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New Product Announcement
Parallel/Ethernet Adapter and Server Software
for all SBIG Parallel Cameras
June 6, 2001

Update September 2007: The Adapter box is discontinued and we have no more in stock.
We still offer the Server Software as a free download from our web site at ESrvWin - Ethernet Server for Windows

SBIG is pleased to announce two new products that allow control of SBIG parallel based cameras over an ethernet link.

1. The first is our server software which allows the user to run CCDOPS software on a remote computer controlling the camera via an ethernet link to a host computer located near the camera (Figure 1). Controlling the camera with a host computer results in virtually no difference in download times compared to direct parallel connection to a local computer. Once the link is established, the system is completely transparent to the control computer and the camera control software running on the control computer looks and functions exactly the same as if the camera is directly connected to that computer's parallel port.

Figure 1

2. The second product is a Parallel/Ethernet adapter box that provides an ethernet link to a remote computer (Figure 2). Controlling the camera with the Parallel/Ethernet Adapter Box results in download times slightly longer than normal (about 1.3x) but the adapter box is small, uses very little power and eliminates the need for a second computer near the camera.

Figure 2

We anticipate the Parallel/Ethernet adapter box and software to be available late summer. The adapter box requires 5 volts and will come with a universal power transformer that will operate on 110 to 220 VAC.

The option of ethernet control will be added to CCDOPS for Windows. Other camera control programs such as CCDSoftV5 and Maxim DL/CCD should also work over this system once they have incorporated our updated camera DLL.

More details will be announced as soon as we have the particulars.

Update June 26, 2001: The server software alone will be $99. The Parallel/Ethernet Adapter box will be $399 including the server software.

Update August 14, 2001: The adapter is ready for delivery starting in September. We are now accepting orders.