Image Acquisition Camera - High Speed - Fast Capture

Hello,

I am using Matlab 2012 with Image Acquisition Toolbox 2012.

I am using a generic webcam (Logitech Sphere AF) with the command

    frame=getsnapshot(obj);

for image capture with the following default properties:

% %  Device Specific Default Properties:
%     BacklightCompensation = on
%     Brightness = 128
%     Contrast = 32
%     Exposure = -7
%     ExposureMode = auto
%     Focus = 0
%     FocusMode = auto
%     FrameRate = 30.0000
%     Gain = 0
%     HorizontalFlip = off
%     Pan = 0
%     Saturation = 32
%     Sharpness = 224
%     Tilt = 0
%     VerticalFlip = off
%     WhiteBalance = 4000
%     WhiteBalanceMode = auto

I am trying to find a faster camera model and property settings, if possible on a usb connection.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a specific camera model and associated manually configured properties settings for maximum frame capture speed?

Best, Jeremy

Answer 1

[Thomas]

Jeremy,

We use the Thorlabs CMOS camera and get frame rates of several hundred Hertz using mex files, for regions of interest of 32 x 32 pixels. There is some memory management involved, and we use separate mex files for opening the camera (once per session), grabbing a frame, and closing the camera (once per session). We also have a mex file for setting the pixel clock, the exposure, and the frame rate. I don't promise it will work for you, but I've posted the files for the time being here, along with the code required to create the mex files and a demo m-file that tests it all out.

http://www.bifanofamily.com/Thorlabs_cam.zip

By the way, we also do SLM compensation through scattering media! Good luck.

[ichi]

I have problem about this post; EXACTLY how should i run the mentioned codes? I installed camera’s driver and package & Microsoft Visual C++ (2005/2008/2010 redistributed edition), but i can’t connect the camera to matlab. What is routine way to run these codes? We use matlab 2011a, a thorlabs DCC1545M camera (USB2), and want to capture image in matlab or maybe have live view. It is essential to control camera parameters. I would be thankful for any helps.

[Jethro Coulson]

Hi Thomas, thank you for posting that code. I have my camera up and running. I had some issues with compiling the mex which I think was linked to a 32 vs 64 bit problem. I solved this by replacing the uc480.lib with uc480_64.lib from the Thorlabs software instillation and replacing the mex calls with uc480_64.lib.

[Diego Ramirez]

Hi everyone

Thanks to Thomas for those files. Although I managed to compile and run code, but it seems to be super slow (~0,6 Hz). My camera is a thorlabs DCC3240 and I think some parameters have changed. I am troubleshooting right now but I have not too much experience. Which you think I should check or what parameters should I check in the mexfiles? I understand it is hard to answer but any feedback would be appreciated.

[Phong Phan]

Hi Thomas, could you upload the file again as I cannot download it now ? The server is under maintenance. I am trying to figure out how to use my Thorlabs Camera DCC1545M with Matlab but Matlab doesn't seem to recognise the camera. I could capture videos and images using Thorcam though. Any help would be really appreciate !! Thank you

[Barnaby]

I cannot find the thorlabs_cam.zip. Can it be re-uploaded or does anyone have it since I need an example to help me set up the camera Thanks

[gerard ditaranto]

i would be interested in this file also

[Walter Roberson]

Chris Stockbridge mentioned a File Exchange contribution; did you give that a try?

Answer 2

[Chris Stockbridge]

All of the files for working with the Thorlabs DCx series of cameras can now be found on the MATLAB file exchange here: Thorlabs DCx

Answer 3

[Walter Roberson]

How high are you aiming?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2191451/The-camera-TRILLION-pictures-second--making-fast-watch-beams-light-travelling-slow-motion.html

I would be almost certain this does not use a USB interface.

Answer 4

[David Tarkowski]

Your question is a little vague, but I think that this example should help you out.

Answer 5

[Jeremy]

Thank you for your response,

I am imaging the speckle pattern of light scattered through tissue from the beam output of a spatial light modulator for an adaptive optics experiment.

The modulator is controlled by an lcd with a frame rate of ~60Hz. I am trying to setup frame capture at this speed (~60Hz ; elapsed time 0.05 sec) or faster if possible. The decorrelation time constant for the tissue is 3-4secs so every little bit helps.

One option is to buy a Thorlabs DCC1545M and play with the mex interface(from previous thread below)

http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/35918

which is tricky but should enable optimization of device properties to achieve a faster frame rate.

I am searching for some specific cmos usb devices which have been shown to work with Matlab that have faster hardware performance than the above devices.

Jeremy