ABSTRACT
Digitized video microscopy consists of capturing a fluorescent image produced by a standard fluorescence microscope using an ultra-sensitive camera, dividing the image up into discrete picture elements and converting the intensity of fluorescence in each pixel to a number. The output from the camera is fed into an image processing computer which divides the image into an array of pixels. The imaging detector is the part of the digital imaging system where the majority of signal amplification occurs. Standard video signals exist as complex waveforms that contain information about the brightness of each region of the display, along with horizontal and vertical sync timing pulses. The use of colour solid state cameras in video microscopy, particularly for multiprobe labelling experiments, has increased due to improved sensitivity, resolution and colour reproduction. Although use of a colour camera reduces the detection efficiency compared to monochrome video camera, this can be compensated for by accumulating signal for longer times on the faceplate of the camera.
