PHD2 2.6.7 not connecting to Altair GPCAM2 290C

[Mark Pioli]

I have 2 Altair Cameras.  A 183C (main imaging) and GPCAM2 290C (Guiding).
This setup has worked well with PHD2 version 2.6.5 and 2.6.7 - PHD2 gives the option to pick the GPCAM2 (from a list of 2 Altair cameras) as the guide camera.

However,
After upgrading to 2.6.7, PHD2 cannot "see" the GPCAM2.  The GPCAM2 just isn't listed so I can't select it.
I'm using the "Altair" pick option from the list of cameras (ie, NOT the ASCOM driver)

I've tried this on 2 different Laptops with the same result.

The only fix is to completely uninstall PHD (2.6.7) and then re-install 2.6.6.  This fixed both Laptops.

Installing 2.6.6 over the top of 2.6.7 doesn't fix it.

Also tried just connecting the GPCAM2 with a single lead to the Laptop (ie, no hubs, no long leads, no 183C connected) - still no good.  Same result on both Laptops

I note that part of the changelog for v 2.6.7 is "•Altair cameras: update to SDK version 38.15031.2019.0706 (Windows)"
Could this be the source of the problem?

For now I'm OK guiding back on v 2.6.6 but it seems to be a problem with 2.6.7.

Logs uploaded but I'm not sure what they will shown as I can't even attempt to connect to the GPCAM2 - https://openphdguiding.org/logs/dl/PHD2_logs_qBxF.zip

[Andy Galasso]

Hi Mark,

Not sure what's going on there.  I was able to confirm that PHD2 2.6.7 is working as expected with our Altair test camera (a GP-CAM 178C3), so I am inclined towards the issue being specific to your camera model (or camera.)

I would start by installing the latest Altair camera drivers from here https://altaircameras.com/start-here/ -- the camera drivers are installed when you install AltairCapture.

Then you can install PHD2 2.6.7 and see if it works.  If not, we'll need to get Altair involved. It would be best if you could contact them directly since you have the camera. Let me know how it goes.

Andy

[Mark Pioli]

I've tried completely uninstalling and re-installing AltairCapture / Altair Drivers (latest) / PHD2 - always the same symptom.  PHD2 cannot "see" the 290C camera.

One weird thing is that my other camera is also an Altair (a 183C) and PHD can see that fine

AltairCapture, SharpCap, APT and NINA can all happily see and connect to both cameras.

The issue seems to be with PHD2.

Any ideas much appreciated.

[bw_msgboard]

Hi Mark.  I wonder if you could clarify something.  When PHD2 can’t see the camera, are both of your Altair cameras connected to the computer?  If so, could you try it with only the 290C connected?

 

Bruce

 

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[Mark Pioli]

With only the 290C connected I get the same - PHD2 won't list it as available "no altair cameras found"

AltairCapture (latest, just downloaded), SharpCap (3.2.6248) etc can all see it and connect.

I'm really suspecting the updated Altair SDK that is included in v2.6.7 - is it the latest one?.  Something similar happened last year with SharpCap (https://forums.sharpcap.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=1848)

I've got myself up and running by going back to 2.6.6 - but I'd obviously like to be on the latest.

Cheers.

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[bw_msgboard]

As Andy said, I don’t think there’s much we can do to further isolate this problem. Neither the Altair SDK nor the Altar camera drivers are things we have any control over.  The PHD2 change to pick up the latest Altair SDK was done in September 2019.  I notice that SharpCap hasn’t been updated since September 2018, so it’s unlikely it’s using this latest SDK version.  Since the earlier problem was apparently resolved by the Altair developers, I suggest you contact Altair directly to see if they can help.  

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[Mark Pioli]

I appreciate that the root cause is the Altair SDK but it seems that Altair have already fixed this problem in a later SDK version.

I note that the SDK version included in PHD v2.6.7 is 38.15031.2019.0706, I'm pretty sure this was the version causing this exact same problem with SharpCap where the 290C was not recognised.
SharpCap now includes a much newer SDK.

I think the version that fixed the problem was 39.15529.2019.906.  The Altair SDK is now at least at version 43.15988.2019.1124 (as included in the latest NINA for example).

I've done a quick test by copying altaircam.dll from my (latest) SharpCap installation directory to PHD - and the 290C is now detected and works with v2.6.7.


PS - I'm a bit confused about your comment that SharpCap has "hasn't been updated since September 2018".
The latest version of sharpcap was released on 28 Feb 2020 (and it is updated at least once every couple of months).

I guess I'll continue to use v2.6.6 until a later version of PHD includes a newer Altair SDK.

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[bw_msgboard]

Sorry, Mark, I’m not the one who deals with camera vendors and SDKs, so I wasn’t adding much value here.  Hopefully Andy will find some time to figure this out.  Thanks for the info you provided, that may speed things along.

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[Andy Galasso]

Hi Mark,

We have access to the 20190907 SDK, but I have contacted Altair to see if there is a newer version they want us to use. We'll release a an update to PHD2 including whatever SDK Altair recommends (20190907or newer.)

Andy

[Mark Pioli]

Hi Andy,
That's great news.
Thanks for speedy response
Cheers