today my PCSU200 device was shipped. I downloaded the newest software “pclab200-v1-04-setup.exe” (V1.04) from the velleman website. I transfered the exe-File by copying it via an USB-Stick on my second Computer with WIN XP (Servicepack 2), Version 2002, Intel CPU 3,2 GHz, 512 MB RAM, that is not connected to the internet and is suposed to run the oscilloscope. On that computer I opened the “pclab200-v1-04-setup.exe” and started the installation process. Everything went fine. I can open the oscilloscope in demo-mode.
When trying to run the “Options/Hardware Setup”, the program asked for a connection via USB to the pcsu200 hardware. I connected it with the cable. But the software says:“No hardware response”. I reconnected several times the USB cable. But to no avail. I also deinstalled the software and reinstalled it again. No way.
In the device manager of the chosen computer the hardware can be found under “Other devices” as “PCSU200 Oscilloscope/Function Generator” but with a yellow “?” (Question Mark) in front.
Can you please tell me, what is going wrong with the hardware recognition?
You should install the USB driver for the PCSU200.
The downloaded installation package contains the instructions document: “PCSU200 Driver Installation.pdf”.
I managed to get it done finally. Took me some 30 minutes.
The path was a little bit different than announced. There was another folder with “i386”. Don’t exactly understand, what it is, but I got a 32-Bit computer. And it works now.
Perhaps you could incorporate the newest path informations for people like me that have no idea, how Drivers work. I feel very insecure, when things are not exactly as I expect them to be. I need strong guidlines.
It is good to see you got the driver installed and the PCSU200 working.
Indeed there are two subfolders in the driver folder.
In the instructions should be mentioned not to go to the subfolders.
Just locate the ‘top’ driver folder containing the file .inf file.
It works ok. The two channels are very useful for me, because I analyse music for students in our academy.
The only thing I can’t find are SHORTCUTS to steer the RUN or SINGLE Modus and some other often used functions with my fingers. Would be nice not being obliged to use the mouse on the screen. It’s a bit slow and tricky if you use it intensively.
If there aren’t any Shortcuts right now, could you propose that to the engineers at Vellemans. Thank you.
Oh, another request: in the BIG SCREEN Modus there "must " be a shortcut for RUN and SINGLE. Otherwise it is not fully worthwhile for such a pretty instrument like the PCSU200.
[quote]It works ok. The two channels are very useful for me, because I analyse music for students in our academy.[/quote] It’s a pleasure to read you feel the PCSU200 oscilloscope useful.
[quote]Oh, another request: in the BIG SCREEN Modus there "must " be a shortcut for RUN and SINGLE. Otherwise it is not fully worthwhile for such a pretty instrument like the PCSU200.[/quote]You are right - big screen mode needs shortcuts for easy use.
There are already these shortcuts in the big screen mode:
That’s genious. Thank you very much for the SHORTCUTS. This boosts the usefulness at a new level. Great. Everyhing I ever wanted.
I would recommend Velleman to introduce for the very start of new user another DEFAULT skin of the oscilloscope, that has a little more attractivness on the first glance. I use now the following set up of colours:
In the BIG MODUS: dark blue grid, black background, Yellow for CH1, Green for CH2. That looks very agreeable and has good contrast. Looks worthwhile. Skin: deep blue.
I’m still exploring the software and bumped into the “Function Generator”. Looks pretty simple. Only Waveform, Frequency, Amplitude. But what can I do with it. What is it for? Don’t understand the meaning. I read the help instructions. But …
I guess it has something to do with the oscilloscope, because it’s just adjacent to it. How do they connect?
Would like to use it for teaching purposes. But how?
About the function generator:
The generator signal is output from the RCA connector on the rear of the oscilloscope.
To connect the output of the function generator to the oscilloscope input you need a standard RCA (male-male) audio cable and a BNC male to RCA female coupler: velleman.eu/products/view/?id=343105
You can use the function generator to generate the standard waveforms (sine, square, triangle) or custom made waveforms. - Click ‘More…’ button and then ‘Library Waveform’ button to load example waveform files.
You can create the custom “self made” waveforms using the Wave Editor (Tools -> Wave Editor).
You can either create new waveforms or to edit the existing sample waveforms located in the Lib folder.
One interesting feature is the Bode Plotter. It enables you to evaluate the frequency response of devices such as amplifiers and filters.
For more details please select Tools -> Bode Plotter and there select Help and click ‘Operation’.
There in the oscilloscope’s File menu are options Export Waveform 1 and 2. You can use these options to export the waveform captured by the oscilloscope to the waveform library file format.
When exported, you can open the file in any text editor or Excel to extract section (one period) of the saved waveform file and save it as a new waveform library file.
Oh, thank you for the hints with the RCA connector. I wondered all the hours testing the unit yesterday, what this outlet on the back should do. Now I understand. It’s very interesting how people like me get into reality of objects. I’m not a Tech-Man. I just use Tech to do my job in the media (and fill my leasure time, that has a strong relation to my job, of course).
I got to find out, what I can explore with that FUNCTION GENERATOR. That will be fun, I guess. For my job I need a better understanding of waves and all those things by experimenting with “real” devices. Just to read a book is not enough for a solid view of physics in general.
I got such an RCA adaptor here. So I will connect the RCA outlet with the probe inlet. - But even without having done that before, I could already now imagine that Velleman will do that for people like me “inside” the device in the near future, so the cable and adapter will be superflus. Just a little switch on the skin of the box where you can choose (or BRIDGE) the modus FUNCTION GENERATOR. A direct connection (inside) could then do that trick. You don’t need any cable anymore. That makes the box a little bit more expansive, but I think not to much (let’s say: 5 Euros). But the benefit would be, that I could use the function generator immediately without looking around (and trying for one hour) to get it started. People with less time and less patience would immediately write a negative review in AMAZON, because they don’t like the product. You could easily avoid such things. I wonder if other people would appreciate that little EXTRA with the FUNCTION GENERATOR too. Just a proposal for you, when you are discussiong next products in your board meetings.
The presentation of a product via media (Internet) is not easy. Did you know: In Germany for instance, the little red HPS140 from Velleman is presented at CONRAD ELECTRONIC as a device with an USB-interface. That’s not true. It has only a USB-charging adapter. This could damage your credibility (Velleman) amongst users, because people trust that false information in the first place and then realize later it has no USB-Interface. I bouhgt a HPS140 a few weeks ago. So I know that issue. Perhaps you better keep an eye on that. I like the HPS140 as it is.
I appreciate very much your support on the PCSU200 unit.
The only thing that I miss is that I can “hear” the waves that I can see on the screen. This would be very helpful for teaching sound students. Because there is not better way to learn sounds by hearing them and watching the waveform. Seeing is not enough.
In case it could be heard in the 1.04 Version, please tell me how to achieve it. In case that it is impossible, please consider it in a software update for the future. (Actually I dont understand what the issue could be: the wave is produced inside the computer. So it should be connected to the sound device in order to listen the wave. But I don’t know enough about this FUNCTION GENERATOR.
[quote]Just a little switch on the skin of the box where you can choose (or BRIDGE) the modus FUNCTION GENERATOR. A direct connection (inside) could then do that trick. You don’t need any cable anymore. [/quote]Indeed, this would have been nice and easy way to monitor the output waveform of the function generator. - Can be implemented in the future products…
[quote]The only thing that I miss is that I can “hear” the waves that I can see on the screen.[/quote][quote]So it should be connected to the sound device in order to listen the wave. [/quote]I think easiest way to listen the sound waves is to connect the generator output to the input of external computer speakers.
They have internal amplifier:
[quote]But I don’t know enough about this FUNCTION GENERATOR.[/quote]The generator output is too “weak” with its internal 50 ohm output resistance to drive directly e.g. 8 ohm speaker element.
I understand the weak 50 Ohms output issue. But with your hint to connect the “output” of the FUNCTION GENERATOR (FG) to an external Amp/Loudspeaker System I cannot cope. Don’t understand the word “output”. The output of the FG ? Is that the RCA outlet at the backside of the box? It must be. Yes. - So I need a kind of router RCA plug to split up the signal for the PCSU200 input and the external Amp/Loudspeaker. OK. While writing that down here, I start to understand the circuit.
I will try that. If that works, the FG becomes an interesting instrument for teaching.
What I want to show my students is for example: how to build Square Waves out of pure Sine-Waves (FFT) These formulas are pretty long and difficult to jot down. In my Apple MacBookAir is such a programm that can calculate all the possible wave compostitions (layers) out of Sine-Waves. That is beautiful. But the programm doesn’t work properly. It crashes very very often. And … it does not produce any sound. Just for watching purposes. You, at Vellman, could do better with this PCSU unit and the LAB-software.
Would be nice to build any given formula (y=1/2sinx + 1/4sinx …) with the FG and then he shows the result on the screen. And in the next step, as the overall benefit, you can listen to the final sound that comes out of all that calculations: the sound of a Square-Wave or Saw-Wave. This would be a wonderful tool for teaching. And you got only (ok, only is just an understatement) to deliver the facility in your LAB-Software. If that is possible - technically.
I hope this post will be the last for today. You might get some time for yourself now.
