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This is the complete list of video blogs on this site.


Review of SDS5000X/SDS5034X Episode 23
7-10-2019
Review of the SDS5000X

A review of Siglent's SDS5000X series scopes

Be wary of using a scope's invert control Episode 22
5-8-2018
Beware of a Scope's Invert Control!

The perils of using a scope's invert control to simulate a differential input.

Review of Siglent's SDG 2042X AWG Episode 21
2-2-2018
Review of ZeroPlus's LAP F1 Logic Analyzer

ZeroPlus's LAP F1 is not cheap, but is a heck of an instrument.

Review of Siglent's SDG 2042X AWG Episode 20
1-18-2018
Review of Siglent's SDS1204X-E Scope

Siglent's new SDS1204X-E is a 200 MHz four-channel scope that offers a ton of value for the money.

Review of Siglent's SDG 2042X AWG Episode 19
11-1-2017
Review of ee701 Differential Preamp

ee-quipment's ee701 is a differential preamp for an oscilloscope which offers champagne performance for a beer price.

Review of Siglent's SDG 2042X AWG Episode 18
6-2-2016
Review of Siglent's SDG 2042X AWG

Siglent's new arbitrary waveform generator, at $500, is a great tool for an embedded lab.

Review of Rigol's DSA 815-TG Episode 17
5-6-2016
Review of Rigol's DSA 815-TG Spectrum Analyzer

Rigol's new spectrum analyzer packs in a lot of value for a decent price. Here's a review.

Review of a $50 DDS siggnal generator Episode 16
8-24-2015
Review of a $50 Signal Generator

Jack bought a $50 DDS signal generator from eBay (there are tons on that site). This is a review of the unit.

Review of the Logic Pro Episode 15
6-1-2015
Review of Saleae's Logic Pro

Saleae's Logic Pro is a 500 Msps logic analyzer that also reads analog. Here's a review.

Backup strategies for small offices Episode 14
5-18-2015
Backup Strategies for Small Offcies

How's your backup strategy? Here's how Jack backs up his data.

Review of the GDS-1052 oscilloscope Episode 13
4-30-2015
Review of GW Instek GDS-1052 Scope

GW Instek's 50 MHz dual channel oscilloscope, at $300, offers a ton of value. Here's Jack's review of it.

Measuring idle time with a $25 voltmeter Episode 12
9-15-2014
A Cheap Way to Measure Idle Time

How much idle time is there in your firmware? Engineering is about measuring things. This video shows how to modify a $25 VOM to measure idle time.

Debugging using two GPIO bits Episode 11
9-1-2014
The Cops, Gin and Core Memory

Core memory was once the staple of all computers. Thankfully those days are gone. But the history is interesting and involves a run-in with the police and some gin.

Debugging using two GPIO bits Episode 10
8-11-2014
Is Your DMM Accurate?

You can send it to an (expensive) calibration lab. But there's a much cheaper alternative which Jack reviews.

Debugging using two GPIO bits Episode 9
8-4-2014
Using Ada on a Microcontroller

Ada on a microcontroller? Turns out, with a free compiler and IDE Ada is a great choice for small ARM CPUs.

Debugging using two GPIO bits Episode 8
7-28-2014
How to Use 2 GPIOs to Debug Firmware and Log Data

It's hard to get visibility into many embedded systems. In this video Jack will show you how to use a protocol analyzer (found in most digital scopes) with a little code to extract lots of data from your system.

Video - Digging into a scope from 1946 Episode 7
7-21-2014
An Oscilloscope From 1946 Can Still Teach Some Lessons

Jack tears a 65 year old vacuum tube scope apart and examines it's operation and circuits. Some clever design teaches some useful lessons.

Video - How to get names right in firmware Episode 6
7-14-2014
The Inside Scoop on Getting Names in Firmware Right

While long names will never yield self-documenting code, correctly naming things is hugely important. Watch this 8 minute video to learn why using names like read_timer_1 is poor programming practice.

Video - A review of Siglent's SDS1102 oscilloscope Episode 5
7-7-2014
Siglent's SDS1102CML - A Heck of a Value (Part 2)

This is part 2 of Jack's review of Siglent's SDS1102CML, a 100 MHz two channel digital oscilloscope. At $379 it's a tremendous value. There are a few things Jack doesn't like, which he points out.

Video - A review of Siglent's SDS1102 oscilloscope Episode 4
6-30-2014
Siglent's SDS1102CML - A Heck of a Value (Part 1)

This is part 1 of Jack's review of Siglent's SDS1102CML, a 100 MHz two channel digital oscilloscope.

Video - A review of the LabTool scope/logic analyzer Episode 3
6-16-2014
The LabTool: A Fairly Decent Low-Cost Scope/Logic Analyzer

The LabTool is a 99 € USB instrument that contains a two channel oscilloscope, 11 channel logic analyzer and a waveform generator. Best of all, the hardware and software are open source. None of the specs will excite you, but for the price it's pretty hard to beat. It's good option, especially for firmware people, who need a low-bandwidth scope or 80 MHz logic analyzer.

Video - What is in a scope probe, and why is that important Episode 2
6-9-2014
The Perils of Probing: What's Inside That Scope Probe?

Did you know scope probes are not just wires? In this video Jack explains the real issues behind scope and logic analyzer probes, and why using one without understanding the issues can cause your embedded system to fail. Firmware people take note!

Video - why did my board crash when I scoped a node? Episode 1
6-2-2014
Why did my board crash when I scoped a node?

Fast digital signals affect all developers, not just hardware people, and "fast" does not necessarily mean "high clock rate." In this video Jack demonstrates how transitioning signals can create havoc for people debugging hardware and firmware, and what strategies one can take to mitigate the issues.