This is topic PC Based "O" scope in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 02-14-2005, 11:26 PM:
 
Has any one heard of a PC based "O" scope that's fast enough for us to use, I have not checked in a while?
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-15-2005, 01:15 AM:
 
Such as the one available here in the manuals section under software?
 

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Posted by David Buckley (Member # 2600) on 02-15-2005, 03:07 AM:
 
The question is what do you want to use it for and most importantly, what I/O do your require. The 'scope in the filelist here that Brad recommended uses the PCs soundcard for input, so it is limited to audio. But after a short play, if thats what you need it seems to work :-)

With external I/O boxes, the Pico stuff is popular

http://www.picotech.com/oscilloscope.html

If you are talking about replacing a 20MHz dual beam analogue or analogue storage scope, dealing with sensible sized signals, then yes, a PC scope can do that, and give lots of digital scope features. More speed and more resolution both push up the price.

If you're looking to replace a big LeCroy, or something specialist, then I'd say stay with the "proper" tool.

'Course, the downside is no knobs: how important that is to you only you can determine.

Usual rules apply, a PC is a blow-upable instrument, but then so is any instrument, you need to use care and judgement and not put the mains across your PC.
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-15-2005, 08:39 AM:
 
I wouldn't say I "recommend" that piece of software since I haven't used it, but it is there free of charge if you want to give it a whirl.
 

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Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 02-15-2005, 09:02 PM:
 
I'm looking to use it on "A" chains and to set up digital readers and chase amp hums. Seems like I heard that when you use the sound card as the interface it introduces a fair amount of noise? I downloaded the software" thanks Brad" and I'll give it a whirl. Is the Pico style faster? I can use RS232 and USB, with my laptop.
 

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Posted by David Buckley (Member # 2600) on 02-15-2005, 09:52 PM:
 
Laptop sound cards are indeed farily crap. I do lots of audio playback from a lappy, and for this I use an external USB box, usually an Eiderol UA-1A. I tried to get WinScope to work with that, but it doesnt have a option to allow selecting inputs, bit of a bummer.

A chain optical needs a dual beam at audio frequencies, so no problem doing that with WinScope, and even lappy noise wont be an issue. I dont know what the digital readers stuff out, but if its above about 20KHz then WinScope has no chance, as it can only sample at 44.1KHz, so Nyquist will get in the way.

The Pico stuff is much better, its like a real 'scope interms of input capability and sensitivity and control thereof. As you'll need dual beam, it looks like the ADC-100 would be the entry level requirement, which is a whopping $550. Still less than a decent scope though, if you happen to have a laptop with parallel port available.

If the monitoring points where you connect the scope to are nominally line level, I'd advise just having a go with WinScope, for the cost of a cable. It may be all the scope you need.

Next you'll want RTA on the PC for B chain :-)
 

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Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 02-16-2005, 02:19 AM:
 
Just another example where the Ivie IE-33 comes in handy. Its inbuilt 2-channel oscilloscope function is not fast enough for Dolby Digital A-chains, but very well suited for analog A-chains and other forms of audio troubleshooting including hum problems, blown speaker components, and of course actual B-chain equalizations.
Freddie - I know it was you who set us up for that thing with the Karaoke club back then in August in Omaha. That was mean - but also hilarious. Don Sneed even put in his new teeth for that evening!
 

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Posted by Don Sneed (Member # 955) on 02-16-2005, 03:30 AM:
 
Hey Michael,

Thanks to you my company brought (4) Ivie IE-33 for the techs, WOW this is great....I am now (or was) flying with a 70lbs case containing a scope, RTA, Cables, pink noise generator, mics..at the Strong class last Aug. you showed myself & one of our techs the Ivie, my company looking at the equipment we have to travel with & shipping costs, the Ivie was a no brainer, no more carrying around a scope & LinearX RTA, the Ivie does it all & then some more & only fits into your plam of your hand, yes a weee bit slow but I can get use to it....thank you for showing this...I Thank you, My Back Thank You, & Our accountant thank you (no more shipping cases bill)...
 

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Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 02-16-2005, 09:02 AM:
 
Michael there accountant thanksyou make sure you get him to pick up your bar tab
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-16-2005, 07:38 PM:
 
You guys can have your pocket analyzera/ scopes! I will stick with my heavy Tektronix till the end. Its super wide bandwidth has helped me on occasions to rack down RF problems in theatres that were located near transmitter sites. I love the large screen and the fact that it runs warm and has a cooling fan. Its just about as solid as they get! For long dstance traveling a smaller Tektronix battery operated scope works just fine and it ALWAYS works . I can't claim that for my Ivie analyzer though....... just wait till yours is bounced around and gets broken in.... you get hundreds or thousands of miles away only to find that it won't work . Ohhhh ya may wanna carry two on important trips and then you may find that your accountant may not be so happy.

Mark @ CLACO
 

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Posted by Freddie Dobbs (Member # 915) on 02-16-2005, 08:10 PM:
 
Michael,

It was I, the best part was the 5:00a wake up call for all the
Universal tech's, they did'nt figure out it was me until they got on the shuttle headed to the airport. Did any one explain to Don that the Ivie33 is not a karaoke device? Just how slow is the 33 on digital readers?
David RTA=D2(G)
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-16-2005, 10:18 PM:
 

quote: Freddie Dobbs

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David RTA=D2(G)

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Freddie,

You're limited in bandwidth to the specs of the audio sampling system in the IE-33 analyzer. Eqeuivelent to standard CD audio at best.

Now your cook'n though... Am planning on replacing my R-2 with one in the next few months.... whats your general opinion so far on yours? The R-2 has been very reliable but I look forword to the software package the D-2 comes with and the higher stability it offers. Then I can also finally retire my Toshiba slaptop and Win 98! Over its life I have saved well over 3,000 R-2 files with the dang thing...... Thats alot of setup and tear down time .

Mark
 

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Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 02-16-2005, 10:39 PM:
 
The Tektronix 465B has to be one of the best "workhorse" scopes ever made. I used one regularly when I was a bench technician at Computer Automation a LONG time ago. (Anyone here recognize that name? How about the LSI 2? The Alpha 8? The Naked Mini? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?). The company tried models from HP and Philips, but the techs mostly hated them. The 465B was and still is a great tool for a tech to have in his/her aresnal.


 

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Posted by James Falloon (Member # 1933) on 02-16-2005, 11:40 PM:
 
Daqarta - http://www.daqarta.com/

Great program, But:

only runs in dos

needs an ISA soundblaster 16

only 1 channel

but wow, the features, seriously check it out.
 

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Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-17-2005, 08:24 AM:
 

quote: David Stambaugh

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The Tektronix 465B has to be one of the best "workhorse" scopes ever made.

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