ZWO ASI664MC Planetary Camera Instruction Manual

ZWO ASI664MC Planetary Camera Instruction 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.

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 andimaging performance.

ASI664MC VS ASI662MC
ASI664MC can be considered as an iteration of ASI662MC. With the great improvement in sensor size andresolution, it provides a larger FOV and also results in high-quality images containing more details.

Model| 451662MC (Entry4evel)| 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.O7MP 1920×1080| 4.1SMP 2704×1536| 8.29MP 3840×2160
Pixel size| 2.9gm| 2.9pm| 2.9pm
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@l9db gain)| 0.46-5.8e (3.2e@19db gain)| 0.8-12e (2.4e#15c1b gain)
QE Peak| 91%| 91%| 91%
Full well capacity| 38.2ke| 36.Ske| 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 andstable 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.)

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 anddamaging 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

Getting to Know Your Camera

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

Camera Specifications

Quantum Efficiency & Read Noise

Quantum Efficiency

QE curve and read noise are very important parameters to measure the camera’s performance. Higher QE andlower read noise are necessary to improve the image signal-to-noise ratio.

Relative Response

Quantum Efficiency

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 252and above, the HCG mode is automatically turned on; the dynamic range is close to 11bit; the read noise can be lower than 1.0e.

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.

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 (highspeed mode). You may also set an ROI if you want even faster frame rates.

Normal mode:
12BIT ADC| High-speed
mode:
10BIT AX| 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.Sfps| 47.Ofps| 47.0fps
640 x 480| 192.9fps| 192.91ps| 301.2fps| 70.Sfps| 141.2fps| 141.2fps
320 x 240| 347.3fps| 347.3fps| 542.1fps| 283.3fps| 347.3fps| 542.1fps

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.

What’s in the Box?

• Camera body
  

• Cover
  

• **T4 Cable

**

• **1.25″ Nosepeice

**

• Quick guide
  

• **USB 3.0 Cable (2m)

**

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

Structural Dimension Diagram

Connection Methods

1. 1.25” T-mount
2. 1.25” filter (optional)
   

Warranty

1. ZWO will provide a 2-year free warranty service (Warranty Period) for ZWO products purchased by Users fromZWO (“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:

3. 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;

4. 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 anddetermine 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;

5. 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.

6. If the Products are under the following circumstances, they are not within the scope of warranty service. ZWOmay provide maintenance services to the Users:

7. The Warranty Period of the Products has expired;

8. The Products are injected into liquid or affected by moisture or corrosion;

9. 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.);

10. Disassembling, repairing by a third party, refurbishment of the Products (such as downloading erroneous firmware) without the written authorization of ZWO;

11. The product system is modified, or the maintenance notice is lost or changed;

12. Product quality problem caused by installation not following the requirements or instructions for the Products;

13. Physical damage or failure of the Products caused by the force majeure (such as strong vibration or extrusionsuch as flood, fire, earthquake, or thunder stroke);

14. 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;

15. No valid purchase invoice or warranty certificate;

16. The Products are second-hand products.

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: info@zwoptical.com.
Phone: 0512-65923102

1. For the normal repair or replacement of the Products during the Warranty Period, the User will bear the returncost. When returning the Products, Users shall specify the actual reasons for the damage to the Products, andshall 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 RMAcode 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.

References

• ZWO ASI | Support
• Guides and Manuals - Discovery Astrophotography with ZWO ASTRO

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