Error Connecting getting an Image

[ShaheerMahmood]

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to run my VI after plugging in my Amscope MU160 camera, but I keep getting this error:

"Error -1074396120 occurred at IMAQ WriteBMPFile."

I’ve been stuck on this for what feels like forever! If anyone has any idea how to fix this, I’d really appreciate the help.

Thanks so much!

[Bob_Schor]

Some questions and observations:

1. I tried to find out information on "Amscope MU160" camera, but didn't find a model of that name on the Amscope site.
2. What kind of camera is this?  How does it connect to a PC running LabVIEW?  Specifically, does it use USB3?
3. What version of LabVIEW (for example "LabVIEW 2021 SP1, 32-bit") are you using?
4. I notice your error message references "IMAQ WriteBMPFile".  Many (perhaps all?) USB3 cameras use the IMAQdx driver.
5. Please attach a screen shot from MAX of Devices and Interfaces after you plug in your camera.

Bob Schor

[ShaheerMahmood]

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your questions and observations.

1. I realized I made an error in my previous message—the camera model I am using is actually the AmScope MU130, not the MU160. Apologies for the confusion.

2. The camera connects directly to a USB 3.0 port on my PC.

3. I am currently using LabVIEW 2024, 32-bit for my setup.

One issue I’m encountering is that I’m unable to see the camera registered under the Devices and Interfaces section in NI MAX after plugging it in. However, it does show up under the Device Manager when connected to the USB 3.0 port, so the system recognizes the camera at some level.

[Bob_Schor]

Okay!  Now that I know it is a USB 3 camera, and shows up in MAX, the problem (which I noticed, but forgot to put in my reply) is that you are using the wrong LabVIEW Vision driver.  You need to go into NIPM, remove the IMAQ driver, and replace it with the IMAQdx driver, which works with WebCams and many (most?) USB and TCP/IP-connected cameras.  [I think it also works with FireWire cameras, but few use this technology today].

When you get the driver installed, connect your Camera, open MAX, open a Test Panel for your Camera, and try to do a "Snap" or "Grab".  Let me know how it goes.

Bob Schor

[ShaheerMahmood]

Hi Bob,

Thank you for your advice. I’ve checked, and the NI-IMAQdx driver is already installed. However, just to clarify, the MU130 camera is still not being displayed in NI-MAX under the Devices and Interfaces section. The camera that appears there is actually a different device, and the issue is still not resolved.

I might be wrong, but I read that when using the Call Library Function, the device doesn’t necessarily need to show up in NI-MAX. Could that be relevant in this case?

Thanks again for your help!

[Bob_Schor]

If you do a search on the Web, or even on the LabVIEW Forums (i.e. right here -- the Search bar on the first page) for MU130, you'll find several (old) posts that suggest others have problems with this camera (probably the driver is not quite correct, or is not following the current GenICam specifications).  Some posts seem to have gotten things to work, but don't supply details (and the Posters don't seem to be active on the Forums, so we can't easily ask "How did you fix it?").

Suggestions are to use other cameras.  Basler and Axis cameras do work with LabVIEW (or at least the ones that I've used work).

Bob Schor