Frameless version of this page

My special thanks to

David Dunham from Maryland in USA for providing a PC164C-EX2 camera. So I could make many tests and comparison measurements.
Dave Gault from Hawkesbury Heights, NSW in Australia for sending me a IOTA-VTI Demo3 video time inserter device.
Eugene Mroz from Santa Fe, NM in USA for providing his Mallincam MCH Plus Color. The Mallincam could be tested and timing was measured in several recordings.
Helmut Denzau from Panker in Germany. The first EXTA measurements on his Mintron 12V1C-EX camera, made during ESOP 2011 in Berlin - Archenhold observatory, showed me the basics about the internal exposure control of this analog video camera.
Hristo Pavlov from Sydney, Australia for timing measurements on the WAT-910BD camera and sharing the results.
Olivier Thizy from Revel in France for providing a brand new WAT-910HX/RC video camera for many measurements and comparison with previous WAT-120N.
Stefano Sposetti from Gnosca in Swiss for test recordings in 2010 with his WAT-120N+. His measurements confirmed that a WAT-120N and the newer WAT-120N+ camera are working identical in the same modes.
Terrence Redding from West Palm Beach in USA for providing two new integrating cameras. His PC165DNR and SCB2000N cameras could be tested and compared in many recordings.
Tony George from Pasco in USA, for providing a complete Canon ZR65 NTSC camcorder setup. So I could make DV recordings with several cameras and compare the recordings with DV compression with uncompressed video grabber direct harddisc recordings.
Wolfgang Rothe from Berlin in Germany for providing his Mintron 12V1C-EX video camera in summer 2012. So I could make all the exposure timing measurements with EXTA.

Without providing all this equipment, many of the measurement and test results presented on this page and on some other pages would not have been possible.
G. Dangl, November 2013

Some terms used in this page

UTC ... Universal Time Coordinated
GPS ... Global Positioning System
VTI ... Video Time Inserter
PAL ... Video colour standard using 50 fields or 25 frames per second (Phase Alternating Line)
NTSC ... Video colour standard using 59.94 fields or 29.97 frames per second (National Television Systems Committee)
CCIR ... Monochrom (B/W) version of PAL (Consultative Committee for International Radio)
EIA ... Monochrom (B/W) version of NTSC (Electronic Industries Association)
field ... two interlaced video fields, odd and even, form a complete video image also named as video frame
Odd ... first interlaced video field with odd numbered lines of a video frame counted from top as 1, 3, 5, ...
Even ... second interlaced video field with even numbered lines of a video frame counted from top as 2, 4, 6, ...
frame ... complete video image consisting of two interlaced Odd and Even video fields

Preamble
This page was primarily made for help in exposure time analysis of astronomy video records. To get results as accurate as possible we have to know about the relationship between the real exposure time in the camera and the time inserted in the analog camera output signal by the VTI device.

Video exposure, time insertion, digitizing and recording

Typical methodes for video recording with time insertion

Video Time Inserter - VTI time stamping

Example of a short star occultation with camera exposure, signal output and the VTI time stamping

The problem of combining wrong fields to frames

How to determine in which combine sequence the used video system works

The use of field delay for field combine correction

It is recommended to read all the points listed above in chronically order before the useage of any camera specific exposure and timing information below.

Timing details and diagrams for video cameras

The video cameras listed below, have been measured until now with my special EXposure Time Analyzer device EXTA. And some of them also with my special Digital Artifical Star COntrol device DASCO.
All the camera specific diagrams and time values on this page for video time evaluation are usable if the VTI device works as shown in the diagrams 2 or 3 below and if the video can be analyzed in a field to frame combining sequence A as shown in the diagram 4 below.

Video camera type	Integration function
WAT-120N	Yes
WAT-120N+	Yes
WAT-910HX	Yes
WAT-910BD	Yes
Mintron 12V1C-EX	Yes
PC165DNR	Yes
SCB-2000N	Yes
Mallincam MCH Plus Color	Yes
WAT-902H2 Ultimate	No
SuperCircuits PC164CEX-2	No
Modul SK-1004XC/SO	No

Typical methodes for video recording with time insertion

Diagram 1

Video Time Inserters (VTI) using GPS time are working very accurate and are able to time stamp every single video field of the analog video signal with an individual UTC time in a tolerance range of +/- 1 millisecond. The millisecond time value is derived from the GPS time signal and an internal counter running with quarz oscillator accuracy.

The inserted millisecond time value is derived from UTC and video signal

Diagram 1b

A VTI device only inserts time stamps in the current video field signal but never will add a delay to the video signal. So the signal is always passing through the VTI without any noteworthy delay action (see diagram 2 for the behaviour of some well known VTI devices below).

VTI time stamping of an output sequence of a normal non integrating analog video camera without any internal delay
(Normal non integrating analog video camera starts the video field output immediately after the end of the field exposure)

Diagram 2

The diagram 2 above shows how this six VTI devices are time stamping the video fields from a non integrating camera with a normal/undelayed output signal.

KIWI-OSD VTI		inserts two time stamps representing the start time of the previous field output and the start time of the current field output.
Sven Anderson VTI		inserts one time stamp representing the start time of the current field output.
IOTA VTI		inserts one time stamp representing the start time of the current field output.
Cuno VTI		inserts one time stamp representing the start time of the previous field output. But the time stamp of the field before remains visible beside as an earlier time value. So always use only the later time stamp.
TIM-10 VTI		inserts one time stamp representing the start time of the previous field output and one time stamp beside the letter O or E, representing the exposure start time of the current visible field.
GPSBOXSPRITE3 (1 or 3 line display)		inserts a time stamp representing the start time of the current field output.
GPSBOXSPRITE3 (2 or 4 line display)		inserts two time stamps representing the start time of the previous field output and the start time of the current field output.

Example of a short star occultation with camera exposure, signal output and the VTI time stamping

Diagram 3

The example in diagram 3 shows the typical exposure and signal output of a non integrating analog video camera without any internal delay. Immediately after the exposure end every odd or even video field signal will be transmitted at the camera output. The video field will be time stamped in the VTI with the times of the previous field. So the inserted time represents the real exposure time in the camera. I think beside the four well known Video Time Inserter mentioned above many other VTI devices are time stamping in the same way, but may be not all. So before you use the tables of this page the time stamping behaviour of the used VTI device must be well known.

One pair of an odd and an even video field are interlaced to a full video frame. If the wrong pair of fields are interlaced to a full frame the image quality will be worsen. And if this happens in a signal of an integrating video camera different integration times will be represented by the consecutive video frames. This makes the video evaluation and time analysis more difficult and inaccurate.

The problem of combining wrong fields to frames

Diagram 4

The problem of wrong fields combined to frames is shown in diagram 4 and can occur in the recording or digitizing process. Possible reasons are the involved camera, recording hardware or the software driver. In short, all parts of the used video system. To avoid inaccurate video time evaluation the field combining behaviour of the used system should be known. While the combine error does not really affect the time evaluation of non integrated videos it can worse the time accuracy of integrated videos. With a video software like free VirtualDub the field combine behaviour of a video recording system can be determined. And with VirtualDub it can be also corrected for the video time evaluation later. This can be easy done with the use of the filter "field delay". So I would suggest to use VirtualDub for field combine correction later if needed. If a software like Limovie or Tangra is used to analyze the video file a new video file with corrected field order should be created and stored with VirtualDub.

How to determine in which combine sequence the used video system works

Here are the steps for the simple setup and test recording:

1.) Set an integrating camera to exposure over four fields or two frames. There is no need of a lens or a telescope mounted. The camera can be used on a desk with CCD front covered. But if the video image is too dark without any noise visible the cover should be opened a little bit to get some noise visible in the video.

2.) A VTI should be placed in the video output signal line as for a normal event recording. But there is no need for a GPS fix. It is only important to see the VTI field counter running and the numbers inserted in the recorded video fields.

3.) The software used for recording should be VirtualDub or an other video software with some similar features. The individual two fields of every video frame must be visible later. With VirtualDub it is possible to step frame per frame through the video and showing both fields of every frame separated but at once on a PC display. And with the use of VirtualDub it is possible to change the wrong field combine order B to the right field combine order A later if neccessary. Therefor only a special field delay filter has to be activated in VirtualDub.

4.) A short test recording of about 100 video frames should be long enough.

5.) The recorded test video must be opened again with VirtualDub. The video filter "ViewFields" has to be activated. Now it is possible to step through the video with left or right cursor buttons of the PC keypad and to see the individual fields of every frame like in diagram 5. The additional use of the filter for brightness and contrast can help to make the noise pattern better visible.

CCIR video frame with both fields visible

Diagram 5

If a noise pattern change is visible in every frame step but only in one of the two fields, the video grabber works wrong like in the sequence B in the diagram 4 above. But if a noise change is visible only every second frame step and in both fields simultaneously the video grabber works right like in the sequence A in diagram 4. Important note, this description fits only if the integrating camera surely worked in four fields or two frames integrating during recording.

The use of field delay for field combine correction

For a recording system which is producing videos like sequence B, a special field delay setting has to be done in VirtualDub for time evaluation. But you must not use any field delay if your system works right like sequence A!

The steps for a field delay setting (sequence B only).

1.) Open the video file in VirtualDub

2.) Menue Video => Filters => Add => field delay. Select BFF to TFF or TFF to BFF. Which setting is the right one can be checked later with both fields visible. So to turn this ViewFields feature on will be the next step.

3.) Menue Video => Filters => Add => ViewFields. Now both video fields with the two field numbers of every frame are visble. If the field delay setting was right the two field numbers of a frame are consecutive without a gap between. For instance #331894 and #331895. But if the field delay setting was the wrong one, there is a gap now between the two field numbers of a frame. For instance #331896 and #331893.

4.) Write up and remember the right setting. It should be used for all videos recorded with the same video setup. But if there was a change of the camera, video digitizer, PC system or software, the digitizing sequence A or B should be determined again as described above. And in the case of working in wrong field combine sequence B the right field delay setting for correction should be determined also again.

Three demo videos showing the effects of different field combining

Video with wrong field combine sequence B. The reason for field delay corrections before time evaluation. Video not yet corrected.		Video sequence B with right field delay correction. Consecutive field numbers. Looks like a right sequence A now. Corrected with bottom field first to top field first (BFF to TFF)		Video sequence B with wrong field delay correction. Gap between field numbers. Must not be used. Corrected with top field first to bottom field first (TFF to BFF)
Right click on a thumbnail above to download and save the avi video file (< 0.5MB) and step through it with VirtualDub later

Video camera WAT-120N and WAT-120N+

WAT-120N with 1.25" Adapter and cable control box

This integrating video camera has an internal delay.

Correction tables for selection:
Use the correction value from a table below to calculate the real event time from inserted video time. Moving throught the video in steps of fields or frames you can also select the right tolerance value.

If a WAT-120N+ camera works with shortened exposure times (High 2-6), the shortened exposure window will always be placed at the end of a video field. Because an event could have occurred or started in the unexposured part of a video field before the exposured part it may be appropriate to give correction and tolerance times in Modes High 2-6 to the same values as in Mode High 1.

Important notes:
All times used for video evaluation in step by step are assumed to be the mid time of a video field or a video frame. The only difference between working in field or frame step is that the given tolerance field is slightly different. So for this difference also two tolerance time columns are included in every correction table.

Example
WAT-120N+ (CCIR) in Mode Slow 4 (Integrating 16 video fields or 8 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:        22:05:17.654
Event frame VTI end time:          22:05:17.694
Event frame video mid time:   Vt = 22:05:17.674
Values from the table:        It = 0.320s, Ct = -0.190s, Tolerance = ±0.170s
Real event time to report:    Rt = Vt + Ct = 22:05:17.484 (±0.170s)

Table WAT-120N  (CCIR)
Table WAT-120N+ (CCIR)
Table WAT-120N   (EIA)
Table WAT-120N+  (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for all types of WAT-120N cameras

WAT-120N   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
Off	0.020	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
Frame 1	0.040	-0.050	-0.050	±0.020	±0.030
Frame 2	0.080	-0.070	-0.070	±0.040	±0.050
Frame 4	0.160	-0.110	-0.110	±0.080	±0.090
Frame 8	0.320	-0.190	-0.190	±0.160	±0.170
Frame 16	0.640	-0.350	-0.350	±0.320	±0.330
Frame 32	1.280	-0.670	-0.670	±0.640	±0.650
Frame 64	2.560	-1.310	-1.310	±1.280	±1.290
Frame 128	5.120	-2.590	-2.590	±2.560	±2.570
Frame 256	10.240	-5.150	-5.150	±5.120	±5.130

WAT-120N+   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
High 6	0.0005	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
High 5	0.001	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
High 4	0.002	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
High 3	0.004	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
High 2	0.008	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
High 1	0.020	-0.040	-0.040	±0.010	±0.020
Slow 1	0.040	-0.050	-0.050	±0.020	±0.030
Slow 2	0.080	-0.070	-0.070	±0.040	±0.050
Slow 3	0.160	-0.110	-0.110	±0.080	±0.090
Slow 4	0.320	-0.190	-0.190	±0.160	±0.170
Slow 5	0.640	-0.350	-0.350	±0.320	±0.330
Slow 6	1.280	-0.670	-0.670	±0.640	±0.650
Slow 7	2.560	-1.310	-1.310	±1.280	±1.290
Slow 8	5.120	-2.590	-2.590	±2.560	±2.570
Slow 9	10.240	-5.150	-5.150	±5.120	±5.130

WAT-120N   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
Off	0.017	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
Frame 1	0.033	-0.042	-0.042	±0.017	±0.025
Frame 2	0.067	-0.058	-0.058	±0.033	±0.042
Frame 4	0.134	-0.092	-0.092	±0.067	±0.075
Frame 8	0.267	-0.159	-0.159	±0.134	±0.142
Frame 16	0.534	-0.292	-0.292	±0.267	±0.275
Frame 32	1.068	-0.559	-0.559	±0.534	±0.542
Frame 64	2.136	-1.093	-1.093	±1.068	±1.076
Frame 128	4.271	-2.161	-2.161	±2.136	±2.144
Frame 256	8.542	-4.296	-4.296	±4.271	±4.279

WAT-120N+   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
High 6	0.0005	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
High 5	0.001	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
High 4	0.002	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
High 3	0.004	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
High 2	0.008	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
High 1	0.017	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
Slow 1	0.033	-0.042	-0.042	±0.017	±0.025
Slow 2	0.067	-0.058	-0.058	±0.033	±0.042
Slow 3	0.134	-0.092	-0.092	±0.067	±0.075
Slow 4	0.267	-0.159	-0.159	±0.134	±0.142
Slow 5	0.534	-0.292	-0.292	±0.267	±0.275
Slow 6	1.068	-0.559	-0.559	±0.534	±0.542
Slow 7	2.136	-1.093	-1.093	±1.068	±1.076
Slow 8	4.271	-2.161	-2.161	±2.136	±2.144
Slow 9	8.542	-4.296	-4.296	±4.271	±4.279

Timing diagrams for all types of WAT-120N cameras

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera WAT-120N

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera WAT-910HX and WAT-910BD

WAT-910HX/RC with cable control box

WAT-910BD version in different views

This integrating video cameras have an internal delay.

Correction tables for selection:
Use the correction value from a table below to calculate the real event time from inserted video time. Moving throught the video in steps of fields or frames you can also select the right tolerance value.

If a WAT-910 camera works with shortened exposure times down to 10µs, the shortened exposure window will always be placed at the end of a video field. Because an event could have occurred or started in the unexposured part of a video field before the exposured part it may be appropriate to give correction and tolerance times for shortened exposure times to the same values as in normal video timing.

Important notes:
All times used for video evaluation in step by step are assumed to be the mid time of a video field or a video frame. It is important to use the right correction time and the right tolerance value working in field or in frame step evaluation.

Example
WAT-910 (CCIR) in Mode X4 (Integrating 4 video fields or 2 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:      22:48:59.569
Event frame VTI end time:        22:48:59.609
Event frame VTI mid time:   Vt = 22:48:59.589
Values from the table:      It = 0.080s, Ct = -0.060s, Tolerance = ±0.040s
Real event time to report:  Rt = Vt + Ct = 22:48:59.529 (±0.040s)

Table WAT-910  (CCIR)
Table WAT-910   (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for all types of WAT-910 cameras

Download extra pdf file: Timing diagrams and tables for any WAT-910 when in use with commonly known VTIs

WAT-910HX and WAT-910BD   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
1/50s	0.020	-0.020	-0.020	±0.010	±0.020
x2	0.040	-0.030	-0.040	±0.020	±0.020
x4	0.080	-0.050	-0.060	±0.040	±0.040
x8	0.160	-0.090	-0.100	±0.080	±0.080
x16	0.320	-0.170	-0.180	±0.160	±0.160
x32	0.640	-0.330	-0.340	±0.320	±0.320
x64	1.280	-0.650	-0.660	±0.640	±0.640
x128	2.560	-1.290	-1.300	±1.280	±1.280
x256	5.080	-2.550	-2.560	±2.540	±2.540

Note: In the mode x256 the WAT-910 camera integrates only 254 fields or 127 frames

WAT-910HX and WAT-910BD   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
1/60s	0.017	-0.017	-0.017	±0.008	±0.017
x2	0.033	-0.025	-0.033	±0.017	±0.017
x4	0.067	-0.042	-0.050	±0.033	±0.033
x8	0.134	-0.075	-0.083	±0.067	±0.067
x16	0.267	-0.142	-0.150	±0.134	±0.134
x32	0.534	-0.275	-0.284	±0.267	±0.267
x64	1.068	-0.542	-0.551	±0.534	±0.534
x128	2.136	-1.076	-1.084	±1.068	±1.068
x256	4.238	-2.127	-2.135	±2.119	±2.119

Note: In the mode x256 the WAT-910 camera integrates only 254 fields or 127 frames

Timing diagrams for all types of WAT-910 cameras

How to read the timing diagrams of the WAT-910 cameras

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera MINTRON 12V1C-EX

The measured integrating analog CCIR video camera MINTRON 12V1C-EX

In my measurements with the EXTA this integrating video camera Mintron 12V1C-EX showed a quite different behaviour in comparison to the integrating video camera WAT-120N.

There is no internal additional delay between exposure end and output start like in the WAT-120N.

In all integration modes the odd and even field storages are exposured simultaneously. So all the odd and even field contents in the output signal are equal within one integration sequence.

The integration time chosen by the user in the camera OSD menue setting point "SENSE UP" is used only as a maximum value by the internal camera electronics. This camera always works in automatic mode and so makes it's own decision about the real length of an integration sequence. The real integration sequence and the real exposure length used by the camera is dependent of the recorded image brightness.

The real used integration sequence length is varied in steps of 2*n fields or n frames. But within one integration sequence the real exposure time can be additional shortened up to nearly 2 fields or one frame. In this case the real exposure has a delayed start within the integration sequence. The raw tuning of the exposure time is done in frame steps and the fine tuning is done with a delayed start (<1 frame time) in the integrating sequence.

The change of the real integration sequence length or of the real exposure duration after a setting change or an image brightness change can be very slow and so can last up to minutes until it is in a stable state.

The output of an integrated sequence always starts immediately after the end of this sequence with the next video field. There is no internal additional delay between integration sequence end and output sequence start like in a WAT-120N camera.

On dark night sky recordings with only stars in the image the camera mostly will use the maximum length from OSD menue setting for exposure. But with bright objects like a moon terminator, a planet disk or a filtered sun disk in the image, the real used exposure time could be shorter than chosen in the OSD menue setting.

Evaluation of a Mintron video recording

1.) If no integration mode was used (SENSE UP = OFF) simple report the mid time of the frame or the field where the event is visible.

2.) In all integration modes from X2 up to X128 determine the real number of recorded frames in the integration sequence during the event time. For this, one has to step through the video in single frame steps. Never trust the OSD menue "SENSE UP" setting value without a frame check of the finally recorded video.

3.) The video frame where an event is visible first is also the first frame of a new integration sequence output.

Example
MINTRON 12V1C-EX (CCIR) in Mode X4 (Integrating 4 video fields or 2 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:      23:56:29.593
Event frame VTI end time:        23:56:29.633
Event frame VTI mid time:   Vt = 23:56:29.613
Values from the table:      It = 0.080s, Ct = -0.040s, Tolerance = ±0.040s
Real event time to report:  Rt = Vt + Ct = 23:56:29.573 (±0.040s)

Table MINTRON 12V1C-EX  (CCIR)
Table MINTRON 12V1C-EX   (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for all types of MINTRON 12V1C-EX cameras

Mintron 12V1C-EX   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
OFF	0.020	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
x2	0.040	-0.010	-0.020	±0.020	±0.020
x4	0.080	-0.030	-0.040	±0.040	±0.040
x6 ***	0.120	-0.050	-0.060	±0.060	±0.060
x8	0.160	-0.070	-0.080	±0.080	±0.080
x12 ***	0.200	-0.090	-0.100	±0.100	±0.100
x16 ***	0.320	-0.150	-0.160	±0.160	±0.160
x24 ***	0.480	-0.230	-0.240	±0.240	±0.240
x32	0.640	-0.310	-0.320	±0.320	±0.320
x48 ***	0.960	-0.470	-0.480	±0.480	±0.480
x64	1.280	-0.630	-0.640	±0.640	±0.640
x96 ***	1.880	-0.930	-0.940	±0.940	±0.940
x128	2.560	-1.270	-1.280	±1.280	±1.280

*** This red marked modes should not be used for astronomical recordings with the purpose for time or magnitude measurements. Integration time and exposure time can be different from the nominal values shown in the tables. See the timing diagrams for the details.

Mintron 12V1C-EX   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
OFF	0.017	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
x2	0.033	-0.008	-0.017	±0.017	±0.017
x4	0.067	-0.025	-0.033	±0.033	±0.033
x6 ***	0.100	-0.042	-0.050	±0.050	±0.050
x8	0.134	-0.058	-0.067	±0.067	±0.067
x12 ***	0.167	-0.075	-0.083	±0.083	±0.083
x16 ***	0.267	-0.125	-0.134	±0.134	±0.134
x24 ***	0.400	-0.192	-0.200	±0.200	±0.200
x32	0.534	-0.259	-0.267	±0.267	±0.267
x48 ***	0.801	-0.392	-0.400	±0.400	±0.400
x64	1.068	-0.526	-0.534	±0.534	±0.534
x96 ***	1.568	-0.776	-0.784	±0.784	±0.784
x128	2.135	-1.059	-1.068	±1.068	±1.068

*** This red marked modes should not be used for astronomical recordings with the purpose for time or magnitude measurements. Integration time and exposure time can be different from the nominal values shown in the tables. See the timing diagrams for the details.

Timing diagrams for all types of the MINTRON 12V1C-EX

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera MINTRON 12V1C-EX

Although image contents were very dark, in some integration modes a strange timing behaviour was detected. In this modes the camera worked with reduced frame numbers or unexposured time holes in the sequences. The comments in the diagrams about this measured variations are in red. Exposure hole values in ms are determined from a CCIR camera measurement. If there is a choice, this red commented modes x6, x12, x16, x24, x48 and x96 should not be used for astronomical recordings with time or magnitude measurements.

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera PC165DNR
EIA

This integrating video camera has an internal delay.

Correction tables for selection:
Use the correction value from a table below to calculate the real event time from inserted video time. Moving throught the video in steps of fields or frames you can also select the right tolerance value.

If a PC165DNR camera works with shortened exposure times down to 10µs, the shortened exposure window will always be placed at the end of a video field. Because an event could have occurred or started in the unexposured part of a video field before the exposured part it may be appropriate to give correction and tolerance times for shortened exposure times to the same values as in normal video timing.

Important notes:
All times used for video evaluation in step by step are assumed to be the mid time of a video field or a video frame. It is important to use the right correction time and the right tolerance value working in field or in frame step evaluation.

Example
PC165DNR (EIA) in Mode X8 (Integrating 8 video fields or 4 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:      23:48:46.737
Event frame VTI end time:        22:48:46.770
Event frame VTI mid time:   Vt = 22:48:46.753
Values from the table:      It = 0.134s, Ct = -0.083s, Tolerance = ±0.067s
Real event time to report:  Rt = Vt + Ct = 22:48:46.670 (±0.067s)

Table PC165DNR (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for PC165DNR camera

PC165DNR   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
1/60s	0.017	-0.017	-0.017	±0.008	±0.017
x2	0.033	-0.025	-0.033	±0.017	±0.017
x4	0.067	-0.042	-0.050	±0.033	±0.033
x8	0.134	-0.075	-0.083	±0.067	±0.067
x16	0.267	-0.142	-0.150	±0.134	±0.134
x32	0.534	-0.275	-0.284	±0.267	±0.267
x64	1.068	-0.542	-0.551	±0.534	±0.534
x128	2.136	-1.076	-1.084	±1.068	±1.068
x256	4.271	-2.144	-2.152	±2.136	±2.136

Timing diagrams for PC165DNR camera

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera PC165DNR

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera SCB-2000N
EIA

This integrating video camera has an internal delay.

Correction tables for selection:
Use the correction value from a table below to calculate the real event time from inserted video time. Moving throught the video in steps of fields or frames you can also select the right tolerance value.

If a SCB-2000N camera works with shortened exposure times down to 10µs, the shortened exposure window will always be placed at the end of a video field. Because an event could have occurred or started in the unexposured part of a video field before the exposured part it may be appropriate to give correction and tolerance times for shortened exposure times to the same values as in normal video timing.

The integration time chosen by the user in the camera OSD menue setting point "SENSE UP" is used only as a maximum value by the internal camera electronics. This camera always works in automatic mode and so makes it's own decision about the real length of an integration sequence. The real integration sequence and the real exposure length used by the camera is dependent of the recorded image brightness.

The change of the real integration sequence length after a setting change or an image brightness change can be very slow and so can last up to minutes until it is in a stable state. This behaviour has also been previously observed in the Mintron.

Important notes:
All times used for video evaluation in step by step are assumed to be the mid time of a video field or a video frame. It is important to use the right correction time and the right tolerance value working in field or in frame step evaluation.

Example
SCB2000N (EIA) in Mode X8 (Integrating 8 video fields or 4 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:      01:20:54.606
Event frame VTI end time:        01:20:54.640
Event frame VTI mid time:   Vt = 01:20:54.623
Values from the table:      It = 0.134s, Ct = -0.100s, Tolerance = ±0.067s
Real event time to report:  Rt = Vt + Ct = 01:20:54.523 (±0.067s)

Table SCB-2000N   (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for SCB-2000N camera

SCB-2000N   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
1/60s	0.017	-0.033	-0.033	±0.008	±0.017
x2	0.033	-0.042	-0.050	±0.017	±0.017
x4	0.067	-0.058	-0.067	±0.033	±0.033
x6	0.100	-0.075	-0.083	±0.050	±0.050
x8	0.134	-0.092	-0.100	±0.067	±0.067
x10	0.167	-0.108	-0.117	±0.083	±0.083
x12	0.200	-0.125	-0.134	±0.100	±0.100
x14	0.234	-0.142	-0.150	±0.117	±0.117
x16	0.267	-0.159	-0.167	±0.134	±0.134
x24	0.400	-0.225	-0.234	±0.200	±0.200
x32	0.534	-0.292	-0.300	±0.267	±0.267
x64	1.068	-0.559	-0.567	±0.534	±0.534
x128	2.136	-1.093	-1.101	±1.068	±1.068
x256	4.271	-2.161	-2.169	±2.136	±2.136
x512	8.542	-4.296	-4.304	±4.271	±4.271

Timing diagrams for SCB-2000N camera

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera SCB-2000N

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera Mallincam MCH Plus Color

The measured integrating analog EIA video camera Mallincam MCH Plus Color

Example
Mallincam MCH Plus Color (EIA) in Mode X4 (Integrating 4 video fields or 2 video frames)
Event frame VTI start time:      23:44:24.521
Event frame VTI end time:        23:44:24.554
Event frame VTI mid time:   Vt = 23:44:24.538
Values from the table:      It = 0.067s, Ct = -0.050s, Tolerance = ±0.033s
Real event time to report:  Rt = Vt + Ct = 23:44:24.488 (±0.033s)

Table Mallincam MCH Plus Color  (CCIR)
Table Mallincam MCH Plus Color   (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for all types of Mallincam MCH Plus Color cameras

Mallincam MCH Plus Color   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
OFF	0.020	-0.020	-0.020	±0.010	±0.020
x2	0.040	-0.030	-0.040	±0.020	±0.020
x4	0.080	-0.050	-0.060	±0.040	±0.040
x6 ***	0.120	-0.070	-0.080	±0.060	±0.060
x8	0.160	-0.090	-0.100	±0.080	±0.080
x12 ***	0.200	-0.110	-0.120	±0.100	±0.100
x16	0.320	-0.170	-0.180	±0.160	±0.160
x24 ***	0.480	-0.250	-0.260	±0.240	±0.240
x32	0.640	-0.330	-0.340	±0.320	±0.320
x48 ***	0.960	-0.490	-0.500	±0.480	±0.480
x64	1.280	-0.650	-0.660	±0.640	±0.640
x96 ***	1.880	-0.950	-0.960	±0.940	±0.940
x128	2.560	-1.290	-1.300	±1.280	±1.280

*** This red marked modes should not be used for astronomical recordings with the purpose for time or magnitude measurements. Integration time and exposure time can be different from the nominal values shown in the tables. See the timing diagrams for the details.

Mallincam MCH Plus Color   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
OFF	0.017	-0.017	-0.017	±0.008	±0.017
x2	0.033	-0.025	-0.033	±0.017	±0.017
x4	0.067	-0.042	-0.050	±0.033	±0.033
x6 ***	0.100	-0.058	-0.067	±0.050	±0.050
x8	0.134	-0.075	-0.083	±0.067	±0.067
x12 ***	0.167	-0.092	-0.100	±0.083	±0.083
x16	0.267	-0.142	-0.150	±0.134	±0.134
x24 ***	0.400	-0.209	-0.217	±0.200	±0.200
x32	0.534	-0.275	-0.284	±0.267	±0.267
x48 ***	0.801	-0.409	-0.417	±0.400	±0.400
x64	1.068	-0.542	-0.551	±0.534	±0.534
x96 ***	1.568	-0.793	-0.801	±0.784	±0.784
x128	2.135	-1.076	-1.084	±1.068	±1.068

*** This red marked modes should not be used for astronomical recordings with the purpose for time or magnitude measurements. Integration time and exposure time can be different from the nominal values shown in the tables. See the timing diagrams for the details.

Timing diagrams for all types of the Mallincam MCH Plus Color

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera Mallincam MCH Plus Color

Although image contents were very dark, in some integration modes a strange timing behaviour was detected. In this modes the camera worked with reduced frame numbers or unexposured time holes in the sequences. The comments in the diagrams about this measured variations are in red. Exposure hole values in ms are determined from a EIA camera measurement. If there is a choice, this red commented modes x6, x12, x24, x48 and x96 should not be used for astronomical recordings with time or magnitude measurements.

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera WAT-902H2 Ultimate

No internal delay in this video camera.
In electronic shutter mode OFF the two KIWI-OSD timestampes in the video fields on output specify exactly the start and the end of optical exposure time in this video field. As in most video cameras a time shift between exposure window and V-sync signal of around 0.84 millisecond exists (value determined with VEXA). But no correction of time is necessary because inserted time is equal to the time of optical event +/- 1ms.

In electronic shutter ON/Mode 0-7 exposure times can be set to different shorter values. If working with shortened exposure times it is possible that a short event is missed by the video camera.

In electronic shutter ON/Mode 8-9 exposure time is automatic controlled. Because the exact exposure time is unknown we have always to assume and use the longest possible exposure time with the largest tolerance value. If camera is working in automatic controll with shortened exposure times it is possible that a short event is missed by the video camera.

If a WAT-902H2 Ultimate camera works with shortened exposure times (ON/0-9), the shortened exposure window will always be placed at the end of a video field. Because an event could have occurred or started in the unexposured part of a video field before the exposured part it may be appropriate to give tolerance times in Modes ON/0-9 to the same values as in Mode OFF.

Important notes:
All times used for video evaluation in step by step are assumed to be the mid time of a video field or a video frame. The only difference between working in field or frame step is that the given tolerance has to be expanded by one video field time if frame timing is used. So for this difference two tolerance time columns are included in every correction table.

Example
WAT-902H2 Ultimate (EIA) in Mode Off (normal timing)
Event frame VTI start time:        17:38:09.243
Event frame VTI end time:          17:38:09.276
Event frame video mid time:   Vt = 17:38:09.260
Values from the table:        It = 0.017s, Ct = 0s, Tolerance = ±0.017s
Real event time to report:    Rt = Vt + Ct = 17:38:09.260 (±0.017s)

Table WAT-902H2 Ultimate  (CCIR)
Table WAT-902H2 Ultimate  (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for all types of WAT-902H2 Ultimate cameras

WAT-902H2 Ultimate   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
Off	0.020	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/0	0.008	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/1	0.004	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/2	0.002	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/3	0.001	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/4	500 µs	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/5	200 µs	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/6	100 µs	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/7	10 µs	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/8	10 µs - 20ms	0	0	±0.010	±0.020
ON/9	10 µs - 8ms	0	0	±0.010	±0.020

WAT-902H2 Ultimate   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
Off	0.017	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/0	0.008	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/1	0.004	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/2	0.002	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/3	0.001	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/4	500 µs	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/5	200 µs	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/6	100 µs	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/7	10 µs	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/8	10 µs - 17ms	0	0	±0.008	±0.017
ON/9	10 µs - 10ms	0	0	±0.008	±0.017

Timing diagrams for all types of WAT-902H2 Ultimate cameras

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera WAT-902H2 Ultimate

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera PC164C-EX2
EIA

No internal delay in this video camera.
The two KIWI-OSD timestampes in the video fields on output specify exactly the start and the end time of the video fields in which the optical exposures occured. And the time inserted by the IOTA-VTI device shows the exposure end time of every video field as expected.

In this video camera the exposure time is automatic controlled in the range of 10µs to 16.7ms. In typical astronomical night recordings the longest exposure time of 16.7ms can be assumed. And because the exact exposure time is unknown we have always to assume and use the longest possible exposure time with the largest tolerance value. If working with shortened exposure times on bright image contents this camera starts optical exposure delayed in every video field. So in this case it would be possible that a very short event is missed by the video camera.

Example
PC164C-EX2 (EIA)
Event frame VTI start time:        23:08:57.104 
Event frame VTI end time:          23:08:57.137
Event field video mid time:   Vt = 23:08:57.121
Values from the table:        It = 0.034s, Ct = 0s, Tolerance = ±0.017s
Real event time to report:    Rt = Vt + Ct = 23:08:57.121 (±0.017s)

Table PC164C-EX2  (EIA)

Video timing diagrams for PC164C-EX2 camera

Video camera PC164C-EX2   (EIA)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)	Evaluation in fields (0.017s)	Evaluation in frames (0.033s)
Automatic	0.00001 - 0.0167	0	0	±0.008	±0.017

Timing diagram for video camera PC164C-EX2
EIA

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera PC164C-EX2

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Video camera modul SK-1004XC/SO
CCIR

No internal delay in this video modul.
The two KIWI-OSD timestampes in the video fields on output specify exactly the start and the end of optical exposure time in this video field. As in most video cameras a time shift between exposure window and V-sync signal of around 0.76 millisecond exists (value determined with VEXA). But no correction of time is necessary because inserted time is equal to the time of optical event +/- 1ms. The video timing of this video module, runs a little bit too slow, for the first three seconds after power ON.

In this video camera modul the exposure time is automatic controlled in the range of 10µs to 20ms. Because the exact exposure time is unknown we have always to assume and use the longest possible exposure time with the largest tolerance value. If working with shortened exposure times it is possible that a short event is missed by the video camera modul.

Example
SK-1004XC/SO (CCIR)
Event frame VTI start time:        20:07:44.038
Event frame VTI end time:          20:07:44.078
Event field video mid time:   Vt = 20:07:44.058
Values from the table:        It = 0.040s, Ct = 0s, Tolerance = ±0.020s
Real event time to report:    Rt = Vt + Ct = 20:07:44.058 (±0.020s)

Table Modul SK-1004X  (CCIR)

Video timing diagrams for Modul SK-1004X

Video camera modul SK-1004XC   (CCIR)
Mode	Integration time [s]	Correction time [s]		Tolerance value [s]
		Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)	Evaluation in fields (0.020s)	Evaluation in frames (0.040s)
Automatic	0.00001 - 0.020	0	0	±0.010	±0.020

Timing diagram for video camera modul SK-1004XC/SO
CCIR

How to read the timing diagrams of the camera modul SK-1004XC/SO

For the determination of the time correction values we have to consider that most Video Time Inserter devices are time stamping the output field sequence with previous field times (see also diagram 2 and 3 of this page). This means that we have to imagine the output field sequence shifted by one field time to the left (previous field time) to get the VTI inserted times and the right correction values.

Top of page