Recommended Posts

Dopamine latest build 450 has just crashed while listening to a playlist on Windows 10 Insider Preview build 10576:

7TGHFq5.png

I was just rearranging my Start Menu when it happened. The odd thing is that it doesn't show as "Not responding" in Task Manager:

4Rwb8T5.png

Until I try to close it:

CNrG7rn.png

Dopamine logs from today (November 1st):

2015-11-01 00:00:37.6199|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:00:39.2780|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:00:39.2780|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 00:01:59.9308|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:06:59.9304|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:11:59.9305|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:15:39.2916|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:15:40.9182|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:15:40.9182|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 00:16:59.9304|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:21:59.9309|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:26:59.9318|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:30:40.9333|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:30:42.5003|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:30:42.5003|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 00:31:59.9312|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:36:59.9321|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:41:59.9326|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:45:42.5119|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 00:45:43.0580|Error|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+_Closure$__8-0._Lambda$__0|Update check: could not retrieve online version information. Exception: The request was aborted: Could not create SSL/TLS secure channel.
2015-11-01 00:45:43.0580|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 0.0.0.0
2015-11-01 00:45:43.0580|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 00:46:59.9322|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:51:59.9323|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 00:56:59.9324|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:00:43.0707|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:00:44.8960|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:00:44.8985|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 01:01:59.9455|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:06:59.9463|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:11:59.9465|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:15:44.9009|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:15:46.4830|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:15:46.4830|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 01:16:59.9469|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:21:59.9474|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:25:26.7244|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_28_AddNewTracksToCollectionAsync.MoveNext|+++ STARTED ADDING NEW TRACKS TO COLLECTION +++
2015-11-01 01:25:26.7770|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_28_AddNewTracksToCollectionAsync.MoveNext|+++ FINISHED ADDING NEW TRACKS TO COLLECTION: Tracks added: 0. Time required: 50 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:25:26.9256|Info|Dopamine.Core.Database.Repositories.PlaylistRepository+_Closure$__2-0._Lambda$__0|Added the Playlist Man of Steel
2015-11-01 01:26:59.9471|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:30:46.4967|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:30:48.1249|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:30:48.1249|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 01:31:59.9471|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:36:59.9472|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:41:59.9481|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:45:48.1426|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: current version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:45:49.8062|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: latest online version = 1.0.0.450
2015-11-01 01:45:49.8062|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Update.UpdateService+VB$StateMachine_16_CheckForUpdatesAsync.MoveNext|Update check: no newer version was found.
2015-11-01 01:46:59.9490|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:51:59.9498|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:54:50.8578|Info|Dopamine.Application.ExecuteStartup|### STARTING dopamine, version 1.0.0 (Build 450). IsPortable = False ###
2015-11-01 01:54:52.0409|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Playback.PlaybackService+VB$StateMachine_100_DeleteRuntimeFilesAsync.MoveNext|Deleting runtime files.
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4018|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|<<< Synapse indexer started >>>
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4128|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Validating process
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4128|Info|Synapse.Synapse.ValidateProcess|Commandline argument 1: IgnoreRemovedFiles = True
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4128|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Initializing WCF proxies
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4378|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Notifying the main application that the indexer is started
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4514|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Waiting for the database
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4514|Info|Synapse.Synapse.WaitForDatabase|C:\Users\luism\AppData\Roaming\Dopamine\Dopamine.db was found. Proceeding.
2015-11-01 01:54:52.4514|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Initializing the Indexing Worker
2015-11-01 01:54:53.9033|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Initializing the LifeBeat Timer
2015-11-01 01:54:53.9033|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Starting the LifeBeat Timer
2015-11-01 01:54:53.9033|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Updating collection
2015-11-01 01:54:53.9148|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_27_IndexCollectionAsync.MoveNext|+++ STARTED INDEXING COLLECTION +++
2015-11-01 01:54:54.3552|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_27_IndexCollectionAsync.MoveNext|Tracks removed: 0. Time required: 436 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:54:54.8192|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_27_IndexCollectionAsync.MoveNext|Tracks updated: 0. Time required: 281 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:54:54.8622|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_27_IndexCollectionAsync.MoveNext|Tracks added: 0. Time required: 40 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:54:55.4102|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_27_IndexCollectionAsync.MoveNext|+++ FINISHED INDEXING COLLECTION: Tracks removed: 0. Tracks updated: 0. Tracks added: 0. Time required: 1491 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:54:55.4137|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Updating artwork
2015-11-01 01:54:55.4137|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_29_IndexArtworkAsync.MoveNext|+++ STARTED INDEXING ARTWORK +++
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6034|Info|Dopamine.Core.Indexing.Indexer+VB$StateMachine_29_IndexArtworkAsync.MoveNext|+++ FINISHED INDEXING ARTWORK: Covers deleted from database: 0. Covers deleted from disk: 0. Covers updated: 47. Time required: 183 ms +++
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6069|Info|Dopamine.Common.Services.Indexing.IndexingService.OnRefreshArtwork|Sending event to refresh the artwork
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6034|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Notifying the main application that the indexer is stopped
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6034|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Stopping the LifeBeat Timer
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6034|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|Closing WCF proxies
2015-11-01 01:54:55.6179|Info|Synapse.Synapse.Main|<<< Synapse indexer NORMAL stop >>>

 

 

I have a feeling that the cause may have been the explorer service being restarted in this beta of Windows 10, so it may not have been Dopamine's problem. I'll look into it.

More info from Event Viewer:
 

Log Name:      Application
Source:        Application Hang
Date:          01-Nov-15 01:54:28
Event ID:      1002
Task Category: (101)
Level:         Error
Keywords:      Classic
User:          N/A
Computer:      Win10
Description:
The program Dopamine.exe version 1.0.0.450 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Security and Maintenance control panel.
 Process ID: 1ac0
 Start Time: 01d11422df4abc99
 Termination Time: 18
 Application Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Dopamine\Dopamine.exe
 Report Id: 3d6a7a4b-803b-11e5-96f0-d850e6508d0d
 Faulting package full name: 
 Faulting package-relative application ID: 

Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Application Hang" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="0">1002</EventID>
    <Level>2</Level>
    <Task>101</Task>
    <Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2015-11-01T01:54:28.771740700Z" />
    <EventRecordID>1374</EventRecordID>
    <Channel>Application</Channel>
    <Computer>Win10</Computer>
    <Security />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data>Dopamine.exe</Data>
    <Data>1.0.0.450</Data>
    <Data>1ac0</Data>
    <Data>01d11422df4abc99</Data>
    <Data>18</Data>
    <Data>C:\Program Files (x86)\Dopamine\Dopamine.exe</Data>
    <Data>3d6a7a4b-803b-11e5-96f0-d850e6508d0d</Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Data>
    </Data>
    <Binary>55006E006B006E006F0077006E0000000000</Binary>
  </EventData>
</Event>

 

Yeah, me neither. But hopefully, Raphaël will be able to figure it out if it's related to Dopamine.

I can assure him that i already have this problem on older builds of Windows 10 Insider Preview. It happened sometimes when i was just listening to a playlist. I started to think it was related on networking, because all the files in my collection are on a NAS, but i don't know.

I can assure him that i already have this problem on older builds of Windows 10 Insider Preview. It happened sometimes when i was just listening to a playlist. I started to think it was related on networking, because all the files in my collection are on a NAS, but i don't know.


Well, for what it's worth, all my music files are stored on a local hard disk and therefore, I reckon that we can rule that out.

I believe it's something related to the Sound and Music Service in Windows 10 Build 10576. Every time I get this chrash, it's because I'll play some random song and Dopamine just crash. Then I restart it and the same goes again. Thought It was Dopamine problem so I started Groove and the same goes (it even applies to videos in the web explorer). Every source of sound or music would just crash. To solve this you must restart your PC. Turning it off just won't do it.

Is all of you have Realtek HD Audio?

If Yes, then Windows 10 known to have problem with Realtek HD Audio. Just to let you know, November Update (If it includes Threshold 2) will resolve some of these issues.

Will suggest downloading latest Realtek driver from following Forum link - http://www.station-drivers.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&view=topic&Itemid=255&catid=4&id=7&lang=en&limitstart=524

Yeah, in my case it's a Realtek HD Audio built-in in my ASUS mobo. I update my audio drivers a couple of times a week as I download them directly from Realtek FTP.

The thing is that those of us with build 10576 (TH2) are experiencing the issue. I haven't tried Dopamine in 10240 because I haven't booted that up for some time now.
I'm trying Groove music as I type this but for the time being it hasn't crashed.

Also, Dopamine doesn't crash for me immediately. Sometimes it does, sometimes it does not. Therefore, it's not that easy to duplicate and find the root cause.

Yeah but I also have the issue with an ASUS Xonar U7 USB sound card that i use plugged at my Surface Docking Station on my Surface Pro 3, so maybe it's not Realtek related. Surface Pro 3 has a Realtek HD Audio chipset. I didn't try on Windows 10 10240 as i run Insider Preview. If this can help...

sounds like a problem with the newer insider builds as I am running Windows 10 10240 and its working perfectly.

 

Not sure. I had it on 240 also :( 

Thanks for all the information guys. I'll keep an eye on it.

Edit: I indeed have a Realtek chip.

Hi everyone, I've been more silent than usual. That doesn't mean the project is slowing down, on the contrary. I'm still working on this project day and night. What's attached has been keeping me entertained. It doesn't do much yet, but it's better than it's previous version which just said "Hello". Still weeks, months of work but it's a start. To my surprise I can almost reuse nothing from the UI of "desktop" Dopamine :( The Universal apps XAML differs a lot from WPF XAML.

As for progress on desktop Dopamine. This is the current changelog (build not available yet):

- Added an option to minimize to the notification area when the close button is pressed
- Added cancel of semantic zoom by clicking anywhere else in the UI
- When already started, trying to start Dopmamine a second time, shows the running Dopamine.
- Added support for files with extension AAC
- Added Turkish translation
- UI tweaks here and there

I'm still working on tagging. Saving to files works, but there is still work on updating the info in the database and correctly refreshing the UI once tags are changed. Stay tuned.

Dopamine mobile.png

Edited by Raphaël G.

Be sure to include a big button option for next track for use while driving ;-)

Damn right I will! :rofl: The small buttons in Groove are one of the things that make it a PITA while driving :)

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Posts

    • Glow 26.9 by Razvan Serea Glow provides detailed reporting on every hardware component in your computer, saving you valuable time typically spent searching for CPU, motherboard, RAM, graphics card, and other stats. With Glow, all the information is conveniently presented in one clean interface, allowing you to easily access and review the comprehensive hardware details of your system. Glow provides detailed information on various system aspects, including OS, motherboard, processor, memory, graphics card, storage, network, battery, drivers, and services. The well-organized format ensures easy access to the required information. You can export all the gathered data to a plain text file, facilitating sharing with others for troubleshooting purposes. No installation needed. Just decompress the archive, launch the executable, and access computer-related information. Glow runs on Windows 11 and Windows 10 64-bit versions. Glow 26.9 changelog: New Features The processor hardware detection engine has been significantly enhanced beyond traditional Intel and AMD architectures. Native support is now available for modern platforms such as Apple Silicon (M-Series) and the newly introduced NVIDIA Spark. In addition, all ARM-based processors can now be accurately distinguished between ARM32 and ARM64 architectures, providing precise hardware reporting. This marks a major milestone for Glow's hardware detection capabilities. The RAM manufacturer identification algorithm has been expanded. JEDEC vendor codes for popular brands such as Patriot, PNY, Team Group, GeIL, Lexar (Longsys), and Asgard/Gloway have been integrated into the database. This significantly reduces the likelihood of incorrect or "Unknown Manufacturer" results and improves overall hardware detection accuracy. New Public IP Address and Internet Service Provider (ISP) features have been added to the Network section. To ensure reliability, this information is retrieved from the trusted service ipwho.is. When Hiding Mode is enabled, no requests are sent and these features remain hidden, as they may expose sensitive information. The search engine used in the Installed Drivers, Installed Services, and Installed Applications sections has been enhanced. You can now perform more flexible and accurate searches using initials, partial matches, and loosely arranged character sequences. The TS Preloader loading bar has been rebuilt using our modern TS Custom Controls graphics library, developed entirely in-house. As a result of this infrastructure upgrade, the loading bar now features smooth rendering and rounded corners that align with the visual style of Windows 11. [TS Updater] A new validation algorithm has been added to check whether the target application is currently running before the update process begins. Bug Fixes Resolved a condition that could prevent TS Preloader from shutting down safely during rare application crash scenarios. Fixed a text alignment issue in the Network section affecting the display of DNS addresses. Alignment is now rendered correctly. [TS Updater] Fixed an issue that could prevent the updated application's executable "*.exe" file from being located after the update process. [TS Updater] Fixed a bug that could leave outdated "*.sha256" files in the application directory after an update. [TS Updater] Fixed a rare issue that could cause subfolders to be moved into the root directory after an update. [TS Updater] Fixed an issue during the first launch that could cause flickering and a temporary white window appearance due to Windows Defender interactions. Changes A small improvement has been made to the internet connectivity detection algorithm. Connectivity checks are now performed in the background with minimal impact on the user interface thread. The keyboard shortcuts in the top menu have been reorganized and simplified to provide a consistent experience across all Türkaysoft applications and to avoid potential conflicts with standard Windows shortcuts. The TS Preloader splash image has been updated with a Türkiye-themed stadium design to celebrate Türkiye's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—its first appearance in 24 years. Congratulations, Türkiye! The TS Custom Controls module has been updated to version 26.6, delivering improved stability and a more polished visual appearance. [TS Updater] The application icon has been redesigned to provide a more modern and refined look. Note: Always unzip the program before using it. Otherwise you may get an error. Download: Glow 26.9 | 1.8 MB (Open Source) Links: Glow Homepage | Screenshot | Github Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • DWARF mini review: the world's smallest smart telescope for night and day sky captures by Steven Parker DWARFLAB reached out to me asking if I was interested in checking out the DWARF mini, which is a portable astronomy telescope designed for amateur astronomers. Why do I say it's for amateurs? Well, for starters, it's not what you'd call "high end"; it's more of a professional-grade starting point for amateurs serious about capturing what's up there in our night and day skies. A typical amateur astronomer is most likely thousands of dollars deep into the hobby, and I will make no claims that this DWARF mini (at a fraction of the cost) could replace it all, okay? Well, if you read on, it will be clearer what I am trying to convey. Disclosure: DWARFLAB provided a free sample without any editorial input or review pre-approval. I have always been interested in looking up and observing the night sky. I see satellites crossing the sky above my garden most nights, and I am always looking at the moon. Yeah, I have a 200MP camera on my phone, but at 200X zoom, AI takes over and makes the pretty moon pictures that I snap, the DWARF mini does not, you get an actual true picture of what you can barely see with the naked eye. Before we start, let's share the highlights of the DWARF mini in bite-sized format: Pocket-Sized & Ultra-Lightweight Weighing just 1.85 lbs (840g), the DWARF mini easily fits into a backpack or large pocket. Its all-in-one, compact design makes it the ultimate grab-and-go digital telescope for hiking, camping, or traveling to dark-sky locations. Intuitive App Control & Built-in Sky Atlas Go from unboxing to your first shot in just 3 minutes! The DWARFLAB App provides a seamless experience with an interactive star map. Simply select your target and start exploring without the steep learning curve of traditional setups. Auto GOTO & 360° Pivot Freedom Enjoy pinpoint automated tracking with full 360° rotation. Powered by a high-sensitivity Sony IMX662 sensor (1/2.8-inch, 2.9μm pixels), it captures amazing, low-noise astro details, bringing faint nebulas and star clusters to life with stunning clarity. Pro-Level EQ Mode & Long Exposure Unlock advanced deep-space imaging with Equatorial (EQ) Mode. Supporting impressive single-frame exposures up to 90 seconds and featuring built-in light pollution filters, it easily cuts through city glow to reveal intricate celestial structures. Smart Cloud Processing & All-Ages Fun Effortlessly enhance your raw data with integrated cloud processing for professional-grade results. Perfect for beginners, kids, and adults, this telescope makes exploring and sharing the wonders of the universe an exciting, family-friendly adventure. The packaging is a pretty minimal affair with the outer box opening like a flap to reveal the plastic mould of the DWARF mini sitting in it. Below, the Sun filter, charging cable, cleaning cloth, and documentation can be found. DWARFLAB also provided a Mini Hydraulic Tripod ($89.99), and I highly recommend getting it if you plan on purchasing the DWARF mini, as it fully supports the motorized tracking feature of the telescope; plus, at 840g, the weight of the telescope, you will need a tripod that supports more than the weight of a smartphone anyway. What's in the box DWARF Mini Smart Telescope × 1 Sun Filter x 1 Type-C to Type-C Cord x 1 Cleaning Cloth x 1 User Guide With that out of the way, here are the full specs: DWARF mini Dimensions (DWH): 60.70 mm x 100.38 × 183.61 (2.39" x 3.95" x 7.23") Weight: 840g (1.85lbs) Aperture diameter: 30 mm (telephoto), 3.4 mm (wide angle) Image Sensor: SONY IMX662 1/2.8" (Telephoto) OmniVision OS02K10 1/2.8" (Wide-angle) Focal length: 150 mm (telephoto), 6.7 mm (wide-angle) Equivalent focal length: 1016 mm (telephoto), 45 mm (wide-angle) Shutter Speed: Tele - 1/10000-90s, Wide - 1/10000-30s Maximum exposure time: 90s (telephoto & wide-angle), Both in EQ mode Rotation range: Lens: 225°, Base: 360° Effective Pixels: 2.07M Maximum Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Telephoto & Wide-angle) Built-in filters: Astro, Dark, Duo-Band (Telephoto), Astro (Wide-angle) Output: JPG, FITS, TIFF, MP4 Shooting Mode: Photos, Videos, Astronomy, Burst Shooting, Time-lapse Photography Storage: 64 GB Battery: Built-in 7000 mAh, supports external USB charging Charging Port: Type-C NPU: 1 TOPS Features: WiFi, NFC NFC One-Touch Connection Astronomy Post-Processing/Appointment Shooting/Astronomy Mosaic Wi-Fi Transmission Range: 15m (open environment) Color: Black Compatibility: iOS & Android smartphones/tablets Warranty: 2-years (24-months) MSRP: $399 Design Charge port On/off button Lens On the DWARF mini itself, it is a pretty minimal affair. On one side, there is a Type-C USB port to charge the non-removable 7000 mAh battery, and on the other side, a large button to power on or off the telescope. The button is flanked by an LED that is green when connected via the DWARFLAB app, or lights up red when being powered off. Below the button, there are four LEDs that indicate battery power. The DWARF mini does not have any sharp edges as all sides are rounded off; it has a good heft to it, but the weight of it feels quite balanced in the hand, so it isn't top or bottom-heavy. On the front there is the DWARFLAB logo which is quite small and there are no other markings on it. The tripod offers full 360° rotation of the motorized base, which allows for tracking for the time-lapse mode, but also for the 90-second captures of nearer objects in the sky, such as the Sun or the moon. Usage To get started, simply power on the DWARF mini and open the DWARFLAB app, tap on Connect, and it will scan for the DWARF mini over the Wi-Fi network. The device supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth for discovery, so connection issues were minimal in my experience with it. As previously noted in the specs, the DWARF mini will stay connected with a phone or tablet up to 15 meters in an open environment, such as a backyard. Lighting status Powering on: The green circular light will rotate and breathe in turn Powering off: The red circular light is gradually extinguished Connecting: Green light strip rotating Connected: Green light strip solid/always on 4 lights 1= 0-25%, 2= 25-50%, 3= 50-75%, 4= 75-100% battery power To view the full lighting status, such as tracking mode and connection failure, you can check the user guide on the official DWARFLAB page. DWARFLAB app Above, you can see the steps undertaken to connect the DWARFLAB app to my Galaxy S26 Ultra. Weirdly, I got an alert that a firmware update failed to get uploaded to the DWARF mini the first time, but upon retrying, it worked. Then place the DWARF mini outside, make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to it, and then head back inside, because you can manage it from the comfort of your home. Simply enter the Atlas tab in the app and search for what you want to capture, and then tap on the camera icon; the DWARF mini will then attempt to track the object and give you a live view right on your connected device. Results I've had the DWARF mini since April, but even though my garden is south-facing, I had a lot of trouble trying to capture a good image of the moon. In the end, it was possible after I took it with me on a trip to my parents in Southend, UK, at the end of May. Here is a capture of the moon, resulting from 20 stacked images over a 90-second exposure. What you are seeing here is not AI-assisted. A good example of what I mean is the latest flagships with their 200MP cameras claiming to capture things like closeups of the moon, and while they are not as good as the above example on the DWARF mini, the resulting image on smartphones is actually AI-assisted above 30X zoom. Here is an example of a similar shot at the moon at 200X zoom using an HONOR Magic8 Pro. The difference is clear. Next, here we have a shot of the daytime moon. Here is a shot of Arcturus, the red giant star, which is the fourth brightest in the night sky. As previously mentioned, it could be a bit clearer, but clouds passing in front of it muddied the shot a bit. The Sun The DWARF mini also ships with a sun filter, meaning you can take great shots of the sun as well. Tracking Sun Resulting (stacked) shot Live zoom The pictures themselves are limited to Full HD, and some of the examples actually came out in HD (1280x720), but this is because the standard telescopic result is in 720p while "Wide" is in 1080p. Above you can see how in the app the Sun is tracked, the resulting capture, and Live zoom. I have only scratched the surface of what is possible with this telescope; I found several examples online of shots of the Milky Way, among others, such as nebulae and galaxies. All of this requires patience and knowledge, although if you know what you are looking for, simply enter it in the Atlas tab in the DWARFLAB app, tap the camera icon, and the telescope will attempt to track it. Conclusion The good The DWARF mini definitely places itself in a price point that makes astrology accessible to anyone looking to get started in the hobby. Say you want to have a closer look at the moon, simply enter it in the Atlas, and the Live view also lets you zoom in and snap pictures. The bad Some issues I came across while operating the DWARF mini were that it sometimes failed to connect unless I held my smartphone right next to it, and finding and tracking sometimes took several attempts to get it calibrated. I discovered that it helped if I sort of positioned and pointed the telescope in the general area it was supposed to detect, but this obviously wouldn't work with objects you can't see with the naked eye; more testing is required for that. Another bit of advice is to ensure that the lens is clean. While making the examples of live zooming on the sun, I discovered that the telescope lens and sun filter were not completely clean, and only after cleaning with a microfiber cloth was I able to get a decent shot of the sun. Where to buy and a coupon Okay, $399 is not cheap for a side hobby, but nor is a $1,500 smartphone flagship that you'll most likely have for a couple of years. This is a one-time entrance into astrology, and it won't become obsolete in one year like a smartphone. It's a thumbs up from me. The DWARF mini is available to buy right now in the U.S. and U.K. at the links below. DWARF mini for $399 on the official site DWARF mini for $399 on Amazon U.S. Use the NEOWIN5OFF coupon code for an additional 5% off at checkout (expires June 21) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader Dis Continued
    • The name, you mean? If so, it's actually the objects common name. There's another one called NGC 7293 which is also known as Helix Nebula (because we're looking at a helix structure top down) but other times also known as the Eye of God. You'll understand when you see it
    • Welcome to Neowin! Enjoy your stay!
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      lamborghiniv10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      lamborghiniv10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Reacting Well
      X-No-file earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Month Later
      pestcontrol46 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      pestcontrol46 earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      505
    2. 2
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      272
    3. 3
      Skyfrog
      75
    4. 4
      +Edouard
      71
    5. 5
      FloatingFatMan
      69
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!