Could this be your first oscilloscope? FNIRSI DSO-TC3
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Thursday January 4, 2024
David Mellor
David Mellor is CEO and Course Director of Audio Masterclass. David has designed courses in audio education and training since 1986 and is the publisher and principal writer of Adventures In Audio.
@MrSlipstreem replies to @MrSlipstreem: Both devices have been indispensable aids to keeping all 5 of my cassette decks calibrated as identically as possible. One of my decks, a 3-head Teac V-1050, has been blueprinted and modified to make sure it follows the standard playback EQ curve very closely, so the others that have internally adjustable playback EQ have been calibrated to match that. This ensures excellent Dolby tracking across all decks, so there's very little audible difference playing back a recording made on any of them on any of the others, even in the more picky Dolby C. The decks with the more tolerant Dolby S all track each other perfectly as far as my ears can tell.
@espenbgh2540: Yes it´s a nice little instrument .to a reasonably price. Especially for the newcommers that will not spend to much money to begin and if the interest don´t hold.
Very helpfull for a bit of money: Tester, function generator, oscilloscope, and a little more.
Very nice presentation.
@GregoryBarret-f8b: Von Place
@DannieSatchell-h8b: Schaden Park
@StanMoi: Great video ! Very educative. Thank you.
@rajendrabareto8065: Thank you for your review. I ordered one professional version for 55usd. what is the difference b/w standard and professional version?
@AudioMasterclass replies to @rajendrabareto8065: Fnirsi will be best placed to answer this.
@theonlywaytogta6665: Great video. I bought one of these for the price and convenience. Up until I watched this video, I didn't know how to use it. I learned so much from this. Thank you!
@GermanGozman-g2m: Holden Garden
@CharlenePadilla-j4d: Conn Fords
@AlanWood-wf6dr: Dollar prices don't include TAX UK prices do.
@Joe_Blo: DeVry students will be snapping these up like candy.
@johncoscia5258: Your a teacher , or high up in education or somewhere high . l would have been kicked out of your classroom if I were lucky enough . So Sir , you mentioned a load, i guess a speaker would suffice but could you use a coil say from a transformer? Does it measure impedance ? Would a 2 channel, SCO2 Dual Channel Digital AUTO Oscilloscope PWM 50M 10Mhz Sampling Rate 2.5KSa/S Analog Bandwidth for Electronic Repair Tools, similar dollars, be more suitable for audio ? Bad students are us pty ltd. Thanks .
@AudioMasterclass replies to @johncoscia5258: The simplest dummy load is just a resistor of a suitable value and power capability. This would not replicate a real loudspeaker but it's close enough for many purposes. I suspect there are many people with much greater knowledge and ability than mine who know about designing dummy loads so my video on this topic would be something perhaps for the future. As for the SCO oscilloscope, I haven't tested it so it would be better for me not to comment.
@johncoscia5258 replies to @johncoscia5258: @@AudioMasterclass Thank you s much for that . As for a duel input oscilloscope i was thinking crossover signal cut off points with 2 speaker signals superimposed. But of course now i feel silly designing a 3 way . Thanks again .
@FirstLast-j3c: Fast forward to 6:43 if you don't want to hear all of the RAMBLING BLA BLA BLA
@olegg9339: Nice video! Thanks you
@BeardLAD: is it analogue and does it involve tedious inconveniences?
Can it also replace my childhood hot water bottle?
@ihunter1509: This device is a failure, and you are promoting Chinese junk for the money provided by companies for advertising
@AudioMasterclass replies to @ihunter1509: To be clear, other than receiving the item, affiliate links in the description, and YouTube ads, I am not paid for any of my reviews.
@tomekichiyamamoto2177: I wonder how to test dirty electricity with an oscilloscope? 🙄
@AudioMasterclass replies to @tomekichiyamamoto2177: When it comes to mains electricity we are amateurs. Avoid. P.S. 240 volts in the UK.
@tomekichiyamamoto2177 replies to @tomekichiyamamoto2177: @@AudioMasterclass I was thinking of the 12v output of some PSU.
@JohnHoranzy: The depth of knowledge this guy has is amazing and it shows through on his other videos.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @JohnHoranzy: You're embarrassing me now but I'll heart your comment nonetheless.
@allmor77: It s possible to see the vaweform of a car diesel injector I am paying for Haynes autodata where I have all the correct vaweform .can bus etc...without damaging this little tool????
@AudioMasterclass replies to @allmor77: My guess, and it is a guess, is that if you can do this with a normal oscilloscope you can do it with the Fnirsi. Free advice comes with no guarantee,
@allmor77 replies to @allmor77: thx for your advice ...have a nice day
@johnwest7993: My very first 'scope was all tubes, a 'dy' brand, (which was an 'hp' logo turned upside down. It was an HP from some military contract that got cancelled, and I used it as the heater to warm my electronics lab in my shed even after I got a better scope. It was about an 800 Watt heater and it had a 10 inch cooling fan.) I have about 8 'scopes now, from $20 audio frequency 'scopes on PCB's, sans cases, to $90 Fnirsi's, to Fluke handheld's, to my high-end bench gear. They all serve their purpose. But I do wish I could send a Fnirsi 'scope, a Fluke multimeter, a TinySA, a component tester, and a NanoVNA back in time to me when I was a kid. All these tiny, battery-powered, dirt cheap, full featured tech tools today are simply amazing.
@abijeetrs6522: Do these come with probes or need to purchase them separately?
@AudioMasterclass replies to @abijeetrs6522: My kit has a probe.
@JohnHoranzy replies to @abijeetrs6522: Read the listings carefully and make sure you get the one with all the probes. The slightly cheaper ones lave out a probe. $53USD on eBay here in the US, shipped from the US.
@gggehlen: Hello!
Does it display THD?
Thanks!
@AudioMasterclass replies to @gggehlen: No.
@Lazarev666: Isn't it easier to use rmaa ?
@AudioMasterclass replies to @Lazarev666: It may well be but seeing as they haven't updated their website since 2014 I might give it a miss.
@Lazarev666 replies to @Lazarev666: @AudioMasterclass Ohh
2014 😆. Probably there are modern alternatives.
Yeah, it's old and free.
E-MU on cex is 20-25 pounds, distortion step in enclosed in itself loop is about 140dB. For such money, there are no alternatives. RMAA + E-MU pair may be used to measure any dac, amp or speaker. Many radio and audio enthusiasts are still using this because it is more than enough.
@rjw7058: are those bats in the uk?, they funny and you have a way of getting to the subject in a jovial way, thnx>
@rjw7058: i just luv the music composition, it's great
@SuperFredAZ: Did you forget that Amazon UK prices contain UK VAT taxes of 20% ? The U.S. does not have VAT but most states do have 5-9% sales tax.
@jj74qformerlyjailbreak3: What's the latest FW for this thing. I hope they can keep a repository online for updates.
@paulperano9236: Already have a 100MHz scope, but just purchased one of these little beasts. Got it for the times I just need a quick check and can't be buggered getting the desktop scope out, (very limited work space.) Could also be handy for checking items at my vintage radio club's auctions.
@HowardJohnstone: Very professional presentation, thank you. However, please include and use adapters so that the internal function gen can be used at the same time as the oscilloscope function.
@VEC7ORlt: Sorry, but this time you're promoting trash, of all things fnirsi has this is just garbage.
@darylcheshire1618: damn, can’t call them CROs
@AudioMasterclass replies to @darylcheshire1618: We miss those cathode rays.
@Aimsport-video: All this time I’ve been doing it wrong, rushing my un-boxings and doing so in silence. 😂
@AudioMasterclass replies to @Aimsport-video: I used to fast forward through unboxings until I tried doing one myself and now I find it fun. As for yours, your YouTube retention statistics should tell you whether what you do suits your audience.
@TimsRetroCorner: Interesting review - thanks. I might get one of these as a backup "away from the bench" scope, it seems like it'd be pretty handy. (waves from South Oxon!)
@JohnH108: 65 Eurodollarpounds
@uni-byte: As they say, any scope is better than no scope. These are fine and dandy for casual use in audio.
@artysanmobile: In my opinion, miniaturization is taken too far here, making settings too cumbersome and viewing inadequate. I saw that the company makes products at around double the cost that answer many of my objections. After decades of Tektronix 475, I would welcome the massive improvement of modern display tech enough to say bye to my old Tek. But this $60 unit would not be enough. I have to thank you for this as I was not aware of the low cost and huge selection of such scopes until I took a look after your video. Great review.
@uni-byte replies to @artysanmobile: Have a look at the Zeeweii DSO3D12. It might just fit the bill.
@fernandofonseca3354: Tbh the trigger on these affordable scopes from China seem to be too sensitive either to noise (poor PCB routing?) or because uber cheap 8-bit ADCs are used rather than the customary 12 bits (my PRC made Hantek won't even trigger on mV signals but hey 300€ for a 150MHz scope, who's complaining?... ). Do the same experiment on a well maintained 15-year-old Tek TDS3000 series (digital and still pricey even used) and your signal will look absolutely spot on, just as seen on your trusty Hameg. So yes it is always a good idea to... test the tester! Another thing I tell my "children" at work (yes I'm an old fart too) is to use cursors to make measurements whenever possible... and have fun!!!😊
@fernandofonseca3354: Excellent video, David! And you were clearly having fun! Well done!!!
@thinkIndependent2024: Thanks because I'm 1 of the Audiophiles U goad swearing we can't we can't hear the Music @ the level a sound Engineer does, Lucky those typically go to at least 100khz even though the state 20Mhz. I 40 years into Electronics
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @thinkIndependent2024: Even at (sic) 20MHz, you may start to see a drop in amplitude, point being 100kHz of BW may not be sufficient for any engineer worth of his/her salt but perhaps good enough for an audiophile. My 2p.
@thinkIndependent2024 replies to @thinkIndependent2024: @@fernandofonseca3354 In some cases not good enough because SMPS can have higher main frequency+ harmonics but the tool at the price can still be useful
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @thinkIndependent2024: @@thinkIndependent2024 But of course! 😊 No engineer in his/her right mind would use a Fnirsi scope to do serious work on a SMPS! I certainly know this for a fact as I design SMPSs for a living. That said, I agree that for the average tinkerer/hobbyist, the Fnirsi perfectly adequate.😊 I wish I had one back in my younger days...😅
PS: An SMPS in an audiophile rig??? Perish the thought! 😅
@thinkIndependent2024 replies to @thinkIndependent2024: @@fernandofonseca3354I don't disagree I was just saying @ $60 it offers some level of usefulness owning over 30k in test equipment pulling out a cheaper piece of diagnostic is better than more expensive out of the protective case which cost 5 times more for just the case alone( sometimes just good enough for a go no go test)
@RBBlackstone: It would be lovely to find one of these that ran open source code. I would love to add dB readings, etc.
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @RBBlackstone: more important to sort out the bugs first 😂
@RecordingStudio9: I purchased the exact model a few months ago to test my studio gear for issues, and it's the best $85AU I spent.
@paulmcdonough9595: I’d agree with Mr audio master class it does look fun for £65 and the data readout genuinely useful
@SpeccyMan: I've been tinkering with electronics for over 40 years and not one single electronics lesson in school or college. I only learned as much "theory" as I felt I needed because getting hands on and doing is the best way to learn by far. It did help that my dad (who was a sparky by trade) taught me how to solder when I was a boy.
@peterbooth6753: I had so much fun with Tektronix oscilloscopes in college forty years ago. Funny I can't recall exactly what I did - aging brain - just that it was fun.
@G8YTZ: People forget that US prices do not include local sales tax. This is added on at the checkout.
In the UK, of course, all our prices include VAT, which is at a ridiculous rate of 20% where the equivalent US sales taxes are usually a third or less of that percentage. It’s that money grabbing socialist, Jeremy Hunt, that makes things more expensive in this country.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @G8YTZ: Good point.
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @G8YTZ: Jem C, err... H, a socialist???... 😂😂😂 (sorry OT but couldn't resist... pheww almost had a Jim Naughton moment there...)
@G8YTZ replies to @G8YTZ: Very much so, high tax high spend. @@fernandofonseca3354
@G8YTZ replies to @G8YTZ: @@fernandofonseca3354Watch what he does, not what he says..
@PhotogPhotog-sk4ip: I had to get to 4:49, before he actually explained what this thing is
@nabman_: I have a Zeeweii DSO2512G (similar concept to your Fnisri). These things are amazingly good (within their limitations) and definitely good enough for the occasional hobbyist. To me, main +ve is portability and main -ve is menus and scrolling (nothing like a unique button per function and knobs for adjustments).
@phillipmorris9847: Cool stuff
@dangerzone007: Now you just need to add some fft function.
@dangerzone007: Out look at Amir. Here comes Audio Masterclass.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @dangerzone007: Very amusing but not likely to happen.
@Synthematix: These things are only good for audio anyway, they top out at 500KHz
@MarcelHuguenin: For the last half year I'm using a very nice combo DMM-Oscilloscope, the Zoyi ZT-702S. It's about the same price. The DMM is very accurate and the single channel oscilloscope has a very easy to use interface, Serves the same purpose as the FNIRSI and worthwhile giving a look.
My first scope was the Hameg 203 you showed and if I had the space for it I would hunt for one. Loved it.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @MarcelHuguenin: I like my Hameg and it will take something special to replace it.
@poekiemanpoekieman9224 replies to @MarcelHuguenin: I had that Hameg 203 scope too. Bought it for about NLG 1000, back in those good old pre-Euro days. That was expensive for me, back then.
I have both this Fnirsi and the Zoyi scopes too. And another 2 channel digital Chinese 100 MHz scope.
I prefer the more direct response of the old analog scopes, but other than that, digital ones rule.
@MarcelHuguenin replies to @MarcelHuguenin: @@AudioMasterclass I wouldn't replace it with anything if I were you ;-)
@InternetExplorer-s9g replies to @MarcelHuguenin: @@MarcelHuguenin you shuld replace your profile picture
@SubTroppo: I did a couple of years of a City & Guilds Telecoms Technician's course back in the mid '70s and the nigh-class lecturer (from whom I learned the most) frequently "illustrated" explanations by talking about applying voltages to a certain part of the male anatomy. I notice that this gizmo's connectors do not seem to be up to the task.
@fins59 replies to @SubTroppo: Sounds like you've got the 10X switch on the probe on 🙂
@davidnorton573: Just picked up an OWON HDS272S, it is 3 times the money, but still cheap. Dual trace 70 MHz with a DVM and AWG. It is almost as good as my bench scope, but portable, and I'm not afraid of setting on a car fender to checkout the fuel injection.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @davidnorton573: Living your best life.
@asx1248: Hi, I’ve always been tempted to get an oscilloscope but thought they were expensive… until now! Can you use it for FFT analysis so you can see what distortion an amp is generating? Thanks
@AudioMasterclass replies to @asx1248: Unless there is a hidden function not detailed in the manual then no. I use a plugin spectrograph that tells me enough for my needs.
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @asx1248: if that jitter is internal, I bet my bottom euro any fft will be all over the place like looking at a spread spectrum signal... my 2p
@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: @4:30 did Clarke mention the magic smoke as well ? 😅
@AudioMasterclass replies to @SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: As far as I know, the Fnirsi doesn't have a magic smoke detector. But it will confirm whether any component has lost theirs.
@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: Imagine going to school and not being able to touch the oscilloscope !! Terrible .. I learned more in the first 10 minutes of owning mine by USING IT.. than reading through materials and watching hours of videos. The calibration is the part you just have to pay close attention to.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: To be clear, we did have oscilloscopes that we could use. I just don't remember anyone other than the teacher using the big scope. I think we were lucky enough to have a scope for each bench.
@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: Some of the props in Thunderbirds are actually normal size not tiny but they are using a more compact Oscilloscope in that footage..and the consumer size reel to reels .. fun stuff ! . The puppets were 1/3 size of humans notice how they don't show them standing next to the gear - their mouth parts opened by solenoids being fed with the audio dialogue !
@AudioMasterclass replies to @SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: I've recently rewatched all of the episodes. What they did with dust and dirt, and explosions of course, was phenomenal.
@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: I'll keep my dual channel HP 100MHZ. - i don't have to put my glasses on to use it - but I'm sure this product is useful in many situations and the component tester looks nice if it's accurate .
@AudioMasterclass replies to @SPINNINGMYWHEELS777: The component tester is nice. If I'd had something like this during my electronics era I'd have used it lots.
@maidsandmuses: Actually "normal" LCD-screen oscilloscopes are still big.
The reason this one (and many others just like it) are so small is because all the useful functions an oscilloscope should offer have been buried in a confusing array of nested menus, operated by 4 buttons. Easy-to-use oscilloscopes have loads of button and dials. Really loads of them, which all enable you to check all the settings at the glance of an eye without having to browse through menus. Unfortunately modern UI design has thrown skeuomorphism out of the window so current device settings are often a royal pain in the backside to check or change.
@davidnorton573 replies to @maidsandmuses: My new one has a few more buttons than this one, the most important is the auto button, push that then check to see what the instrument set itself to.
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @maidsandmuses: Big and expensive, because they're proper professional bench scopes.
@fernandofonseca3354 replies to @maidsandmuses: I ripped the auto setup button with a stanley knife off my old Tektronix scope because I kept pressing it by mistake! Dreadful thing! I viscerally hated it! Nowadays for some reason, they come recessed... 🤭
@RocknRollkat: The connector was named the BNC (for Bayonet Neill–Concelman) after its bayonet mount locking mechanism and its inventors, Paul Neill and Carl Concelman. Neill worked at Bell Labs and also invented the N connector; Concelman worked at Amphenol and also invented the C connector.
Google search..............
Bill P.
@frogandspanner: At school we had a class set of Telequipment Serviscope Minor 'scopes, and a Cossor 1049 valve 'scope on a trolley - for use by teacher and U6.
My first 'scope was a Hameg 203-4 (bought in 1982 I still have it - used for vintage TV repair), although I now have a couple of Rigols. I also have a couple of Serviscope Minors, and a Cossor 1039M.
The digital scopes are great for most work, but I find the Hameg more intuitive to use.
@AudioMasterclass replies to @frogandspanner: Wow you’re an oscilloscopophile!
@robertweinmann9408: BNC = British Naval Connector 🙂
@donmacdon: Add 20% VAT and you would expect approximate parity of USD and GBP. Unless you live in Alaska (and few other states) you won't be paying $65 after sales tax.
@Joe_Blo replies to @donmacdon: Under $50 delivered to US when on sale, direct from Ali Baba & The 40 Thieves.
@andymouse: Great review and a refreshing take on it ! and yeah I have my Tek scope and my siglent and a couple of fun handhelds one of which was 15 quid and you built it yourself and they all have there uses. Just for fun I have recently built a 1Khz sinewave source stabilized by a light bulb (thanks to Mr Wien and Mr Hewlett) very posh sinewave indeed Phil would like it and I can make it very pricey too !....cheers.