PEPRBV@CFAAMP.BITNET (Bob Babcock) (06/28/88)
We would like to be able to get digitized monochrome images into our VME system running OS-9. The application is scanning the profile of a laser beam. We don't need a particularly fast way of doing this (the current method is mechanical scanning a single detector - a few seconds per point with even low resolution takes forever). I can get a frame grabber board for about $3000 from Data Translation (with no OS-9 software support), but for that price I could also buy an AT-class machine and a frame grabber. Anyone know of a cheaper alternative, or a vendor with OS-9 support?
mknox@EMX.UTEXAS.EDU (Margaret H. Knox) (06/28/88)
[I know better than to even TRY to get this mailer to reply directly to Babcock.] One option is the Ciarcia artice in Byte about 6-10 months ago. He had a digitizer (at least 256x256, probably better) for a couple of hundred dollars. It looked like a good design, complete with frame-grab. And it would hook up to anything with an RS-232 port! Kit of parts available, but even a wired assembled, tested unit (if I remember correctly) was under $400. I also have seen a few other units that work with RS-232 interface. [Dont use them myself; I digitize with a ComputerEye digitizer that does full color directly into the 68000 in an Atari ST. For $149 the ComputerEye (with DIGISPEC software) is a really impressive beast.]