Digital Oscilloscope question

tridentsx

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I am thinking about buying a DSO, something like the Rigol DS1052E. What sampling rate would I need to be able to work on classic arcade PCB's and Monitors ?

I read in other forums that I should have a sapling rate that is at least 10 times the frequency of the wave form that I am cappturing.

If an analog 20MHz scope would be enough for 99% of arcade repairs, then I could use a DSO with 200 Ms/s ?

Is that a correct statement ?

Thanks for any advice that can be given. I know many answers will be get an analog scope, I already have a two channel 60MHz one already. I want the storage capabilities and an easy way to interface my computer so I can post nice pictures in forums asking for help.
 
scope bandwidth

The classic games I've seen have clocks between 1 and 12 Mhz. Generally, 5x is good enough for the type of signals you'll be tracing.

So I wouldn't worry about getting anything larger than a 60 MHz scope... I use a 50. Besides the prices go up dramatically from there.

I would make sure that it has an X-Y mode if you want to work on Vectors ... a z-channel is even better.
 
That'll work fine for what you want to do.

I use a 60MHz dual trace Tektronix LCD scope that I picked up for a hell of a deal a bit over a year ago on Craigslist.

I was on a road trip with my son and was up in Colorado when I spotted on the Denver list. The guy wanted $525 for it but all I had spare was $450. I emailed him, told him what I wanted to use it for, gave him the URLs to my website and repair logs, and he said OK. He was happy it was going someplace where it was going to be used. :)
 
Just a follow-up... the model I have is the TDS-210 which can be had on eBay at a reasonable price, especially if you like to snipe.
 
Those Rigol scopes aren't bad. I've used them at school several times, and they do have some extra features (usb, etc) that I haven't used, but that I know aren't on old scopes.

However, I've seen some 50mHz scopes for $50-150 on craigslist/etc. You shouldn't have a problem finding a tektronix scope for half of the rigol one if you are willing to hunt.

I'm in the same boat - looking for a scope - but I plan to get a Rigol myself. It's just nicer equipment, IMO.
 
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