Techs: Use Computer & Software For 'Scope & Benchgear?

[Bezmotivnik]

I don't do enough work on amps to justify the expenditure for an oscilloscope and various other bench gear, but I've heard of a number of programs that use your computer and monitor to display 'scope and other bench gear functions, with I/O through the soundcard connections.

I have a couple of extra computers and monitors and thought I might put one to this use, if it was actually practical.

Does anyone do this? How well does it work? What software works best?

As always, thanks for any help!

 

[MattPete]

Re: Techs: Use Computer & Software For 'Scope & Benchgear?

The problem is that if the voltages are too high, they can fry your soundcard. It's better to buy a used o-scope off of Ebay.

Having said that, I do use a Powerbook as a signal generator, but that's cheap and safe.

 

[Bezmotivnik]

Re: Techs: Use Computer & Software For 'Scope & Benchgear?

The problem is that if the voltages are too high, they can fry your soundcard.

I had thought that might be a problem, but I didn't know. Of course, I have lots of old soundcards here, too.