Software Oscilliscopes

[yano]

I don't have the cash to invest in an oscilliscope, but in the past I was able to use an old program called WinScope, but it doesn't run on my machine any more (I guess my computer is too new, and the software too old).

Does any one have good recommendations for a software oscilliscope for windows?
The only requirement I have is that it should be able to monitor the contents of my sound card in real time.

[Triffid]

You could try this one, I havn't tried it yet though. If you try it, please let me know how it goes.

http://www.electronics-lab.com/downloads/pc/002/

[Peter Snowberg]

For a slightly less..... uhhhhh.... academic style of scope, try digging up an old DOS program called Cathuga.

Sorry I'm not much help other than that.

Take care,
-Peter

[Triffid]

I just realized that there are a few of them at that site, got to remember to go to all the pages

http://www.electronics-lab.com/downloads/pc/index.html

[Zero the hero]

I believe this is the right place for this question: what about parallel or USB interface which convert PC into a true oscilloscope?
Anyone have ever tried them? Some link for DIYing on of these interface?

[Chris Goodson]

I believe this is the right place for this question: what about parallel or USB interface which convert PC into a true oscilloscope?
Anyone have ever tried them? Some link for DIYing on of these interface?

I'll second that request, especially for something I could build myself.

[Peter Snowberg]

I know in the past I've seen printer port adapters that use an 8 bit A/D. That would be very easy to build, especially with the quick and inexpensive A/Ds these days. The problem becomes the software end of things.... unless there is somebody here who writes in C or PC assembly that wants to hack something which reads the printer port every time a timer ticks and then graphs that. I'll volunteer to do the hardware or at least provide a solid starting point for somebody else to improve.

Take care,
-Peter

[smoguzbenjamin]

I saw a PC oscilliscope the other day. It uses one of the ports in the back of your PC, but it looks fully functional. It also comes with a bunch of software too! But it doesn't give a view of what's on your soundcard. But I guess you could make a plug to take the soundcard's output and show it on the 'scope.

Me, I'd prefer to use a real "I can hold this thing" kind of oscilliscope. But as mentioned they are very expensive :lol:

[spongebob]

Did you mean this one?
http://www.usb-instruments.com/hardware-ds2200.html

12-bit resolution, 200 KHz sampling rate, and connects to the USB port.

Sells for around 200 EUR/USD, that's quite reasonable IMHO, real digital oscilloscope cost muuuuuch more!

[Peter Snowberg]

Wow! That's a very cool device, but it costs more than a good used analog scope.

Here it is for $210 in the US. (Probes sold separately)
http://www.usbwholesale.com/oscilloscope.htm

Take care,
-Peter

[niftydog]

http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30518/article.html



you can buy an article from here that might help you.  I beleive you may also be able to buy the PC board to make this device as well!

[kroushl]

There was a thread not too long ago about PC oscilloscopes.  Here's the link:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=17930&highlight=oscilloscope

There's a few links to things in there. I liked realtime analyzer light (there's a link on the other thread), but you have to pay for it. The link to the picoscope is a hardware based pcscope.  It looks pretty good, and $125 for the entry level interface (though I would recommend the better ones).  I've been wanting to get an external soundcard to try to elimate some of the noise.  For my tastes, I find there's too much noise in the signal when using an internal soundcard and a PC oscope.  I'm not sure if this will work or not, but it's worth a try.  The more advanced versions of realtime analyzer have all kinds of great features. I'd probably plop down the money for the advanced versions if I knew I could have a quiet source.

Just a couple of days ago I saw a software oscope that could "learn" from a ADC so you could use any interface you wanted...I have no idea where I saw it though...

Anyone have experience with the external soundcard?

Later,
Brad

[thumposaurus]

what about this?
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/5958
ISA card though, would have to have an older machine to make use of it maybe that's why it's cheap.
There is another one that is USB based in the printed catalog but I can't find it on the website anywhere, it's different than the other one posted here already and cost's less, 169.96. The catalog calls it the OPTAscope, but like I said it's nowhere to be found on the actual site.

[MarkB]

is this it?

http://www.optascope.com

Looks pretty cool.. and under 200 bucks..
"-)