Need recco: PC scope

[Mike Rocket J. Squirrel Elliott]

A friend who is handy with computers but not so handy with oscilloscopes
wants me to help him interpret what he is seeing on his Tek scope. But I
live about 1,000 miles away. It seems like a PC-based scope might be
handy if he could e-mail data files to me in some format that I can use
to "look over his shoulder" on my PC to see what he's been seeing.

Either screen captures, or several seconds of data playback. I operate
in teacher mode with him. Maybe the scope software has a "scope viewer"
module for not much money.

I could use recommendations for something under $500

USB
2 channels
external sync input along with the usual internal line, edge, etc., sync
modes.
8 bits is enough
bandwidth: single-shot mode, to 100kHz; in repetitive mode to 1MHz.
Reliable, voltage-protected inputs
good solid software,
portability not really needed.

--

Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
KG6RCR

 

[mike]

A friend who is handy with computers but not so handy with oscilloscopes
wants me to help him interpret what he is seeing on his Tek scope. But I
live about 1,000 miles away. It seems like a PC-based scope might be
handy if he could e-mail data files to me in some format that I can use
to "look over his shoulder" on my PC to see what he's been seeing.

Either screen captures, or several seconds of data playback. I operate
in teacher mode with him. Maybe the scope software has a "scope viewer"
module for not much money.

I could use recommendations for something under $500

How about FREE!!!

Point a webcam at the scope. I built mine into a scope viewing hood,
but you can use a tripod and throw a towel over it to reduce ambient light.
I use it for still screen captures, but there's no reason you can't
set up something like net meeting or any one of a dozen other programs
to view the webcam remotely. Or you could use VNC or any one of a dozen
other remote access programs to view his screen.

mike

USB
2 channels
external sync input along with the usual internal line, edge, etc., sync
modes.
8 bits is enough
bandwidth: single-shot mode, to 100kHz; in repetitive mode to 1MHz.
Reliable, voltage-protected inputs
good solid software,
portability not really needed.

--
Wanted, Serial cable for Dell Axim X5 PDA.
FS 512MB 45X SD Flash memory.
Return address is VALID but some sites block emails
with links. Delete this sig when replying.
FS 500MHz Tek DSOscilloscope TDS540 Make Offer
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
MAKE THE OBVIOUS CHANGES TO THE LINK
ht<removethis>tp://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

 

[Mike Rocket J. Squirrel Elliott]

How about FREE!!!

Point a webcam at the scope. I built mine into a scope viewing hood,
but you can use a tripod and throw a towel over it to reduce ambient light.
I use it for still screen captures, but there's no reason you can't
set up something like net meeting or any one of a dozen other programs
to view the webcam remotely. Or you could use VNC or any one of a dozen
other remote access programs to view his screen.

Might be kind of a flickery viewing experience at my end -- I don't play
around with webcams but the few times I've seen their output it seems to
be pretty low frame rate. Has anyone tried to view a 'scope through a
webcam?

-- mrjs

mike

--

Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
KG6RCR

 

[mike]

Might be kind of a flickery viewing experience at my end -- I don't play
around with webcams but the few times I've seen their output it seems to
be pretty low frame rate. Has anyone tried to view a 'scope through a
webcam?

Well, yes, I have!!!
Scope has persistence. AS long as you don't run the sweep too slow, it
don't flicker. If you do run it too slow, there's no way to get rid of
it. The webcam is gonna flicker cause of its frame rate.
And that's gonna flicker 'cause of the network bandwidth.
You can screen capture it and send the file. NO flicker there at all.
I understand your concern if you're making a presentation at a trade
show. Not so clear why it's a serious problem if you're just trying to
help someone fix a problem.

IF you're bent on spending money, I've got just what you need.
TEKTRONIX TDS540
http://nm7u.tripod.com/homepage/te.html
Hook that puppy up to GPIB and It will dance to whatever tune you play.
mike

-- mrjs

--
Wanted, Serial cable for Dell Axim X5 PDA.
Return address is VALID but some sites block emails
with links. Delete this sig when replying.
FS 500MHz Tek DSOscilloscope TDS540 Make Offer
Bunch of stuff For Sale and Wanted at the link below.
MAKE THE OBVIOUS CHANGES TO THE LINK
ht<removethis>tp://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Monitor/4710/

 

[Mike Rocket J. Squirrel Elliott]

Well, yes, I have!!!
Scope has persistence. AS long as you don't run the sweep too slow, it
don't flicker. If you do run it too slow, there's no way to get rid of
it. The webcam is gonna flicker cause of its frame rate.
And that's gonna flicker 'cause of the network bandwidth.
You can screen capture it and send the file. NO flicker there at all.
I understand your concern if you're making a presentation at a trade
show. Not so clear why it's a serious problem if you're just trying to
help someone fix a problem.

Who said it was a serious problem?

IF you're bent on spending money, I've got just what you need.
TEKTRONIX TDS540
http://nm7u.tripod.com/homepage/te.html
Hook that puppy up to GPIB and It will dance to whatever tune you play.
mike

It's a little more than my $500 budget . . .

- mrjs
--

Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
KG6RCR

 

[mike]

Who said it was a serious problem?



It's a little more than my $500 budget . . .

- mrjs

I guess it's all relative. To get me to spend $500 would take a
catastrophe of global proportions. Minor inconveniences get a budget
of 25-cents or thereabouts. ;-)
mike

 

[Mike Rocket J. Squirrel Elliott]

I guess it's all relative. To get me to spend $500 would take a
catastrophe of global proportions. Minor inconveniences get a budget
of 25-cents or thereabouts. ;-)
mike

Your point is well-taken. Your idea of a webcam is a good one. I thank
you for taking the time to make this suggestion, which might work out
just fine!

--

Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
KG6RCR

 

[quietguy]

A web cam wouldn't do the job? You could see the trace and chat with him
about it - and cost is minimal. Otherwise why not get him to video it and
send you the video on a DVD?


David