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PRODUCT SHOWCASE New CD changers from Yamaha Yamaha Music Australia has introduced three CD changers which incorporate a new drive mechanism which allows the disc drawer to open fully, allowing removal and replacement of all five discs simultaneously. The three models, designated CDC-755, CDC-655 and CDC-555, also feature the company’s patented Play­Xchange system, which permits up to four discs to be removed and replaced while the fifth is still playing. The top of the range model CDC-755 incor­ porates S-Bit Plus technology and PRO-Bit processing, previously only available on Yamaha’s flagship CDC-845. According to Yamaha engineers, the new models are also quieter than in the past thanks to the new drive system. Newly designed and improved gear drives and roller mechanisms provide nearly silent disc drawer operation. PRO-Bit produces a more accurate and musical representation in the digital domain prior to the S-Bit Plus D/A conversion. The major advantage claimed for the 20-bit format is lower quantisation noise during the analog-to-digital conversion, which results in better sound quality for low amplitude signals. The output of the translator goes to a 22-bit 8-times oversampling filter, which in turn delivers the signal to a 22-bit to 18-bit noise shaper, and from there to Yamaha’s S-Bit Plus DAC and then to high quality analog output circuitry. Another new feature, incorporated in all three new models, is an “intelligent” digital servo system. The new circuitry uses a Yamaha-developed microprocessor to monitor the signal and adjust the laser pickup’s tracking and focus and the motor speed to EPROM writer can also operate from a PC printer port The “Leaper 3”, a new EPROM writer introduced by L&M Satel­ lite Supplies, can not only operate in the normal stand-alone A to B EPROM “copy” mode but also write an EPROM using data stored in a personal computer. A software driver and connecting cable are included to enable the Leaper 3 to operate from any PC paral­lel (printer) port. The device, measuring 160 x 110 x 45mm, can operate from a mains supply via a 9V/500mA supply (included) or from an internal battery (9V) for on-site EPROM burning. Along 72  Silicon Chip with 2732-27080 EPROMs, it will also handle a range of EEPROMs, Flash EPROMs and SRAM devices. Various function keys can be used to set the programming flow chart, voltages, pulse width and other par­ ameters. A 2-line, 16-character liquid crystal display ensures the operator is kept fully informed. For further information on this, or other EPROM writers in the Leaper range, contact L&M Satellite Supplies, 33-35 Wickham Road, Moorabbin, Vic 3189. Phone (03) 9553 1763; fax (03) 9532 2957. better compensate for disc warpage and dust. The new CDC-755 has been restyled and features Yamaha’s new, more rounded, front panel. It has a recommended retail price of $599. The new CDC-655 incorporates many of the features found on the more expensive 755 at $499 and features 10-key front panel operation. The model 555, priced at $399, incorporates the intel­ ligent digital servo system and S-Bit D/A conversion. For further information, please contact Yamaha Music Aus­tralia. Phone (03) 9699 2388, 1800 805 413, or fax (03) 9699 2332. Hand-held satellite GPS unit from DSE Global Positioning Systems have now reached the point where it is completely practical for bushwalkers, for example, to keep a unit in the back-pack. The Magellan GPS2000 Satellite Navigator from Dick Smith Electronics is small enough to hold in the hand (it’s about the same size as a mobile phone and weighs in at 283 grams), yet accurate enough to give you your position – anywhere in the world –to within a hundred metres or so. GPS units such as the Mag­ ellan rely on the US Department of Defence’s 24-satellite network which continuously update position information, ensuring very high degrees of accuracy. Unlike terrestrial or stellar navigation or positioning methods, the GPS­2000 is unaffected by cloud, fog or other similar barriers. The device can also be used to direct you from your current location to a position with known map co-ordinates, or you can store up to 100 “way points” and the GPS2000 will display the distance travelled, the remaining distance to travel, the speed and course direction. As such, The Magellan GPS2000 is certain to find a ready market amongst the boating and fishing fraternity (that favourite “hot spot” can be always found again and again). The unit is priced at $595 and is available from Dick Smith Electron­ ics stores. Second generation 2.5-inch hard drives A new “second generation” family of disc drives has been introduced by Hitachi Australia, offering high performance and sizes up to 1.3Gb. With a density of 450 bits per inch, they are 50% denser than Hitachi’s previous 2.5-inch models. The new drives have an operating shock resistance of 150G and a non-operating shock resistance of 250G’s, suiting notebook computers. They offer a 300,000 hour MTBF (mean time between failure) rating (approximately five years) and have a power consumption (for seek and read/write operations) of 2.0 watts. The DK212A series (height 19mm) is available up to 1.08Gb, while the DK222A series (height 12.5mm) is available up to 1.3Gb. Both types have an average seek time of 12ms and an ATA-2 interface. The drives are marketed through Hitachi distributors DCS Austra­lia Pty Ltd, phone (03) 9878 0344. February 1996  73 Programmable video generator The Black Star PVG100 Programmable Video Generator is a high performance instrument which enables virtual­ly all CRT monitors to be evaluated, qualified, tested and aligned. The instrument has a 2048 x 2048 pixel capability, with 1600 x 1280 pixels displayed at 16 colours from a palette of 16 million colours. The test patterns include text, grating, dots, horizontal and vertical lines, circles, colour bars, grey­s­c ale, check­e r­b oard and a border pattern, plus multiburst, purity, high voltage regulation and windows. The clock speed is 100MHz (135MHz optional) with a resolution of 100kHz. The non-volatile system memory incorporates 100 standard systems and allows for up to another 100 user-defined sys- tems to be programmed. Automatic sequencing of selected programs is available. TTL outputs for programmable sync and video are provided, along with analog outputs for both SMPTE and NTSC levels and an RS­232 interface for connection to a PC or terminal to allow remote programming. The front panel of the PVG1000 is laid out in a clear, easy-to-use format, making the instrument suitable for both production and servicing environments. All timing, parameters, patterns etc, are programmed from the front panel, while all system information is displayed on a 2-line LCD and status LEDs. The pushbutton keyboard ensures error-free setting and programming. For more information contact Obiat Pty Ltd, 129 Queen Street, Beacons­ field, NSW 2014. Phone (02) 698 4111, fax (02) 699 9170. Free quarterly EMC newsletter Schaffner’s EMC WORLD 12-page newsletter is distributed every three months and covers many EMC issues that are relevant to the new mandatory standards being introduced by many countries around the globe. A worthwhile feature is the guide to Electro­magnetic Immunity Standards, “Standards-UPDATE”, which lists the types of EMC test, the relevant IEC test number and a brief description of the test parameters. Other issues commonly covered are EMC instrument calibration/ certification, new products, application notes and new publications and handbooks. For further information on EMC WORLD, contact John Thompson, West­inghouse Industrial Products, Locked Bag 66, South Melbourne, Vic. 3205. Phone (03) 9676 8888. 74  Silicon Chip Loudspeaker design course at Sydney Uni Neville Thiele and Glenn Leem­ bruggen will be running a 26 hour loudspeaker design course during Semester 1 this year as part of the Sydney University Audio Program or as a standalone course. Some enrol­ ments may still be available – contact the Audio Program Coordinator on (02) 351 2686; fax (02) 351 3031. A new series of Megger testers Nilsen Technologies has released a new range of the famous brand "Megger" insulation and continuity testers – the BM120 series. The BM121, with a test voltage of 500V, will measure insulation resistance to 0.5MΩ, while the BM122 measures insulation resist­ance to 1MΩ (test voltage 1kV). The full measuring range is from 0.01MΩ to 999MΩ on insulation resistance and automatic dis­charge of the circuit under test is provided. They are protected against accidental connection to phase to earth volt­ages of 300V and 440V AC phaseto-phase. In addition, a warning signal will flash if the unit is connected to a circuit with more than 25V present. Continuity tests, which can be done hands free, have a maximum current of 200mA and an open circuit voltage of 5V. Continuity range is from .01Ω to 99.9Ω. The instruments are provided with automatic shutdown of power after five minutes of non-use. For further information, contact Nilsen Technologies, 150 Oxford St, Collingwood, Vic 3066. Phone (03) 9419 9999; fax (03) 9416 1312. STEPDOWN TRANSFORMERS 60VA to 3KVA encased toroids Proposed CD-erasable specifications Philips Electronics has announced proposed specifications for an erasable compact disc format, indicating significant progress in enabling companies to bring CD-erasable products to market in 1996. With a data capacity of up to 680Mb per disc, CD-erasable provides additional benefits to applications currently served by CD-recordable products. CD-recordable discs provide more Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 476-5854 Fx (02) 476-3231 permanent data storage, while CD-erasable allows data to be updated and disc space to be reused. CD-E drives will be capable of reading all existing CD formats. For more information, please contact Philips Electronics Australia Ltd. Phone (02) 925 3281 or fax (02) 929 SC 4784. TWO MORE UNBEATABLE OFFERS FROM MACSERVICE TEKTRONIX 100kHz to 1800MHz Spectrum Analyser System WAVETEK Signal Generator/ Deviation Meter Consisting of: 7613 Storage Mainframe Model 3000-200 incorporates a complete 1 to 520MHz FM, AM and CW Signal Generator with an FM Deviation Meter in one convenient instrument. 7L12 1.8GHz Spectrum Analyser Plug-In 7A17 Amplifier TR501 1.8GHz Tracking Generator TM503 3 Slot Mainframe $4250 Please phone or fax today for a full specification sheet incorporating all the system’s features. Frequency Range: 1-520MHz selectable in 1kHz steps; 1kHz resolution; frequency programmable via rear-panel connector. RF Output Level: +13dBm to -137dBm (1V to .03µV RMS); output level continuously adjustable in 10dB steps and with an 11dB vernier; impedance = 50 ohms. RF Output Protection: resettable RF circuit breaker; RF trip voltage = 5V RMS nominal; maximum reverse power = 50W. Specrtal Purity: harmonic output > 30dB below fundamental from 10520MHz; residual AM > 55dB below carrier in a 50Hz to 15kHz post-detection bandwidth; residual FM <200Hz in a 50Hz to 15kHz post-detection bandwidth (100Hz typical). Amplitude Modulation: internal 400Hz and 1kHz ±10%; external DC to 20kHz; range 0-90%; distortion 3% to 70% AM at 1kHz. Frequency Modulation: internal 400Hz and 1kHz (±10%); 50Hz to 25kHz; accuracy ±500Hz on x1 range, ±5kHz on x10 range; distortion 4% at 1kHz. FM Deviation Meter: frequency range 30-500MHz; input level range 10mV to 5V RMS; impedance 50 ohms; deviation range 0 to ±5kHz, 0 to ±50kHz MACSERVICE PTY LTD Australia’s Largest Remarketer of Test & Measurement Equipment 20 Fulton Street, Oakleigh Sth, Vic, 3167. Tel: (03) 9562 9500; Fax: (03) 9562 9590 $1250 **Illustrations are representative only. Products listed are refurbished unless otherwise stated. February 1996  75