MallinCam SKYRAIDER DS287 User manual

Revision Sheet
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page i
Revision History
SKYRAIDER DS287
[Version 3.4]
Michael Burns
Rock Mallin
[SkyRaider DS287 User Manual]
This document will quickly introduce you to the wonders of the MallinCam SkyRaider
DS287 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 DS287 User Manual Page ii
Version
Date
Revision Description
3.4
08/18/2018
Template Creation

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 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-DS287 Package.................................................................7
Specifications:........................................................................................................................................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-DS287 to your Computer ..........................................................13
Connecting AutoGuider Cable to the SkyRaider-DS287.....................................................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
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

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 2
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
Image ...................................................................................................................................................73
Mode ................................................................................................................................................73
Adjust...............................................................................................................................................74
Rotate ...............................................................................................................................................79
Crop..................................................................................................................................................80
Scale… .............................................................................................................................................81
Histogram.........................................................................................................................................82
Process.................................................................................................................................................84

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 3
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
Color Adjustment...................................................................................................................119
Hue.....................................................................................................................................................120
Saturation...........................................................................................................................................120
Brightness ..........................................................................................................................................120
Contrast..............................................................................................................................................121
Gamma...............................................................................................................................................121
Frame Rate.............................................................................................................................122

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 4
Color/Gray..............................................................................................................................122
Flip...........................................................................................................................................122
Rotate......................................................................................................................................123
Sampling .................................................................................................................................123
ROI..........................................................................................................................................123
Histogram ...............................................................................................................................125
Digital Binning........................................................................................................................127
Method...............................................................................................................................................128
Number ..............................................................................................................................................128
Usage suggestion in digital binning...................................................................................................129
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
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
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

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 5
AstroLive and the SkyRaiderDS287.....................................................................................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 SkyRaiderDS287..................................................................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
Upgrading my SkyRaider Camera Software.......................................................................177
Uninstall SkyRaider Software............................................................................................................177
Uninstall SkyRaider DirectShow Drivers ..........................................................................................178
Uninstall SkyRaider ASCOM Drivers...............................................................................................180
Finish the Uninstalling Procedure......................................................................................................180
First Aid for the SkyRaider Series .......................................................................................181
How do I Optimize my Computer?....................................................................................................182
Stacking is going very slow or Stops completely?.............................................................................183
I see a Pink Floyd Kaleidoscope effect on my Screen .......................................................................187
Dark Field Explanation.........................................................................................................188
Dark Frame vs Dark Field..................................................................................................................188
Dark Frame Subtraction .................................................................................................................188
Dark Field Correction.....................................................................................................................188
Setting up to Broadcast on Night Skies Network................................................................191
Customizing the Screen.........................................................................................................201
Focal Reducers .......................................................................................................................202
MFR-8 MK II Focal Reducer............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
User Notes...............................................................................................................................203

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 6
1. Introduction
MallinCam bring you a new addition to the SkyRaider Video Camera series.
There are few things in life where one must "see it to believe it". The New
MallinCam DS287 is one of them. Never has an astronomical camera had so
much sensitivity that instant, live views could be achieved. MallinCam designed
and is producing an astronomical camera that achieves this goal. The new Sony
IMX287, industrial CMOS sensor has been introduced by them to dominate the
market of high sensitivity low noise, high signal to noise ration sensors. The
camera has been designed around this sensor to offer unmatched sensitivity at a
reasonable price.
The New MallinCam SkyRaider DS287c/m is perfect for outreach programs at
schools, colleges, universities, planetariums, museums, astronomy clubs or for the
ultimate in live, personal observing. The camera comes with MallincamSky
software, which allows live stacking (either averaged or additive), dark field and
flat field application, gain adjustment and much more for fine tuning the image
seen on the computer screen. This allows the camera to perform with stunning
sensitivity with very short exposures. The results are hard to believe until seen live
on the screen.
The MallinCam SkyRaider DS287 is the most sensitive guider camera ever
created. All components are industrial Grade 1 throughout the circuitry and the
IMX287 CMOS Industrial sensor is also Class 1. Included with the camera are a
1.25" eyepiece adapter, 2-meter (78”) guiding cable, and a premium 5 meters
(16.4’) USB3 heavy duty cable. Frame rate is 525+/- FPS (frames per seconds),
making the SkyRaider DS287 the ultimate Planetary, Lunar, Solar (with proper
solar filtration) and deep sky camera available. Be ready to be impressed - it’s a
MallinCam, the pioneer in live video astronomy.
A great galaxy hunting camera - ideal for super nova search!
The MallinCam SkyRaider DS287c comes full equipped with a 5-meter (15 feet)
USB3 high grade cable, 1.25” eyepiece c-mount, guiding cable. Software is
available to download from the MallinCam website.
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.

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 7
The Contents of the SkyRaider-DS287 Package
Specifications:
•PC Win XP, Win7, Win 8, Win 10. Mac.
•Support and includes Full Trigger Mode
•Aircraft aluminum construction
•Stainless steel hardware
•Heavy Duty Heat sink for effective heat dissipation
•Cold finger contact to the rear of the sensor to the heat sink
•Latest Technology throughout
•C mount
•Industrial Sony CMOS sensor, IMX287 Series, class 1
•0.4 MP
•6.9 x 6.9 micron pixel size
•1/3” (4.97 x 3.73)
•720 x 540 resolution
•QE 95%+ (tested at 96.2%)
•525+ FPS (frame per seconds @ 0.100ms exposure, USB3.0 connectivity)
•Noise figure: 1.2e
•Adjustable gain
•Digital Binning , 1x1, 2x2, 3x3 , 4x4
•Live stacking, averaged, or additive, selectable
•Frame alignment on the fly - ideal for ALT-AZ mounted motorized
telescopes
•Live Histogram adjustment
•Built-in temperature monitor of the CMOS sensor
•Sharpness feature
•4584mv @ 1/30s for the color model DS287c
•7469mv @ 1/30s for the mono model DS287m
•Exposure from 0.100ms to 16 minutes 40 seconds.
•And a whole lot more

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 8
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: 15" or Larger Recommended
In the Box
The SkyRaider DS287 includes the following standard equipment:
➢MALLINCAM SkyRaider-DS287 Camera
➢5 meters (15 feet) premium Heavy Duty USB3.0 cable
➢Threaded 1.25" eyepiece adapter
➢C mount
➢2 meters (6.5 feet) Telescope Guiding Cable
Software and Drivers can be down-loaded at the Software Downloads Window
located in the Support Tab at www.mallincam.net

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 9
2. Installing Driver and Software
System Requirements
PC running either Windows ® (32-bit & 64-bit) XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, Mac, Linux
Performance is not guaranteed if the following specification cannot be reached.
•DirectX 9.0 or later installed
•2.8GHz processor (Recommend dual core 2.8GHz or more)
•USB 3.0 Port
•2GB RAM (Recommend 4GB or more)
•200MB Free HDD
Installing the Software
Visit the Software Downloads Page in the Support Tab located on the website:
www.mallincam.net
Select the Blue Click Here Button to download the Drivers and MallincamSky
Software for a Windows PC (there is a Click Here that contains a non-stacking
version along with ASCOM drivers).
If you have a Mac, or Linux computer, just choose the appropriate download
form the download page. The following instruction will represent a Windows
Computer.
Make sure that the SkyRaider DS287 is not plugged into the computer.
Step 1
Step 2

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 10
Place your mouse on the zipped file, Right-Click to pop-up an Action Window,
and choose Extract All …
Just Click on the Extract button, when the next Window pops-up. Windows
should now open up the actual folder that contains the software to install.
Un-Zip the folder, then Double-Click on it to open it up, revealing the 4 programs
it contains (or 1 program if just downloading MallincamSky).
The DRIVER folder contains the ASCOM and Direct Show Drivers for the camera
The WINDOWS APPLICATION folder contains the camera control software.
Double-Click on the WINDOWS APPLICATION folder to open it up, and then
Double-Click on the MALLINCAMSKYSetup file and then follow the instructions to
install the MallincamSKy software and drivers onto your computer:
You may need to give your Windows computer permission to run the installation
programs.
The following MallincamSky Setup Screen will then appear:
Click on Next to start the installation process.
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 11
The installation program now wants to know where you would like to install the
software. Either choose your own location or select the default.
Click on Install to proceed.
Windows may again ask for permission to install the device software.
Click on Install to accept.
The MallincamSky Software will take about a minute to be installed. When
completed, the following screen will appear:
Click on Finish, and the MallincamSky will start and will appear on your screen.
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 12
Now you can plug in the SkyRaider DS287 into your computer (see the next
Chapter called “Connecting the SkyRaider” for more details). It will take a
moment for Windows to attach the drivers to the port, then you are ready to start
imaging.
You can determine if MallincamSky recognizes the camera (and thus the drivers)
by noticing the SkyRaiderDS287C name in the Camera List Tab (see Chapter 3 for
detailed instructions). If by chance you are running the SkyRaiderDS287 on a USB
2.0 cable, you will see the name as: SkyRaiderDS287C (2.0).
Optionally (see Installing the ASCOM Driver in Section 7 for more in-depth
details), Double-Click on ASCOM DRIVER folder, then Double-Click on the
ASCOMMallincamSetup and ASCOMMallinST4Setup programs and follow
instructions to install the ASCOM driver.
Optionally, (see Installing the DIRECTSHOW Driver in Section 7for more in-depth
details), Double-Click on the DIRECTSHOW DRIVER Folder to open it up, then
Double-Click on the MALLINCAMDshowSetup program and follow instruction to
install the Directshow drivers onto your computer.
Windows may display a warning asking for permission to run the program, if it
does, select YES.
Step 10
Step 11
Hint

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 13
3. Connecting the SkyRaider
Connecting the SkyRaider-DS287 to your Computer
Remove the rubber dust cover from the front of the SkyRaider-DS287 camera
(place it back in the box for safe keeping).
Screw in the 2” adapter to the front of the
SkyRaider-DS287.
Insert the SkyRaider-DS287 (with 2” Adapter
attached) into a 2” eyepiece adapter on your
Telescope.
Depending upon the telescope, you may need extenders so that you can reach
focus with your telescope. It is recommended that you set this up in the daytime,
so you can see what you are doing (plus can aim at an easy to find tree or
telephone pole).

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 14
Attach the 5 metre USB 3.0 Cable from the back of the SkyRaider DS287 to a free
USB 3.0 (or USB 2.0) port on your computer.
The SkyRaider DS287 has some strict power and thru-put requirements, and not
all computers are created equal. If you find you are having difficulties with the
following steps, it maybe the USB 3.0 port on your computer. If that is the case,
one option to try is; connected a Powered USB 3.0 Hub to your USB 3.0 port on
your computer. This simple step can improve, both thru-put, power and distance
between your computer and the SkyRaider DS287 camera.
Windows will then automatically load the correct SkyRaider Camera Driver onto
your computer.
Once the driver has been successfully loaded, you will see the name of the
SkyRaiderDS287 Camera in the MallincamSky Camera List on the upper left of
the Window. You can install more than one SkyRaider Camera to your computer,
but the software can only control one SkyRaider Camera at a time.
If you notice that the SkyRaiderDS287 has a (USB2.0) behind it, then you are
either using a USB 2.0 port, or the distance is too great for the USB 3.0 cable, and
the system has entered USB 2.0 speeds.
Hint

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 15
Connecting AutoGuider Cable to the SkyRaider-DS287
If you are going to use your SkyRaider DS287 as an Autoguider, then you will
need to attach the provided ST4 cable.
Attach one end of the ST4 cable into the ST4 slot on the back of the SkyRaider-
DS287, and the other end into the ST4 port on your Telescope Mount.

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 16
4. Using MallincamSky Software
The MallincamSky Window
The MallincamSky Software Window is segmented into a few regions to make
viewing and adjusting the SkyRaider camera easy and intuitive.
①The Top Menu Line provides dropdown menus and icons to allow you to
make major settings of the software
②The MallincamSky Left SideBar provides the simple click activation and
selection capabilities to control all aspects of the image and camera.
③The Left SideBar Base provides selection options for Camera, Folders, or Undo.
Left Clicking on the selection choice will fill the Left SideBar with its options.
④The Video Window will contain the display image from the SkyRaider
Camera. It is here that you will see the live video, or images.
⑤The Information Line will indicate the current camera, current frame rate,
number of frames displayed, resolution, information about captures, etc.
①
②
③
④
⑤

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 17
SkyRaider Quick Setup and Pictorial Work-Flow
A typical workflow when using the SkyRaider DS287 with MallincamSky.
Start Mallincam
Deep Sky Object
Planetary
Start Trigger
Mode then
Take Dark Field
Trigger Mode to Image
Activate Dark Field
Video Mode to Focus
Adjust Image
Save and Record
Exit Mallincam
Exit Mallincam
Save and Record
Adjust Image
Video Mode to Image
Live Stack

SkyRaider DS287 User Manual August 19, 2018
SkyRaider DS287 User Manual Page 18
Live Stack Pictorial Work-Flow
A typical workflow when Live-Stacking with MallincamSky.
Expose Object
Choose and Activate Video
Mode or Trigger Mode
Live Stack
Adjust Image
Save and Record
Choose type of Stacking and
Enable