cannot detect recognizeable video source

[Dana]

Hi,

We were using an Indigo Alpha uncooled camera for which we were given a special camera definition file for use with NI-IMAQ 2.51 on a Windows 2000 machine. We recently upgraded to a new computer with windows XP and dowloaded NI-IMAQ 3.01. In both cases we are using a NI-IMAQ 1424 board. The camera functions properly using the old setup, but with the new setup (and using the old camera definition file previously provided to us) we get the error: "Cannot detect recognizeable video source". I have read the document entitled:
"What Are the Reasons for the Error Message "Can't Lock on Video Source"? and I have seen that someone else reported having to change to RS170 in order to illiminate this error. I'm not 100% clear on what this means but this did not work for me. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Dana
dmastrovito@pppl.gov

[Koninika]

Hello,
Camera files are forward compatible so even if you have a camera file used with an older version of NI-IMAQ driver you should be able to open and use it with the newest driver version. The error you are receiving could have been caused by a timing specification issue. You can access the Indigo Alpha camera from our ftp site and test it out with your camera. Also, have you tried using a different camera with the camera file? If the camera is still unable to acquire images post your camera file in your next post and we can take a look at it to see what could be causing the "can't lock video source" error.
Good luck with your application and have a great day!
Regards,
Koninika
Applications Engineering
National Instruments
http://www.ni.com/support

[Dana]

The error we are receiving is "cannot detect recognizeable video source" not "Can't Lock on Video Source" I cannot download the camera file from your ftp site because it is not listed. I am glad to hear that they are meant to be forward compatible, but as I mentioned you created a special file for us, which I will attach (I had to change the extension to attach it from icd to txt). Unfortunately, the NI-MAX gives the same error regardless of which camera definition file I choose. So for example if I choose the supplied Indigo NIR camera definition instead of this special one I still receive the same error. Thanks again.

[Koninika]

Hello,
I looked at your camera file and it did not seem that anything could cause the error you are receiving. But the acquisition window does seem larger than the camera's output. Check the camera's timing specifications and match them with the specifications in your camera file. In your next post, attach the timing specifications of your camera so we can look at it and see if the camera file allows for the specs.
Good luck with your application and have a great day!
Regards,
Koninika
Applications Engineering
National Instruments
http://www.ni.com/support

[Dana]

I dont think the problem can be the size of the aquisition window as this camera definition file has been in use in our previous setup (described above) for a year or two. Can you explain what is meant by the camera's timing specifications? The camera is set to have a 3000 ms timeout and is capable of taking 30 frames/second. I am getting this error inside MAX when I try to snap a picture.

Dana

[Koninika]

Hello,
The camera's documentation should include signal timing specifications. You need to check the signal timing specifications and match them with the specifications you have in your camera file.
Good luck with your application and have a great day!
Regards,
Koninika
Applications Engineering
National Instruments
http://www.ni.com/support