Helza1 - 12 July 2008 04:05 PM

Let me know how it works out, seems as if your setup if pretty identical to mine (also in size).

Yeah keep me updated! Were in the same boat, we need bright blobbage!

Well after receiving my aixiz.com laser i was hoping to finish the hardware site of my setup this week, however the lasers don’t appear to work :( So i guess i’ll have to send them back and hope the replacements will work.

So i played around a little with the lasers i got from AlexP, and took some advice from some people on the forums to use the mirror. This made a BIG difference. I still don’t get the strongest blobs around, however the blobs are more then enough work with.
So i guess thats an lesson for everyone, do not use a mirror for your camera..  (unless you have one of those special mirrors that don’t interfere with the IR).

I also read that AlexP lasers can handle anywhere between 3 and 5v, so i guess i can always try to power them at 5v instead of 3 like i’m doing now.
Downside of not being able to use the mirror for the webcam is that i’m unable to capture the complete screen. So I guess i ‘ll have to find a wider angle lens/camera. This webcam (microsoft vx-1000) won’t work anyway as its only doing 24-25fps an average on my setup :(
I’m wondering if i should buy the Microsoft VX-7000 as i has a bigger angle (71° diagonal field of view) and higher resolution. 2 megapixel (1600 x 1190 pixels) so i would expect it to run atleast 30fps at 640x480.. Although nothing is written about that :(

Unless i could find someplace to find the firefly here in the Netherlands for not too expensive ..

Helza1 - 23 July 2008 04:49 PM

Downside of not being able to use the mirror for the webcam is that i’m unable to capture the complete screen. So I guess i ‘ll have to find a wider angle lens/camera. This webcam (microsoft vx-1000) won’t work anyway as its only doing 24-25fps an average on my setup :(
I’m wondering if i should buy the Microsoft VX-7000 as i has a bigger angle (71° diagonal field of view) and higher resolution. 2 megapixel (1600 x 1190 pixels) so i would expect it to run atleast 30fps at 640x480.. Although nothing is written about that :(

Unless i could find someplace to find the firefly here in the Netherlands for not too expensive ..

I’ve been using the VX-1000 for a while now, and I have the same problem (plus more problems).  I don’t want to use the mirror with it anymore, but it has to use a mirror or a wide-angle lens to be able to see the whole screen.  Plus it’s been acting up bad lately with my new video card.  It has slow response as well. 

I didn’t want to shell out all of that money for the fire-i - so I searched ebay in the “webcams” category for “firewire”.  I found a cheap used one for $30 including shipping.  There’s more info in this thread about it:  http://nuigroup.com/forums/viewthread/2026/

Hopefully I will be able to remove the IR filter easily.

I just did a test with running at 640x480 and at 320x??? ... both give me 24-25fps.. ??? now thats odd, shouldn’t the lower resolution atleast give an higher framerate?

just did a test with running at 640x480 and at 320x??? ... both give me 24-25fps.. ???

did you change the settings in the DSVL_config.xml ?

what is chalk paper ? can’t find a useful traduction ...

I wouldn’t risk with the VX-7000. I’ve used a VX-6000 and had the very same problem with the low frame rate. It seems to be a matter of sensor sensitivity, not shutter speed itself. In fact, MS cameras have automatic exposure adjustment, so it decreases shutter speed to increase brightness, thus reducing frame rates I guess.

In my opinion, it’s just no good for MT setups.

Very nice pictures Helza!

Ok, well a small update, now that my webcam isn’t using the mirror anymore i’m getting good blobs (thanks Vlado)

See screenshot.. still not aligned 100%, but 95% or so

Too bad of the bad/broken lasers from aixiz, hoping for replacements soon. (current lasers are still at the save 3v )
And i’m still looking for a replacement webcam, maybe i’ll just buy the xbox 360 live cam..

Ordering a firefly isn’t possible right now $300 + $100 shipping is just too much. :(
Does anyone know how i can get a firefly cheaper?