oscilloscope

[securitycctv]

Anyone here know about using an oscilloscope for video signal checking. Some advice would be greatly appreciated. We are considering purchasing one and have not a clue as to their use. Basically any knowledge after the point of pressing the switch on button, what to look for and how to identify good from bad signals etc.

John

[secboy]

I think it will be difficult to give advise on line like this because you have to become familiar with the scope as well as the tests related to cctv,it would probably be best to speak to the manufacturer of the scope you buy and / or contact some cctv manufactures and suppliers(norbain/gardiners) for info on any relevent courses which they run as it will be more precisely directed to your needs within cctv if you search under "oscilliscope training" on the web there are contacts for training and free CD's etc but not specifically for cctv if you search thru the various manufactures web sites some go into the signals to check for in quite some depth!some of the cctv specialists on the forem are extremely clued up on this topic and I'm sure will post loads of basics for you but I think a product based hands on course will be best for you hope this has helped?

Paul.

[Service Engineer]

Anyone here know about using an oscilloscope for video signal checking.

Just wondering why you want to use a Scope..? Unless your into actual camera repair I can't see why you'd need one.

[secboy]

I think it will be difficult to give advise on line like this because you have to become familiar with the scope as well as the tests related to cctv,it would probably be best to speak to the manufacturer of the scope you buy and / or contact some cctv manufactures and suppliers(norbain/gardiners) for info on any relevent courses which they run as it will be more precisely directed to your needs within cctv if you search under "oscilliscope training" on the web there are contacts for training and free CD's etc but not specifically for cctv if you search thru the various manufactures web sites some go into the signals to check for in quite some depth!some of the cctv specialists on the forem are extremely clued up on this topic and I'm sure will post loads of basics for you but I think a product based hands on course will be best for you hope this has helped?

Paul.

[secboy]

Just wondering why you want to use a Scope..? Unless your into actual camera repair I can't see why you'd need one.

67834[/snapback]

Good point ! why not start with a peak to peak meter and test signal generator? or are you moving on from them?

Paul.

[securitycctv]

Thanks for all answers so far

Thought that a scope would be more flexible for other things as well.

HOWEVER !! any good sources for a signal generator ?. Already have a test monitor which gives display of sync, burst and video.

[Guest Rockford]

Anyone here know about using an oscilloscope for video signal checking. Some advice would be greatly appreciated. We are considering purchasing one and have not a clue as to their use. Basically any knowledge after the point of pressing the switch on button, what to look for and how to identify good from bad signals etc.

John

67830[/snapback]

you'd be MUCH better off using a Hamlet video analyser (http://www.hamlet.co.uk/). Ours was VERY expensive, but for our business anyway, its VERY worth it!! If you can justfy the expense, do it. Using a scope will yeild strange illegible results... Even if you're using a pure signal generator at the other end of the cable (also available from Hamlet). Hope this helps!

[ian.cant]

Personally i dont see why you need anything other than a test monitor and a multimeter these days. Theres not much tweaking you can do that warrants a scope these days.

The only other thing i ever carry is a spare camera and lens and psu for testing. Oh and plenty of BNC's of course.

[Doktor Jon]

securitycctv,

As the guys have suggested there's little reason these days for using a scope for general CCTV work.

If you have got your heart set on buying a relatively expensive occassionally used piece of kit, make sure it's a dual beam, then you can compare signals, which of course you can't do with a single beam.

My old Tektronix is probably getting on for thirty years old, and whilst it used to be essential for carrying out bench repairs at component level, those days are long gone.

I'm trying to remember the last time I used the scope in anger, and as near as I can remember, it was either a very long time ago, or my memory 's gone to pot

Actually now I think about it, it used to be fired up every time one of Baxalls early tube cameras came back with a failure

[Zak]

They are not that expensive. I am sure I used to have one as a kid. What have they got to do with CCTV? Used to make lots of nice colours and patterns.

Oh, that was a kaleidoscope.