FitsCast

FitsCast is an exceptional free tool developed by Carsten A. Arnholm designed to bridge the gap between high-quality CCD cameras and standard webcam broadcasts. This highly functional program falls under the System Utilities category, specifically within Device Assistants. The latest version, 2.2, brings significant enhancements and contemporary benefits over previous versions, including 2.0.

For those dealing with high-quality CCD cameras like the Artemis, FitsCast is particularly helpful. These cameras, unlike standard webcams such as the Philips ToUcam, typically generate files in the FITS format (Flexible Image Transport System). FITS files, while suitable for astronomical purposes due to their high quality, are not inherently compatible with web browsers and require additional processing. FitsCast excels in converting these large FITS files into formats more suitable for webcasting, thereby overcoming the typical hurdles of file size and format incompatibility. Moreover, different software interfaces can also add complexity, but with FitsCast, managing these is significantly simplified.

The main executable file, FitsCast.exe, does the heavy lifting, allowing users to handle image processing seamlessly. This is a considerable advantage for enthusiasts and professionals needing to download and publish astronomical events on websites through FTP file transfer.

Pros:

• Efficient conversion of FITS files suitable for web broadcasting.
• Developed by a reputable developer, Carsten A. Arnholm.
• The latest version, 2.2, includes notable improvements.
• Falls under the System Utilities category, ensuring it is highly functional for device assistance.

Cons:

• If you have been using other versions like 2.0, there might be a learning curve with the new features.
• Specific to high-quality CCD cameras; standard webcam users might not find it as beneficial.

For anyone actively involved in astronomy or webcasting high-quality CCD camera images, FitsCast is a must-use tool that simplifies the task remarkably and is available for free download.

It is not possible to confirm if there is a free download for this software available on the developer's website. According to the results of the Google Safe Browsing check, the developer's site is safe. Despite this, we recommend checking the downloaded files with any free antivirus software.

You may want to check out more software, such as COMMUNICATE!, GX30 USB-Handset Manager or Text Complete English, which might be similar to FitsCast.