Camera Options

I am curious what interface folks recommend these days.

I have just gotten a much needed laptop that can handle higher frame rates and more frames in general, and I hope to finally get a new camera to improve my attempts at planetary imaging. It has an expresscard slot so I can use the standard USB2 or I could get GigE, firewire or any other available express card option.

Thanks,
Kevin

One comment on using the ExpressCard -- a wrinkle you
may run into, is that the ExpressCard slot
may not provide enough power to operate the camera.
You may need to run either 5v or 12v from an external
supply into the ExpressCard or directly into the camera.

If you go this route, be wary of cards where the
power-in jack is close to the data jack -- I've seen
cards where you can't plug-in the power and
data cables at the same time -- pretty useless.
External power is not a big deal, but its one more
wire and powersupply to carry around.

Alternatively, you could just go with whatever
jack is native to the laptop, and use that interface
instead of the ExpressCard. That may simplify
operating the camera.

The Point Grey cameras offer FireWire 800 interfaces. Most laptops don't have separate busses for the USB ports, and plugging in a high bandwidth device like a camera can limit the performance of the remaining USB ports. FW is usually on its own DMA bus and it might allow improved frame rates. Unlike FW and USB, GigE requires a separate connection for power.