MallinCam SkyRaider DS10 User manual

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS10 User Manual Page i
Revision History
SKYRAIDER DS10
[Version 3.4]
Michael Burns
Rock Mallin
[SkyRaider DS10 User Manual]
This document will quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS10 Camera. It will include instructions on how to install the Software and Drivers and
how connect the SkyRaider to your computer along with explanations of the
camera’s major settings. The purpose of this guide is to quickly get you up and
running with the SkyRaider Camera so that you can image.

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS10 User Manual Page ii
Version
Date
Revision Description
3.4
07/14/2018
Template Creation

SkyRaider DS10 User Manual July 14, 2018
SkyRaider Quick Guide Page 1
Table of Contents
Contents
Revision History .....................................................................................................................................i
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................6
The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS10 Package...................................................................7
Specifications:........................................................................................................................................7
System Requirements: ...........................................................................................................................7
In the Box...............................................................................................................................................8
2. Installing Driver and Software...............................................................................................9
System Requirements ................................................................................................................9
Installing the Software...............................................................................................................9
3. Connecting the SkyRaider....................................................................................................13
Connecting the SkyRaider-DS10 to your Computer ............................................................13
Connecting AutoGuider Cable to the SkyRaider-DS10.......................................................15
4. Using MallincamSky Software.............................................................................................16
The MallincamSky Window....................................................................................................16
SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work-Flow................................................................17
Live Stack Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................18
Histogram Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................19
ROI Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................................20
Save Image Pictorial Work-Flow............................................................................................21
Record Video Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................22
Batch Record Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................23
Auto Capture Pictorial Work-Flow........................................................................................24
Save Sequence of Images Pictorial Work-Flow (Trigger Mode) .........................................25
Digital Binning..........................................................................................................................26
Dark Field Pictorial Work-Flow.............................................................................................27
Flat Field Pictorial Work-Flow...............................................................................................28
Sharpen Pictorial Work-Flow.................................................................................................29

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More Detailed Work-Flow Procedure....................................................................................30
Quick Workflow for MallincamSky ....................................................................................................30
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Planetary Objects ....................................................................33
Detailed Workflow of Video Imaging Deep Sky Objects....................................................................39
5. The SkyRaider Software Controls........................................................................................48
Top Menu Line.........................................................................................................................48
File.......................................................................................................................................................48
Open Image ......................................................................................................................................49
Open Video ......................................................................................................................................50
Save..................................................................................................................................................51
Save As …........................................................................................................................................51
Batch Save…....................................................................................................................................54
Paste as New File .............................................................................................................................56
Recent Files......................................................................................................................................56
Exit...................................................................................................................................................57
Edit.......................................................................................................................................................57
Cut....................................................................................................................................................57
Copy.................................................................................................................................................58
Paste .................................................................................................................................................58
Paste Shortcut...................................................................................................................................58
Delete ...............................................................................................................................................58
Image Select.....................................................................................................................................58
Select All..........................................................................................................................................58
Select None ......................................................................................................................................59
View.....................................................................................................................................................59
Browse..............................................................................................................................................59
Thumbnail ........................................................................................................................................60
Sidebar..............................................................................................................................................60
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................61
Grids.................................................................................................................................................61
Best Fit .............................................................................................................................................64
Actual Size .......................................................................................................................................64
Full Screen .......................................................................................................................................64
Track ................................................................................................................................................64
Reticles.............................................................................................................................................65
Browse.................................................................................................................................................65
Sort...................................................................................................................................................66
Icons.................................................................................................................................................66
Refresh .............................................................................................................................................66
Properties..........................................................................................................................................66
Open Record Folder ........................................................................................................................66
Open Image Folder ..........................................................................................................................66
Setup ....................................................................................................................................................67
Start/Pause........................................................................................................................................67
View Properties… ............................................................................................................................67
ST4 Test… .......................................................................................................................................68
Capture.................................................................................................................................................69
Capture Image ..................................................................................................................................69
Auto Capture....................................................................................................................................69
Start Record…..................................................................................................................................70
Batch Record....................................................................................................................................71

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Image ...................................................................................................................................................73
Mode ................................................................................................................................................73
Adjust...............................................................................................................................................74
Rotate ...............................................................................................................................................79
Crop..................................................................................................................................................80
Scale… .............................................................................................................................................81
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................82
Process.................................................................................................................................................84
Image Stacking.................................................................................................................................87
Options.................................................................................................................................................89
Window................................................................................................................................................95
Activate Video Window...................................................................................................................95
Close All...........................................................................................................................................95
Reset Window Layout......................................................................................................................95
Windows… ......................................................................................................................................96
About ...................................................................................................................................................96
MallincamSky Toolbar............................................................................................................97
Open.....................................................................................................................................................97
Save......................................................................................................................................................98
Browse.................................................................................................................................................98
Thumbnail ..........................................................................................................................................99
Target ..............................................................................................................................................99
Image Type .......................................................................................................................................100
Auto Capture......................................................................................................................................100
Batch Record......................................................................................................................................100
Pause Video Capture..........................................................................................................................100
Open Video Folder.............................................................................................................................101
Zoom..................................................................................................................................................101
Image Select.......................................................................................................................................101
Track..................................................................................................................................................101
Histogram...........................................................................................................................................102
Reticle................................................................................................................................................102
ST4 Test ........................................................................................................................................103
Advance/Reverse ...............................................................................................................................104
Stitch .............................................................................................................................................104
Panorama Straighten: .....................................................................................................................106
Projection Type:.............................................................................................................................106
Seam Finder: ..................................................................................................................................106
Exposure Compensation:................................................................................................................106
Bundle Adjust:................................................................................................................................106
Preferences.........................................................................................................................................109
6. Controlling the SkyRaider..................................................................................................110
Camera List............................................................................................................................110
Capture and Resolution.........................................................................................................111
Resolution..........................................................................................................................................111
Snap ...................................................................................................................................................111
Record................................................................................................................................................112
Gain....................................................................................................................................................113
Exposures...........................................................................................................................................113
Video Mode....................................................................................................................................113
Trigger Mode..................................................................................................................................116
Bit Depth.................................................................................................................................118
Color Balance.........................................................................................................................118
White Balance....................................................................................................................................119

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Color Adjustment...................................................................................................................119
Hue.....................................................................................................................................................120
Saturation...........................................................................................................................................120
Brightness ..........................................................................................................................................120
Contrast..............................................................................................................................................120
Gamma...............................................................................................................................................121
Frame Rate.............................................................................................................................121
Color/Gray..............................................................................................................................122
Flip...........................................................................................................................................122
Rotate......................................................................................................................................122
Sampling .................................................................................................................................123
ROI..........................................................................................................................................123
Histogram ...............................................................................................................................125
Digital Binning........................................................................................................................127
Method...............................................................................................................................................128
Number ..............................................................................................................................................128
Usage suggestion in digital binning...................................................................................................128
Dark Frame subtraction in Digital Binning........................................................................................129
Dark Field Correction ...........................................................................................................130
Flat Field Correction .............................................................................................................132
Introduction:.......................................................................................................................................132
Optical Path Noise: ............................................................................................................................132
Taking Flats: ......................................................................................................................................133
Black Level..............................................................................................................................135
Live Stack................................................................................................................................136
Conversion Gain.....................................................................................................................139
Sharpen...................................................................................................................................140
Misc .........................................................................................................................................140
Cooling....................................................................................................................................140
Parameters..............................................................................................................................141
7. Installing Optional Software..............................................................................................144
Installing DirectShow Driver................................................................................................145
Installing Mallincam ASCOM Driver..................................................................................147
8. AutoGuiding with SkyRaider..............................................................................................149
Guiding with MaximDL and Mallincam ASCOM..............................................................149
Guiding in PHD2 with Mallincam ASCOM Driver............................................................153
Running PHD2 with WDM Driver + ToupST4 Driver ......................................................157
9. Appendix .............................................................................................................................162
Imaging in SharpCap.............................................................................................................162
Start SharpCap ...................................................................................................................................162
Chose Cameras ..................................................................................................................................162
SharpCap will start the imaging process............................................................................................164

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AstroToaster and MallinamSky............................................................................................165
AstroToaster Work Flow ...................................................................................................................165
Start AstroToaster..............................................................................................................................165
Preparing AstroToaster......................................................................................................................166
Click on the View Tab .......................................................................................................................166
Click on Monitor................................................................................................................................167
Tell MallincamSky to Save images in to the Monitoring Folder of AstroToaster. ............................167
Stop the Looping................................................................................................................................167
Click on the Stack Tab.......................................................................................................................168
Adjust the Image in AstroToaster......................................................................................................169
AstroLive and the SkyRaiderDS10.......................................................................................170
Start AstroLive...................................................................................................................................170
Click on the Choose Still Button........................................................................................................170
From the Pull-Down list select ASCOM Mallincam Driver..............................................................171
Click on the Properties Box...............................................................................................................171
Sequence Generator Pro and SkyRaiderDS10....................................................................172
Start Sequence Generator Pro ............................................................................................................172
How Do I … ............................................................................................................................174
How do I get rid of the Green Exposure Rectangle?..........................................................................174
How do I Select a part of the Image and Zoom in?............................................................................174
How do I automatically save 1 image every 30 seconds?..................................................................175
How do I adjust the brightness in my monochrome SkyRaider? .......................................................175
How do I Broadcast my image onto Night Skies Network (NSN)?...................................................175
Can I Use MallincamSky with One SkyRaider and Auto-Guide with another? ................................175
How Do I Pause the Video?...............................................................................................................176
How do I Undo an Operation?...........................................................................................................176
How do I make my ROI the whole Image Again?.............................................................................176
How do I Turn Off Dark Field correction?........................................................................................176
How Do I take Another Dark Field?..................................................................................................176
My ROI Window is Black?................................................................................................................176
First Aid for the SkyRaider Series .......................................................................................177
How do I Optimize my Computer?....................................................................................................178
Stacking is going very slow or Stops completely?.............................................................................179
I see a Pink Floyd Kaleidoscope effect on my Screen .......................................................................183
Dark Field Explanation.........................................................................................................184
Dark Frame vs Dark Field..................................................................................................................184
Dark Frame Subtraction .................................................................................................................184
Dark Field Correction.....................................................................................................................184
Setting up to Broadcast on Night Skies Network................................................................187
Customizing the Screen.........................................................................................................197
Focal Reducers .......................................................................................................................198
MFR-10 Focal Reducer......................................................................................................................198
User Notes...............................................................................................................................199

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SkyRaider DS10 User Manual Page 6
1. Introduction
MallinCam bring you a new addition to the SkyRaider Video Camera series. The
DS10c has a 10.7-megapixel Sony IMX294 class 1 hand selected CMOS Industrial
sensor that has no amp glow. The new DS10c has 4 gigabits DDR internal
memory for smooth effective image transfer and ease resources on a USB 3
connection computer. A passive cooling is included with fan assist to keep the
CMOS sensor temperature stable. No Peltier cooler is needed as the software
can eliminate all noises, hot pixels and warm pixels during live application or
during imaging session. Besides, CMOS sensors cannot be deep cooled with
Thermoelectric cooler(s) as delamination will occur among other areas affected
of the CMOS sensor such as the timing generator, A/D converter among a few
other functions will diminished performance greatly and affect life span of the
sensor. The sensor supports full 4K resolution for high resolution live images in full
color.
The smaller package was design with HyperStar compatible type of optical
system where minimal foot print is desired. The DS10c is a compact unit that
comes with a 2" to T mount adapter. The large sensitive sensor will satisfy the most
demanding video imager. The unique Conversion Gain can be activated in
HCG to LCG (High Contrast Gain and Low Contrast Gain) mode where high gain
and low gain is desirable for certain imaging application live or during imaging
condition.
Using the MallinCam SKY software, many features are accessible making the
DS10c a highly desirable camera to own. Features such as Conversion Gain,
Dark Field correction, Flat Field correction, Digital Binning up to 4x4 binning mode
are included increasing sensitivity to levels never witnessed before in a large
format CMOS sensor. Bit Depth from 8 bits to 12 bits is selectable. Black Level,
Histogram, Live Stack in two mode Additive and Averaged are also selectable
while the Frame Alignment Feature keeps all stacking perfectly aligned with one
another even in ALT-AZ mode, a first in the industry of a larger format video
CMOS Camera. Exposure can be from 100 micro-second up to 16 minutes and
40 seconds. The DS10c is fully compatible with the Universe T mount 0.5X focal
reducer.
The MallinCam SkyRaider DS10c comes full equipped with a 5-meter (15 feet)
USB3 high grade cable, 2-inch to T mount adapter, guiding cable, software is
available to download from the MallinCam website.
adjustment possible to produce the finest live image, with the option to save
your view as an image or video file.
Special thanks to Jack Huerkamp and Rock Mallin whose expertise and
experience are way beyond my capabilities.
So, thank you for your purchase, and let the adventure begin.

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The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS10 Package
Specifications:
•PC Win XP, Win7, Win 8, Win 10. Mac.
•Support and includes Full Trigger Mode
•Built-in Memories
•4 Gigabits DDR internal Memory for unsurpassed smooth operation
•Sony IMX294 Class 1 Hand Picked CMOS Sensor
•Back Illuminated CMOS Sensor
•1900 mv Output
•HCG and LCG Mode ( High Contrast gain Low Contrast Gain)
•Correlated Double Sampling
•A high S/N ratio
•No Amp Glow
•21.80mm Diagonal Sensor Size
•Resolution Sizes:
- 4096 X 2160, 38 FPS @0.100ms
- 3704 X 2778, 35 FPS @ 0.100 ms
- 2048 X 1080, 70 FPS @ 0.100ms
- 1360 X 720, 100 FPS @ 0.100ms
•Digital Binning Mode:
- 1 x 1, 2 x 2, 3 x 3, 4 x 4
•Global Shutter
•Image Format, FITS, JPEG, BMP, PNG
•Full Video Mode: AVI, SER
•Sealed Optical Window
•T mount
•One cable Operation
•Precision All Aluminum Construction and Stainless Steel hardware
•76.2 mm X 67.5 mm (3 inches X 2.65 inches)
•310 Grams / 10.95 Oz.
•High Speed USB 3.0
System Requirements:
•Equal to Intel Core2 2.8GHz or Higher
•Memory: 4GB or More
•USB port: USB 3.0 Port (will operate on USB 2.0, but a slower through-put)
•Display: 17" or Larger Recommended

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In the Box
The SkyRaider DS10 includes the following standard equipment:
➢MALLINCAM SkyRaider-DS10 Camera
➢High Precision 2” mount Eyepiece Adapter
➢5-metre USB 3.0 cable.
➢SkyRaider-DS10 also includes a 2-metre ST4 Guider cable.
Software and Drivers can be down-loaded at the Software Downloads Window
located in the Support Tab at www.mallincam.net