VIDEO AND IMAGING

 

 

A Technical Reference Guide

 

Version 3.0

 

 

Colin Dobbyne

Courtesy of OR Networks Limited


PRINTED PAPERBACK BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST (email booklet@or-tv.net)

 

 

 

ã OR Networks Limited

www.or.tv.net

First Edition: 1995
Second Edition: 2005
Third Edition: 2007

 

 

 

Contents

contents.............................................................................................................................................................. ii

Introduction..................................................................................................................................................... 1

Specifications and Units........................................................................................................................... 3

Units......................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Specifications..................................................................................................................................................... 4

·     Camera Sensitivity...................................................................................................................................... 4

·     Video Resolution......................................................................................................................................... 5

·     Signal to Noise Ratio................................................................................................................................. 6

Image Sensors................................................................................................................................................... 9

CCD Types................................................................................................................................................................ 9

Single CCD Cameras......................................................................................................................................... 9

3-CCD Cameras.................................................................................................................................................. 10

·     Primary Colours....................................................................................................................................... 10

CCD Sizes............................................................................................................................................................... 11

Progressive scan, HD and widescreen............................................................................................... 11

Displaying HD (HD Ready)............................................................................................................................ 12

Video Signals................................................................................................................................................... 13

Analogue Encoding....................................................................................................................................... 14

·     RGB............................................................................................................................................................. 14

·     Component................................................................................................................................................. 15

·     YC................................................................................................................................................................ 15

·     Composite.................................................................................................................................................. 16

Digital Encoding............................................................................................................................................. 16

Light...................................................................................................................................................................... 17

White Light......................................................................................................................................................... 17

Colour Temperature.................................................................................................................................... 17

Coloured Light................................................................................................................................................. 18

·     Hue, Saturation and Brightness............................................................................................................ 18

Lenses................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Resolution.......................................................................................................................................................... 21

Focal Length - f............................................................................................................................................... 22

Aperture.............................................................................................................................................................. 22

F-Number.............................................................................................................................................................. 22

Depth of Field.................................................................................................................................................... 23

Optical Problems........................................................................................................................................... 24

·     Chromatic Aberrations............................................................................................................................ 24

·     Spherical Aberration............................................................................................................................... 25

·     Comatic Aberration................................................................................................................................. 25

·     Astigmatism................................................................................................................................................ 25

·     Field Curvature........................................................................................................................................ 25

·     Distortion................................................................................................................................................... 26

Lens Types............................................................................................................................................................ 26

·     Fixed Focal Length.................................................................................................................................. 26

·     Variable Focal Length............................................................................................................................ 26

·     Zoom............................................................................................................................................................ 26

·     Close-up Dioptre...................................................................................................................................... 26

Lens Summary................................................................................................................................................... 27

 

Resolution........................................................................................................................................................ 28

Movement............................................................................................................................................................ 28

Light........................................................................................................................................................................ 28

Lens Resolution............................................................................................................................................... 28

Camera Resolution....................................................................................................................................... 28

Capture Card.................................................................................................................................................... 29

Monitor................................................................................................................................................................ 29

·     CRT.............................................................................................................................................................. 29

·     LCD............................................................................................................................................................. 29

Analogue VCRs................................................................................................................................................. 30

Digital VCRs and DVD recorders........................................................................................................... 30

Printers................................................................................................................................................................ 30

·     Dye-sublimation versus inkjet?.............................................................................................................. 31

Human Eye........................................................................................................................................................... 31

Systems................................................................................................................................................................ 32

Motion Control.............................................................................................................................................. 32

Lighting................................................................................................................................................................. 32

Choosing a Lens............................................................................................................................................... 33

Choosing a Microscope Adaptor.......................................................................................................... 33

Choosing a Microscope Adaptor.......................................................................................................... 34

·     Shading...................................................................................................................................................... 34

Capture Cards.................................................................................................................................................. 35

·     Inputs.......................................................................................................................................................... 35

·     Processing Power..................................................................................................................................... 35

·     Resolution..................................................................................................................................................