TWO CAMERAS

[Carlesa25]

Hi: I intend to mount a second Canon camera in my configuration, there are two telescopes in parallel, a 6 "RC (narrow field) and a Refractor 90mm f / 5.5. (Wide field)
My question is: I can control the motorized focus of the two telescopes (different models) well.
The exposure times, which may be (or not) different for each camera, as well as the Dither in the mount with PHD2. will there be conflicts? Thank you.

[astroman133]

BYE can do this if you synchronize the two instances. This is discussed in detail in the user manual. You should know that this only makes sense if both instances of BYE are taking synchronized exposures with the same exposure duration, f/stop, etc. In this case the master instance sends the take picture command to the slave instance(s). So it will only work for you if the exposure parameters will work for both scope/camera combinations.

I hope that this helps.

[s3igell]

Dual Camera support is a feature of the Premium License.  It will run the Cameras in a Master-Slave configuration, in that the 1st Instance of BYE controls aspects of the Imaging Plan such as Dithering.

However, BYE also allows for Multiple BYE Instances to be run simultaneously (with no interaction / no overlap) from a Single PC (see User License).

The former would be useful when BOTH Imaging Rigs are mounted on a single Mount (side-by-side or over-under/piggy-back).  It raises challenges as the Coordination between Shutters is minimal (if Slave Exposure Plan has Longer Exposures than Master, etc)

The latter would be useful when the Two Imaging Rigs are mounted on separate Mounts, each with its own equipment (Guider, Focuser, etc).

Being able to use the BYE ASCOM Interface to control multiple ASCOM Devices such as Scope Focusers will depend more on the ASCOM Hub Implementation.

 

[astroman133]

So you want to control 2 telescopes/mounts, 2 focusers, and 2 cameras from the same PC?

The good news is that BYE is designed to be able to run 2 instances, called Camera 1 and Camera2, on the same PC. The BYE User Manual describes how to run multiple instances of BYE and if required how to slave one instance to the other.

This may not be true with control of 2 mounts and 2 focusers or running 2 instances of PHD2 on the same PC. You would need to check with the driver author for the telescopes and focusers regarding whether the driver supports multiple concurrent instances. You would also need to check with PHD2 support about running 2 instances of that application.

You should also be aware that if you find that you need a second PC to run the second setup that running BYE in 2 computers at the same time requires a second license. You should read the End User License Agreement (EULA) in the User Manual for confirmation.

[Carlesa25]

49 minutes ago, astroman133 said:

¿Entonces desea controlar 2 telescopios / monturas, 2 enfocadores y 2 cámaras desde la misma PC?

La buena noticia es que BYE está diseñado para poder ejecutar 2 instancias, llamadas Camera 1 y Camera2, en la misma PC. El Manual del usuario de BYE describe cómo ejecutar varias instancias de BYE y, si es necesario, cómo esclavizar una instancia a la otra.

Esto puede no ser cierto con el control de 2 montajes y 2 enfocadores o ejecutar 2 instancias de PHD2 en la misma PC. Debería verificar con el autor del controlador los telescopios y enfocadores si el controlador admite múltiples instancias concurrentes. También deberá consultar con el soporte de PHD2 sobre la ejecución de 2 instancias de esa aplicación.

También debe tener en cuenta que si encuentra que necesita una segunda PC para ejecutar la segunda configuración, la ejecución de BYE en 2 computadoras al mismo tiempo requiere una segunda licencia. Debe leer el Acuerdo de licencia de usuario final (EULA) en el Manual del usuario para confirmarlo.

Hi. Thanks for the answers. As I say the assembly is a single mount AZ-EQ5 GT supporting a RC 6 "+ Refractor 90mm f / 5.5 and two Canon cameras working at the same time, one in narrow field and the other in wide field.
What I see most complicated is the control of Dither with PHD2 in a single mount.

[Carlesa25]

7 minutes ago, astroman133 said:

BYE can do this if you synchronize the two instances. This is discussed in detail in the user manual. You should know that this only makes sense if both instances of BYE are taking synchronized exposures with the same exposure duration, f/stop, etc. In this case the master instance sends the take picture command to the slave instance(s). So it will only work for you if the exposure parameters will work for both scope/camera combinations.

I hope that this helps.

Hi: Thank you, I'm glad to know that; If in general this will be the case, the two cameras will work synchronized on the same field, with the same number of shots and exposure time.

[astroman133]

Yes, that is how it is designed.

[s3igell]

1 hour ago, Carlesa25 said:

Hi: Thank you, I'm glad to know that; If in general this will be the case, the two cameras will work synchronized on the same field, with the same number of shots and exposure time.

You will want to add a short (2-5sec) Pause to each Exposure in the Exposure Plan.  This is to allow both of the Cameras to Download their Images and be ready to receive the next BYE Shutter Command, even if one is Slower or if the combined data slows your USB Port(s).

[Carlesa25]

2 hours ago, s3igell said:

You will want to add a short (2-5sec) Pause to each Exposure in the Exposure Plan.  This is to allow both of the Cameras to Download their Images and be ready to receive the next BYE Shutter Command, even if one is Slower or if the combined data slows your USB Port(s).

Hello: Thank you, I understand that I will take it into account.