  I've tried downloading the Microsoft SDK and following the directions for using Directshow in an ANSI C environment (adding their library to the project and including Dshow.h in the application).  However, I get errors with __int64 functions and types.  I've tried this in LabWindows 5.5 and 8.0.1.  Any help would be appreciated, I hate using Microsoft libraries!

[Torba]

Hello Brian,

Thank you for contacting National Instruments.  Getting a Directshow compliant camera to work with LabWindows/CVI or any other programming environment depends greatly on the API made available in Directshow or ActiveX by the camera manufacturer.  I would contact them to find out how to make calls to and from the camera dlls via Directshow or ActiveX.  If a header file is made available for the camera dlls, you might be able to work with that directly in CVI. 

Regards,

Mike T

National Instruments