iCCD

iCCD is an impressive software specially designed for astrophotography enthusiasts using an Apple OS X computer with the Starlight Express line of CCD cameras. These cameras use Sony chips, which have extremely low dark currents and require fewer processing steps, resulting in better quality images. Compared to other CCD cameras on the market, Starlight cameras are better designed and have a lower profile.

For Mac users, the iCCD software offers seamless compatibility, eliminating the need to worry about Win XP drivers and dlls. The software supports USB autoreconnection, allowing users to adjust the cable during an imaging session without any interruptions. Mac OS X is also well known for its excellent process sharing capabilities, enabling users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously without any glitches.

The software's image processing routines are powered by the vImage image processing framework. These routines are Velocity Engine (Altivec) aware and perform exceptionally well on G4 and higher processors. Currently, iCCD supports only 16-bit grayscale images as it is best to work on each individual color and luminance frame separately. Users are advised to do most of the processing on the luminance frame.

The iCCD program is a multiple window package that enables users to control Starlight Express cameras and open FITS files on the Macintosh. The software also supports the mx7c, mx7, sxv-h9, sxv-h9c, sxv-m7, sxv-m7c, and the new sxv-m8c. In the latest release, the software has added focusing capabilities, making it even more versatile.

The software is written in Objective-C using Cocoa and the Xcode development environment. The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, making it a perfect fit for astrophotography enthusiasts.

Overall, iCCD is an excellent software that provides Mac users with an efficient and straightforward astrophotography tool. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to capture stunning astrophotos using their Apple computer.