Where to find cheapest digital camera that can be connected to PCI-1424-TTL/RS422

[Mindstorm]

I have bought an used PCI-1424 and it has passed all the self test. But the onboard memory over at the properties always=0 even if I remove the small memory card (691127-01, ? mem size). I Will like to invest on a low cost digital camera(not LVDS) and test up the card. Any comments/advice will be greatly appreciated. Thks.

[Scott_R]

Thank you for contacting National Instruments. With regard to your memory card question, I looked up the serial number that you gave, and that is a 32 MB card. You should be able to see that value when you look at the device properties in Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX). What version of NI-IMAQ are you using with your PCI card? Depending on what version you are using, MAX may not recognize the memory properly. Try installing the most recent driver from:

NI-IMAQ Version 3.0 for Windows 2000/NT/XP
http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/websearch/C8FAC1A56DD469CA86256EB6007284B5?opendocument&node=132060_US

Regarding the choice of camera, I'd suggest taking a look at our Industrial Camera Advisor, also located on our website, at:

Industrial Camera Advis
or
http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nipc.specs?action=search&asid=1102

You can browse that site according to the specifications that you need for the camera to meet or you can click on the link at the top of the document that points you to a list of NI tested and approved cameras.

Let me know if you have any additional questions on this issue.

Scott R.
Applications Engineer,
National Instruments

[Mindstorm]

Hi Scott
Your solution works instantly. After downloading version 3 and the RAM display shows 48MB.
I will like to explore low end CMOS sensor first. Is there any setting in 1424 where I can change the RS-422 interface to TTL?
Alternatively the market has more LVDS camera, is there a way(converter?) where I can connect a LVDS camera to PCI-1424/RS422 interface?

Your reply will be greatly appreciated.

Best Rgds.
Minds

[Scott_R]

Minds,

With regard to locating inexpensive hardware, I would suggest contacting Graftek (www.graftek.com). They are certified partners with NI regarding image acquisition systems.

The settings for RS-422 or TTL are handled by the camera file for the camera that you are using. You can locate the camera file by navigating to C:\Program Files\National Instruments\NI-IMAQ\Camera Info. That folder contains information on all of the camera files that are currently available on your system.

NI does not provide any method for converting data from LVDS to RS-422. We do have different boards that work for those different protocols, though. I searched around online, and was unable to find any information regarding an acutal conversion from one forma
t to the other.

Let me know if you have any additional questions on this issue

Scott R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments