Unibrain Firewire Camera Brightness Problem

[Cabman]

I'be been using the Unibrain Fire-i™ Digital Board Camera for an electronic inspection application and have had problems with the brightness of the image changing after the camera is disconnected or the computer turned off. I programatically set the AutoExposure/Brightness/Gain etc but I have a problem with the Brightness when I use the "Manual(Relative)" mode.

Since it is "Relative" the number I use will depend on what the camera adjusts itself to in "Auto" Mode. i.e. Before I use the system, I have to set the Brightness to "Auto", grab an image of my target so the camera adjusts, then switch to "Relative" mode. If I don't do this the brightness of the image will be too dark.

In MAX there is a selection for "Manual(Absolute)" but it is grayed out. Is this a limitation of the camera or the driver for the camera. Is there anyway I can set absolute brightness levels?

[pallen]

Hello Cabman,

It's odd that you don't have access to the manual brightness controls.  I've used these cameras several times and have not had this problem yet myself.  

Which drivers are you using?  

I've been using the IMAQdx drivers. 

[Cabman]

I was using the "Legacy NI-IMAQ IEEE 1394 IIDC" driver. I just switched to "NI-IMAQdx IIDC" and the problem seems to have gone away.

Note: I did have access to the controls, it's just that the brightness I got was relative to the last setting that the AUTO function set it to, and it would lose that setting if I disconnected the camera or shut off the computer. That doesn't seem to happen with this driver.

Thanks.