anyone here mod a webcam

did anyone here mod a webcam for astrophography? where abouts did you find the instructions? do you need a degree in electronics to do the mod?

There have been a few members who have tried various mods to their webcams (making them IR friendly, changing the body shape to accommodate focuser adaptation, to name a few). Try doing a search, as there have been many threads in the past about modding webcams and digital cameras.

Seanie.

fintan,

I've done a few webcam mods at this stage. Although it is not rocket science you so need the ability to solder VERY VERY small components. I mean we are talking sub millimetre Ic leads. I cannot understate just how hard this can be for the uninitiated. As a prequalification I would suggest that would have previously built some electronic circuit. Hobby kits etc. Find an old PC card you dont need anymore and practice lifting and sooldering the tiny IC leads on the surface mounted chips. Once you got that you can do the mod.

Heres a couple of links;

astro.ai-software.com/index.php?page=art...cam_III/toucam2.html

(this is the one I use)

See this too for an alternative;

www.philip.davis.dsl.pipex.com/tcp2_mods.htm

In short don;t attempt this unless you are confident with what you see on the above links, you will almost certainly ruin your webcam.

If you don't like the look of this, I strongly suggest you look in pre-modded webcams.

Perhaps off-topic but the mod/upgrade to the latest Phillips offering (SPC 900) is trivial and requires 2-3 minutes. Always remember to save the original contents of the EPROM (I have a copy available if necessary).

Anthony,
If you wouldn't mind,
What exactly are the pros & cons of modding the Philips SPC9000?

Anthony,
If you wouldn't mind,
What exactly are the pros & cons of modding the Philips SPC9000?

Hi Frank,

There is better contrast and also the interface software is much better and with greater control for the user.

If you wish I can dig out a link for the EPROM upgrade ...