I have an economical solution. I purchased a product that plugs into a parallel port and captures a video signal. This allows me to use camcorder to record images and later capture the images on a PC, or to connect a video camera directly to a laptop. If the image is stationary you can average a number of frames to reduce the video noise and improve the resolution. Camcorders and the video cameras that were used with the transportable VCR's have wide zoom ranges and a great macro focus capability. The product is called "Snappy" it is slightly larger than a pack of cards, runs on a 9 volt battery and costs less then $200.00. Bert Ohlig OLEC Corp. ---------- From: [log in to unmask] Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 1996 8:33 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: General: Digital Camera's... Hello there fellow "Techies"! This is a kinda' off-the-wall question, but it does have something to do with assembly. My boss has given me a kinda' "go-ahead" to start looking for a digital camera that we want to start using in creating what we call our MPI's (manufacturing process instructions). We do the board level assembly and the system build for a customer that involves slapping together a chassis, power supply, PCA's, case, etc...almost like putting together a PC, but not quite. I'm sure most of ya' can appreciate the time and effort it takes to document assembly instructions for something like this in a manner that's easily understood by the "worker-bees" who are out there turning the screwdrivers and wrenches. So that's the big motivation behind this. We'll snap a picture, import it into a document and there ya' are! A picture is worth a thousand words is never more true in this case, and you would only know that if you ever had to sit down and write the assembly instructions for a product like this. So what we want to do is have pictures! The more, the better. Here in the "Silly-con" valley we tend to have quite a culturally diverse workforce, and the written english comprehension skills tend to be lacking somewhat, so this will help. We can also send images over the 'NET if we have to...how many times have you ever sat on the phone with somebody 'till yer' buttcheeks fell asleep trying to explain this problem of yours so the person on the other end could understand? Ya' can snap a picture and wire it over the 'NET! Problem solved! I've just seen the digital camera's start to come out on the market now, and I've read a little bit about them, but I only know enough to get me in trouble. Have any of you had any experience with them? I think one of the most important qualities is resolution. What little I've read about them is that the resolution varies quite a bit with most of them...and that aspect is directly proportional to the price. If ya' want good resolution, pay up! Ideally, we would be taking photos...er, I mean bitmaps... (I think?!?)...okay, just WHAT in the heck do you call what yer' taking now?...after all, they ain't photographs right? Anyways, we'll be getting real close for some pictures (macro) and others will be pretty normal. We want to be able to show good DETAILS. Price isn't too big of deal, I mean my boss knows it's gonna' be at least over $1,000...I'm thinking more along the lines of $1,500-2,500. So if any of ya' have any info that might guide me down the path, I'd sho' 'nuff appreciate it! __\/__ . / ^ _ \ . |\| (o)(o) |/| #------.OOOo----oo----oOOO.-----# # Steve Gregory # # SMT Process Engineer # # The SMT Centre Incorporated # # [log in to unmask] # #________________Oooo.__________# .oooO ( ) ( ) ) / \ ( (_/ \_) *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * *************************************************************************** * If you are having a problem with the IPC TechNet forum please contact * * Dmitriy Sklyar at 847-509-9700 ext. 311 or email at [log in to unmask] * ***************************************************************************