FCUSB ASCOM must always use ASCOM Device HUB?

[cytan299]

Hi,
I am a long time user of your USB focus motor controller with the handcontroller and/or FocusPal. I decided to "modernize" and connect the USB focus motor controller to SharpCap with the FCUSB ASCOM driver 6.0.

Unfortunately, SharpCap popped up this message:

aaa.jpg (186.63 KiB) Viewed 103 times

It was a bit of a head scratcher because FocusPal sees the controller.

After scanning through some of the older messages (circa 2022), it seemed that I needed to use the ASCOM Device HUB as an intermediary between SharpCap and the FCUSB driver. I did this and it worked! SharpCap is now able to see and control the motor controller.

My question is: Why do I need to do this? And are there any limitations if I do? For example in the older forum post
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=783&p=2834&hilit=ascom#p2834
says that there are.

Or more importantly am I doing something wrong and that's the reason why I have to use the Device HUB?

Thanks for any help.

cytan

P.S. I'm using Win11 64 bit 23H2 and ASCOM 6.6 (I will eventually upgrade to ASCOM 7)

[dpanderson]

I can't say for sure why it only works with ASCOM hub in the path, but I suspect it is because the FCUSB ASCOM driver is 32-bit and not directly compatible with SharpCap.

[cytan299]

I can't say for sure why it only works with ASCOM hub in the path, but I suspect it is because the FCUSB ASCOM driver is 32-bit and not directly compatible with SharpCap.

Good to know that I haven't done something weird. I think you're right about 32 bit programs not being compatible with 64 bit SharpCap. Are there plans to update the FCUSB ASCOM drivers to 64 bit because all consumer PCs will be 64 bits very soon, especially since M$ has mandated the shift for Win11 updates/upgrades?

Hopefully, there'll be no limitations on SharpCap's autofocusing with the FCUSB+Device HUB for this week's Jupiter opposition on Dec 7.

cytan

[dpanderson]

I would be happy to support a volunteer that knows how to write a 64-bit driver.

[cytan299]

Hi Doug,
Sorry, can't help you with programming. First, I'm a rabble rouser and never a volunteer Plus I'm really a Mac user and I only use Win$ because of ASCOM.

There are so many programmers in amateur astro and many people who use your hardware. I'm sure if you broadcast your request for volunteers to write new drivers on cloudynights, there'll be volunteers.

cytan