url stringlengths 38 133 | thread_title stringlengths 8 109 | posts listlengths 1 495 | scraped_at stringdate 2025-10-17 16:13:05 2025-10-19 01:29:01 | post_count int64 1 495 | domain stringclasses 1 value | subdomain stringclasses 6 values | has_op_post bool 2 classes |
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https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/new-t-shirts/ | New T-Shirts - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 30, 2010, 12:20:04 pm",
"content": "Photos of the new T-Shirts on the Merchandise page:http://www.eevblog.com/store/Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Strube09",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 30, 2010, 09:17:05 pm",
"content": "When is the multivibrator shirt coming out?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:41.876012 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/uart-spi-i2c/ | UART, SPI, & I2C - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Rhythmtech",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 24, 2010, 03:32:32 pm",
"content": "Serial communication protocols? An overview, what's the differences and why. When to use which and why."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mechatrommer",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 24, 2010, 04:09:17 pm",
"content": "yup why? i'm still not fully understand why. all i know is that it has something to do with application suitability (volt level, bps limit, no of lines required or some hardware specific etc). or maybe everybody who created it just want to show their protocol is more superb than others. and i strongly believe the reason of this is similar to why of the changing from serial or parallel port to usb (protocol) port. because its better than other, but.... everybody just choose whatever suits them from all the option. even if usb is the new thing, some people will stick to serial port. IMO.for more detail, u can check the wiki, i've saved all the protocol desc, but still havent compare them side by side. so far.. i've used uart and spi, from what i can see, the main difference (for my concern) is the max datarate, uart is limited up to 2Mbps, where spi can go up to 10-20Mbps. if a chip got both uart and spi, i'll prefer spi due to this reason, if... the other end can understand spi, otherwise, i'll just use uart, if any. if there is no serial comm port? then i'll use my own serial protocol"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 24, 2010, 04:19:58 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Rhythmtech on June 24, 2010, 03:32:32 pmI2C and SPI are generally only used to interface internal components in the same physical PCBI2C uses a 7-bit address byte to address the slave device so you have a maximum of 127 combinations, however 16 of those are reserved so you get 111 possible devices. Some external devices that are not MCU's have specific pins to set the address of the slave device in hardware. This presents another problem, I have recently decided to hack an old printer because I wanted to find out what was on the EEPROM which was a microchip EEPROM. The EEPROM had 4 pins to set the lower 4 bits of the 7-bit device address, meaning the upper 3 bits were zeros. This only allows 15 devices with schemes such as this. Now this was not a problem as I was only trying to extract the data off the device.UART has two data lines going in two directions allowing both devices to communicate without a designated slave device. The disadvantage is that this type of protocol only supports two devices."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "RayJones",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 24, 2010, 08:02:22 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Ferroto on June 24, 2010, 04:19:58 pmYes, but it can travel the world.UART typically equals RS-232 asynchronous serial port.The world used to be dominated by this form of serial data comms, and it still exists in many devices for low level access for reflashing etc.SPI / I2C are internal busses within equipment and you can get cool devices that do a specific job.SPI is the old traditional one, originally developed by Motorola at the time (now Freescale)I2C was developed later by Philips to try to address some of the shortcoming like addressability that SPI has."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 24, 2010, 08:29:11 pm",
"content": "The disadvantage of UART is that's asynchronous, so the clock on both sides needs to be pretty close (2% or so) to work, which often requires an external crystal (as opposed to internal RC oscillator). The disadvantage of SPI is that you need an enable line per slave, and multi-master is hard to implement. I2C needs only two lines for lots of devices, but because it's an open collector interface with a pull-up resistor, the total capacitance is limited. SPI is the fastest and simplest (enable high and dump data)."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mechatrommer",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 25, 2010, 03:12:13 am",
"content": "Quote from: alm on June 24, 2010, 08:29:11 pmyup! another main diff. of uart, they dont have clock line, so there is potential damage/corruption in the data if there is clock mismatch between the 2 ends or setting at diff. baudrate. spi is more foolproof in this matter coz it has clock line. not sure bout the i2c, yet to explore."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Rhythmtech",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 25, 2010, 04:11:41 pm",
"content": "So do we need a show on it? I am familiar with the basics, have used a lot of FTDI interface stuff, but would personally like to hear some Davetastic explanation of how to put it to work and why."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "RayJones",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 25, 2010, 11:05:01 pm",
"content": "What we are seeing with UART -> SPI -> I2C is evolution!This is my take on this.UART's produce the asynch format which harks way back to early last century in the teleprinter. As found in every post office etc. at the time.These were mechanical behemoths and each bit was used to set code bars via a rotating motor - synced to the mains.The code bars would only allow one \"type arm\" in the basket of characters to operate at any one time.When the last bit was received, the hammer came down, literally, and the selected character was slammed into the platten through a ribbon.Being a mechanical beast, this was also a driving factor behind the qwerty keyboard as we know. The characters were deliberately randomised to minimise potential clashes as the mechanical type arms flailed backwards and forwards.Great stuff!Synchronous serial comms were then developed to help with the potential of async to lose synchronisation.Synchronous modems provided Tx and Rx clocks, which of course clocked the data through. These clocks tended to run continuously, and \"frame bits\" were sent on the data to keep things synchronised.Motorola then developed SPI for it's micro controller devices, which had limited pins.SPI has the novel concept of \"clock stop\" where the clock is only sent when data is sent.This simplified things greatly for the original purpose of exchanging data from one microcontroller to another. 8 bits could be reliably exchanged with only 3 lines.However expansion of connected devices unleashed a flotilla of chip select lines, usually requiring 1of8 decoders, and therefore more pins/lines to drive these.So Philips many years later developed I2C where each device is addressable, and the address to operate upon is part of the data stream sent. So the bus reduces back to clock and data and the world rejoiced when several peripherals were to be attached to a micro.I2C is however more difficult to work with if all you want to do is a simple \"port expander\".Common TTL style shift registers can easily be bolted onto a SPI port to provide extra I/O lines, cascaded in series for more bits if desired!So each form still has it uses these days, and depends upon what you wish to achieve.FWIW, my first interfacing effort to a micro was driving a \"Model-50\" teleprinter to a 6809 based computer. Worked a treat, and yes I used a UART to do the deed.Nowadays I'm leaning towards CAN as it inherently allows multimaster operation with an inbuilt message priority scheme. And yes, it too is another form of serial data!Cheers, Ray"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Rhythmtech",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 26, 2010, 08:21:21 am",
"content": "That's awesome. I love reading about tech in historical format. Thanks Ray"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 26, 2010, 09:24:04 am",
"content": "Another common serial bus is 1-wire, which uses only one wire (plus ground). Even power can be provided over that one wire. It's even slower than I2C, and is used for slow stuff like temperature sensors."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "mikeselectricstuff",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 26, 2010, 09:54:26 am",
"content": "Quick summary :UartAdvantages : single wire, easy interface to PCs,MCU UARTSs etc. range of standard physical interfaces (TTL, RS232, RS422, RS485) covers a big range of distance/speed capabilites with off-the-shelf hardware.Disadvantages : Needs reasonable clock accuracy both ends. Max data rate in practice about 1mbit/sec (typically limited by UART capabilities).Due to clock requirement, it's not generally practical to wake an MCU on reception and have the first character available once woken due to clock startup delays.SPIAdvantages: Potentially very fast (10-20mbits/sec), very simple interface, very easy to implement in hard logic,FPGA or software.Self-clocking so can wake an MCU on reception and have the data byte available once woken.Flexible data word sizesDisadvantages :Multiple devices need multiple select lines.Lack of standardisation of clock polarity, Select behaviour etc.Single master only.I2CAdvantages :Only 2 wires to support multiple devices. Multimaster capabilityTiming constraints of protocol reduce likelihood of false data (e.g. eeprom corruption) in noisy or powerup/down situations.Disadvantages :More complex protocol than SPI, harder to level-shift or optoisolate due to bidirectional lines.Speed up to 400kbit/sec (1mbit for a few devices), but in practice can be limited to lower rates by capacitance if tracks are long.Self-clocking so can wake an MCU on reception and have the data byte available once woken.Need for pullup resistor(s) can reduce power efficiency in some cases.The issue of suitability for on-board/external interfaces isn't a direct characteristic of the interface, but a consequence of the number of lines required and the way they are used.You _could_ run SPI over RS232 or RS422, but you'd need more drivers and would run into skew issues at higher rates. I2C gets complicated due to the bidirectional nature, but you could run it on RS485 in principle, but in practice it's rarely worth the hassle."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 26, 2010, 11:19:16 am",
"content": "The bidirectional nature makes I2C also hard to isolate through optocouplers or pulse transformers. You basically need an I2C transceiver on both sides. I think NXP has an appnote that converts the I2C to something with four unidirectional lines, and uses opto's to isolate these lines. There are some devices in the RF isolation devices (eg. AD icoupler) lines that understand I2C."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "RayJones",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 26, 2010, 09:49:43 pm",
"content": "The sychronous serial formats will all run into problems with long runs if care is not taken to minimise skew of the clock against the data.This is why I am warming to the CAN bus on a project at work, the clock is embedded in the data, as it was with floppy drives.If more than 5 zeros or ones are sent in succession, the CAN devices insert \"stuffing bits\" to forcibly introduce a clock transition to keep things in step. Sure this make it harder to decode when you look at the stream on a logic analyser/CRO, but this is a truly self clocking data stream.I don't know how you can call SPI or I2C self clocking when the clock runs alongside the data?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:42.542456 | 13 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/budget-intermediate-high-end-reviews/ | Budget, Intermediate, High End Reviews - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zed",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 13, 2010, 04:25:35 pm",
"content": "I love your honest down to earth reviews of test gear etc Dave and was wondering if you could do some review videos of say 3 items in the low, med, high price bracket. I regularly buy What Hi-Fi magazine and they do this with their gear reviews and I thought it would be great to see similar reviews for gear us electronic geeks use as well."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zed",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 23, 2010, 09:26:42 pm",
"content": "My bad, I have been catching up on Dave's reviews now I can find them that is. Since the You Tube revamp it seems harder to watch videos (for me anyhow) and I only discovered the EEVBlog a few weeks ago so I apologize for my noobiness also."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:42.551215 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/a-show-at-the-workplace/ | A show at the workplace... - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MrPlacid",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 21, 2010, 05:02:16 pm",
"content": "Maybe when the boss isn't looking, Dave can video the inside of his workplace. I would love to see the gears true professionals uses, the cleanliness of the workbench, how they store components & parts. It's probably be good for will be EEs to know what to expect.If your coworkers are shy, have them wear paperbags while you're filming"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DavidDLC",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 21, 2010, 05:34:39 pm",
"content": "There are companies (like mine) were that type of activities is not tolerated, you can get fired !But let's see what does he have to say."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MrPlacid",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 21, 2010, 06:21:20 pm",
"content": "Quote from: DavidDLC on June 21, 2010, 05:34:39 pmYeah, that thought crossed my mind. I remember Dave said one time that his boss recommend the workers to have blogs. And I see alot of \"How It's Made\" shows on tv and it seemed many companies like to show/displayed their products.Anyways, I purchased my SKIL iXo Screwdriver, because I saw one show how the company made gas chain saw. They showed the factory and R&D involved. Impressed with what I saw, when I saw the electric screw driver I knew instantly it was quality stuff.But, I wouldn't blame Dave or his boss if they decide not to do the show."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 21, 2010, 10:41:29 pm",
"content": "Quote from: MrPlacid on June 21, 2010, 06:21:20 pmThat's correct, they do actually encourage us to have and participate in blogs of all sorts.But I deliberately leave work and the EEVblog totally separate, lest I accidentally say something they don't like.Don't worry, you aren't missing anything, it's not your traditional engineering company.This is where I wish I was actually still at my old company since starting this blog, I could have shown so much cool stuff, lots of interesting topics to talk about, and had the finest equipment slush money could buy.Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:43.304592 | 4 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/multimeter-shootout/ | Multimeter Shootout - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 01, 2010, 05:29:16 am",
"content": "Heads-up everyone.Many people have requested that I do reviews of more affordable multimeters rather than just the top shelf stuff.Rather than review one-by-one I'm thinking of having one big \"Under $XX Multimeter Shootout\" and am and trying to tee this up.And it'll be \"to destruction\" of course!I don't know what the $XX amount will be, taking suggestions on that too, but certainly under the $100 mark. The idea is to find the best value/performance meter under that amount.Rather than just pick the meters myself, I'd thought I'd also let viewers suggest ones they are interested in.So if you want to see a particular model reviewed, let me know, but it MUST be picked from here, and be at least under that $100 mark:http://www.tequipment.net/Thanks.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "jimmc",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 01, 2010, 09:52:48 pm",
"content": "At the risk of incurring your wrath can I suggest one not from that source.At the very bottom of the pile is the ubiquitous DT830B, the cheapest I've found it is here £2.71 ($4.50) including postage!)http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LCD-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Meter-OHM-DVM_W0QQitemZ390171973976QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET?hash=item5ad80fd958This would at least show what the very bottom of the range is like.I confess I have a few in addition to my main meters, they do have their uses if their limitations are understood.Jim"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "desolatordan",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 01, 2010, 10:13:58 pm",
"content": "Quote from: jimmc on April 01, 2010, 09:52:48 pmWas just going to suggest the cheap $3 ones from Harbor Freight, looks like they're the exact same meter.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98025EDIT: Oops, didn't noticed the Tequipment note in the post.Extech 430http://www.tequipment.net/ExtechEX430.asp"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 01, 2010, 10:39:54 pm",
"content": "Quote from: jimmc on April 01, 2010, 09:52:48 pmOnly problem with that is that Tequipment are providing the meters for nix.So I can get other ones, but I'll have to scrounge them from somewhere else or buy them myself.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "freddyk",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 01, 2010, 11:12:24 pm",
"content": "A multimeter for only $4.50? I'd love to see how that one measures up to other multimeters.It would be fun to have my preconception of cheap China Export blown to pieces if it (against all odds?) proved not to be as bad as the price suggests.Dave, I'm going to donate a small amount to you ($42 ought to be the optimal amount), hoping that you include one of those mega-cheap multimeters in the review..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "migsantiago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 02:23:01 am",
"content": "This one is not sold at Tequipment... but maybe you could check it out. It seems to be a Fluke 17B \"clone\"...VC99 3 6/7 Multimeter analog bar C F better FLUKE 17Bhttp://cgi.ebay.com/VC99-3-6-7-Multimeter-analog-bar-C-F-better-FLUKE-17B_W0QQitemZ120513720463QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools?hash=item1c0f2d708f$36.99USD"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MTron",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 06:40:06 am",
"content": "I have had some good experiences with other Amprobe meters, and this one just fits your bill for under $100http://www.tequipment.net/Amprobe35XP-A.html"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 08:42:50 am",
"content": "Quote from: freddyk on April 01, 2010, 11:12:24 pmThanks for the donation, I can get a few more now!Somehow I don't think the $5 meter is going to compare with a $50 meter, at which price point you can actually get a decent quality meter.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "csadzuki",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 09:54:35 am",
"content": "I would be very interested in your opinion/review of UNI-T multimeters.http://www.uni-trend.com/software/DMM%20Catalog_2009.pdf(I have a UT61C, but my feelings are mixed...)The general opinion seems to be that they are great bang for the buck meters.They are sold under many names (VoltCraft, etc.).(Sorry, not sure if tequipment.net carries them.)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 10:40:54 pm",
"content": "Quote from: migsantiago on April 02, 2010, 02:23:01 amA few people have asked about that one, as it seem to be prolific on Ebay. So I've just bought one.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "migsantiago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 12:38:47 am",
"content": "It'll be interesting to watch some clone wars... Fluke vs. whoknowswhat..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 03:51:15 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on April 02, 2010, 10:40:54 pmoh thanks Dave I have one of those and while its my top meter (while i recover from my investment in the rigol scope) I don't like to trust it, a lot of your comments on it when I posted about it whilst considering it were true: no SMD all standard parts and well just nothing like I hope a real fluke is, I also have good reason to beleive that the temp measurement reads an astounding 5 C over the actual temp !"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 10:07:06 pm",
"content": "So how do people think I should run this comparison?I don't think it's fair to compare a $5 meter with a $70 meter for example, so I'm probably going to exclude those $5 meters.An how do you fairly compare a better quality $50 meter with basic features, to a lesser quality $50 meter with all the bells and whistles?Categories?Any ideas?Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dmlandrum",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 10:16:21 pm",
"content": "My first thought is to compare across comparable feature lists and leave price for last. So, group all multimeters by feature range, do your comparison, rank them, andthenfactor the price into it. You can then let that alter your rankings if you desire, or you can take each \"feature-equivalence\" category and choose a \"best performer\" and then a \"best bang for the buck.\" Who knows, they might be the same in some cases.I hope that makes sense. I'm not saying it's a good idea, just that it's my first."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 11:39:05 pm",
"content": "I think it is a good idea to throw in one or two $5 meters. Even if they can't compare with others, you can tell everyone how horrible they are, or better yet, \"test\" their input protection (if you know what I mean)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "migsantiago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 11:44:13 pm",
"content": "A comparison table would be enough I think. The columns should be the dmm models and every row should be a feature.First, the electronic and electric features: voltage precission, battery endurance, capacitance measurements, transistor HFE, number of displayed digits, etc.Another group of rows should be the number of standards that the dmm has (that CAT III thing labeled on the probes for example).Then the \"appeal\" features: product looks, shape, shock resistance, beeper loudness, battery replacement, display readability and the most special one... the feel.And the last group of rows... the tough tests... free falls, apply 220VAC while measuring ohms (yeah, it happens! hehe), water proof, etc.The columns (dmm models) could be arranged from lower to higher price."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 04, 2010, 12:41:33 am",
"content": "Quote from: dmlandrum on April 03, 2010, 10:16:21 pmsounds good, I have meters that are almost identical but i apid very different prices for them and have seen them for much less recently, with price on these cheap meters it is more down to channels you buy through than what they do or who branded them"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MTron",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 04, 2010, 04:44:50 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on April 03, 2010, 10:07:06 pmWell.....you could always do some kind of standardization of score... develop say, 4 categories out of 10 to be graded on, divide each category by the price, and sum the total from each of thr 4 categories....might come to some kind of best bang for the buck....LOLi think ive been in the science papers to much.....In all seriousness, how about 2 broad categories. an ultra cheap, bare bones, first multimeter you buy ever just to test wall voltage category, and then the decently accurate well equipped multimeter for someone starting out in the fieldPersonally i found your previous reviews on multimeters quite informative, and the one were you did a brief overview of the Meterman multimeter peaked my interest as the Meterman (Now Amprobe) multimeters seemed to be pretty decent in quality....i actually went out a bought an Amprobe 34XR-A to replace my 15 dollar import meter"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "domm123",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 04, 2010, 05:02:17 am",
"content": "Quote from: freddyk on April 01, 2010, 11:12:24 pmI would also like to see a $4.50 multimeter taking measurement, and compare it side by side with a expensive one!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "PetrosA",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 02:43:10 am",
"content": "In this price range I'd be interested in a backup/secondary DMM. My primary is now an Agilent u1211a clamp meter but I'd like to have a second one for measuring voltage and amperage together. Since I work on line voltages, anything I use has to be at least CAT III to 600V and that is the primary criterion I used gathering my list of meters. I stayed away from Amprobe only because I know you've already gotten a lot of requests for them.Here's the list:http://www.tequipment.net/ReedST-9918.asphttp://www.tequipment.net/Ideal61-320.asphttp://www.tequipment.net/BK2708B.htmlSure, I dream of a high end data logging DMM, but there are lots of other tools on my \"to buy\" listEdit to add:I didn't notice that the Reed 9918 was discontinued and the replacement is just over $100. The 9917 would also fit my requirements.http://www.tequipment.net/ReedST-9917.aspMini rant - tequipment.net is a great source and has excellent live chat help (I've used it before) but they really need to do some work on organizing the products better, as well as making the search functions more useful (like by price and availability)."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 07:55:43 am",
"content": "not sure if it has alreadbeen mentioned but I'm considering the amprobe AM220 after getting fed up with that fluke 17B mikitake from china off ebay. it looks like a good all round meter but for 30 quid I'd dubious as thats what I paid for the peice of crap I have from ebay"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "flano",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 12:49:06 pm",
"content": "Dave,Really enjoy your reviews. I'm looking getting a new meter like.http://www.tequipment.net/UEiDM397.htmlSo would be interested in a review of one of their lower priced units.http://www.tequipment.net/UEiDM391.htmlAs for how to review them, I think you should rate them on their:-- Construction - How relieable will they be?- Safety - What standards do they conform to? Can they take 240V on the ohms range? ...- Accuracy compared to your Fluke 87- Feature set/Bang for buck.Look forward to watching the shootout.Thanks Mike"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 09, 2010, 04:59:20 pm",
"content": "Clone war is a good idea the VC99 meter very comon on ebay and sold as a fluke 87 equivalent putting it against the real one would be good."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "domm123",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 09, 2010, 05:15:33 pm",
"content": "My cheap $5 meter have arrived!! Some picture.. It is very small and feels very light as compare to my fluke 87-v.Btw, it does not look as bad as the cheap meter that dave have. The soldering on the pcb is pretty neat, and it uses smd component.Model is DT-830B"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "lebeno",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 11, 2010, 09:03:39 pm",
"content": "Dave, super idea, this multimeter shootout!Because I was planning to buy a second, more accurate DMM, I did some \"market research\" and put the specs of the products I liked in this document:Quality Autoranging TrueRMS multimeters compared.The document is far from complete: a lot of multimeters could be added and in most cases for the accuracy of a given function (e.g. DCV) I took the best one I could find for the different DCV ranges. Also, I \"calculated\" the total accuracy for every function by taking the measuring accuracy and then adding the \"counts\" accuracy divided by the total number of counts. Dunno if this formula is any good, but I wanted something to compare the bare facts.The Cineese Uni-TUT71Cseems to be a very good multimeter (on paper anyhow).Compared to the Fluke 87 V and the Gossen Metrahit PRO, it almost beats them at every spec at a third of the price!But then again, my comparison is probably very inaccurte, incomplete, or Uni-T could be lying or incomplete? And the dial is doubtfully as sexy als the Gossen'sAnyhow, I did find a nice video that seems to suggest the Uni-T multimeters have an easy calibration feature:Uni-T also has theUT71DandUT71Emodels. Apart from the number of data logging records or a power meter option, they have the same specs.If you guys think this comparison table is any good or you have suggestions, I can give you write permission to add stuff."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 18, 2010, 04:44:09 am",
"content": "For those interested, the meters on their way soon are (hopefully):$50 price category:Extech EX320Amprobe AM220Global Specialties PRO-50Elenco M-2625VC99 ebay cheapie$100 price category (all TRMS):BK Precision BK2709BAmprobe 34XRExtech EX505Ideal 61-342UEi DM391Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 18, 2010, 11:46:56 am",
"content": "would be very interesting to see the comparison of the AM220 to the VC99, have both as main meters and paid the same for them (both ebay), I think the VC99 is cheap garbage with as many counts and features thrown in as possible, the AM220 seems to have the same capabilites but slightly less for example 4000 count versus 6000 count and the max ranges that go with that but much better quality and maybe accuracy, there is a 20 mV difference between the 2 and I think I'd trust the AM220 over the VC999"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "stevestk",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 06:32:45 pm",
"content": "I guess the one problem is trying to reach all the audience tuning in. When your're new to a hobby you don't know what you don't know. For someone getting started like me, I'd like to know what the minimum expense is that I can get away with while having a usable instrument. If I buy a $30-$50 dollar instrument what won't I be able to accomplish as apposed to a $100 meter. Or is the issue safety or longevity? Or can you tell me why I'll regret my purchase and will have to spend more money in a few months for a replacement. These same questions apply to most test equipment purchases for novices."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 06:36:29 pm",
"content": "anything around £30/$50 should make a decent meter to start with just don't go lower, my £10 meters actually failed to survive a flight in a hold (in my suitcase). Personally although I've hardly used it as of yet I'd recomend the amprobe AM220, it seems to be a reliable machine and costs the same as the micky taking meters on ebay (althoug you can get the AM220 on ebay too). a £50+ fluke seems to make a good baseline meter and over 100 pounds you should get a nice durable machine"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 07:56:10 pm",
"content": "You did a wonderful job on the comparison sheet, but there are 3 things in it that are difficult to test. The UT71C DC performance on the U-Tube video was impressive, but so was this:How durable is the unit ? How long will it stay in spec, under what conditions such as varying environmental temperatures?How protected is it really from transients, and is it truly rated for whatever CAT level its specified for?If you use it purely for electronics design work at home it should be fine, and CAT ratings may not be important. In that case, I'd be more concerned with how accurate it will continue to be within the 1st year you've owned it. Also, with these no-name meters, its hard to say if their published specs are true compared to the reputable meters or with what an independent reviewer will find out ... like Dave will do soon.I'm still looking for a very accurate DC meter, and thanks to you, the Uni-T models is something I'll look into ... I'd previously reviewed its portable oscilloscope but decided against it.Quote from: lebeno on April 11, 2010, 09:03:39 pm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 24, 2010, 09:40:10 am",
"content": "The meters will be on their way on Monday, here they are at tequipment.net who are providing them!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "PetrosA",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 24, 2010, 01:29:50 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on April 24, 2010, 09:40:10 amBravo!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 24, 2010, 06:11:32 pm",
"content": "I am a bit skeptic , because the 50$ limit , excludes many models , that some people all ready own.But the positive part is , that the upcome would be an comparison of apples with apples.And it will be quite educational ..For something like that , that needs time , its worth the waiting, and there is no need anyone to stress Dave about acting faster ...Detail and speed , does not coexist .. We have always to choose our priority s.So I vote for detail = patience ."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 24, 2010, 11:59:29 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on April 24, 2010, 06:11:32 pmYes, the hard part was picking suitably comparable models. And no matter what gets picked, someone will complain I didn't include XXXXXBut I was essentially limited to what tequipment.net offered, as they have generously donated the gear.I hope the $50 mark and $100 was a reasonable compromise, and it seemed to work out quite, as for example all the $100 units have TRMS, but the $50 units don't. And one of them is waterproof and shock proof!It'll sure take some time to review and do a tear-down of them all, so I'll have to deliberately keep it very brief with comparison tables etc.I'll also have to do it in two separate blogs, the $50 ones and then the $100 ones.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 25, 2010, 11:22:00 am",
"content": "You could take your time, and do a detailed comprehensive eval in stages.The accuracy in DMM functions versus printed specs is something we all want to know which you can give us quickly in a rundown. But long term stability will need time, and accelerated testing will be hard to validate i.e., operation in higher ambient temps and humidity.Then there's drop tests, waterproof etc.,Then there's the ergonomics of actual use.Then safety, CAT I-IV level testing.Lots of fun for you and us!Quote from: EEVblog on April 24, 2010, 11:59:29 pm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 25, 2010, 04:27:57 pm",
"content": "Quote from: saturation on April 25, 2010, 11:22:00 amAs independent \" observer \",I would describe this message as a \"Hit under the belt\"Or like an side way movement, to influence the judgment of the reviewer ..Everything are understandableThis upcoming review had throw sky high , the expectations of this community ..soon we will need the help, of the Australian Firefighters ."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 09:45:07 am",
"content": "Does anyone have an Amprobe 34XR?Just took it out of the pack and tried it and it gives a very sickly sounding beep every time the range switch is moved. Not only is it incredibly annoying, it actually sounds like the unit is faulty in some way. Almost like the battery is out of juice and it's trying to beep a last gasp (Yes, I checked that battery)Can anyone confirm that their unit does this?ThanksDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 07:17:19 pm",
"content": "Quote from: saturation on April 25, 2010, 11:22:00 amI'm particularly interested in accuracy (I am after all a QC inspector by day) as i have two meters, the amprobe AM220 and the VC99 off ebay and they gave a slightly different voltage reading for the same voltage, naturally i trust the amprobe more"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 07:35:50 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 07, 2010, 07:17:19 pmThe problem with testing accuracy is that it's a statistical quantity measured over a period of time. To get a good idea of accuracy, you need to track multiple samples over a few years, not something we can expect Dave to do. The initial accuracy does say something about QC, but since I don't expect a <$100 DMM to ever be calibrated, the long term specs are the important ones."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 07:41:37 pm",
"content": "as far as i know you can't \"callibrate\" a multimeter ? I know you can send them away for \"calibration\" but they do not get callibrated as such they are merely checked for accuracy.On the contrary you can take a measurement and work out if it is withing ther tollerance stated, of course 1 year down the line you should recheck the unit to verify it is still accurate. I'd not be surprised though if many cheap multimeters are sold with poor accuracy to start with."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 09:36:25 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 07, 2010, 07:41:37 pmWell this Damn Fluke 87V , made me to believe that they do get calibrated ... by software.I have read 4 times the manual , and check the service manual of the old 87 III .Even every message in the LCD are programed, with the proper tools, you can calibrate it , or even make it to speak Russian ..Instead of the {LEAD} warning , it will say {??}Text taken from theservice manual:After pressing {Auto Hold}, wait until the step number advances before changingthe calibrator source or turning the Meter rotary knob.If the Meter rotary knob is not in the correct position, or if the measuredvalue is not within the anticipated range of the input value, the Meter emitsa double beep and will not continue to the next step.Some adjustment steps take longer to execute than others (10 to 15seconds). For these steps, the Meter will beep when the step is complete.Not all steps have this feature.8. After the final step, the display shows \"End\" to indicate that the calibrationadjustment is complete. Press {Auto Hold} to go to meter mode."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 10:57:46 pm",
"content": "Quote from: alm on May 07, 2010, 07:35:50 pmCorrect, absolute accuracy is not something I can do with any sense of authority with only one sample, limited time, and no thermal chamber.Remember, most meters are only \"accurate\" to the 2nd LSD, so being up to 10 counts out between meters can be expected. But in practice it's usually better than that, even on the cheapies.I'd be surprised if any of these cheapies are more than say 5 counts out from my reference Fluke out of the box.Sadly, a lot of beginners think that if it reads the same as the Fluke then it's obviously \"just as good\". The truth of course is nothing like that.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 07, 2010, 11:00:41 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 07, 2010, 07:41:37 pmEssentially correct.I've talked about this in my meter counts blog.\"adjustment\" is usually a separate process that is only done if required or requested.Modern good quality meters will have software calibration adjustment instead of old style trimpots.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 08, 2010, 01:09:36 am",
"content": "Technically, calibration is just checking if it's within specs, although in the test & measurement industry, this is often called 'performance verification', and calibration as performance verification + adjustments. Any multimeter can be checked, and most can be adjusted. Even my father's cheap Voltcraft DMM has two internal trimmers. The more recent and expensive multimeters usually allow closed-case calibration (from the front panel or an external interface). In many cases, a cal lab will adjust anything outside specs (or something outside 50% of specs), although you can request them not to if you want to track the aging yourself.Accuracy specs are usually valid for at most a year (assuming they have any grounding in reality to begin with), so if you care about accuracy, you should send it out for calibration/adjustment at least once a year. If you don't, you're essentially in unknown territory, accuracy-wise. Although most high-quality meters rarely go out of spec and are likely to be close to factory specs, even after more than ten years. I wouldn't expect cheap meters to have the same stability, but you never know."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 08, 2010, 04:29:18 pm",
"content": "there probably is a method of actully calibrating a meter but you must assertain first what the trst company mean by callibration, you must make sure they mean that they will recallibrate the meter, this sounds obvious but with the thousands of models around they will have to know how to work on each model and possibly have the equipment neccesary. Although I know it is not impossible I think most companies by \"callibration\" will mean check to see if it is in tollerance"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Rhythmtech",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 26, 2010, 04:18:00 pm",
"content": "Quote from: shafri on May 08, 2010, 03:38:35 pmIf you do 5 points for each range, you could do the calibration check in under and hour. On many modern digital meters some of the functions are in software and may not require calibration as the same hardware that has already been checked is used, although I personally would consider it bad practice to not check every range of every function. Usually when meters are \"out\" of calibration it is not out in every range so you only have to make one adjustment for that range. If the meter is out across all ranges, I would suspect more than just adjustment is necessary. More like the meter is broke and needs to be replaced."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 26, 2010, 04:47:21 pm",
"content": "Quote from: rhythmtech on May 26, 2010, 04:18:00 pmOr it's an offset error which is equal on every range. I have an HP DMM that was off on all resistance ranges (even four wire) by something like -0.4 ohm. A dead short read -0.4 (4-wire), a 100 ohm resistor read something like 99.6 ohm (and 99.9 something on other meters), a 1k resistor was 999.6ohm, and so on. After re-calibrating the zero ohm measurement on all resistance ranges, they were all within spec again."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Rhythmtech",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 26, 2010, 06:50:05 pm",
"content": "Quote from: alm on May 26, 2010, 04:47:21 pmYeah, I agree that makes sense. I should have been more explicit. For example, if volts, amps, and resistance all required adjustment then I would suspect something happened to the meter. In which case, you could shorten the cal interval and verify that the adjustment took or the meter needs to be replaced."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "RayJones",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 27, 2010, 08:58:55 am",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 08, 2010, 04:29:18 pmThis very true, especially for expensive signal generators.For example, a calibrated unit usually means the power / frequency was within the published specs for the unit. ie 0dBm may actually really be 0.5dBmAdjustment requires an even greater financial outlay, and you will be contacted if you desire this if your unit is found to be out of spec."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 27, 2010, 11:07:14 am",
"content": "An alternative to calibration for DIY without access to a lab with calibrated gear is to buy a voltage reference or DMM calibrator. It should calibrate the most critical ranges. alm on this thread summarizes the limitations.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=601.0Essentially you buy a lab's voltage, current and resistance reference board. This is calibrated by the seller. Every 6-12 mo you can return the reference board to them for recalibration, and they mail it back to you, ~ cost $5 US after 1 year, free prior. I estimate total cost would run $10-15, mostly from the postage.I think Dave said once you are aware of the drift of a particular DMM, calibration may show that its rock stable year after year, and annual checkups become 'less' or unnecessary, unless you are in a professional setting. If you own several DMM, you can calibrate them at different times of the year, so as they drift, you can cross reference them against each other to check accuracy.On the side, Fluke DMM owners know them be quite stable, something not immediately viewable by its appearance or mentioned in its manual or sales literature; a measurement of some voltage references show my 85 still reads true to spec 20 years since its last recalibration.Here's a fellow describing his uncalibrated 10 year old Flukes:http://www.cappels.org/dproj/1.024voltreference/portvoltref.html"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 27, 2010, 09:02:18 pm",
"content": "Indeed, the stability of high-quality multimeters can be much better than specced in the datasheet, the value in the datasheet is probably something like the three-sigma value under worst-case conditions, most meters are not worse-case. Especially the long-term drift is often quite low. It's not unusual for a meter to still meets it specs after many years without calibration. The trick is how to know if this is the case. This obviously won't cut it in a commercial environment where it's used for production testing, you want impressive official documents to impress your managers and customers, and to claim that your process that produces equipment that dies after two years has a constant quality, and will always die between two years and two and a half years.Calibration is all about 'probably accurate' anyway, the minute the meter is put in a box and tossed in the UPS van, it might have drifted (although modern meters without trimmers are much less susceptible to shocks). The manufacturer has designed it so it probably won't drift more than X within a year, and you can use your own historical data to back it up. Sometimes they perform worse than manufacturers specs, I've heard about a metrologist that had some meters on a three month cal cycle, and they still barely met their 1-year specs.Even with real calibration, all you have is a certificate that it was within factory specs at some time in the past, a datasheet from the manufacturer that claims that it won't drift more than X in the calibration interval, and if you're lucky some historical stats. None of this guarantees that the measurement you take today is accurate. I think Dave touched on this in a past blog."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 28, 2010, 10:41:34 am",
"content": "Holding calibration over many years is a feature worth advertising, calibration costs over time quickly add up; you can buy a new top DMM every 4-5 years and as you'd estimate, a single calibration cost more than many DMM.Although the Fluke is rugged, I don't mistreat it and a homebuild DMM either, nor is it exposed to the extremes of its operating range, its been a 'house' meter all its life living in relative controlled conditions. I do take a Radio Shack DMM to the field often: hot, humid, bumpy, high humidity, so this thread has given me the incentive to calibrate it against the Fluke and see what continued environmental exposure will do to its drift.Quote from: alm on May 27, 2010, 09:02:18 pm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 09:19:22 am",
"content": "I just edited the basic footage I have for the $50 meter shootout and it's already 47minutes. That does not include intro, drop tests or conclusion which I haven't filmed yet!It's just crazy! I'm sure no one wants to watch a >1 hour shootout.What does everything think I should do?I could maybe shoot a quick 10 minute monologue overview with no detail, and if you want the details you watch the full 1 hour+ version? So I'd upload two separate versions.The only other alternative is to look at what I'm rambling on about and re-shoot quicker, but that would takes ages.I can't really edit the existing footage much more, I'd have to leave tons of stuff out to get it down.What do people think?Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "switcher",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 09:51:12 am",
"content": "Go with it Dave, but maybe split it into two 30-min segments.cheers,"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "csadzuki",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 10:32:48 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on May 29, 2010, 09:19:22 amI, for one, would like to watch the 1+ hour version."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 11:15:29 am",
"content": "yea I'd watch the lot, its like buying a DSLR and then throwing 99% of the info away on a JPEG output, give us all the nitty gritty dave, don't gather information only to toss it"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 01:28:44 pm",
"content": "I agree, give us the director's cutMaybe you could attach a little timetable that describes the content. In this way anybody who doesn't want to watch the whole thing can just skip ahead@csadzukiGreat avatar"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "redek",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 29, 2010, 10:26:57 pm",
"content": "I've been jonesing too long for a multimeter review, I'll be happy to watch the long version."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MrPlacid",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 01:53:23 am",
"content": "Dave, go for the hour+ long review. Don't waste your time editing. I've seen bloggers who got lost in the habit of trying to produce, quality edited versions and what do they have to show? Maybe 4-5 episodes a year.You can add another episode right afterward as a summary of the 1hr+ episode. It doesn't need any editing other than as a quick summary of the 1hr show without any multimeter footage other than you talking. That should make the other crowd happy too."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 01:38:23 pm",
"content": "Go for the long one, its not just a review its entertainment.You can preface the show with an executive summary, so start conclusions first, in case viewers wish for the short version.Quote from: EEVblog on May 29, 2010, 09:19:22 am"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "KTP",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 02:46:02 pm",
"content": "I was all excited about this review but yesterday my wife was out shopping at Frys and brought me home a Fluke 289 with FlukeView software (what a surprise! but she is a bit of a techy herself).I have a nice wife.I will still watch with interest while I learn this new meter, which has more controls than my oscilloscope."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 04:12:25 pm",
"content": "Quote from: KTP on June 01, 2010, 02:46:02 pmyou lucky devil"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MightyTwin",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 05:34:10 pm",
"content": "Quote from: KTP on June 01, 2010, 02:46:02 pmDon'teverlet go of her. Her kind of species is rare to get by these days.-MightyTwin."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "PetrosA",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 06:42:03 pm",
"content": "make it as long as you need to"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 01, 2010, 10:14:07 pm",
"content": "Quote from: KTP on June 01, 2010, 02:46:02 pmThat's an expensive impulse buy!Nice score on both the wife and meter!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "flano",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 02, 2010, 08:21:25 am",
"content": "Dave,Give us the 1+ hour, I like the details.Thanks Mike"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "link",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 09, 2010, 06:43:27 pm",
"content": "Dave,I've got a chance to nab a new Extech EX505 for about $70. I wanna wait for your review but am afraid it might sell out. Would you recommend it for that price? Thanks. And I'm with everybody else. Make the review 1hr+ long. It's only the bad movies that need cutting."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 09, 2010, 10:58:27 pm",
"content": "Quote from: link on June 09, 2010, 06:43:27 pmYeah, a bargain for $70 for a CAT-IV water/drop proof meterIf it's new in the box then it comes with a nice carry case with shoulder strap, and a magnetic hanger if you are into that sort of stuff.They all seem pretty good, no real \"pieces of shit\" in the group (Yet to get the Uni-T). This will be a much closer shootout than the $50 one I suspect.But as usual, they all have some bad points.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "link",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 10, 2010, 02:07:00 am",
"content": "Thanks Dave! I'll jump on it. Looking forward to your review. Liam"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cybergibbons",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 11, 2010, 05:28:31 pm",
"content": "Just saw this video on youtube:https://www.youtube.com/user/extechvideos#p/u/8/F6nGjhAO67cYou see a bit inside the EX530... what is that white wire leading from one of the terminals across the PCB?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 11, 2010, 06:07:19 pm",
"content": "Lol i like the basin drop and the car run over. Dave you should add them in your usual reviews"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "link",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 11, 2010, 11:32:03 pm",
"content": "Quote from: dengorius on June 11, 2010, 06:07:19 pmDave will probably take it to the next level - butane torch, liquid nitrogen, fat lady, etc."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 12:42:41 am",
"content": "Quote from: cybergibbons on June 11, 2010, 05:28:31 pmThe wire is a kludge because they didn't lay out the board efficiently, which also results in a few cramped end-on components. Extech have admitted this and will endeavor to improve it in their next models.That video was inspired by my Fluke 28-II video. I'll include the car test in future testing, along with other tests. I was going to do it for the Fluke 28, but plain forget in the end.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cybergibbons",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 07:40:27 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on June 12, 2010, 12:42:41 amInteresting - mainly because in the Fluke 28 test, it was one of the larger discretes (can't remember what it was, a small inductor?) that sheered off the board.These do look like very robust meters though."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 07:45:34 am",
"content": "Quote from: cybergibbons on June 12, 2010, 07:40:27 amYes, the main DC-DC SMD inductor sheared off not once but twice. Not from the actual solder joints, but the upper bobbin part. Not surprising I guess given that the ferrite material would be quite brittle.From initial inspection, the Extech is clearly not in the same class as the Fluke 28, but it is 1/4 the price or something. Will be interesting to see how much abuse it can take.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 11:20:12 am",
"content": "That video perked my interest, until I read the Amazon reviews for the EX530. These reviews were made before eevblog but it does bring up some of Dave's points:http://www.amazon.com/Extech-EX530-Heavy-Industrial-MultiMeter/product-reviews/B000EWW2T6/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1For $200, you pay for the robustness, but it has a number of electronic flaws that aren't in cheaper but less robust DMM. Its basically something you need to do general electrical rather than electronic work, but in a harsh environment.In harsh environments, besides protection from mechanical failure, you still need a reliable electronic measuring tool. You won't be in position to get your reading double checked because you may be carrying only one device to save weight, and I'd rather have a meter not read than read incorrectly. Also, in wet environments, you want to be sure it reads true and doesn't harm you.Quote from: EEVblog on June 12, 2010, 07:45:34 am"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cybergibbons",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 12:52:11 pm",
"content": "I find it curious that multimeters can't get the continuity tester aspect right - it's a really simple feature. I've got a 15 year old Precision Gold meter from Maplin, and it's excellent - instant, slight latch on it, and the resistance it calls a short is at a good level.Loads of other meters have scratchy, delayed buzzers, or pass far too high a resistance.Re: the floating. Most meters that claim to float only do so without probes and strap attached."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 12, 2010, 11:42:57 pm",
"content": "Yes, or like this Extech 530, a tiny bit of engineering could fix these issues easily.I find more concerning when published specs are not the tested specs; it doesn't generate confidence in the company. In the end, consumer trust is the best salesman, much over low price and exaggerated spec sheets.Quote from: cybergibbons on June 12, 2010, 12:52:11 pm"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:44.057027 | 78 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/power-saver-device/ | power saver device - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "uranium235",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 04:34:35 pm",
"content": "i recently read about this in a local forum (also an engineering forum) so i decided suggestthis to have a video. how this thing works and i think there are alot of people curious about the mystery of this devicehttp://www.yugatech.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/power-saver-max.jpg"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Time",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 05:02:24 pm",
"content": "Some kind of intelligently controlled capacitive bank that removes large transients off mains in your house. It probably works best in places with lots of flourescent lighting or inductive loading (crappy power factor).Thats my guess, atleast. Probably mostly a gimmick - or most effective in a place like the phillipines where the grid is more unstable because of population density.update:After reading a little, its tricking the meter by introducing a power factor correction so its not truely saving any power."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "uranium235",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 05:15:55 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Time on June 16, 2010, 05:02:24 pmso if the power is stable that device is useless and so a good profit for the company who make crappy devices"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cybergibbons",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 07:40:03 pm",
"content": "These are a waste of time and money.The only things in the UK that you could have that would create a massive inductive load are:* Old ballast fluorescent lights (and a lot of them!)* Old fridge compressorsSo, if you have these, it could improve your power factor.But the meter doesn't care anyway - it will measure real power... on one assumption - that the power factor is approximately 1.If you really, really try, you can push the power factor so far that the meter will under-read.However, a lot of them are full of rubbish anyway:http://www.bigclive.com/power.htm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "uranium235",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 17, 2010, 07:41:23 am",
"content": "so it will depend on how many inductive loads you have?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cybergibbons",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 17, 2010, 08:16:54 am",
"content": "Well, on the proviso that:a) The device you have bought actually works (i.e. isn't one of the ones on the site I linked to)b) The inductive loads don't already have some form of power factor correction (most ballasts are electronic, and most motors in the home are corrected)c) You don't want to save any money, as the device costs you, and even if it corrects the power factor, you weren't paying for it in the first instance."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 17, 2010, 08:17:48 am",
"content": "Not really (if it's indeed a device to correct the power factor, and not an empty box). Consumers are only billed for real power (the power you can actually use to heat/turn/etc something), not apparent power (which is basically real power + reactive power). Commercial costumers (eg. industries) are also billed for reactive power, so they often have large capacitor banks to compensate for inductive loads. Reactive power can't be converted to energy (which is why it's not real), but the resistance of the copper wires in the distribution network does cause losses (I2R), so it does cost the power company money."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "NiHaoMike",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 19, 2010, 05:23:40 am",
"content": "If you can find a source of free or very cheap motor run capacitors (broken appliances are one good source), make your own. If it works, great. If it doesn't, you'll have some nice capacitors to use for various projects."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:44.076506 | 8 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/dc-to-dc-converters-design/ | DC to DC converters design - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "exodia",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "September 02, 2010, 05:31:30 am",
"content": "Hello DaveI would love to see an analysis on topologies and calculation for variousDC to DC converters. Almost everyone know the basic topologies for buck boost etc but do they know how to calculate all the equations needed for L, C ripple, bla,bla,bla? Maybe some rules of thumb will help lot of people that want to design a new DC to DC converters in the future. The topic of the blog will be big a think but my opinion is that it's worth itthanks"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 02, 2010, 05:53:50 am",
"content": "The next blog will be a DC-DC converter one, but it's basically just a walk-through of using one particular chip.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "exodia",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "September 02, 2010, 12:48:35 pm",
"content": "Nice DaveAre you thinking of making a blog for calculating the values of components for discrete DC to DC converters. That would be very educational i think"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TopherTheME",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 03, 2010, 04:37:21 pm",
"content": "+1 for the DC-DC converter tutorial. I'm currently working on a solar MPPC, the heart of which is a buck converter, and I'm having a hell of a time trying to wrap my head around everything."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 04, 2010, 01:27:09 am",
"content": "The problem with DC-DC converters is that there are so many variations in the design aspects of them.I can do a tutorial on the topologies, but guaranteed that any calculations I make won't be suitable for the design you are working on!Throw in the thousands of different advanced and exotic converter chips available, it's just endless.The next video uses the MC34063, about as jelly bean a DC-0DC converter as you can get.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "exodia",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "September 09, 2010, 11:28:19 am",
"content": "Yea calculations are a hell of a time for DC 2 DC converters. I can't find any decent tutorial for step by step calculations of various topologies. I'm not asking for exotic topologies. Just a buck, boost and a buck boost topologies tutorial.Dave would that be too difficult for a blog???BTW does the MC34063 able to handle more amp by using an external mosfet or transistor?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 09, 2010, 05:17:39 pm",
"content": "Quote from: exodia on September 09, 2010, 11:28:19 amI believe so, and I think it's possible with just about any switching supply.ST MC34063 Datasheet- See page 12Motorola MC34063 Datasheet- See page 7For getting started, here's some good resources:LTSpice's example circuits- You can poke and prod working designs and see how they behave (in mostly ideal circumstances).SMPSTech.com- Lots of basics in thetutorial section, good for developing foundational knowledge."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Bored@Work",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 09, 2010, 05:43:28 pm",
"content": "Quote from: exodia on September 09, 2010, 11:28:19 amhttp://schmidt-walter.eit.h-da.de/smps_e/smps_e.htmlQuotehttp://www.onsemi.com/pub_link/Collateral/AN920-D.PDF"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "exodia",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "September 10, 2010, 02:15:57 pm",
"content": "Thx guys that should solve many questions"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "slburris",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "September 10, 2010, 05:11:29 pm",
"content": "You can go to the National sitehttp://www.national.com/powerand use their WebBenchsoftware to design many kinds of switching power supplies. It lets youplay around with different chips (all National's of course) and trade offsize, cost, and efficiency. It even lets you order a kit of parts for thesupply you just designed.Takes a lot of the drudgery of sifting through datasheets looking for inductors andcapacitors with the right characteristics.Scott"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:44.519783 | 10 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/podcast-problem/ | Podcast Problem - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 19, 2010, 01:13:07 pm",
"content": "Sorry everyone, there appears to be a major problem with the Podcast feed and I have no idea why. My usual delete post and try again method is no longer working.Likely something wrong with PodPress my Wordpress plugin that handles the iTunes/podcast stuff for me.I'm working on it, but I ain't no Linux Penguin...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 19, 2010, 01:33:18 pm",
"content": "Ok, looks like I may have coaxed it into working.The XML feed has the correct file attachment names instead of the corrupt strings it had before:http://feeds.feedburner.com/ElectronicsEngineeringVideoBlog?format=xmlEverything feeds off this, so I believe it should get fixed in iTunes as well, can someone confirm?Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "tsa",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 19, 2010, 01:51:54 pm",
"content": "Dave,iTunes shows all episodes right now (up to ep. #88, even episode 87, which was published a week ago on YouTube), downloads and plays perfectly!Thank you for your enthusiastic work!Thomas"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TheDirty",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 04, 2010, 03:38:51 pm",
"content": "The RSS feed still doesn't work. Nothing since #86."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 05, 2010, 12:03:35 am",
"content": "Quote from: TheDirty on June 04, 2010, 03:38:51 pmThe RRS feed works for me. I have it on my iGoogle home page and they all show up just fine.Anyone else?Shows up just fine on the feed page:http://feeds2.feedburner.com/ElectronicsEngineeringVideoBlogDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 05, 2010, 12:14:41 am",
"content": "works for meEEVblog - Electronics Engineering Video Blog PodcastRestore | ShareDeleteEditLoading...EEVblog #91 – $50 Multimeter Shootout – Extech EX330, Amprobe AM220, Elenco, Vichy VC99, GS Pro-50Product Design FAIL – IDEAL MultimeterTelstra got the kick up the arse they deserved!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 05, 2010, 01:39:47 am",
"content": "Yep, same here. Up and running"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TheDirty",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 05, 2010, 01:48:06 am",
"content": "This is the feed that I was using, which is now dead. I'll move to the feedburner one, but you might want to forward this URL if others are using it.http://www.eevblog.com/?feed=podcast"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:44.834208 | 8 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/bad-firmware-design-stuffing-up-your-product/ | bad firmware design stuffing up your product - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "haxby",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 14, 2010, 10:38:44 pm",
"content": "I've just spent 2 days mucking with a wireless router trying various versions of firmware to get it going. Which made me wonder how the one piece of hardware can have over 15 versions of firmware to choose from. If they didn't get it right after the 5th version, who on earth would expect that they would get it right on the next... 16th version?I wonder if Dave has designed a great hardware based product only to have it stuffed up by poor firmware written by software hacks.I see a trend amongst PC peripherals where the hardware is well spec'd but the firmware and or drivers are rubbish rendering the hardware useless.Dave, in your experience, why do you think this is the case? (if you agree with me that is)You would think it would be more difficult to get the hardware right, rather than the software, wouldn't you?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 14, 2010, 10:41:12 pm",
"content": "Well theres different reasons for it, software and hardware bugs, timeframes, standards added or changes. for products like wireless routers especially, if there's some hacked think like WEP they'll often update it.its a good thing usually, but places will often chuck it out earlier thinking they'll patch it after launch, but this is usually a direct response to the demands of the customers who want it fast and cheap."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "A-sic Enginerd",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 15, 2010, 06:15:50 am",
"content": "Quote from: charliex on June 14, 2010, 10:41:12 pmExactly.And when it comes to products that use a \"standard\" protocol there's one more twist to put on it. The explanation I like best is one I heard from a very senior engineer at my old job: it's what it means to be a cable whore.What he meant by that is, even if your product does everything exactly as it's supposed to per the spec, not every other third party product your products connects with will. And that means sometimes you actually have to do things outside what's required by spec to make it work. If your company is the gorilla in the particular market, and your product gets out early enough, you can actually often become the defacto standard, even if it's not 100% in compliance with the spec. The company I'm at now is classic example of this. They put out a chip for a SATA connection and it was dead on exactly what the spec says. However, almost everybody else product we were trying to connect to had it wrong. Our customers agreed the other companies had it wrong. Even plug fests showed the other companies had it wrong. However, in the interest of expediting our customers products (we just made the chips and firmware, not complete end product), we made the necessary changes to get our product to work with the other POSes.The more off the wall brand and cheap POS product you go with, the more likely you'll run into this sort of thing. Wireless hasn't quite reached that commodity state (IMHO) like say a 10/100 MAC has so expect to see issues."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:45.100733 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/pcb-trace-and-design-rule/ | pcb trace and design rule - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "uranium235",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 14, 2010, 12:56:04 pm",
"content": "ive already watched some of your vids their great and informativei would like to suggestpcb trace and design rules since you already told few on my topic inProjects, Designs, and Technical Stuff>>> simple training and developing board"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TheDirty",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 14, 2010, 01:20:57 pm",
"content": "This might help for now:http://www.alternatezone.com/electronics/files/PCBDesignTutorialRevA.pdf(also made by Dave.)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "uranium235",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 14, 2010, 04:34:59 pm",
"content": "Quote from: TheDirty on June 14, 2010, 01:20:57 pmthank for the link i will ready while im at school but for me its better to see it on video and how he does it"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:45.390630 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/blog-suggestion-clamp-meter-review/ | Blog suggestion - clamp meter review - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "topari",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 06, 2010, 12:13:03 pm",
"content": "I'd be interested in a review of clamp meters and how they would be used. For example, is it feasible to try and measure current running through a motorcycle or car wiring loom ? Would you use one at the back of Storage Area network to measure the current draw ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "PetrosA",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 06, 2010, 02:28:28 pm",
"content": "For cars or motorcycles, I think it would be more useful to measure either the (+) wire from the alternator or individual (+) wires out of the fuse box which will give you a total load reading or specific load readings. You'll never know exactly what you're measuring in a bundle of wires since some circuits may have the (-) wire in the bundle which will cancel out the reading for that circuit.I'm going to defer to someone else on the Storage Area network question, since I'm not sure what you mean by that."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 06, 2010, 08:46:17 pm",
"content": "Quote from: topari on June 06, 2010, 12:13:03 pmYes it is , from the current on the battery cable , you can find the condition of your brushes in the starter !!And there is and some more secrets too...But the point is, that the good AC/DC ones, costs \" real \" money !!Set your price range first , so to get more useful advices ."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:45.692495 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/just-another-blog-video-idea/ | Just another blog video idea - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "merlin8224",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 05, 2010, 10:04:14 pm",
"content": "Hi Dave,Love your videos. very helpful ...Just a topic suggestion which i believe you havent covered yet.Can you discuss a few communication protocols used in embedded devices. Which ones and what to discuss in that entirely up to you.Keep up the good work mate.cheers."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:45.959756 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/eevblog-search/ | EEVblog Search - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 02, 2010, 05:46:12 am",
"content": "There is a new search box on the right hand sidebar that now searches the site using Google. Much better than the old crappy Wordpress search, and it searches the entire forum too.And for those who want to help support the blog, you can do your regular Google searches usinghttp://www.eevblog.com/search/if you feel that way inclinedDave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:46.353138 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/blog-suggestion-metal-detector-design/ | blog suggestion: metal detector design - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "KTP",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 31, 2010, 04:03:28 pm",
"content": "Since you guys (Aussies) have such great gold fields for nugget shooting, how about a blog on the basic circuitry and theory in the various types of metal detectors? The best metal detecting company in the world was started in Australia (Minelab).One day I hope to try out my Minelab Xterra 705 there..."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:46.551034 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/whats-the-secret-behind-agilent/ | Whats the secret behind Agilent? - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "x0170",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 10:53:17 am",
"content": "Hi.I am totally confused, evereyone is selling everyones products !?I own a Rigol oszilloscope. Some days ago I saw an Agilent oszilloscope which had exactly the same operating system and gui on it like my Rigol scope but with an Agilent brand and logo. The same with HP stuff. Is Agilent just a distributor that buys mashines and sells them with its own name or do they produce any thing by themselves?But its great to know that I got an Agilent quality oszilloscope for 200$ less than the original Agilent scope.Greets."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 04:01:22 pm",
"content": "The lowest-end Agilent scopes are rebadged Rigol scopes, this is a well known fact. They are not completely identical, Agilent requested some firmware changes, and will give you better documentation and support. The higher-end scopes are all in-house designs, so you won't find an Infinium for $1000 with a different name on it."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 05:12:24 pm",
"content": "Big successful company designs scope with large r&d budget+technical skill, uses outsourcing to bring to market, outsourcer capitalises on large companies r&d budgets, undercuts low end market share.people say, lol, wut, why so expensive ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 16, 2010, 10:10:08 pm",
"content": "Alm is correct. It's been a well known fact that Agilent have done this with their lower end gear for many years now, and this is how Rigol got their \"stepping stone\" into the big leagues. I mentioned it in my very first blog.It's common practice in order to compete in more market \"spaces\" than your R&D and manufacturing group allows.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "ElektroQuark",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "June 17, 2010, 08:09:20 am",
"content": "¿Has anyone try the Agilent firmware in the Rigol?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:46.956874 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/steve-lee-and-dave-testing-equipment-_under-fire_/ | Steve Lee and Dave testing equipment 'under fire' - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "BartManInNZ",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 20, 2010, 06:25:17 am",
"content": "Hey Dave,Love the blog, came across this:thought that a combined blog post with test gear and guns would stress test even the best equipment!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 20, 2010, 06:44:07 am",
"content": "err I haven't heard yet of a multimeter that is made to be literally bullet proof"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "BartManInNZ",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 20, 2010, 07:48:20 am",
"content": "But I am sure we all have a tool we love to hate and to put a bullet or 56 through one would be very satisfying!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 20, 2010, 08:25:08 am",
"content": "Quote from: BartManInNZ on May 20, 2010, 07:48:20 amHmm, I've got an old FIC pentium 2 motherboard I'd like to shoot, but I'm afraid to. The way that thing's treated me so far it'd probably find a way to maim me on the way out. That thing was concentrated electronic hate.I kept it for comic relief, and to remind me that it could be worse. I was reminded recently by a friend of a story relating to it that I'd forgotten for something like a decade. After one of it's week long fits of belligerence I lost my cool, crushed up a Prozac and sprinkled it on the board in a last ditch attempt. I wish I could remember if it helped."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 20, 2010, 11:17:31 am",
"content": "While it would be great just for kicks, just know most mobos are made of what is considered toxic material now, and finding the parts to discard is going to be a chore if its blown up substantially. That's different from overloading them briefly in a kV test, the units are still intact to discard properly."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:47.312320 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestion-forum-view/ | Suggestion forum view .. - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 16, 2010, 11:59:49 am",
"content": "1) Well I will have to ask if its possible the topics per page to become from 20 to 30 or 40.So the most fresh topics , to preserved for more time at the first page of any category .2) Any Polls with more than 30 votes , to become automatically as \"sticky\" until the expiration date.Just few ideas .."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:47.647503 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/embedded-programming/ | embedded programming - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc1980",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 07:50:07 am",
"content": "How about an embedded programming video? Just review source code line by line or do a higher-level overview of the dev process. Would it be possible to team up with an embedded SW engineer and have him/her do a few videos?It can be microcontrollers, ARM processor or even VHDL/verilog basics."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mechatrommer",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 09:57:48 am",
"content": "yea! with jpeg or mpeg encode/decode algorithm... embedded."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 11:40:13 am",
"content": "I think it is a vast area of electronics, maybe a brief video on the mechanics of programming the various chips but it can spread far and wide easily and cause a lot of controversy"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc1980",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 13, 2010, 12:52:19 am",
"content": "true. I just thought that it might reduce the load on Dave and his viewers will get more material to watch. That's what Jeri Ellsworth does on her channel -- though it's not technical enough for me..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 13, 2010, 01:41:38 am",
"content": "I just shot a blog doing stuff on PC screen with a voice over. Don't know how it's going to turn out yet, so it's a bit of a trial. But it could mean I might do more of these \"hands on\" videos where I work through actuals designs on screen. The same can be done for embedded stuff.We'll see what happens...Jeri's videos are interesting, and she did ask once if we wanted to team up on something. Nothing has come of that yet. I thought my videos were a bit random in nature, buy Jeri's are really out there!I thought about teeing up with other people for stuff, but it's time consuming enough just doing my own blogs at present than trying to coordinate with other people!And I asked way back if people would be interested in seeing other people's videos on my blog, and I think the idea was beat down pretty quick saying that I should just stick with me on my channel which is fair enough.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kodon",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 13, 2010, 01:53:44 am",
"content": "First: Thanks Dave for unlocking my account!My suggestion is that you show us some basic tricks related to embedded systems & design. Such as r2r network and \"analog button\" (wich is kind of inversed r2r connected to ADC) and stuff like that. If you have any neat and simple circuits in your head, please share them! And really a basic things that might be interesting to many people is: how to use an internal watchdog timer, make the micro go to sleep mode, energy saving with those two, how to make an interuption etc etc...And maybe a briefing to I2C and Onewire would be nice too!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc1980",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 13, 2010, 04:12:30 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on May 13, 2010, 01:41:38 amYeah, I don't know. Maybe it's time to revisit the idea and ask your audience. I'm sure there are some subject matter experts out there that wouldn't mind submitting a video or two but probably don't have the motivation to start their own channel and establish a viewer-ship. Just a thought. I'm trying to think of ways to minimize the burden on you, while increasing the level of content/updates. anyways, keep up the great work! I'll try to spread the word about your blog at UCLA, USC and some local companies."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 13, 2010, 06:44:15 am",
"content": "well if someone upload a video to you-tube they thing will interest the community they can let dave know and he can publich it on a second page maybe with viewer videos on it like his own page with his own,"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:47.950440 | 8 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestion-for-new-video-569/ | Suggestion for New Video... - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Tacheon",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 21, 2010, 07:52:25 pm",
"content": "Dear Dave:First time poster. My cousin lives down-unda in NSW, so perhaps when in the neighborhood, we can meet one day. I love your videos, and manner, but perhaps you can tone down the foul language just a bit; you're too sophisticated for that, allthough on the Nokia - they had it commin'A suggestion: I'd like to see you do a video on Autotransformers (Variacs), Isolation Transformers, and discuss ground isolation techniques so as not to damage test equipment or get electrocuted when testing or servicing stuff on the bench.I just finished building an A/C power control center, which encompasses many features (some stated above) that I find very handy when servicing professional grade audio power amplifiers. Just my two cents.Thanks!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 21, 2010, 10:30:57 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Tacheon on May 21, 2010, 07:52:25 pmVery interesting!I'd love to hear more about your project. I'm looking to do something similar in the future when I can afford the expensive bits."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 21, 2010, 10:33:13 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Tacheon on May 21, 2010, 07:52:25 pmLOL!I already AM toning it down!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Tacheon",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 21, 2010, 10:43:23 pm",
"content": "Great! here is what I built... because I cannot buy one."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "xani",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 22, 2010, 11:18:03 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on May 21, 2010, 10:33:13 pmNo, don't! If it's crappy product it should be called \"piece of crap\" not \"not the pest product on market\" (like marketing ppl would say)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 22, 2010, 11:21:23 am",
"content": "Quote from: shafri on May 22, 2010, 04:17:13 amI have to say that if you look at Dave's first blog he looks like a shy guy on a date, to look at his produce now you will find it hard to recognise it is the same guybut I agree name and shame appropriately, unfortunately in my job I have to \"try\" and be nice to suppliers even when they are calling me a liar, but then that's what a good photo is for, shuts even the worse up."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "thedigitalprincess",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 23, 2010, 03:49:31 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on May 21, 2010, 10:33:13 pmIf you tone it down, I will stop watching your videos!!!!!! *shakes fist*"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 23, 2010, 08:27:08 am",
"content": "Quote from: thedigitalprincess on May 23, 2010, 03:49:31 amYes Ma'am!Although my NIDA voice coach told me to also tone it down otherwise she thinks I've only got 3 years tops before my voice completely goesDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 23, 2010, 05:53:35 pm",
"content": "NIDA as Dramatic Arts or Drugs Abuse?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 23, 2010, 06:29:31 pm",
"content": "Quote from: dengorius on May 23, 2010, 05:53:35 pmNop not this one ..... but this one .."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 23, 2010, 08:09:18 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 23, 2010, 06:29:31 pmyou really should get out more Kiriakos"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:48.288266 | 11 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/rs-485/ | RS-485 - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "neal.sprouse",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 04, 2010, 12:40:09 pm",
"content": "Dave,A blog on RS-485 would be great. I thinking RS-485 might be a solution for a project I am working on. What transceiver IC would you recommend? Cable termination? Multiple devices on the same bus?Thanks,Neal"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "tecman",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 09, 2010, 06:37:36 pm",
"content": "I have used 485 too many times to count. The most common xceiver is the 75176. Works quite well but is not as robust as others. Exceeding the bus voltage with an external source will generally fry them. For a high end xceiver use a MAX485 or MAX 1485. They will take a whole log more abuse than the 75176, but cost 4x-5x more.Termination is needed only at higher bauds and longer cable lengths, or if you have multiple nodes. Use 120 ohm with a series 0.1uf cap. Resistor alone will work with 2 nodes, but with more the loading with more nodes, the DC resistance can swamp the signal.The spec supports 128 or more devices on the bus. We have used over a dozen w/o problem. If you do have issues, often a lower baud will be a quick fix, otherwise terminations, cable quality, etc start to become factors.paul"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:48.542407 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/more-design-oriented-videos/ | More design-oriented videos - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc1980",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 04, 2010, 11:30:20 pm",
"content": "Hi Dave,I'd like to request more design-oriented videos. E.g., high frequency PCB design, component selection, etc. Alternatively, you can do videos on \"how things work\" -- any common household electronics would do. At any rate, I think you're doing a great job on the videos. Please keep up the excellent work.Thanks!Ken"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 05, 2010, 01:46:56 am",
"content": "Hi Ken.I'd love to, but it all really comes down to time and effort. Those kind of design videos usually require a lot more time and effort to plan, shoot, and edit. So it's really a matter of how busy I am at any given time.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "eswets",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 05, 2010, 02:31:09 am",
"content": "But Dave,You always find time to blow sh!t up!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 05, 2010, 02:35:41 am",
"content": "Quote from: eswets on May 05, 2010, 02:31:09 amYeah, but that's like, really really fun!Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:49.251122 | 4 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestion-for-a-videoblog-david_s-view-on-simulation-software/ | suggestion for a videoblog: David's view on simulation software - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Nap0",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 09, 2010, 06:02:46 pm",
"content": "Hi,Just wanted to post a suggestion for a possible new video blog.I would like to hear David's view on simulation software, I don't think something like this has been covered yet?Could be both digital and analog simulation. The value or non value of such tools.Past experiences at work or in hone projects maybe?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 09, 2010, 07:07:05 pm",
"content": "good idea, I have electronics workbench 5.2, very old but works, never got the ahem.. later version to work and I think it was very bloated"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Nap0",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 09, 2010, 09:41:50 pm",
"content": "I use the freeltspice.I think it's quit good for general analog and power, but not suited for digital circuits."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 10, 2010, 03:03:13 am",
"content": "I'd like to, but probably shouldn't for conflict of interest reasons.LTspice is currently taking the world by storm and is a great tool (and free).There are easier ones to drive though.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 10, 2010, 06:37:36 am",
"content": "conflict of interests with who ?, if it is good it is good, or you can tell us which type of user the product is aimed at. I had a go with OrCad once and got no where because it was so complex to the point it took ambient temps into consideration. Then I got my hands on a modern version of EWB (now called spice or multisim or something like that). it was ok but much more complex than the old version I have"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "joelby",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 07:40:10 am",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 10, 2010, 06:37:36 amHis employer."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "joelby",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 08:25:42 am",
"content": "Quote from: shafri on May 11, 2010, 08:24:37 amIt's a company that produces software which includes a software simulation component"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 12:09:27 pm",
"content": "Quote from: joelby on May 11, 2010, 07:40:10 amCorrectamundo!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 01:04:13 pm",
"content": "well I suppose you could not review their software if it makes things awkward for you, at the end of the day if it is bad and it is best you not expose it as such not mentioning it makes it obvious that it is not worth using"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "joelby",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 01:24:12 pm",
"content": "I don't think the conflict of interest is because there's anything wrong with the software per se.The problem is that you can't objectively review any competing software - if you say that some other product is bad, people will accuse you of doing so to promote your employer's product. If you say that your employer's product is bad, you may risk management being unhappy with you, or at worst losing your job. If you start raving about your employer's product, people will accuse you of bias.Simply put - it's easier to just not talk about it and avoid any problems.Why don't you try a few different simulation packages and write your own review?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 04:08:19 pm",
"content": "Quote from: joelby on May 11, 2010, 01:24:12 pmif you have a few thousand pounds to spare sure, I did actually get a quote for multisim, the student version was just over £ 1000 !I told the guy that it was more cost effective for me to breadboard it"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 04:31:44 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 11, 2010, 04:08:19 pmWow. Last time I checked, it was$39.95. Also, an evaluation version of Multisim is available. Not sure about other simulation software."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 06:35:23 pm",
"content": "there are deals for students but from what I can tell the package that replaces \"electronics workbench\" is very expensive for a hobbiest to buy, then they wonder why people download cracked versions, I know a lot of time goes into developing such programs but not everybody will make full use of all the intricate functions and I think that nowadays they all work around a core piece of software called SPICE ?, it would be great if a free-ware project was done for this sort of thing, I've seen a few attempts but nothing that really works for general purpose usage, really I'd like to see something that works like EWB 5.2 but is up to date and will run on Vista/7"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 07:01:15 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 11, 2010, 06:35:23 pmActually SPICE is free and open source and this is its original paperhttp://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/1973/ERL-382.pdffrom Laurence NagelThe thing is that spice comes without a fancy graphic interface (the first version is from 1973) but it still is the engine of modern softwares such as PSPICE/OrCAD, LTSPICE etc.Personally i haven't had any problem with getting EWB up and running under Seven, not 5.2 though. Same goes for LTSPICE which is completely free"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 07:07:36 pm",
"content": "well it would be nice if someone took the SPICE core and put an interface around it for free"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "allanw",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 08:47:06 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 11, 2010, 07:07:36 pmWhat's wrong with ltspice?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 08:51:31 pm",
"content": "well it is not the most intuitive"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "mkissin",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 11, 2010, 10:06:47 pm",
"content": "Actually, after having tried a few SPICE products, I find LTSpice to be one of the fastest and easiest simulators to drive.Circuit entry is a breeze, with keyboard shortcuts for all of the basic components. Nothing is hidden from you, as the schematic translates directly into the SPICE listing. The graphical waveform output is also pretty intuitive.The only thing you could take issue with is that it forces you to get to know SPICE itself on a level that you wouldn't normally have to with other vendors' products. Personally, I feel that's a good thing. Nothing will lie to you quite like a computer simulation will, if you don't know how the underlying engine works.Finally, I have yet to encounter the sort of convergence issues that I was plagued with by other vendors offerings. As a general rule, if LTspice can't simulate my circuit, I've mucked it up somewhere.And it's free, with a complete library of essentially perfect models of Linear Technologies products."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "joelby",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 04:43:01 am",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 11, 2010, 07:07:36 pmPlenty of people have: gEDA, iSpice, gspiceui, etc. When I was at uni we used PSPICE 9.1 Student for Windows, which is freely available.I don't think it's possible for a GUI to make SPICE very simple (though GUI schematic capture is much better than editing netlists) as the systems it can simulate are complex, and it would be undesirable to hide all of the knobs, bells and whistles from the people who understand what they're for."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 06:59:04 am",
"content": "EWB 5.2 managed it fine, you could have an option to \"unlock\" those variables if needed. if i'm testing a theoretical design in the early stages possibly on virtual parts (no part number specified) I hardly need to consider temps right ? where do i find those free simulators you were referring to ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "joelby",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 07:03:45 am",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on May 12, 2010, 06:59:04 amMaybe not, but maybe you do? It's actually nice to know that your model isn't assuming your components are 'perfect' if you're planning to build it - it can save a lot of time of wondering why things that simulate well don't actually work in practice.Anyway, just Google the names of those programs - they'll be the first or second hit."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 12, 2010, 11:47:11 am",
"content": "both theoretical models and real models are useful, when i did have my cracked version of multisim working I could not figure out why a led did not light. it was because I was not putting over 10 mA through it, that was not a realistic approach as I've run leds at 5 mA in the real world, it helps to be able to test you idea and then test it for practicalitymaybe Dave could review the free versions then, after all no hobbiest and few small businesses are going to spent £1k+ on commercial stuff"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:49.287625 | 22 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/forum-attatchments/ | Forum Attatchments - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 19, 2010, 11:02:21 pm",
"content": "I've now changed the forum attachments settings.10MB max per post, 4 files per post, 5MB per file, and enough space to last years.I don't think these are regularly backed up though, so if the forum gets nuked for some reason, they may get trashed.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "migsantiago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 20, 2010, 02:04:45 pm",
"content": "At least it's safer than megaupload or rapidshared. Thanks Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "David",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 22, 2010, 12:59:41 pm",
"content": "Awesome, no more uploading to personal web space"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 24, 2010, 06:23:45 pm",
"content": "Just few tips for the attachments .1) You had to click once on the picture , then you should wait few seconds so the picture to load ...If its an large one , it could take even 10 seconds or more , double clicking does not help,so to speed up the process.2) If the picture loads up , and its larger than your screen resolution ,you can use the arrows on your keyboard, so to scroll left right or up down .I am saying all this , because every forum software , has its own behavior and settings.Lets hope that I have help someone, with those tips .."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zero999",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "July 02, 2010, 04:21:28 pm",
"content": "If you need to post more than four files, just make more than one post."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:49.580828 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/digital-works-rezap-supposed-alkaline-battery-charger/ | Digital Works Rezap - Supposed Alkaline Battery Charger - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc7wdg",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 22, 2010, 06:18:28 pm",
"content": "I would love to see Dave's take on this.http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/21/digital-works-rezap-recharges-disposable-batteries-coming-to-n//url]"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "allanw",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 22, 2010, 10:13:24 pm",
"content": "Australian company too!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 11:19:59 am",
"content": "I have see common batteries to exploded .. because they got \" recharged \" , just for 1 minute I had them connected with my PSU at 2V DC ( before 20 years ) , so to possibly make them ( help them ) to charge just a bit.I did not succeed , and left the batteries ( four of those ) in an box , in my own room , and fall to sleep .After 45 Min or so , its one started exploding one by one .The first explosion made a strong bang noise , and the positive cap was launched somewhere in the room.The same happened few minutes later with the second , and then with the third , so I started thinking that was not an random reaction , so I started expecting and the fourth one to follow too, as it did.I am not aware , of what hack this company found , but I am aware, that most disposable batteries follows an very minimum of specs - contraction and chemistry , so the most of them will react with very unstable behavior.So unstable , that does not worth the risk.We do have stable and safe NiMh , why should any one bother to have unstable disposable batteries,specially next to kids .."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 02:00:17 pm",
"content": "Grr, I hate seeing these things!Another one:Alkaline \"Rechargers\" have been around for quite a while. They started out designed to recharge special Alkalines that are designed to be recharged a few times, Grandcell brand among others were the first. They didn't work that well and disappeared once the Sanyo Eneloops et.al came out.Then a few companies have bought out these chargers designed to charge regular Alkalines. Most likely some sort of pulsed charging scheme. And I've heard they do actually work, kinda. You can force charge back into an Alkaline cell, in theory, but I'm of the understanding it screws up the chemistry and does all sorts of funny things. I believe the process is grossly exothermic and almost impossible to control too. The result is a f!@#$d up cell that kinda sorta works for a few times with non-repeatable results and random loss in capacity and dropouts during use.Although to be fair I haven't actually tried one myself. But as always with these sorts of over-hyped \"to good to be true\" products, if it actually worked well everyone would have one.I wouldn't mind getting one and dusting off my old battery capacity meter project...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kc7wdg",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 05:09:27 pm",
"content": "I would love to see that and the battery capacity meter project sounds enticing..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "saturation",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 23, 2010, 07:11:17 pm",
"content": "There is this:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recharging_alkaline_batteriesI looked into recharging alkaline years back too, and my experience mirrors the Wikipedia article. It was somewhat worth it before NiMH cells came about.The real reason to consider it was high current portable devices that ate these batteries, like early digital cameras. Now, its moot as NiMH took away all the problems of NiCD, as far as consumer usage that is.Consider, that if you can get 10x the the charge of a 30c alkaline cell, that's .03 per battery, assuming you only use down to 50% discharge.On an equivalent NiMH cell, using 1/6 C or so slow charging, you'll get about $3/1000 charges, or about $0.003 per cell.If you fast charge to 1C or so, you'll get $3/100 or the same as the alkaline, without the hassle of reduced life per charge within a 10 recharge lifetime.Lastly, alkaline are meant to be used today for low drain, long storage applications, like emergency flashlights. The last thing you'd want is to use a recharged alkaline with unpredictable total burn time."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:50.043446 | 6 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/login-cookie/ | Login Cookie - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 19, 2010, 10:47:48 pm",
"content": "Hi AllI just changed the forum cookie name, so if you get asked to log back in etc, that's normal.Sorry for the inconvenience.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 19, 2010, 11:17:27 pm",
"content": "What flavor is the new one ?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:50.368546 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestion-of-posts-in-eevblog/ | Suggestion of Posts in EEVBlog - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mechatrommer",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 07, 2010, 05:07:38 pm",
"content": "hi Dave. i'm a newcomer here. But been a member on different blogs, i saw the posts in this blog/forum are still quite limited (not many). So here i'm just suggesting it would be nice if you have such Sections/Posts/Forums on the following:1) Equipments (product review/suggestion/discussion by other member)2) Techniques (specific on EE useful/common techiniques)3) Buy and Sell (Where forum member can sell their unused things or provide services)4) Manufacturer/Supplier (Manufacturer can promote/describe explain/discuss their product here)5) Career Guidance (suggestion/discussion/offer from member or other company)6) Events (thing that happening relating to EE, conference, contest etc) but i think you've it covered in News Section7) Personality (maybe you can pick any VIP out there or forum member to intro on their contribution in earlier or current EE discipline)thats just my 2 cents opinion, no harm will occured if those are not done"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "RayJones",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 10, 2010, 12:49:15 am",
"content": "Quote from: shafri on April 09, 2010, 04:20:00 pmYes, I agree, I just looked at Buy & Sell and immediately groaned at the first reply to the bench meter thread.Just like a door to door salesmen, people do not appreciate (or I don't at least) having items thrust upon them.Second Thread is the same commercial interest placing a full on ad, which no doubtis not paid forSpam Spam SPAMGrrrrr"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "desolatordan",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 10, 2010, 03:14:16 am",
"content": "Quote from: RayJones on April 10, 2010, 12:49:15 amSame reaction here. Many forums with buy/sell forums don't allow businesses for that reason. It's like running a club and putting a sign on the door that says \"Solicit here!\". In forums that allow corporate representatives, they are best only there to offer support (usually via PM), and do no soliciting whatsoever."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:50.608652 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/circuit-of-the-weekmonth/ | Circuit of the week/month - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 15, 2010, 12:13:48 am",
"content": "I had this idea for a blog and i thought it would have been fun to share it with you. How about a \"circuit of the week/month\" series? Introducing and discussing a new interesting circuit every week, month or random time. Something that could be used to address a specific task. More or less what you already did in ep #72 when you talk about your ucurrent adapter, but without all the \"extra\" things (package format, design ideas etc) just the circuit, plain and simple. It think that would be great. It could be a valid counterpart to the \"equipment review\" series as i presume it's kinda tough to obtain new material to review on a regular basis isn't it?Hope you like the ideaCheers"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TheDirty",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 15, 2010, 12:31:22 am",
"content": "I think Dave is trying to avoid these scheduled vblogs. When he first started he tried a few things like chip of the week. I seem to remember him mentioning he was staying away from these things and focusing on specific topics for each episode when they came available rather than hunt for a circuit at the end of the month if nothing has come up yet."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "dengorius",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 15, 2010, 01:13:11 am",
"content": "yes I remember that as well. I said week/month just to give the idea. Obviously that's not a constraint just \"circuit of the I'll do it whenever i feel to\" doesn't sound really goodBtw I'm posting this only as a reminder, Dave said he would have thought about this but he would have probably forgot without a post on the forum, so here it isSalute"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 15, 2010, 02:18:30 am",
"content": "Yeah, if I get email it just gets buried within a day and I have no hope of remembering.Sounds like a decent idea, I'll see if I can slip one in occasionally.Usually the latest blog is whatever I think of at the time I go to shoot, I'm usually too lazy to actually think about it and plan somethingDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 18, 2010, 11:59:16 am",
"content": "oh don't plan anything Dave that would make it boring"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Waifian",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 18, 2010, 02:29:04 pm",
"content": "I agree! It already rocks!"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:50.992421 | 6 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestion-for-a-blog/ | Suggestion for a blog - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "hans",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 11, 2010, 02:04:58 pm",
"content": "Hi Dave,Maybe you could do a blog on something like power supplies? I mean like lab power supplies, the ones you can limit the current (CV and CC mode) , or even program digitally. I would also be keen to know what you have in your own lab, is it DIY?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:51.326253 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/tools-and-soldering-irons-etc/ | Tools and soldering irons etc..... - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Richard",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 07, 2010, 04:22:59 pm",
"content": "Hi Dave,I love the blog, it always brings a smile to my face, and is very informative.. Keep it up. If you get any tools from the manufacturers to test, I would love to see a blog or two about any of the following1. Soldering Irons2. Hand tools3. Solder types.Anyway, here's wishing you all the best, from Scotland in the UKRichard Wilson"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MTron",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 07, 2010, 04:26:00 pm",
"content": "i agree...some tools or a soldering iron could be a good idea....maybe just do a bunch in a whole episode.....or even a tutorial on proper soldering techniques...i would imagine your blog to-do list is getting pretty extensive Dave....lol"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 07, 2010, 05:03:42 pm",
"content": "Soldering: here here !I'm starting to SMD solder and well I've done one chip with not too much hickup so I'm a little less shaky but a blog would be nice with some recomendations for irons"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mechatrommer",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 09, 2010, 03:55:31 pm",
"content": "i've KADA 852AD+ soldering n hot air station, is it good?, cheapest i can get from china. i'm proud! not because it is good (infact for me, it is) but because it is my first more pro looking soldering tool. got from ebay. before this, i just use $5 soldering iron, worked for me, but after having KADA, its like having the most expensive equipment. is it good? or durable? hmmmm. i dont really think so, why? because it still cheap compared to others! but so far, so good.p/s: still cant get the hot air gun working right, no experience before and it happened to tear the copper layer away off the pcb once"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:51.607839 | 4 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/topics-for-eevblog/ | Topics For EEVblog - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Strube09",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 12:26:17 am",
"content": "Feedback and compensation loops/network w/ opamps and how they are used in switching circuits (Like power supplies). Time of compensation (type 1, 2 and 3).Proper times to use a Microcontroller vs. a FPGA. Advantages/disadvantages and primary differences.C vs C++ in microcontroller design.PCB layout tools, compare and contrast. Best for beginners and advanced.... best bang for your buck.Capture and sim tools review and opinion.Book reviews... so many books in the electronics world... Books regarding programming, power supply design, layout, etc... good ones you have and read?How you tackle writing a program... steps taken, flow charts, pseudo code?Plenty of more ideas... just a few for nowKeep up the great work!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MTron",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 12:38:09 am",
"content": "Given the interest on power supply design (i know there is that thread on converting an ATX supply into a lab/bench psu) and my own small project building a powersupply from an old stereo-amplifier, and other peoples interest, i would love to see a video on PSU design like Strube09 suggested"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "desolatordan",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 05, 2010, 12:42:54 am",
"content": "QuoteThrow CPLD and PAL into that comparison as well. What's best for energy consumption, speed, etc...I'd also like to see something about electronics in extreme environments (outer space, humid/wet, hot or cold extremes)"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:51.966147 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/suggestions-thread-0/ | Suggestions Thread 0 - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Teque5",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "October 14, 2009, 04:47:47 pm",
"content": "Just to start:0. Describe your top 10 workbench tools.1. Be a guest on thehttp://www.theskepticsguide.org/and talk about audiophile cable pseudoscience. They have a large audience that would likely be interested. You would generate a ton of traffic for your vidblog and I think they might be interested.2. Cover some clever hardware hacks:2.1. How the original GB ROM got dumped by decapping the chip holding it and reading out the values with an Electron Microscope (two thirds down the pge, the post by nevikisti from Wed, 05/18/2005 - 10:26). Thread itself deals with how they tried to dump the SNES DSP1 chip, but ultimately failed to do so. They were still able to dump the ROM though.http://www.cherryroms.com/forums/copier-and-hardware-forum/manually-extracting-rom.html?page=22.2. How to dump the Color GB ROM: Costis was able to dump the elusive boot ROM from the Gameboy Color by using various voltage and clock glitching tricks. The boot ROM is what initializes the Gameboy hardware, displays the 'GAMEBOY' logo and animation, and makes the trademarked 'cling!' sound effect. Even decapping the CPU had failed previously, but now the boot image and specifics on how it was dumped (along with many photos) are available for download. This was just completed and a cool read.http://www.fpgb.org/?page_id=173. More tool reviews!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 14, 2009, 07:14:30 pm",
"content": "I would like to see a blog on safety of multi-meters. There have been a couple on cheap meters and the reliability (or lack thereof) but neither of these mentioned any safety aspect. During the course of my work, I have seen the results of a cheap meter with a 600V CAT III rating meeting a surge of the correct voltage on a 600V supply. It was the first time I had seen a meter explode..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 14, 2009, 08:39:40 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Neilm on October 14, 2009, 07:14:30 pmThat's on the cards, assuming I can get/build an appropriate HV surge generator. I'm acquiring meters for a \"multimeter destruction\" episode!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 15, 2009, 12:47:39 pm",
"content": "Hi,I would like to see some blogs on DIY Test Equipment, like the uCurrent, PSU's etc.I was also wondering if it was possible for \"Guest\" Presenters, have other people submit Vblogs to you for posting (could increase the number of blogs per week with hardly any time needed by Dave)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "74HC04",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 15, 2009, 10:18:55 pm",
"content": "QuoteI really like this idea, especially if the content undergoes a little light moderation (only to ensure quality of submissions remains acceptable and relevant). Just my 2p worth but it'd be nice to see the EEV blog become a \"one stop\" video blog for quality EE videos, perhaps separated from Dave's own content?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 16, 2009, 01:51:35 am",
"content": "Quote from: GeekGirl on October 15, 2009, 12:47:39 pmI've been thinking about this since very early on. It is a \"blog\" after all, and most blogs usually just link to and comment on other useful stuff on the net. But up until now I've not really been running it like that, as I've just been generating and posting only my own video content. So nothing to stop me posting links to other useful stuff others have done.I'd limit it to videos I think, as this is of course a video blog.What do others think of this? Would it be ok to \"pollute\" my original content with other submissions?Ideas on the best way to implement this?i.e. I keep my original episodes going as-is, but post other interesting videos or content in between as well?I currently host my videos on my YouTube channel and also a lower res version locally on my server for the benefit of those who watch via iTunes and other players. So if I linked to just an existing YouTube video, these people won't get the benefit of that, they'd have to come to the site and watch the embedded link, or jump to YouTube.I wouldn't like to pollute my Youtube channel with others peoples videos, so any \"submissions\" would probably have to be already hosted on YouTube or another embeddable player.Feedback please...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mastro Gippo",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 16, 2009, 06:53:01 am",
"content": "Well, usually if someone wants to do a technical video and publish it he has already his own website/blog. There are other websites devoted to collect people's work from all over the net (hackaday, hacked gadgets, etc) and I strongly prefer an all-Dave blog.It's just my opinion, of course..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "johnnyk126",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 18, 2009, 06:34:56 am",
"content": "Workbench... Professionals know what they need. They make money on this and they have it to spend on quality stuff because it will pay off.But what beginner can do? Limited budget is a big problem. Limited space and wife unhappy about every new \"piece of junk you bought\" is even more problematicThere is a lot of possible options to spend money. What equipment is worth buying. What is essential, useful and especially what is piece of useless crap (to get signal generator or not, second/third multimeter or save for scope). What can be easily replaced by DIY bench stuff (like esr meter, power supply, micro current, basic signal generator). Spend money or build yourself? Hunt for older units with (usually) one purpose or hunt for deals like multimeter with frequency measurement, capacitance, inductance (like UNI-T UT70A, about $60-70, probably a lot better than nothing) to replace bulky old stuff with one small unit. Old equipment is usually heavy, so you can spend on shipping big portion of budget and equipment with multiple purposes can save money.Is it possible that by not saving every penny we can get a better stuff? Example? I can buy decent old scope for about $200. But... Or is old, maybe (or soon to be) broken, not too many useful features like automatic measurements, big, heavy (shipping charges). For digital I may need additional logic analyzer, another big box (or maybe small $100 usb unit, but then computer is required, you don't have one on your bench).Or maybe it is better to get new Rigol scope? DS1052E is about $400 right now. One compact unit, warranty, factory tested, new product smell, easy to move, easy to sell if I don't want to do this anymore or I saved for something betterCan digital scope like this be used as some channel limited logic analyzer? Serial buses are very common, so I probably won't need a lot of channels. Amateur without strict design requirement can replace parallel bus part with serial bus one. Rigol has deep memory, but how deep is it really in practical usage (debugging I2C or SPI or IR remote codes)? Is scope with limited sample memory also capable capturing longer digital sequences or only deep memory unit? I can find ton of videos where they connect the probe to calibration output or signal generator, they put sine wave and play with some measurements. Unfortunately nothing helpful in terms of practical equipment usage. I believe that some samples of practical usage will be helpful to choose between different options on limited budget and to know what is useful and when. I can find pictures of amateur workbenches with many combinations of equipment, but do I need stuff they have? Maybe I can get something different. Can something be done simpler, nicer, cheaper or stick to old tested stuff... When I finally get the staff how to use it, how to use it in unusual way.Workbench stuff is importantMention workbench stuff as frequently as scope glitchesYour capacitor tutorial was great. More stuff like that as well. Mention places to get knowledge or project ideas/solutions. Books, datasheets, websites. Some interesting projects to make. Maybe spend few seconds to show some interesting parts, what they do, some common solutions for different applications."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "KuchateK",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 19, 2009, 08:56:16 pm",
"content": "More oscilloscope stuff and equipment reviews. Show us interesting DIY equipment or useful stuff that is a lot cheaper to build than to buy (like PSU)."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Teque5",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "October 20, 2009, 10:49:21 pm",
"content": "Speaking of O-Scope reviews: check this out. An $89 Portable oscope.http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/beta-testmicro-digital-storage-oscilloscopedso-nano-p-512.htmlUnfortunately it only has 1Mhz analog bandwidth. Still cool though.Specs:SpecificationDisplay 2.8? Color TFT LCDDisplay Resolution 320×240Display Color 65KAnalog bandwidth 0 - 1MHzMax sample rate 1Msps 12BitsSample memory depth 4096 PointHorizontal sensitivity 1uS/Div?10S/Div (1-2-5 Step)Horizontal position adjustable with indicatorVertical sensitivity 10mV/Div?10V/Div (with ×1 probe)0.5V/Div?10V/Div (with ×10 probe)Vertical position adjustable with indicatorInput impedance >500K?Max input voltage 80Vpp (by ×1 probe)Coupling DCTrig modes Auto, Norma, Single, None and ScanFunctionalities: Automatic measurement: frequency, cycle, duty, Vpp, Vram, Vavg and DC voltagePrecise vertical measurement with markersPrecise horizontal measurement with markersRising/falling edge triggerTrig level adjustable with indicatorTrig sensitivity adjustable with indicatorHold/run featureTest signal Built-in 10Hz?1MHz (1-2-5 Step)Waveform storage SD cardPC connection via USB as SD card readerUpgrade by bootloader via USBPower supply 3.7V Chargeable Lithium battery / USBDimension (w/o probe) 105mm X 53mm X 8mm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "KuchateK",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 09:32:30 am",
"content": "MP3 player converted into scope?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 12:11:08 pm",
"content": "Quote from: KuchateK on October 19, 2009, 08:56:16 pmI've got some Gossen multimeters already in the mail for review, plus a brand spanking new Fluke meter just released on it's way for review in a few weeksDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 05:06:14 pm",
"content": "Regarding Gossen multimeters compared to cheap multimeters, here is what Gossen has to say about cheap multimetershttp://www.gossenmetrawatt.com/english/seiten/cautiondangerousmultimeters.htm- Including a video of a burning meter. A related video is athttp://gps.sozialnetz.de/global/show_document.asp?id=aaaaaaaaaaaakarLet's see if Dave can spark the same flames :-)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 07:52:47 pm",
"content": "QuoteYour videos just can't come out soon enough!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 09:14:53 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Andrew on October 21, 2009, 05:06:14 pmThat's on the the to-do list!I'm having trouble finding info on the exact test pulse conditions used to get that result, might have to actually ask Gossen.They are also supposed to be sending me a couple of old meters to destroy tooDave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 21, 2009, 09:40:40 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on October 21, 2009, 09:14:53 pmFollowing the links I think some version of IEC 60010-1 and IEC 61010-031 were the base for the testing."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 24, 2009, 08:45:40 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Andrew on October 21, 2009, 09:40:40 pmIEC61010-1 is the general requirements for test and measurement equipment. -031 is the requirements for test leads. As I can't see a CAT rating on either instrument or video I can't tell you what the correct surge requirement would be. I can say I have seen the results of a very cheap meter (CAT III 600V) having a 4kV spike on 400V supply. It took out the lab circuit breaker (60A) and blew the plastic window over the display about 2 ft away from the instrument."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Dago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 25, 2009, 04:17:15 pm",
"content": "I'd like to see practical real world stuff on op-amps, like how to select an op-amp for some certain application or how the real world op-amp parameters (offsets, slew-rates, whatever) affect stuff and in what kind of application you need low slew rate or low offset etc.Op-amps are an interesting topic (to me at least) because in theory as ideal components they are very simple but in practice they are quite complicated and hard to do stuff \"right\" with them.Btw. what is the allowed avatar or posted image size on the forum?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Veramacor",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 26, 2009, 10:47:48 pm",
"content": "Might I suggest a review of digital power supplies? Newbies as myself would benefit. I have a 3A Radio Shack and a 20A Astron, both 12 Volt, but those in the market for more control of their voltages and current would find a review on the subject I'm sure quite useful.V"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 27, 2009, 12:14:15 am",
"content": "Quote from: Andrew on October 21, 2009, 09:40:40 pmSome poking around pointed me to IEC 61508 part 5, but finding a download seems next to impossible without paying a few hundred $$$Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 28, 2009, 11:02:47 am",
"content": "Hi Dave,It's been great following your blog. Lots of good stuff.As I was just replacing my printer cartridge today in my printer (Epson R210) as I have done hundreds of times before, I realized I had never actually looked inside one of them. I know it has a little chip on it, which I presumed was detecting when it was empty. So today I attacked it with a stanley knife to see what makes the cartridge tick. It was pretty interesting what was inside the cartridge .... well anyway what I was getting at, why not pull one or two of them apart in your blog? ..... right I'm off to try to figure out how to clean up this mess off my hands and the table from a supposedly 'empty' cartridge that the printer reported it could no longer use."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 28, 2009, 09:24:03 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on October 27, 2009, 12:14:15 amMultimeters are not covered by 61508 - that relates to safety in process control. They are covered by 61010-1 \" Safety requirements for electrical equipment for measurement, control, and laboratory use\". The range of tests include misconnections (for example attaching the meter to the maximum volts when it is set in current mode) physical damage (dropping large steel ball from 1m onto it) and surges to test overvolts protection systems. (600V CATIII would be 6kV surge I think). Part 031 details the requirements of the test leads.Neil"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "XynxNet",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 30, 2009, 03:22:30 pm",
"content": "I wish you would make a blog about top quality analog multimeters, Dave.During my work in my physics institut I often had to argue against the opinion that cheap digital multimeters are more precise."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 30, 2009, 06:35:27 pm",
"content": "Can you still get true analogue multi-meters? Most I have seen recently appear to be a digital system driving a movement.Mind you, thanks to the European Union I belive these are now classified as machines so have to meet the machinery directive."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 30, 2009, 09:40:56 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Neilm on October 30, 2009, 06:35:27 pmYes, Triplett for example still make them.I've got a Triplett 630NAhttp://www.triplett.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=57Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 05, 2009, 01:09:57 am",
"content": "Hi Dave! Great video blog, I like itQuick tip about the forum itself. I just registered and it sent me the activation e-mail. This first mail also contained the password I had set for my account. This is unsafe and a bad practice, I'd suggest you do something about it."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 05, 2009, 01:19:58 am",
"content": "Quote from: talex004 on November 05, 2009, 01:09:57 amSomeone else mentioned this, but I cannot find any option in the forum to disable it, so if anyone knows how then please let me know.I can't read your password, so it's pretty secure, unless someone intercepted your email!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 05, 2009, 10:49:15 am",
"content": "I just found out how. You'll need to edit one of the source files of the forum. The file is here:/Themes/default/languages/Login.english.phpThe line you need to edit is:$txt['register_activate_message']Once you do it, I recommend you register a new user account, just to make sure everything is alright, and then delete it later.I hope you understand php syntaxGood Luck!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "mightyohm",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 06:20:41 am",
"content": "I'd like to see a discussion of multimeter \"counts\", how they affect accuracy, etc."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Dago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 09:15:32 am",
"content": "Quote from: mightyohm on November 10, 2009, 06:20:41 amI'm pretty sure Dave has already covered this in some video"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 09:14:34 pm",
"content": "Quote from: mightyohm on November 10, 2009, 06:20:41 amYour wish is my command!http://www.eevblog.com/2009/08/21/eevblog-26-multimeter-counts-accuracy-resolution-calibration/Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "mightyohm",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 02:09:38 am",
"content": "My apologies, I still have 20+ back episodes to watch. I've been getting through 3-4 a day this week. Will check it out!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 12:27:56 pm",
"content": "Dave,Could you talk about the hows- and whys- of PLL's? My PIC32 uses a /2 then *20 PLL mechanism to obtain the necessary 80MHz from an 8MHz oscillator... WHY?!! Why not simply use a 80MHz oscillator, and only /2 later for the peripheral bus? This sounds kinda \"Rube-Goldberg\" to me!Also, in my quest to measure the clock on everything electronic I own, I found a neat little IC from Cypress, a CY22050ZX in an old satellite modem that I had lying around-- 50Mhz in, 100Mhz, 10Mhz (x3) out-- and apparently, they're \"field programmable!\" Perhaps you could white-board how this works?Thanks,-Trent"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 12, 2009, 09:14:50 am",
"content": "Quote from: TrentO on November 11, 2009, 12:27:56 pmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLLis a great place to learn the basics of PLL (it even goes into the maths required for the filters etc), one of the best way to learn about things like a PLL is to play with one, the easiest way to do this at home is to play with the 4046B (this is a standard CMOS chip made by every man and his dog), You could go and find a discreet PLL circuit and build it, but you will not learn much more than you would playing with the 4046B.Quote from: TrentO on November 11, 2009, 12:27:56 pmhttp://www.cypress.com/?rID=13742Is the Cypress page for this part, it explains everything you need to know to play with this partIt actually looks like a great part till you read the datasheet and find you can only program it 100 times (I am sure you could program more than this, but this value is the MINIMUM number of times they guaranteeThere are some clock generators out there that are serially programmed (eg I2C, SPI etc) that you have to set them up EVERY time you power the system up, these can be changed for ever, I was actually thinking of using one of these as the heart of a frequency generator."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "cd",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 13, 2009, 10:10:29 am",
"content": "A chat about your product's lifetime and the reasons for it would be interesting.Reviews of your favoured hand tools and why."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 04, 2009, 03:39:46 am",
"content": "Hey Dave,Great blogs, I love them.As a 'sidebar' podcast, how about a little tour of your bench behind you? I'd be interested to see what you got hanging out back there.Like that little yellow panel that's mounted under the left corner of your benchtop...Bryan"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Dago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 04, 2009, 09:20:44 am",
"content": "Quote from: cygnus2112 on December 04, 2009, 03:39:46 amI'd assume it's the grounding point for ESD straps and such."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 04, 2009, 08:23:14 pm",
"content": "Hi. Dave, I love that your blogs assume a certain level of professional experience, so I almost hesitate to request this subject, but as a newb it's something that would really interest me.When faced with unfamiliar territory, i.e. specs that have requirements you have no experience in, how do pros go about researching and choosing parts? It seems to my uneducated eye that there are about 1.24x10^23 chips available out there... how do you keep track, how do you know you're not spending 3 days on a portion of a circuit when there's a 30p chip available from XYZ corp to do the same thing, etc?Obviously with experience you amass a library of favourite parts in your head, but what resources do you turn to when your internal catalogue fails you?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 04, 2009, 08:45:29 pm",
"content": "Quote from: rfrey on December 04, 2009, 08:23:14 pmSimple, you just spend those three days looking for that part in various catalogs!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 05, 2009, 07:54:58 am",
"content": "Quote from: rfrey on December 04, 2009, 08:23:14 pmI use various resources, RS and Farnell catalogues, the flyers that companies like Maxim and Ti send out (these product briefs are great to get you in the right direction)If you really are stuck, suppliers reps can sometimes provide a good lead, I sometimes find it hard to describe the function I need the way that the manufacturers call it, it also helps to think outside of the square, you may need an operational amplifier, but you have to remember that just because a part is marked \"Video Amp\" does not mean you can not pass an audio through it."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 05, 2009, 08:38:54 am",
"content": "Quote from: rfrey on December 04, 2009, 08:23:14 pmGreat question, and this is something I've been meaning to do a blog on for a long time now.Basically it all comes down to hard work doing the research. Probably a good 80% of my design time is spent finding the right parts.Not only trying to find out what chips are available to do certain jobs, but what ones are available in the qty I need, at the price I need, in the package(s) I need, with the specs I need, with available brand substitutes!It 's not uncommon the change the specs of your design because of what parts you can actually get or can afford.Cost driven designs are harder because you can't just pick the first chip you find that meets your requirements.Not as hard as it sounds, but very very time consuming. My tools are usually the big component suppliers first (Digikey, Mouser, Farnell) to find actual parts based on various functional categories. i.e. Opamp -> Dual - > Low Power -> 5V single supply -> SO8 packageThen findchips.com and octopart.com to find the best price and how many people stock that part.Then the manufacturer websites if needed for more exotic part searches.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "hakko",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 06, 2009, 12:34:45 am",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on October 21, 2009, 09:14:53 pmWhy instead destroing all of then why not to make a raffle of some of it to forum membersOne per month of reweied instruments should be nice for forum users!B.RMatheus"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 06, 2009, 11:21:05 am",
"content": "Quote from: hakko on December 06, 2009, 12:34:45 amI didn't know it was raining equipment in Dave's labSeriously though, the talk is about destroying a *cheap* multimeter."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 08, 2009, 12:27:40 am",
"content": "How about a blog on EE design best practices. I loved the blog about \"Worst Practices\", or how things are typical in an EE design firm and how managements screws things up, etc., but what are the best practices?I have been in software for 15+ years and know a lot about best practices there and have coached a lot of newbs on how to be successful with software design while reducing headaches by using some simple project life cycle techniques/methodologies, but I would love to hear about the \"ideal\" way to do it in the EE world. What are the typical roles (besides the actual engineer), etc? How is quality verified (QA)? How are changes/revisions managed?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 09, 2009, 03:05:04 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on December 05, 2009, 08:38:54 amThanks for the rundown - If I had been to guess a % of project time I'd have guessed in high 10s or low 20s. This one post is a real perspective changer for me."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 09, 2009, 03:08:58 pm",
"content": "Quote from: GeekGirl on December 05, 2009, 07:54:58 amI guess that's why design is at essence a creative activity and why people like you and Dave are deservedly driving your Lotus Esprits to your personal helicopters to commute to work. As it should be.Seriously, it sounds like the parts search is a much bigger bag of worms than I thought, and may even be at the core of the profession in some sense."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "yoshiki",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 14, 2009, 01:59:22 am",
"content": "I would love to see a comparison between electronics simulation software, some people say B2-Spice is the best, I personally agree with that but I know there is more out there, which one do you recommend, why?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 19, 2009, 07:09:24 am",
"content": "I have a good topic for a blog, SMPS, in things like CFL's, We have all had a CFL just die with a \"POP\" I have yet to pull one apart, I have the ideal candidate, it is a 130W CFL (power consumed not incandescent equivalent, that is around 500W lol)I always love small discrete SMPS, no controller, just a bridge with bulk cap, 2 transistor multivibrator, transformer and then the output bridge and filter cap."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 26, 2009, 10:11:18 am",
"content": "how about a blog about HD44780 displays ? they are probably the most eleasing thing for a pic/uC user but perhaps not the most obvious things to use ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "kodon",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 11:20:54 pm",
"content": "Hello,I e-mailed to dave about a week a go with the gyroscopes... But it seems that it was not interesting enough to blog about.Well here's an another idea:How to improve a switching mode power supplies efficiency? What are the things to watch out etc... I'm interested in this because I desigined and built a push/pull SMPS and ran out of ideas how to make the FET's to run cooler. Well, the heating problem is now solved with a better heatsink, but there's obviously some things that I am not aware of. I studied how to clamp that thing but that just reduces the efficiency. So how on earth are you supposed to have 80% plus efficiency out from those things? My built is running now about 55 to 60 percent. The FET gate Voltage is nice and clean, I'm using a power mosfet driver +/- 1,5Amps to the gates @30kHz, I tried various deadtimes etc... I'm trying to rise 12VDC to ~600VDC for CDI.On the LED hacking blog Dave said something about another transistor with the buck converter... what was that all about?And generally, I just started to wonder how can you improve a SMPS efficiency? It seems that the greater the efficiency, the higher the FET's Drain to Source Voltage toleration should be? Am I totally wrong?? Also it seems that the transformer's coils should be winded in some particular order to get the best efficiency out of itSo there's a lot of mysteries behind and I think this would be very useful information to anyone who watches your blog.So how about it?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:52.671354 | 50 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/negative-feedback-design/ | Negative Feedback Design - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "coreyc",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 03, 2010, 09:40:20 pm",
"content": "I'll admit this is a selfish request because in my microelectronics design class we are currently going over feedback. I'd love to see a video on feedback design for amplifiers."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:52.680827 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/mega-multimeter-leads-stress-test/ | Mega Multimeter Leads stress test ... - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Kiriakos-GR",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "April 14, 2010, 07:56:54 pm",
"content": "Dave ... get them , burn them , stress them , let the probes melt down ..10A at 1000V = 10 KW ... lets see who is the \" Man \"Fluke ,Hirschmann, Gunson , Textronic , Chinas unbranded or branded .. like those Chi-Shing .. and add others too ...Test , probes , crocks , cables .Built one load with resistors , throw it in a bracket with watter , and at 35V throw 30A current to them ..Just an idea ..."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:53.246369 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/your-favourite-projects/ | your favourite projects - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "ste hughes",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 18, 2010, 11:05:38 pm",
"content": "Dave i love the blogi am crap at electronics but i find it interesting and just enjoy iti will never be a pro and have no interest to be but!i would love you to do a episode on maybe your favourite project, your most interesting, your most boringyou know what i meanjust your most memorable projects from your career or hobby time!keep up the good work mate"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 20, 2010, 08:47:27 pm",
"content": "Dave does features his projects from time to time. the wrist calculator for example and mnay other tid bits, even the hacking of the headlamp was a project as it required reverse engineering the thing and modding it."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "ste hughes",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 21, 2010, 11:40:54 pm",
"content": "yeah i agree he does thati was thinking a one off where he talks about his favourite project everhis most interesting onesthe funniest - he could have built a vibrating arse tickler for all we knowthe strangesti know he does shows on his projects but i was thinking a look back at the projects that stick out for him if you get me - could be pretty funny"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 30, 2010, 06:28:23 am",
"content": "Yep, I'll have to do something along those lines every now and again.There was this one time where I measured the shock and vibration characteristics of feminine hygiene products...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "MTron",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "April 02, 2010, 06:41:22 am",
"content": "i find myself torn between wanting and not wanting to know more...."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:53.633484 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/episode-list/ | Episode List - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 03, 2010, 10:26:59 pm",
"content": "I had a hard time finding my own blog posts, so I've now got a master list here:http://www.eevblog.com/episodes/Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 10, 2010, 01:01:36 pm",
"content": "lovely, i joined at the time you made the rigol review (thats how I found you) so I think I;'ve got 35 videos to watch"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "ToddFun",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 24, 2010, 09:00:46 am",
"content": "I too wanted a good episode list of Dave’s best videos but I wanted my list in two categories\"General knowledge\" and \"Product reviews\". I also wanted them sorted in each category.I maintain my list at the bottom of my \"beginners-in-electronics\" page and only the episodes that I think would help beginners are referenced.http://www.toddfun.com/2010/02/09/beginners-in-electronics/"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:54.029417 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/voltage-regulation/ | Voltage regulation - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 30, 2010, 04:01:26 am",
"content": "Dave,I would love to see a blog on voltage regulation. Methods, set ups, and appropriate choice per application including if/when no regulation is required.For instance cap selection for say a 7805, when are zener diodes appropriate/not appropriate, other methods, ect.Love the blog, I look forward to each release.Thank you for your time."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "djsb",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 30, 2010, 05:37:44 pm",
"content": "Hi,I've had problems before with a regulator oscillating because of (my) poor PCB layout and also incorrect decoupling. I t would be nice to have some tips on this.Also how do you design a power supply WITHOUT a regulator i.e for a high powered audio amplifier.Any thoughts.David."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "gbowne1",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 08, 2010, 05:51:32 am",
"content": "This would be a good point to talk about good and bad PCB design. Everyone could learn a few things from a nice blog on PCB design tips. I also could benefit from one about Voltage Regulation because that's been one of my demons too. I've too often not had the right part in hand when I really needed a better Voltage Regulator.I have used the 7805 and 7809 with pretty good success.Greg"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 08, 2010, 06:20:40 pm",
"content": "with linear regulators like the 7805 you want input and output decoupling capacitors as close to the regulator as possible, not much mystery to it"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 11, 2010, 07:32:10 pm",
"content": "For tips on how to layout PCBs go tohttp://www.compliance-club.com/and look for past articles by Keith Armstrong. This is mostly aimed for EMC compliance and high speed signals but the basics are there.Neil"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 21, 2010, 04:40:03 pm",
"content": "I know this thread has been dead a while, but I found a resource I thought might help if someone searches for it later on.NEC has an excellentusage manual for 3 terminal regulatorsthat I stumbled on looking for a datasheet.Here's a copy of the table of contents to help show what it covers.1. INTRODUCTION2. BASIC STRUCTURE OF A POWER SUPPLY IC2.1 Structure of a Bipolar IC2.2 About Power Supply IC Equivalent Circuits3. BASIC CIRCUITS OF A POWER SUPPLY IC3.1 Basic Circuits3.2 Operating Principles of Adjustable Output Types3.3 Operating Principles of Low Saturation Types4. POWER SUPPLY IC APPLICATION CIRCUITS4.1 Typical Circuit Connection4.2 Application Circuit Set5. PRECAUTIONS ON APPLICATION5.1 Shorting Input Pins and Ground Pins5.2 Floating Ground Pins5.3 Applying Transient Voltage to Input Pins5.4 Reverse Bias Between Output Pin and GND Pin5.5 Precautions Related to Low Saturation Types5.6 Thinking on Various Protection Circuits6. POWER SUPPLY IC DATA SHEET APPEARANCE AND DESIGN METHODS6.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings6.2 Recommended Operating Conditions6.3 Electrical Specifications6.4 Design MethodsI know it doesn't really deal with the primary issue in this thread (seems to be pcb layout and decoupling), but perhaps someone will find it useful."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:54.354882 | 6 | electronics | general | false |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/walkabout/ | Walkabout - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 09, 2010, 10:56:37 pm",
"content": "I'm going walkabout for a little while, so don't panic if I don't answer emails, forums, or post new blogs for a bit.Back to your regular programing in two shakes.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 10, 2010, 12:53:26 pm",
"content": "where do you go walkabouts Dave - or is it Draivabouts in this modern age ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 27, 2010, 11:10:47 am",
"content": "I'm back!Sorry for the lack of material for the last few weeks.Now I have to catch up on thousands of emails, forum posts and comments...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 27, 2010, 11:14:46 am",
"content": "so you going to come onto the scene of the Rigol DS1052E modding to DS1102E ? you have nearly 30 pages to read up there"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 27, 2010, 12:25:53 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Simon on March 27, 2010, 11:14:46 amSo it seems!I've had about a dozen people emailing me about the solution already...Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:54.692935 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/help-choosing-dmm-with-pc-datalogging/ | Help choosing DMM with PC datalogging. - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "aXit",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 11:04:09 am",
"content": "Hey everyone, I'm new here; but I watched every single episode when I heard about the blog on hack a day, and the back log before.I'm looking for a recommendation on a new DMM.I'm looking specifically at PC datalogging, it's a feature I need and the presence of it in a multimeter would be much more beneficial than a standalone datalogger. Autoranging is a must. I was looking also to spend less than $150.I've found a few options, comment on them, recommend my choice, or say I'm wrong all together .Protek 608, jaycar's most expensive meter, costing $300 there, but US webstores sell it for ~$120http://www.tequipment.net/Protek608.aspV&A VA18B, recommended by a friend, don't know much else about it.http://cgi.ebay.com/V-A-PC-USB-Inter...item2c531960a1CSI345, again, hardly any info on it.http://www.web-tronics.com/indmmwrspcin.htmlSo there, a couple across the range, I was leaning towards the protek, but if you think it's not worth the price and I could do with one of the cheaper models, say so.Thanks in advance for your help.aXit.Edit: Yes, I just realised how horribly wrong I was in placing this thread here, I'll try to get it moved."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 11:17:41 am",
"content": "Hi aXit,We need some more information to be able to help you:#1 What are you measuring (eg current, voltage (low voltage eg +5V or mains) temperature etc)#2 What resolution do you need ?#3 Accuracy you want ?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "aXit",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 11:28:36 am",
"content": "Sure:#1 Low voltage, I can't imagine measuring mains that often, but at least category II. Current measuring accuracy is important, especially in the 1-500mA range. I need datalogging functionality for voltage and current.#2 I've only ever used up to a 3 1/2 digit, it's good enough, but I wouldn't mind more.#3 I would say less than 0.25% in both DC voltage and current.I need frequency and duty cycle, min/max would be nice too.Thanks.aXit."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 08:49:09 pm",
"content": "I'm not sure if it will help, but I did a heap of research on the Meterman 38XR, and ended up buying one.My old posthas links to spec sheets and all sorts of details.It doesn't come with the cable for datalogging, but it works with the Amprobe cable (usually $25US) according to an Amprobe rep when I phoned them.The ebay link in that post is still good as of this posting, and if you can talk them down to $65US with the 'Make Offer' as I did, then you'll wind up at right around $100US for the meter and the cable together. Just remember that despite the listing, you won't get a warranty from the manufacturer. Some discussion of this is availablein a recent post.This all assumes you're in the US, as I'm sure worldwide shipping is possible but may make this less than economical."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 04:44:10 am",
"content": "Do you need standalone data logging (i.e. internal memory in the meter), or just a PC connection for the PC to control the logging process?That will usually make a big difference to the price.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "aXit",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 08:21:57 am",
"content": "Nah, definitely only PC datalogging. Memory in the meter isn't needed at all."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 08:35:53 am",
"content": "Quote from: aXit on February 22, 2010, 11:04:09 amI have not played with that one, but Protek meters have a reasonable rep, and the older 506 model has been around for a real long time and was a decent reliable meter for the price (with a few quirks).Protek isn't a bad choice.But like someone else said, someone on the forum got an Amprobe 38XR for $65 on ebay, which is remarkable value.In either case download the software and play with it make sure it does what you want. Flaky PC software can be a showstopper with these PC link meters.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "aXit",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 08:43:04 am",
"content": "I already have, and it was the one reason I hadn't already ordered the protek.No vista support, max sample rate of 1 second, and no way to save graphed information. Although, that just could be because there wasn't any data yet.I'll look further into that 38XR."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "APS",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 25, 2010, 01:36:12 am",
"content": "Elektor Electronic issue june 2007 have article about portable multimeters with PC data logging capability. It is overview and (table)comparision of 16 multimeters namely:Digitek DT-4000ZCVoltcraft VC-820Sinometer MAS-345Velleman DVM345DIDigitek DT8000UNI-T UT70BVoltcraft VC-920 same as Uni-t UT71Sinometer MS8218Sanwa PC510Metrix MX 26Sanwa PC5000Gossen Metrawatt Metrahit x-traAgilent U1252AFluke 189Gossen Metrawatt 29SMetrix MTX 3283"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "gbowne1",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 08, 2010, 06:08:41 am",
"content": "For a while now I have been relying on my HP 3456A multimeter. Its accurate. Of course it is old, but I don't think I would let it off my bench. Thanks to eBay I will have a 3458A too.If you need a VREF all of the Mfr's out there, ST, Itersil, OnSemi, analog, national, linear, Maxim, Microchip.I use this device:http://www.voltagestandard.com/Mine stays pretty near +5v DC.But, I use the GPIB/HPIB funcitonality with my NI PCI card and LabView. Of course the setup is not really that portable but it gets good use.Greg"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:55.157687 | 10 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/saleae-logic-241/ | Saleae logic - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DavidDLC",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 09:49:01 pm",
"content": "Dave, this can be a review for future posts:http://www.saleae.com/logic/features/?q=i5&gclid=CLGD7uf1hqACFQ49Zgodhm6XsAI saw the price and somehow got interested, if you can get you hands on one of those and give it a review it will be great."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 10:46:32 pm",
"content": "Dave has done a video on logic analysers:http://www.eevblog.com/2009/11/16/eevblog-44-part-1-logic-analyzer-tutorial/http://www.eevblog.com/2009/11/16/eevblog-44-part-2-logic-analyzer-tutorial/Now check the specs and decide for yourself. You can also try their software."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "TheDirty",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 22, 2010, 11:16:20 pm",
"content": "I have a Saleae. It's pretty useful. I was going to mention that Dave's previous blog pretty much covers these in general, though he only passingly mentions this type that doesn't use a buffer, but real time streams over USB. It's good for hobby work and I do a lot of interfaces with SPI, I2C, serial, and parallel data streams. The only limitation I've had is that 8 channels was not enough for a 8bit parallel data interface with 4bit address that I've had to do."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "rossmoffett",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 04:07:54 am",
"content": "Probably if you want Dave to review something the best strategy is to beg the retailer, not Dave, because if I were him I wouldn't want to go off buying new products all the time to review, or ask for them for free.Tell them you'll buy it if he approves, and see where that goes."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 04, 2010, 04:35:31 pm",
"content": "I've been seeing adverts for that all over the place. It would be nice if it had a display so it could give realtime measurements at clock rates faster then that of the USB connection to the PC also a display would give it a degree of mobility. and umm it needs more then 8 channels"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 04, 2010, 06:20:53 pm",
"content": "the intronix has 34 channels and a bufferhttp://www.pctestinstruments.com/also lookup the sump LA for a cheap one."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "rossmoffett",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 05, 2010, 03:52:02 am",
"content": "Recently on hackaday an even better model was introduced:http://hackaday.com/2010/02/28/open-source-logic-analyzer-2/Open source, even. You can probably use it as an FPGA development platform."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 05, 2010, 09:12:17 am",
"content": "Quote from: charliex on March 04, 2010, 06:20:53 pmThis is the unit that I use at home. It works very well for general uC debugging and serial stream debugging"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "March 05, 2010, 05:46:34 pm",
"content": "Me too Kat, It works with CAN bus and slower memory interfaces which is primarily what i use it for.. i usually go for it first since i really like the UIFor the newer version of the sump LA from dangerous prototypes/gadgetfactory. It's actually less capable than the original which has more channels, but its also more expensive.I've got a spartan 3A sump and it works well, i got the DP one on preorder from seeed just to see how well it works. You can never have enough logic analysers !"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:55.423707 | 9 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/pcb_s-and-breadboarding/ | PCB's and Breadboarding - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "gbowne1",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "March 08, 2010, 05:37:18 am",
"content": "Dave!Hi Dave! I was wondering if you could post a video blog on youtube about the difference between good and bad PCB design and one about breadboarding design.. also give us some tips on breadboards and PCB design.Thanks,Greg"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:55.694339 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/bitscope-bs325-review/ | Bitscope BS325 review - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "djsb",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 02:41:56 pm",
"content": "Hi,Just found your blog and I love your enthusiasm and sense of humour.Just had a read of the Rigol review and wondered if you had considered reviewing the latest Bitscope BS325 Unithttp://www.bitscope.com/product/BS325/.I'm still trying to decide about buying the Bitscope and would value your opinion even if you decided againt a full Blog Review.Another idea is a review of Kicad, a free GPL pcb design programme which I use for my own designshttp://kicad.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page.Hope you find my suggestions interesting.Thanks,David.London,UK"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 23, 2010, 08:43:23 am",
"content": "The showstopper with the Bitscope is the sample rate, it's only 40MS/s, that gives an effective single shot bandwidth of only 4MHz.They haven't really updated the design much in over a decade, so IMO it's no longer competitive.It's optoisolated which is nice for PC scope, and it does waveform generation and logic too.But US$700 for a 40MS/s 2 channel 8 bit mixed signal scope is way overpriced IMO.On a side note, I can remember way back when Bitscope asked me to write their PC software for the them. Wow, that was a long time ago...Sorry, I can't review any CAD software for conflict of interest reasons.Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:56.107470 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/dave-gets-a-mention-on-the-fluke-website/ | Dave gets a mention on the Fluke Website - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 08, 2010, 04:23:16 pm",
"content": "From:http://us.fluke.com/usen/Community/Fluke+Plus/Default.htmQuote:Electronics Engineering Video BlogFor anyone interested in electronics design, get a humorous and educational review of the new 233 Remote True-RMS Display Multimeter with Australian host, Dave Jones."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 08, 2010, 11:58:57 pm",
"content": "Cool! thank for letting me know!I'm still on GossenMetrawatt's front page which is nice.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "rossmoffett",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 09, 2010, 06:26:37 am",
"content": "You called both of them tight-asses multiple times!A win for corporate transparency."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:56.262136 | 3 | electronics | general | false |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/live-show/ | Live Show - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "July 02, 2010, 07:22:59 am",
"content": "I have a new webcam which works quite well, so due to popular demand the Live Show will be back on this Monday, same time, same Bat Channel.Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:56.596198 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/section-of-forum-to-talk-about-bad-product-design/ | Section of forum to talk about BAD product design - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 29, 2009, 10:32:55 am",
"content": "I think we need a section for BAD product design, so we can ponder on how we would do it better"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Neilm",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 30, 2009, 06:35:58 pm",
"content": "More cheap multimeters..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 30, 2009, 09:37:35 pm",
"content": "My stupid car has a warning light shaped like an engine. When the light came on, I had visions of engine problems and big $$$$, turns out this warning light is for the air system, so your air filter needs replacing! WHY chose that symbol?Front loader washing machines you can't stop half way during the cycle to put extra clothes into or get out early to hang out because you are in a hurry.My new Sanyo Xacti blog camcorder that has a 2.5mm external mic socket and USB connection only on the docking station, and then the USB socket it propriety anyway!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "madworm",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 31, 2009, 12:02:49 am",
"content": "Top loaders aren't necessarily any better. You can't flood the place, granted, but internal 'intelligence' can still be annoying.Mine has a few extra features:- You simply can't (and I really mean can't) open the damn thing if it is any warmer than 30°C inside. Suppose you have it set to 40°C and want to add some more, nope. I could accept this for say 50 or 55°C, but not 30°!- It tries to be user friendly and positions the filling port pointing upwards to the lid. As the clothing moves around, it has to shift it several times to get it to stay upright. This takes quite a while...yawn... I could do that with my bare hands in a few seconds.- It's got the most insidious beeper you can imagine. BEEEP, BEEEEEEP, .... , BEEEEEEEEP, ... \"Thank god it's over\", ... BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP, ...... The intervals are so strange, you never know when it's really done with beeping."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 31, 2009, 03:37:24 am",
"content": "My stupid product of the century is Tivo.Now do not get me wrong I love my tivo, but it has a few annoying features.#1 you can not slave them (if you have more than 1 you can not just set everything up on the master and it tells a slave unit(s) what to do)#2 if you have shows you want recorded (it makes its own list based on what you like) say one show starts 19:30 - 20:00, another is 20:00 - 20:30 both on the same channel, it does not say hey I can just do one recording from 19:30 - 20:30 and use ONE tuner, no it has to do them as separate shows and use TWO tuners.#3 it take soooooooo long to boot up, you have a power blip, it will take +10 minutes to get to a point where you can do anything with it#4 the remote buttons are not very well de-bounced, if you do 3 quick presses of a button (say the fast forward to get to maximum forward speed) it will record this as 4 presses and drop back to play speed.......(insert some of Dave's frustration quotes here)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 31, 2009, 05:49:01 am",
"content": "the thing that bugs me about tivo the most if that if you're watching show thats not being recorded, but not live, and accidently change channel you lose it, or if you press a menu button it jumps to the end of the buffer.mine is the iphone, takes ages to boot up, battery life is just awful, can't multitask properly ,when its checking email it lags so badly sometimes you can't answer calls, when you hold it upto your ear sometimes the buttons get pressed and it puts it in mute, or hold, sometimes ignores key input or lots of lag, poor levels of customisation, puts odd suggestions for words, keyboard doesn't always appear, for some reason switches to caps mode after i press certain letters, poor antenna, when its mute some sound still play, sms notify keeps playing if you don't read (can't seem to turn that off, i'm hoping its me and ive missed the setting)., vibrate motor is really crazy when its on a hard surface, gets really hot after long usage.then basic stuff like call black/white listing, why can't phones have programmable silent/normal modes, ie after 12am til 9am it goes automatically silent or quieter, with whitelist support.obviously some of them are common to all phones, no ones designed the killer phone yet, given how many of them there are its odd."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mastro Gippo",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 02, 2009, 12:58:09 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on October 30, 2009, 09:37:35 pmThat light means a generic problem occoured, I think they made it that way so you have to bring it to a dealer so you don't mess with stuff you don't know. Also, that way dealers can make a ton of money because users can't figure out what is the problem. Get a ScanTool, you'll be able to check a lot of things and even decode error messages yourself, then decide if you need to bring the car to a money vampire, or if you can just replace a 10$ air filter yourself."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Simon",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 11, 2009, 09:38:39 pm",
"content": "yea we need a section on bad product design, I find lots of stuff around me and would like to warn of them, and then its fun to discuss how it could have been done better"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 03:56:27 am",
"content": "i bought a chineese media player (video,music) and the plugpack for charging it has a MALE plug making it possible to short out the pack."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "DJPhil",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 06:10:00 am",
"content": "Quote from: Ferroto on January 31, 2010, 03:56:27 amThis reminded me of two things:The wall wart for the old Atari 2600 ended in a male two-conductor 1/8\" headphone jack! You can wreak some minor havoc by by plugging it in to random devices. I powered a few projects in my youth by wrapping wire around the plug and holding it in place with clay. In the interest of full disclosure I must shamefully admit I convinced my brother to put it in his mouth, but there was no permanent damage.I can't find it at the moment, but I think I remember a blog mentioning upside-down wall plugs. My best friend is an electrician, and this has come up between us a few times. There are a few arguments on both sides, including the benefits and drawbacks of the outlet looking like a smiley face, and the result of something coming from above finding it's way between the outlet and plug. It seems there's been quite a debate over the last ten years or so in the US. It's presence or absence in an electrical code is not something I can verify at the moment, but it appears to have at least been considered at the Nebraska state level. Google 'outlet orientation' for a selection of further reading. In the end it seems that it may be a useful technique on a case by case basis, but there's no mandate here. The code in Australia may differ."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 11:46:15 am",
"content": "I AM NOT AN ELECTRICIANWhen I build my work benches in the lab I use skirting duct on the back of the bench, BUT I put the power points in UPSIDE DOWN so I can plug a plug pack in if needed (but usually I use a power board to bring power up to the equipment bench)"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:57.238173 | 11 | electronics | general | false |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/_anti-static_-white-coats/ | 'Anti-Static' white coats - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Thermal Runaway",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 30, 2010, 06:05:28 pm",
"content": "At my place of work, everyone has to wear a white coat if they're on the shop floor. Now, I've always questioned the reasoning behind this, and to be honest I reckon the only reason we're really forced to wear these on the shop floor is because management think it looks more professional when they have customers walking around if everyone is dressed in a white coat. That's all well and good, but I just wish they'd come clean and tell us that's the reason. Instead, they insist upon justifying the white coats for ESD reasons. Are they really any good for this purpose? Well, I don't actually know. But one day...I was invited to an ESD training session. During the training session we were shown an instrument that basically measured static charge, and then we were asked to rub our clothes together and take measurements to prove that our clothes were generating a significant charge.And I accept that they were - this was already apparent to me because I've noticed it when pulling off jumpers and such like - some of my jumpers can really generate quite a significant charge. In the night time you can actually see the mini-lightning effect that is generated!But... what does my white coat generate, I wonder? It's *supposed* to be an anti-static coat, which I take to mean that it won't generate any static charge itself (although whether it shields against static generated by your clothes underneath it is another matter). But I rubbed my white coat together with itself, and the instrument was still measuring quite a significant charge. Not as much as on some people's jumpers (particularly the Ladies fluffy jumpers), but it seemed to me that it was significant enough to totally bust the idea (Adam Savage style) that wearing white coats protects equipment on the shop floor from static charges generated by a person's clothes rubbing together. It's far more likely that our static foot-straps that we also have to wear, are conducting any charge away. I'm just not convinced by the whole white coat thing.So what do you say Dave? Is the white coat thing a valid method for preventing static build up on your clothes or what? I wanted to take my test one step further by rubbing my jumper together with itself, underneath the white coat, and seeing if the coat actually provided any kind of shielding against it or not. But the general consensus amongst the group was that I should stop mucking about with my silly experiments and let the trainer get on with it, so that's what I did.Perhaps the EEVblog can provide a definitive answer?Brian"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "desolatordan",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 30, 2010, 08:49:17 pm",
"content": "There are about 3 EEVblog episodes relating to this topic.http://www.eevblog.com/2009/07/26/eevblog-20-the-unusual-oscilloscope-phenomenon/http://www.eevblog.com/2009/07/28/eevblog-21-the-unusual-oscilloscope-phenomenon-part3/I remember Dave donning a lab coat for a demonstration like this, but I can't seem to find the episode."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 30, 2010, 09:29:56 pm",
"content": "Quote from: desolatordan on January 30, 2010, 08:49:17 pmIt's here:http://www.eevblog.com/2009/04/12/eevblog-3-anti-static-myths-busted/But with hindsight I should have busted much more than the one myth about \"anti-static\" bags.As you've seen in my oscilloscope phenomenon video, the anti-static coat and wrist strap didn't do much under those conditions.Good anti-stat coats have carbon fibers to help better disperse any static buildup generated, and the material is coated in an anti-static chemical which I believe does wear off with time. So if the material didn't build up a charge ever, there would be no need for the carbon fibre threads.\"Anti-static\" means that the material is supposed to be incapable of holding a charge, not necessarily incapable of building up a charge for a brief period under all conditions.To do static protection properly you need the whole gamut of protection. Ionizer, wrist strap, floor mat, proper chair, desk mat, coat, shielding packaging, sprays etc. It's all about minimization, not necessarily total elimination.A more in-depth look at all this might make an interesting blog...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 03:42:55 am",
"content": "Just grab a large metallic grounded object, such as the chassis of a PC (not the painted part, the unpainted part inside). Honestly, I have never lost anything due to ESD, I'm starting to think it's total BS."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 11:35:12 am",
"content": "Quote from: Ferroto on January 31, 2010, 03:42:55 amUmmm, how long have you been doing electronics ?When I used to board stuff (did it for 1 year to make some cash) one of the people fitting chips to sockets did not use a static strap, EVERY board worked, but 6-12 months latter FAILED with very strange problems. We ended up having to REPLACE EVERY chip in EVERY product this guy had installed. This was back in the MID 90's.Yes these days chips are better at withstanding static, BUT DO NOT RELY on this.Static in high speed logic or high impedance is VERY REAL.Regards,Kat.PS I refrained from swearing, as I have seen many times how real static is."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 11:46:29 am",
"content": "At one of my previous jobs working on very expensive high end military boards (that were often one-off's), static was such an issue that entering the lab without a labcoat was instant dismissal. As was touching a board without a wrist strap.The same company also failed Farnell on an ESD audit and black listed them (very annoying!). And Farnell are pretty darn good with their ESD precautions.Yes, as geek girl says, static can cause big problems with long term chip reliability.Modern ones are much better at handling it, but for critical apps you never take the risk.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Thermal Runaway",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 01:06:46 pm",
"content": "I've actually destroyed a chip on purpose (as an experiment) to see for myself the real consequences of zapping a device when you're carrying a static charge. It was just a basic counter circuit that I knocked up with a CMOS chip in it. I turned on a CRT based monitor, rubbed my right hand on the screen, and then with my left hand touched the chip. The circuit stopped working instantly, and the chip was a gonner.But as Kat said, the worst cases are where you cause damage to the device that is not quite enough to cause immediate failure, but manifests itself and causes failures later on - when the product is in the hands of your customers.I am totally convinced by the static wrist straps (and foot straps), dissipative flooring and static dissipative matting. That much I am sold on. But the white coats? I dunno... I still need convincing about that.Maybe it's just that our coats are not very good. Dave mentioned that they are coated in a chemical that dissipates any build up of charge, and that this can wear off over time. I can tell you that the only time our lab coats are replaced is if they become physically worn with age. There's no system to replace them after a pre-defined time to ensure that the anti-static agents on the coat are still working.So maybethat'swhy our coats seemed to fail my quick test....Might look into that!Brian"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 01:12:18 pm",
"content": "Quote from: Brian Hoskins on January 31, 2010, 01:06:46 pmI think RS or Farnell sell anti static spray ? Somewhere that I can not remember here in Au you could buy a chemical that you soak the coats in after they have been washed (IIRC SpotLess Linen used to do this after washing Lab Coats (they are a hospital, hotel and industrial linen company (you buy or rent the product and factored in the price is the pickup, washing and return of the product))"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Thermal Runaway",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 03:04:11 pm",
"content": "Thanks for that Kat.I think this might warrant some tests. I have three labcoats, of which all are at least a couple of years old but some are older than others. All have been washed regularly by myself, at home, in my washing machine in the regular way. I should do some tests with these coats to see if I can measure their relative static dissipation performance. I'm betting they'll all perform pretty much the same (useless) after all this time.Then I should try to get them soaked in the chemicals you described (I'll look into that) and test them again to see if they are any better.Watch this space!!!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 04:14:50 pm",
"content": "Quote from: GeekGirl on January 31, 2010, 11:35:12 amAlright you can stop with the public shameingI'm not completely ignorant of ESD, I do hold PCB's by the edges, avoid touching the contacts, and ground myself. I've just never used the static wrist bands, or ESD mat, and never had problems. I've been building custom PC's for almost 14 years, and have never lost a board to ESD, maybe I'm just lucky"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 04:38:39 pm",
"content": "It is not public shaming, but trying to prevent miss information.an assembled PCB is LESS suseptable than a bare chip.Also remember that a mosfet suffers from ESD, if you charge yourself and touch the gate pin you can punch through the oxide and destroy the mosfet. This was actually done in TAFE (where I did my servicing apprenticeship) to prove to us the importance of ESD precautions.You maybe lucky, or you may have customer who think you use cheap parts as they failed 6+ months down the track.The precautions people take are in line with the cost of the product (a $2 product in china may have no ESD protection in a factory assemble environment, but a $20K product will have every precaution taken)You can remove the need for ESD protection, buy controlling the atmosphere, clothing worn (down to underwear and socks) floor material, work bench surfaces and chairs. BUT this is all very expensive. it is cheaper to use wrist straps, and bonding of the product to the same earth (when working with very static sensative equipment I ground the ground plane to mains earth, my ESD strap is from the same earth via a 10M high voltage resistor (rated at 2.5Kv as I work with equipment up to 415Vac)"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 31, 2010, 11:28:29 pm",
"content": "Definitely lucki know people who just seem to have some sort of magical properties for not damaging chips, then others who can just look at it and kill it. We used to have a regular customer who'd bet money he could cause damage.i've heard about magnetic personailities, but esd personality never."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 01, 2010, 12:19:32 am",
"content": "Peter Griffin knows a thing or two about ESD."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:57.271473 | 13 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/wthat-about-an-oscillator-based-on-an-acoustic-feedback/ | Wthat about an oscillator based on an acoustic feedback - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "ivand58",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 28, 2010, 09:09:52 am",
"content": "When I saw the entries in your blog about the ceramic capacitors, I realized that a demo with oscillator based on an acoustic feedback of the ceramic caps would be very helpful for understanding the impact of that sort of vibrations in the circuits ..."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zero999",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 28, 2010, 03:53:20 pm",
"content": "I've never tried it but I imagine it would rely on close coupling between the PCB and the speaker and lots of gain.Maybe an SMT capacitor would be required as it will have better mechanical coupling to the PCB?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:57.565992 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/good-books-on-electronics-engineeringdesign-beyond-an-associate-degree-level/ | good books on electronics engineering/design, beyond an Associate Degree level - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "badSCR",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 02:55:28 am",
"content": "Just got my Associate Degree in \"electronics engineering technology\"I am more interested in the designing and prototyping.I don't have the money or time to continue on to an university for a bachelor's degree, so it will have to be self learned.So, some book suggestions for more advanced circuit theory and design would be great."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 03:18:18 am",
"content": "Art of Electronics (usually refereed on EE Boards as AoE) by Horwitz and Hill (I hope I spelt the names right) The book is still only 2nd Ed which was first published in 1989, but is still relevant to basic electronics, there have been rumours of 3rd Ed for the last few years, I believe it is sometime this year, but I have heard this for a year or sohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Electronics"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 03:50:17 am",
"content": "The 3rd edition is getting to be like Duke nukem forever, i see its june 30th/2010 now."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zero999",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 01:29:09 pm",
"content": "Quote from: GeekGirl on January 25, 2010, 03:18:18 amIf you don't have any money you can easily download a PDF ebook from a site I can't post a link to because it's breaking the forum rules, not that I condone piracy."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Thermal Runaway",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 07:50:17 pm",
"content": "General knowledge:I would also recommend The Art of Electronics, 2nd Edition. It is an expensive book, but worth the money in my opinion.Communications:If you're into communications Electronics, specifically Signal Processing, then my favourite (after a rather lengthy process of elimination) is Signal Processing & Linear Systems by Lathi. The industry accepted book in this genre is Signals and Systems by Oppenheim (which I also own) but I found this book suffered from a difficulty in transferring knowledge. It is written from the point of view of someone who is already an expert in the field. Lathi's book is better because the complex subjects and mathematics are backed up with quite a lot of explanation, which for me makes a lot more sense.Embedded:I have thus far found it quite difficult to find a decent book in the Embedded genre. I bought Predko's \"Programming PICmicro Microcontrollers\" which is an okay reference to have around but I didn't find it too useful. Instead, I found Matrix Multimedia's CDROM tutorials to be the best way to learn. I learned to program PIC Micros in both Assembly and C with their series of tutorial CDROMs, in addition to the tutorial development board. It's expensive if you want the whole package (CDROMs and dev board) but it really does show you the ropes and leaves you with a good grounding that can be carried forwards on your own.Brian"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "badSCR",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 10:41:18 pm",
"content": "In school, I had a class for ASM, I passed but I suck at ASM. Then I tried Basic on my own but nope couldn't get past blinking an led.Not knowing anything about C programming. I went and got \"Sams Teach Yourself C in 21 days 6th edition\" It is a good book for a beginner, It reads very well. I was able to do it in just 5 days. Now, I am ok in C, but need to learn more about Embedded C.Then I got me a PICkit2 and \"Beginners Guide to Embedded C programming Volume 1&2 by Chuck Hellebuyck\" which is also a good book for a beginner. I am struggling with data communications like serial.\"Signal Processing & Linear Systems by Lathi\" I see there is Calculus math.\"The Art of Electronics\" Looks very good."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Thermal Runaway",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "January 25, 2010, 11:14:37 pm",
"content": "I was okay at Assembly, and I think it was useful to learn because at the same time it teaches you how Microprocessors actually work. But that said, I have to say that there is very little application for Assembly programming these days. Most things can be done just as well in C, and the program is far easier to read, much more portable and definitely easier to maintain. Assembly is only preferable in a handful of situations. Some old school programmers will say that Assembly is far better than C because it's faster and more efficient and etc etc, but mostly that's just crap - modern day compilers can generate very efficient code and in practice there is little benefit to writing Assembly, except in some very specific circumstances. That's my opinion anyway!With regard to Lathi - yeah there is a lot of complex math in that book. Unfortunately you can't get away from complex math when it comes to Signals and Systems. That's why you need the background explanation, which is what Lathi provides and Oppenheim doesn't.Art of Electronics - classic book, and although outdated most of the information is still very relevant. This book should be on any self respecting Engineer's / Hobbyist's shelf. Check Ebay, occasionally you can pick up a cheap second hand copy.With regard to serial comms - it's not actually that hard. You can either handle it yourself in software by bit-banging, or you can use the peripherals on your Microcontroller device. I don't know too much about other manufacturers but a lot of Microchip's devices come equipped with on-chip communications modules. All you need to do is read how it works in the data sheet, then set up the module accordingly to suit your requirements. After that you don't really concern yourself with the details of sending and receiving the data - you just use the module and it does the rest. Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.It's just about spending the time and giving it a fair go. A storage scope is invaluable if you need to test your serial output.Brian"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "badSCR",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 26, 2010, 04:33:54 am",
"content": "We are getting a little off topic; but oh, well.I have used the on-chip communications modules, works nice sending data from one chip to another chip to light some LEDs, but when the program gets larger the RX starts to mess-up. I am thinking that it is missing the start bits some how and picking up half way into the data.I well look into bit-banging. Have heard it before but didn't know what it was.Once I've got my work-bench back together, well use my storage scope and usb logic analyzer to find out more.Only just started Embedded C and PIC Micros for about 3 months now."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:57.874660 | 8 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/intro-music/ | Intro Music - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 12:20:27 am",
"content": "For those wondering why the latest video doesn't have the intro music and has my lame voice-over, it's because I've been getting too much grief from YouTube over my \"revenue sharing\" videos having intro music from someone else. Even though I can leagally use it, and the owner specifically permits use on Youtube, there are way too many email hoops to jump through if my videos contain content from anyone else. I'm not entirely sure if I'm responding to a human or a bot at times!Any ideas for the intro are welcome!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Macka",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 11:22:16 am",
"content": "That's a real shame, the intro music you have is fantastic.Unfortunately the only things I can suggest would involve just as many hoops"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 12:13:17 am",
"content": "Does Youtube automatically detect music and then try to force you through hoops?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 10:38:53 am",
"content": "Quote from: bmwm3edward on November 11, 2009, 12:13:17 amNo, I didn't want to lie on the form, so I ticked the box saying I was using someone else's music.Now I'm a partner, I'll have to go through the same rigmarole for each and every one of my old videos!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 10:41:22 pm",
"content": "So do you need some \"open source\"/public domain music?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 12, 2009, 12:07:10 am",
"content": "Quote from: bmwm3edward on November 11, 2009, 10:41:22 pmNo, I was already using open source music. The problem is if you use *any* music you didn't create yourself, then you have to jump through the same approval hoops for every video you upload to YouTube, unless you lie on the form that is!Also, technically if I have anyone else in my video, I have to jump through the same approval hoops. I'm not even allowed to sing words from a song or countless other things you aren't allowed to do, Youtube are ridiculously paranoid about everything!You don't get the same scrutiny with a regular YouTube account, but the same rules still apply.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 12, 2009, 11:54:09 am",
"content": "Thanks for the explanation. I think forgiveness might be better than permission in this case. Eg, Youtube is in CYA mode. Just my $2E-2 worth."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "XynxNet",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 12, 2009, 04:21:09 pm",
"content": "I read on a german blog some time ago that youtube deletes partneraccounts and all your videos if they think you used copyright-protected material without permission. I don't know wheather that was exagerated, but it's definitly something you should look into."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 13, 2009, 05:28:11 am",
"content": "Quote from: XynxNet on November 12, 2009, 04:21:09 pmYes, they clearly warn you about this (multiple times!). So I've got to be careful I don't use anything but my own stuff from now on.Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Macka",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 13, 2009, 05:41:57 am",
"content": "If the music is free for use and you aren't making money from it (or you are making money with permission), surely there is a way to reduce the hoops you need to jump through, just as long as you always use the same music?Have you tried contacting youtube support to see if they have a solution to your problem?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "charliex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 13, 2009, 04:51:21 pm",
"content": "build a theremin or a circuit bender and make your own muzak!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 14, 2009, 11:42:18 am",
"content": "Or get rid of the fancy intro altogether. The intro of the very first episodes was quite nice too"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Zero999",
"author_rank": "Super Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 15, 2009, 10:36:17 pm",
"content": "Artists should allow you to use their music without payment because it's free advertising for them."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:58.219821 | 13 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/youtube-partnership/ | Youtube Partnership - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 05, 2009, 11:41:36 pm",
"content": "Looks like my blog is finally popular enough for YouTube to let me apply for \"partner\" membership. Their system wouldn't even let me fill out the form last month.The advantages are I believe, no more 10min limitation, and allowing ads on YouTube (possibly annoying to users I know, sorry).Lets see if they approve it...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Veramacor",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 06, 2009, 01:56:21 am",
"content": "Sounds like your on your way to getting your own TV show!Unfortunately, if you want to go that route, don't let any big US producers get a hold of your show. They will water it down so much to the point a 3rd grader can understand the content! So much of the American market is about keeping the attention span.I'm sorry, but if you want to talk about electronics, you have GOT to have more than a 2 second attention span! Anything worth learning in electronics I have found requires full concentration.I guess this post is more about the sad state of affairs of American media. I guess that is why I'm going to wait up to 20 days to get an oscilloscope from china instead of buying one locally in the US.Hoping for exponential growth in your efforts Dave!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Dago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 06, 2009, 09:02:53 am",
"content": "Will this mean longer than 10min episodes? I think you have material for that, the current 10min format seems too short to me."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 06, 2009, 10:39:38 am",
"content": "Quote from: Dago on November 06, 2009, 09:02:53 amYep, I believe that's the advantage, any length you want.I'll still have to keep it as short as possible though, as 10 minutes already pushes the limit of attention spans!Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 10:42:39 am",
"content": "They approved, so I'm now a YouTube Partner, or at least I will be if the silly final form I have to fill out actually works, I keep getting a server error...Also, they are saying now that all my new videos I upload and want to put ads on will be subject to a 48hour approval process!, so possibly no more instant upload and watch for most of my audience who watch via YouTube in some way. There migth now be a 2 day lag from when I finish a blog to when people get to watch it. Grrr...Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:58.528729 | 5 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/wireless-chipsets/ | Wireless Chipsets - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 12:24:26 am",
"content": "How about a review on wireless chipsets that implement the new Zigbee stuff? There are quite a few out now, especially interesting are the Texas Instruments, and as a beginner, it's really slowing me down trying to decide on how to pick one out.As a hobbyist, I could burn through a 2-3 thousand dollars buying all the demo/eval boards out there, so the only way through it is to grab all the datasheets and then try to decide. I'm finding those datasheets are sometimes just what you need, but also sometimes leave out a lot of frustrating flaws in the chips that experts already sort of \"know\" about through reputation/idustry knowledge. I'm in the software industry and the exact same thing happens - the equivalent of a datasheet in hardware is an SDK or API in software - and sometimes it \"just works\" according to spec, and other times it's a buggy piece of crap."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:58.868472 | 1 | electronics | general | false |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/spi-bus-tutorial/ | SPI bus tutorial - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 03, 2009, 11:58:19 am",
"content": "I think the SPI bus is a widely used interface between components and microcontrollers. There seems to be a lot of variance on how it's implemented and with that comes the \"been there done that\" knowledge that the industry experts have that we'd love to hear about."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 11:18:04 pm",
"content": "Quote from: bmwm3edward on November 03, 2009, 11:58:19 amThere is really nothing special about SPI. It is just that kids like to shit their pants about SPI and refuse to learn the few basics so they can happily mess things up. Read thishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Peripheral_Interface_Busand you are 90% of an SPI expert."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Unknown",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 11, 2009, 12:19:31 am",
"content": "This is a good read (thank you), but the video tutorials always seem to absorb more quickly. I wouldn't mind seeing a Rigol demo on debugging SPI/serial data (Just bought that Rigol 50 MHz unit) and that's where I'm about to be in a day or two. The stuff that I'm not grasping as well as I'd like is how to set up the single-shot modes, then how to go back in time to see what happened. There are quite a few settings on the scope that seem to produce different results and an expert's walk through would be helpful. Don't get me wrong, I loved the infinite matrix of resistance video, but that is practically less useful, but probably more entertaining."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:59.147735 | 3 | electronics | general | false |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/esr-meters-and-measurement-techniques/ | ESR Meters and Measurement Techniques - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "eeMattS",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 02, 2010, 09:00:21 pm",
"content": "Dave,I would love to see a blog on ESR meters and measurement techniques. For example a review and tear down of your ESR meter, a K-7214 kit MK2 kit I believe. A comparison of the Atlas ESR 60,http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr60.html, and the Ana Tek Blue,http://www.anatekcorp.com/blueesr.htm, would be great! Also, it would again be great if you could touch on how to measure ESR with a function generator and oscilloscope.Thanks,Matt Snyder"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "switcher",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 02, 2010, 09:06:50 pm",
"content": "I own and use a blue esr meter. Very useful piece of kit.I used to own a Peak esr meter, but wasn't overly keen on it.here is a link to measure esr.www.fullnet.com/~tomg/esrscope.htm"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "eeMattS",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "May 02, 2010, 09:58:11 pm",
"content": "Switcher,Thanks for the reply and link!Can you please expand on what you like and do not like about each meter?Thanks,Matt"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "switcher",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "May 03, 2010, 11:18:54 am",
"content": "The blue esr meter is based on the Bob Parker unit. It works very well with repeatable, reliable, results. The Peak meter seemed to consider every cap I measured had a low esr.The Peak esr meter's construction is somewhat flimsy. The blue esr meter is a physically larger unit and is of more robust construction."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:59.495257 | 4 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/new-forum-catagory/ | New forum catagory - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Ferroto",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "October 26, 2009, 07:15:04 pm",
"content": "I'd recommend creating a forum category for us to post the various home-brew projects were working on. This will allow us to show off our creations and get valuable feedback and attract more visitors to this site."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Dago",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 26, 2009, 07:59:54 pm",
"content": "Good idea I guess."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:28:59.792819 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/puzzle-quiz!!/ | Puzzle quiz!! - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Mastro Gippo",
"author_rank": "Regular Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "October 16, 2009, 06:59:34 am",
"content": "The \"guess what it is\" puzzles are very common around electronics blogs, (see bunniestudios, hacked gadgets...) I think you can make something more original. For example, hacked gadgets has a \"guess what it isn't\" contest, where you have to let your fantasy work. But I have an Idea for you, since this is an EE blog: show us a product, fully assembled, tell us what it does, and ask us how we would have build it (components, techniques, etc). Then compare with the original and see who got a better(or more similar) solution!What do you think?"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "October 16, 2009, 10:40:20 am",
"content": "Not a bad idea!"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:29:00.267518 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/tagging-the-videos/ | Tagging the videos - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "armandas",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "November 08, 2009, 02:08:35 pm",
"content": "Dave, why not start tagging the videos? A tag cloud would helpful to people who don't look for anything particular (e.g. all equipment review videos) and also to people who know exactly what they are looking for (e.g. Fluke 233 review). Not only that, it would also help to rank better in search engines!"
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "November 10, 2009, 09:32:15 pm",
"content": "Done!There has always been a search bar which seems to work fine if you want to search for something specific. I'm actually using that all the time now to find blog links because it's the fastest way, and I can't remember what number was what!Dave."
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:29:00.798715 | 2 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/video-request/ | Video Request - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "Wartex",
"author_rank": "Frequent Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "January 22, 2010, 05:40:50 am",
"content": "Dave, I think time domain reflectometry and frequency domain reflectometry would be an interesting topic to cover. I'm talking about RiserBond, Tektronix etc TDRs for troubleshooting long and short (high speed buses/cables in modern computers) physical connections.Basically cover how they work and what the uses are and the corresponding math and medium properties.what do you think?"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:29:01.233853 | 1 | electronics | general | true |
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/news/eevblog-on-your-lab-test-gear/ | EEVBlog on your lab test gear - Page 1 | [
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "APS",
"author_rank": "Contributor",
"is_op": true,
"timestamp": "December 19, 2009, 01:09:11 am",
"content": "Dave, I saw test gear behind you and tried to figure what it is. It was like this: there is a power supply, I think there is a func. gen. or maybe it isn`t, there is some DIY equipment, what is that on the upper shalf etc.I think it would be great to see EEVblog about test equipment in the lab where you recording EEVblog. The stuff you use every day, those you use every there and then.It would be educational if you say someting about where its used and how to use it (especially for specialised equipment), some spec to look for etc. When did you first needed that item and all other stuff you think of."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "EEVblog",
"author_rank": "Unknown",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "December 20, 2009, 01:03:57 am",
"content": "It's on the to-do list. Just need to clean up and probably get the wife to do some camera work...Dave."
},
{
"post_id": "",
"author": "embedded",
"author_rank": "Newbie",
"is_op": false,
"timestamp": "February 28, 2010, 07:16:16 pm",
"content": "Quote from: EEVblog on December 20, 2009, 01:03:57 amDaveAlso add a equipment list of what you have as text document with perhaps your personal rating.By the way congrats on a fairly well organized bench. I think I am looking at the back wall of your house perhaps start the blog walking to your workbench. Borrow a cheap steady cam deal like the RC guys have (Weight on bottom consumer cam on top) for the walk. You can try this with a monopod with held between your fingers and with a brick on the bottom.CheersJohn VE3GYV"
}
] | 2025-10-19T01:29:02.026158 | 3 | electronics | general | true |
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