HDMI/USB Microscope Camera HDC DF4L

HDMI/USB microscope camera HDC DF4L

The DF4L model is the right choice for users who, on the one hand, expect very high quality standards for image quality and, on the other hand, want to remain flexible with regard to system compatibility. Good image quality is guaranteed by the built-in SONY IMX334 (C) CMOS color image sensor, which enables pictures in a resolution of 3840 x 2160. In terms of compatibility, the camera can be operated with or without a PC and can be used in one of the following operating modes: HDMI (without PC) and USB (with Windows PC).

The most important functions of the camera can be found below - functions marked with (*) are only available using the supplied Windows software - and not in pure HDMI mode.

Multi-signal output : The camera can either be connected directly to an HDMI monitor (via the HDMI connection, without a PC in between) or alternatively to a PC (via the USB connection). In both modes, the camera offers high refresh rates to track and record microscopic movements. However, the camera can also be used in mixed mode by working on the PC and additionally transmitting the image via the HDMI output to a second HDMI monitor.

Flexible exposure times : In addition to the auto exposure, you can also set the exposure time (exposure) and the gain (gain) manually depending on the application. The exposure time can be set almost continuously up to 1 sec (gradation: 1 ms).

ROI - Flexible White Balance : You can choose between automatic and manual white balance. In addition, you can activate an automatic white balance with reference to a selectable image region (ROI - region of interest). In the ROI white balance mode, you frame a rectangular area on the image (rectangle can be moved and size can be adjusted with the mouse). The software then only takes over this area as a reference for white.

Auto-Stitch * : The software can combine several partial overlapping images into one overall image at the push of a button. We generated the sample image below from five images (overlapping area between images of 10-15%) fully automatically.



Extended Depth of Field * (EDF) : Sometimes it is not possible to focus on the entire area because the depth of field is limited by the optics. After the user has taken several images with different focus settings, the software uses stacking to create a superimposed image that only takes over the sharp areas of each individual image. We had the sample image below/right generated fully automatically from four partial shots. The partial shots only partially contained sharp areas such as can be seen in the image on the left.



In the sample below using the EDOF function we could capture sharp within one image the most part of the insect.



HDR - High Dynamic Range*: This function merges a sequence of differently exposed images into one image with a higher dynamic range. In the example below, we have created a new image with ideal exposure for each area of ​​the image from two images, each with under and overexposure.



Zoom - Mirror - Compare - Freeze : You can use the software to zoom in and out of the image and mirror the image horizontally / vertically. Furthermore, you can divide the screen vertically in two halves: the left half shows the live image and the right half an existing image from your image gallery to compare preparations. You can also freeze the live image and then release it again for the viewer.



Measurements: The camera software can carry out measurements after user calibration

Interval Recording *: Interval recordings can be programmed, whereby the time interval between the single image captures and their total number can be selected. With this e.g. biological decay processes can be documented over time.

Built-in Mouse Control (HDMI mode) is a special feature of this model: the included mouse is connected to the USB port of the camera. With the mouse you can then operate the on-screen display menu and use it to take pictures and videos and make all camera settings - completely without a PC and software installations!



Video recording on SD card (HDMI mode): Videos and pictures can be recorded in 4K quality directly on the removable SD card.

Built-In Player : (HDMI mode): Images and videos already recorded are saved on the SD card of the camera. You can scroll through them and have the camera play them on the monitor - without a PC!

Sample captures

In the following video you can see a recording of the DF4L; it shows the movement of mainly red blood cells in the blood (dark field, magnification: 400X, OPTIKA B-510DK microscope)



In the following picture you can see a picture of the mouth tool of a honey bee (bright field, magnification: 100X, OPTIKA B-510DK microscope).



In the following picture you see a picture of a plant section (bright field, magnification: 100X, OPTIKA B-510DK microscope).

Windows User Interface

The multilingual user interface of the Windows software supplied offers on the one hand, the control options for the camera parameters (exposure, gain, recording) and on the other hand, options for image correction (white balance, color tones, etc.) as well as access to the extended functions (measurement, extended depth of field, auto-stitch etc.) .)

Technical data

• Sensor: Sony IMX334 (C), sensor size 1/1,8"
• Image capture resolution: 3840 × 2160
• Refresh rate (HDMI, USB): 30, 20 fps
• Exposure time (sec): 0.004 - 1
• White balance: auto, manual, auto with selectable ROI (Region Of Interest)
• Language support of ImageView Windows software: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish
• Special functions of ImageView: auto-stitch, EDF (extended depth of field), HDR, segmentation, time lapse, measurements
• Outputs: HDMI, USB, SD card
• Compatibility: Windows 10 and 11 (32/64 bit)
• Connection: C-Mount
• Weight (g): 470
• Dimensions (cm): 8,5 x 7,8 x 6,5
• Technical data sheet (PDF): see tab "Media"

Scope of delivery

• Camera
• Software ImageView for Windows
• HDMI cable
• USB cable
• Power supply 12V / 1A
• USB mouse
• SD card 16GB
• Operating instructions (German)
• Software user guide (English)

Manufacturer's Guarantee

• 18 months from the date of purchase (EU)