HD2000C Color Digital CMOS (2.0MP) USB 2.0 Camera

Meiji Techno America’s HD2000C HD microscopy camera is a full featured, stand alone, high definition scientific imaging solution offering full 1080p60 preview with superb color reproduction and extremely fast frame rates. Operate the camera by directly connecting to an HDMI monitor without connecting to a PC, or utilize the plug and-play USB 2.0 for image capture. With extremely fast response times, the Meiji Techno America’s HD2000C HD quickly reacts to lighting changes in any life science, clinical or material application.

Made In Canada

Recommended Applications:
   • Brightfield
   • Darkfield
   • Live Cell Imaging
   • Histology
   • Pathology
   • Cytology
   • Defect Analysis
   • Semiconductor Inspection
   • Metrology

 Camera Sensor
Image Sensor 
 CMOS, color, progressive scan
Optical Format 
 1/3"
Active Area 
 5.2 x 2.7 mm
Pixel Size 
 2.7µm x 2.7µm
Resolution 
 1920 x 1080 pixels
Region of Interest Control 
 Not applicable to HD
 Camera Specifications
Frame Rate 
 60 fps at full resolution
Bit Depth 
 8 bit
Exposure Control 
 Manual and automatic control
Gain Control 
 Manual and automatic control
White Balance 
 One shot automatic control
 Camera Characteristics 
Sensitivity 
 11,500 e-/lux/sec
Dynamic Range 
 65dB
Full Well Capacity 
15,000 e-
Quantum Efficiency 
 51% (green peak)
Read Noise 
 8.7 e-
Dark Current Noise 
 <60 e -/pixel/s at 60° C
 Mechanical Specifications 
Data Interface 
 HDMI
Control Interface 
 USB 2.0
Lens Mount 
 Adjustable C-Mount standard
Dimensions (L x W x H) 
 2.25 x 3.85 x 1.56 inches
Mass 
 330g
Operating Temperature 
 0° C to +50° C
Storage Temperature 
 -30° C to +70° C
Operating Humidity 
 5%-95%, Non-condensing
Shock / Vibration 
 50 G shock, 5 G (2 to 200 Hz) vibration
 Camera Software
Operating Systems 
 Windows XP, Vista, 7, 32 and 64-bit
 Power and Emissions 
Power Consumption 
 ~2.5 watts
Power Requirement 
 External 5VDC, 500mA
Emissions Compliances 
 FCC Class BE, CE Certified
Hazardous Materials 
 RoHS, WEEE Compliant
Warranty 
 One (1) year
 System Requirements
Recommended PC Specs 
   • Pentium 4, 1.3 GHz or higher
   • 512 MB RAM
   • 500 MB hard drive free space or more
   • USB 2.0 Port
   • Windows 7
Minimum PC Specs 
   • 600 MHz Processor
   • 256 MB of SDRAM
   • 200 MB hard drive free space
   • USB 2.0 Port
   • Window XP
 Included in the Box
HD2000C 
 2 MP Digital Camera for USB 2.0
LulNFHDSW-DVD 
 DVD with Meiji Techno America’s HD2000C HD user application software and documentation
La2020HD 
 2 m HDMI cable
La2030M 
 3 m USB 2.0 A - mini B cable
La20515 
 5VDC, 2.5 A, 12.5 W power supply
 Ordering Information
HD2000C 
 2 MP HD Color Camera


 
Quantum Efficiency Curve
Quantum Efficiency Curve

Model
Type
Version
Mega Pixels
Resolution
Frame Rate (FPS)
Sensor
C" Mount

HD1500T

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 2-6MP 3264 x 1840 Static
1920 x 1080 Dynamic
60fps by HDMI
30fps by USB 2.0
1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

HD1500TM
with 11.8" HDMI montior

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 2-6MP

3264 x 1840 Static
1920 x 1080 Dynamic

60fps by HDMI
30fps by USB 2.0
1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

HD1500MET

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 2-6MP 3264 x 1840 Static
1920 x 1080 Dynamic
60fps by HDMI
30fps by USB 2.0
1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

HD1500MET-M
with 11.8" HDMI montior

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 2-6MP

3264 x 1840 Static
1920 x 1080 Dynamic

60fps by HDMI
30fps by USB 2.0
1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

HD1000-LITE

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 5MP

2592 x 1944

60fps by HDMI
15fps by USB 2.0

1/2.5" CMOS

0.3X

HD1000-LITE-M
with 11.8" HDMI montior

HDMI/USB 2.0 Color 5MP

2592 x 1944

60fps by HDMI
15fps by USB 2.0

1/2.5" CMOS

0.3X

HD1600T

USB 3.0 Color 16MP 4608 x 3456

25fps by USB 3.0

1/2.33" CMOS

0.3X

SS500-MC

Wifi Color 5MP 2912 x 1640 60fps by Wifi 1/2.3" CMOS 0.3X

WF300
Eyepiece Camera

Wifi Color 8MP 3200 x 2400 60fps by USB 2.0
30fps by Wifi
1/2.8" CMOS 20-43mm
Eyepiece Mount

WF200

Wifi Color 5MP 2592 x 1944 40fps by USB 2.0
15fps by Wifi
1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

WF100
Document Scanner

Wifi Color 5MP 2592 x 1944 30fps by Wifi - -

X-1000U

USB 2.0 Color 5MP 2592 x 1911 10fps by USB 2.0 1/2.8" CMOS 0.3X

MIS-PL-DV24

USB 2.0 Color 2MP 1600 x 1200 30fps by USB 2.0 1/2" CMOS 0.5X

DK-LITE-B

USB 2.0 Color 1.5MP 1440 x 1080 10fps by USB 2.0 1/2.5" CMOS 0.5X

DK1000CB

USB 2.0 Color 2MP 1600 x 1200 15fps by USB 2.0 1/2" CMOS 0.5X

DK1000M

USB 2.0 Monochrome 1.3MP 1280 x 1024 30fps by USB 2.0 1/2" CMOS 0.5X

DK3000C

USB 2.0 Color 3.1MP 2048 x 1536 12fps by USB 2.0 1/2" CMOS 0.5X

DK5000C

USB 2.0 Color 5MP 2592 x 1944 5fps by USB 2.0 1/2.5" CMOS 0.7X

HD2000C

USB 2.0 Color 2MP 1920 x 1080 60fps by USB 2.0 1/3" CMOS 0.3X

ST1000C

USB 3.0 Color 5MP 2592 x 1944 60fps by USB 3.0 1/2.5" CMOS 0.5X

Details

The HD2000C features include:

  • 1/3” (16:9) CMOS 2 megapixel sensor
  • 1080p60 high definition format 1920 x 1080
  • Direct output to HDMI monitor
  • 3 on-camera buttons for power, white balance and capture
  • Optional USB 2.0 output to PC
  • Meiji Techno America’s HD2000C HD software compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 32 and 64-bit, for image capture

 

CCD vs CMOS

Meiji Techno America allows Digital / Analog CCD and CMOS cameras to be mounted directly to a microscopes trinocular port using the proper C” mount adapter that match’s the chip size of the camera. Any digital or video camera with a “C” mount ( 1” diameter thread) can be mounted on any Meiji Techno Trinocular microscope ( 25.2 tube ) by using these “ C”- mount attachments. They are available with projection lenses of different powers allowing some control over the magnification and the field view. “CS” mount cameras with require part number V-5MM to be threaded on prior to installing the adapter. Meiji Techno America’s adapters depend on the quality of our Japanese lenses. Our microscope adapters are designed and developed individually for each camera’s lens system and therefore it effectively eliminates vignetting and minimizes optical errors often associated with photomicrography by a consumer digital /analog camera. The image quality, peripheral resolution and color rendering is optimum as you would expect for a high quality Japanese C” mount adapter from Meiji Techno.

Generally low end adapters in the market have one or more of the following problems often associated with photomicrography:

    • Vignetting: Magnification, optical design error, or fundamental structural defect causes vignetting
    • Linearity: Image may look distrorted (barrel distortion) especially at the peripheral area in focus
    • Light and Shade Gap: Brightness between center and peripheral area looks different even if lighting is even
    • Geometry Distortion: Compare to the center area, image is distorted and lower resolution in the peripheral area
    • Luminous Point: White/Black spot may appear on the image because of the internal-reflection in the lens and lens tube

Introduction to Image Sensors
Since every Digital camera has a sensor, it is usually either a CCD or a CMOS type chip sensor. All sensors are analog devices, converting photons into electrical signals. The process by which the analog information is changed to digital is called Analog to Digital conversion. When an image is being captured by a network camera, light passes through the lens and falls on the image sensor. The image sensor consists of picture elements, also called pixels, that register the amount of light that falls on them. They convert the received amount of light into a corresponding number of electrons. The stronger the light, the more electrons are generated. The electrons are converted into voltage and then transformed into numbers by means of an A/D-converter. The signal constituted by the numbers is processed by electronic circuits inside the camera. Presently, there are two main technologies that can be used for the image sensor in a camera, i.e. CCD(Charge-coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor). Their design and different strengths and weaknesses will be explained in the following sections.

Color Filtering
Image sensors register the amount of light from bright to dark with no color information. Since CMOS and CCD image sensors are ‘color blind’, a filter in front of the sensor allows the sensor to assign color tones to each pixel. Two common color registration methods are RGB (Red, Green, and Blue) and CMYG (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Green). Red, green, and blue are the primary colors that, mixed in different combinations, can produce most of the colors visible to the human eye.

CCD Technology
In a CCD sensor, the light (charge) that falls on the pixels of the sensor is transferred from the chip through one output node, or only a few output nodes. The charges are converted to voltage levels, buffered, and sent out as an analog signal. This signal is then amplified and converted to numbers using an A/D-converter outside the sensor. The CCD technology was developed specifically to be used in cameras, and CCD sensors have been used for more than 30 years. Traditionally, CCD sensors have had some advantages compared to CMOS sensors, such as better light sensitivity and less noise. In recent years, however, these differences have disappeared. The disadvantages of CCD sensors are that they are analog components that require more electronic circuitry outside the sensor, they are more expensive to produce, and can consume up to 100 times more power than CMOS sensors. The increased power consumption can lead to heat issues in the camera, which not only impacts image quality negatively, but also increases the cost and environmental impact of the product. CCD sensors also require a higher data rate, since everything has to go through just one output amplifier, or a few output amplifiers.

CMOS Technology
Early on, ordinary CMOS chips were used for imaging purposes, but the image quality was poor due to their inferior light sensitivity. Modern CMOS sensors use a more specialized technology and the quality and light sensitivity of the sensors have rapidly increased in recent years. CMOS chips have several advantages. Unlike the CCD sensor, the CMOS chip incorporates amplifiers and A/D-converters, which lowers the cost for cameras since it contains all the logics needed to produce an image. Every CMOS pixel contains conversion electronics. Compared to CCD sensors, CMOS sensors have better integration possibilities and more functions. However, this addition of circuitry inside the chip can lead to a risk of more structured noise, such as stripes and other patterns. CMOS sensors also have a faster readout, lower power consumption, higher noise immunity, and a smaller system size. It is possible to read individual pixels from a CMOS sensor, which allows ‘windowing’, which implies that parts of the sensor area can be read out, instead of the entire sensor area at once. This way a higherframe rate can be delivered from a limited part of the sensor, and digital PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) functions can be used. It is also possible to achieve multi-view streaming, which allows several cropped view areas to be streamed simultaneously from the sensor, simulating several ‘virtual cameras’.

Main Differences
A CMOS sensor incorporates amplifiers, A/D-converters and often circuitry for additional processing, whereas in a camera with a CCD sensor, many signal processing functions are performed outside the sensor. CMOS sensors have a lower power consumption than CCD image sensors, which means that the temperature inside the camera can be kept lower. Heat issues with CCD sensors can increase interference, but on the other hand, CMOS sensors can suffer more from structured noise. A CMOS sensor allows ‘windowing’ and multi-view streaming, which cannot be performed with a CCD sensor. A CCD sensor generally has one charge-to-voltage converter per sensor, whereas a CMOS sensor has one per pixel. The faster readout from a CMOS sensor makes it easier to use for multi-megapixel cameras. Recent technology advancements have eradicated the difference in light sensitivity between a CCD and CMOS sensor at a given price point.

Conclusion
CCD and CMOS sensors have different advantages, but the technology is evolving rapidly and the situation changes constantly. Using the proper C” mount adapter from Meiji Techno America will maximize your image quality that you are seeing through your microscope lens.

Note: Reduction lenses (i.e. magnification factors less than 1.0x) are commonly used to compensate for the increased magnification factor inherent with cameras used on microscopes.

Details

Choosing Between a Digital Still Camera and a Camera for Microscopy

If you're trying to decide what type of camera to purchase for your microscope, you are likely considering a digital still camera (DSC). Before you make that choice, take a close look at what our cameras have to offer:

Ease of Setup

Meiji's microscopy camera models come complete with a USB 2.0 cable, installation CD, electronic User’s Guide, microscopy application software, and power adapter (if required). The camera can be set up on a laptop or desktop PC in minutes. Visit our "C"-mount adapters page to determine the appropriate adapter for your microscope, and you’re ready to go.

Software

The INFINITY ANALYZE software package is easy to use and intuitive. It provides all of the camera control functions to create an optimum image, and includes calibration, measurement, and annotation tools, along with a number of image enhancement functions. INFINITY ANALYZE imaging software has over 30 tools developed specifically for microscopy. There is no need to download captured frames from a memory card, as the images are instantly transferred to your PC as they are captured.

White Balance

A critical feature of imaging in microscopy is the proper reproduction of color as seen in the microscope eyepiece. Consumer cameras use an automatic white balance which creates a color cast to an image. Manual white balance is one of the core features of a dedicated microscope camera ensuring proper color reproduction. 

Display and Imaging Efficiency

Our USB cameras provide continuous video frames to the PC monitor through a high-speed USB 2.0
interface, offering a full screen video preview on a monitor and a far superior presentation of the final image than you would achieve on the small digital screen on the back of a DSC. The live video mode allows you to quickly frame and focus the camera image. Images can be quickly white balanced, focused and captured without the difficulties presented by the small view screens and limited interface of point-and-shoot cameras.

Dedicated

Meiji's USB cameras are connected directly to the PC. They do not make use of tiny buttons spread across the camera body or have complex layers of menus displayed on a miniature screen. All camera controls are handled through the application panels displayed directly on the PC monitor. Since the camera only functions when connected directly to the PC, and does not include any standard optics, it is far less likely to be borrowed for other use outside of the office, making it a more secure asset in the lab. 

Options

Our cameras come in a wide range of resolutions. Choose the camera that best suits your requirements based on the type of microscopy work you perform. Both CCD and CMOS sensor-equipped cameras are available, as well as a cooled CCD camera that provides optimal image quality for low-light applications. Cameras are available in resolutions ranging from 1.3 to 32 megapixels.

Drawbacks of digital still cameras
   • Image sensors and IR filters are not chosen specifically for microscopy applications
   • They typically require batteries that need replacing or recharging
   • The optics are not coated or designed to be used in microscopy applications
   • Limited storage space is available on the memory card
   • Download is required from the DSC to a PC in order for images to be used
   • Tiny buttons and complex layered menus are required to control the camera
   • Miniature digital display window to frame and focus images
   • DSC cameras are portable and convenient for out-of-office use, from which they may not return


Double click to read at full screen
Download Brochure (PDF)



Double click to read at full screen
Download Manual (PDF)


Download Software (EXE)