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Author Topic: PC Based Oscilloscope Paul Konen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 981 From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-05-2003 10:13 AM                     I would like to get your expert views about this product? www.softdsp.com Product is SDS200. Look at spec sheet (4 pages, PDF) Price: Approx $850 USD Basic Specs 2 Channel 200 MHz Bandwidth Thanks Paul  |  IP: Logged Jim Alexander Film Handler Posts: 71 From: Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Canada Registered: Nov 1999 posted 08-05-2003 06:13 PM                        One of the main drawbacks of any digitally based oscilloscope is the inability to show changes in the signal, immediately, as they occur. There will always be a certain level of delay. Correct me if I'm wrong, but reading through the spec sheet, there is also no provision for X-Y display. When aligning analog sound readers, this is virtually a must. Also another problem that occurs is with signals in the higher frequency ranges, resolution begins to drop off making the ability to show annomilies more and more difficult. Hacing use oscilloscopes for over 20years, I remain a true fan of the tried and true analog oscilloscope.  |  IP: Logged Bruce Hansen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 847 From: Stone Mountain, GA, USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 08-05-2003 08:30 PM                     They start out saying that this thing has a 5Gs/s sampeling rate, then tell you it is really 100Ms/s, unless you are using bath channels, then it is 50Ms/s; but it still works like it is 5Gs/s. This sounds like magic to me, and I would tend to doubt the 200MHz bandwidth. I did not see any way to feed it an external trigger. There are times that you want to use both channels to display waveforms, and trigger from a third source. From what I saw in their information, this unit cannot do this. I have never been happy with the displayed resolution of this type of unit. From their information it lookes like there is a max input of 42V. This could be a problem as well. And just think about having to wait for Windows to boot up before you can use your scope (it could be a good time for a coffee break).  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 08-05-2003 10:23 PM                     You could by a good used dual trace on ebay for 1/4 that amount  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 08-06-2003 03:12 AM                     or a brand new dual trace for about 1/2 that. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Jon Bartow Master Film Handler Posts: 287 From: Massachusetts Registered: Nov 1999 posted 08-06-2003 07:33 AM                     Heck, I bought my scope on e-bay for $450 4ch 100Mhz analog scope with a built-in "computer" i.e. it will actually measure and display voltage, time, phase, freq etc. Air Force surplus. Came with a big set of probes too. Stay away from PC scopes for theater work. They don't have the resolution , the bandwidth, not in real time, and are too expensive. (Although not carrying around that big analog scope and just having the laptop would be nice...) Jonathan  |  IP: Logged

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