ZWO ASI664MC User manual

Planetary Camera ASI664MC
Product Manual
Thank you so much for purchasing ZWO ASI camera! Before using the product, please read this manual carefully.
All materials related to this publication are subject to change without notice and its copyright totally belongs to
Suzhou ZWO CO.,LTD.

Contents
1 Product Introduction........................................................................................................................1
2 Notice for Use .................................................................................................................................. 3
3 Getting to Know Your Camera......................................................................................................... 4
3.1 External View......................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Camera Specifications............................................................................................................5
3.3 Quantum Efficiency & Read Noise .........................................................................................6
3.4 Protective Window ................................................................................................................ 8
3.5 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)......................................................................................... 8
3.6 Power consumption...............................................................................................................8
4 What’s in the Box?........................................................................................................................... 9
5 Structural Dimension Diagram.........................................................................................................9
6 Connection Methods..................................................................................................................... 10
7 Warranty........................................................................................................................................ 11
8 Servicing .........................................................................................................................................12

1
1 Product Introduction
Higher image quality, Larger sensor size
ASI664MC is a remarkable new planetary CMOS camera. The 1/1.8” Sony IMX664 sensor features a small pixel
size of 2.9µm pixel and a high resolution of 2704*1536(4.15MP). In high-speed mode, the frame rate reaches
95fps, while the readout noise remains at a low level, as low as 0.46e!
The larger sensor size and higher resolution compared with ASI662MC result in sharper images for a better
astrophotography experience.
STARVIS 2 Technology
You might not be strange with Sony STARVIS 2 technology. It offers ASI664MC outstanding image quality and
imaging performance.

2
ASI664MC VS ASI662MC
ASI664MC can be considered as an iteration of ASI662MC. With the great improvement in sensor size and
resolution, it provides a larger FOV and also results in high-quality images containing more details.
Model
ASI662MC (Entry-level)
ASI664MC (Advanced)
ASI585MC (Flagship)
Color or mono
Color
Color
Color
Sensor format
1/2.8″
1/1.8″
1 / 1.2″
Diagonal
6.45mm
9.02mm
12.84mm
Resolution
2.07MP 1920x1080
4.15MP 2704x1536
8.29MP 3840x2160
Pixel size
2.9µm
2.9µm
2.9µm
Sensor size
5.568mmx3.132mm
7.841mmx4.454mm
11.136mmx6.264mm
Frame rate
107.6fps
95fps
46.9fps
Shutter
Rolling shutter
Rolling shutter
Rolling shutter
Read noise
0.8-6.9e (1.22e@19db gain)
0.46-5.8e (3.2e@19db gain)
0.8-12e (2.4e@15db gain)
QE Peak
91%
91%
91%
Full well capacity
38.2ke
36.5ke
47ke
ADC
12bit
12bit
12bit
Back focus distance
12.5mm
12.5mm
6.5mm/17.5mm
High Transmission Speed
This camera has a USB 3.0 interface, along with the built-in 256MB DDR3 cache, ensuring high-speed, smooth and
stable data transmission.
Zero Amp Glow
ASI664MC adopts no-glow circuity to avoid the annoying amp glow being produced, and ensure the image quality
no matter how long the exposure and how high the gain value is.
(Note: This feature is implemented directly at the hardware level, it does not require software control.)

3
2 Notice for Use
Before using the camera, please read this manual carefully.
Note that the camera can only be used and stored under the following conditions. Usages out of the environment
limits might lead to damage to the camera.
Storage temperature
-20°C ~ 60°C
Storage humidity
20% ~ 95%
Working temperature
-5℃~ 50℃
Working humidity
20% ~ 80%
Please do not use corrosive solutions to clean the camera to avoid corroding the oxide layer on the surface and
damaging the camera. Meanwhile, please do not keep the camera exposed to the sun for a long time to avoid
discoloration of the oxide layer on the camera surface.

4
3 Getting to Know Your Camera
3.1 External View
① USB 3.0/2.0 port
② ST4 guide port
③ AR protective window (D21x1.1mm)
④ 1/4” screw for fixing the camera to the tripod

5
3.2 Camera Specifications
Sensor
Sony-IMX664AAQR1-C
Sensor format
Type 1/1.8
Diagonal
9.02mm
Resolution
4.15MP 2704x1536
Pixel size
2.9µm
Sensor size
7.841mm x 4.454
Fast frame rate
95fps
Shutter
Rolling Shutter
Exposure range
32μs~2000s
Read noise
0.46-5.8e (3.2e@19db gain)
QE peak
91%
Full well capacity
36.5Ke
ADC
12bit
USB interface
USB 3.0 /USB 2.0 Type-B
Adapter
M42x0.75
Protect window
φ21-1.1 AR
Dimension
62mm
Weight
126g
Back focus distance
12.5mm
Supported OS
WIN7/8/10 32&64, Linux, Mac

6
3.3 Quantum Efficiency & Read Noise
Quantum Efficiency
QE curve and read noise are very important parameters to measure the camera's performance. Higher QE and
lower read noise are necessary to improve the image signal-to-noise ratio.
Relative Response
Quantum Efficiency

7
Read Noise
Read noise contains pixel noise, circuit noise and ADC noise. The lower the read noise is, the better. You may see
from the chart below that ASI664MC has very low read noise. It has a built-in HCG mode, which can effectively
reduce read noise at high gain and keep the dynamic range at the same level as it does at low gain. At gain 252
and above, the HCG mode is automatically turned on; the dynamic range is close to 11bit; the read noise can be
lower than 1.0e.

8
3.4 Protective Window
ASI664MC has an AR-coated protective window in front of the sensor. Its thickness is 1.1mm and diagonal is
21mm. It can protect the sensor from dust or dew.
3.5 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
ASI664MC records in 12bit ADC and 10bit ADC. You can image at a faster frame rate if you use 10bit ADC (high
speed mode). You may also set an ROI if you want even faster frame rates.
Resolution
USB3.0
USB2.0
Normal mode:
12BIT ADC
High-speed
mode:
10BIT ADC
Normal mode:
12BIT ADC
High-speed
mode:
10BIT ADC
RAW16
RAW8
RAW8
RAW16
RAW8
RAW8
2704 x 1536
47.4fps
65.3fps
94.8fps
5.2fps
10.4fps
10.4fps
1920 x 1080
91.4fps
91.4fps
142.6fps
10.4fps
20.9fps
20.9fps
1280 x 720
133.6fps
133.6fps
208.5fps
23.5fps
47.0fps
47.0fps
640 x 480
192.9fps
192.9fps
301.2fps
70.5fps
141.2fps
141.2fps
320 x 240
347.3fps
347.3fps
542.1fps
283.3fps
347.3fps
542.1fps
3.6 Power consumption
All ASI cameras have low power consumption. ASI664 is no exception. When it is powered with a USB cable, the
max power consumption is only 1.36W.

9
4 What’s in the Box?
Equipped with a 2m USB cable that can be used to connect the computer and the camera for guiding.
Note: Please take off the self-contained lens on the top of the camera before you use the camera for
astrophotography.
5 Structural Dimension Diagram

10
6 Connection Methods
① 1.25” T-mount
② 1.25” filter (optional)

11
7 Warranty
1. ZWO will provide a 2-year free warranty service (Warranty Period) for ZWO products purchased by Users from
ZWO (“Products”) in accordance with this Policy, commencing on the day following receipt of the Products by
Users. For ASIAIR Plus users, commencing on the day of device activation.
2. If a User encounters the following Dead on Arrival (DOA) and contacts ZWO within the corresponding time limit
to issue the Product purchase invoice and relevant evidence, ZWO will provide door-to-door pick-up service and,
as appropriate, after-sale replacement (or partial replacement), repair or return (or partial return) service for the
following Products:
1) Product quality problem
Provided that a User detects a quality problem and contacts ZWO within 180 days after receipt of the Products,
and ZWO support team confirms that the Products indeed have a quality problem or defect after their inspection,
ZWO will provide free replacement service towards such Products;
2) Product transportation problem
Provided that a User finds obvious signs of bubbling, serious overstocking, or deformation on the outer package
of the Products upon receipt of the Products, and provides ZWO with pictures of the outer package and proof of
receipt within 3 days after receipt of such Products, ZWO support team will verify the actual shipper and
determine the responsible party for such transportation problem. In the event that ZWO is the actual shipper,
ZWO will be responsible for providing the relevant return or replacement service, however, if the Products are
directly sold or transported to the User by an agent of ZWO, the agent will be responsible for providing the
relevant return or replacement service;
3) Any quality problem with the accessories or other parts of the Products is not a condition for the return or
change of the Products, and the User may solely request to replace the accessories with new ones, which shall be
handled after verification by ZWO support team.
3. If the Products are under the following circumstances, they are not within the scope of warranty service. ZWO
may provide maintenance services to the Users:
1) The Warranty Period of the Products has expired;
2) The Products are injected into liquid or affected by moisture or corrosion;
3) The Products are damaged by an external force (such as the broken of the camera protection window glass, the
deformation of the product shell, the broken of the USB port, etc.);
4) Disassembling, repairing by a third party, refurbishment of the Products (such as downloading erroneous
firmware) without the written authorization of ZWO;
5) The product system is modified, or the maintenance notice is lost or changed;
6) Product quality problem caused by installation not following the requirements or instructions for the Products;
7) Physical damage or failure of the Products caused by the force majeure (such as strong vibration or extrusion
such as flood, fire, earthquake, or thunder stroke);
8) Damage caused by the improper User operation during the period of shooting or use, such as using without
the equipment protection or direct shooting of the sun;
9) No valid purchase invoice or warranty certificate;
10) The Products are second-hand products.

12
8 Servicing
For software upgrades, please refer to “Guide & Manuals” on our official website.
https://www.zwoastro.com/guides-and-manuals/
For repairs and consultation, you can visit here:
https://support.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/
Email: [e-mail].
Phone: [phone]
1. For the normal repair or replacement of the Products during the Warranty Period, the User will bear the return
cost. When returning the Products, Users shall specify the actual reasons for the damage to the Products, and
shall provide the corresponding valid certificates, such as pictures or videos, etc.
For the Products that need to be replaced after being confirmed by ZWO in writing, the User shall return the
Products with the complete package, together with all accessories, manuals, etc., to the address designated by
ZWO.
By sending back the product to ZWO, the User agrees to pay out-of-warranty fees that may arise during the repair
process of the product. ZWO will send back the product after charging.
2. For the Products that need to be returned for after-sales service, ZWO will provide the corresponding RMA
code for reference. ZWO will not accept any products having no RMA code that have been returned privately
without ZWO written confirmation.
3. If a User purchases the ZWO Products from a ZWO agent, the User may contact the ZWO agent directly for the
relevant after-sales service.