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PRODUCT SHOWCASE New TDK video cassette tape Kenwood's latest dual cassette deck Kenwood's latest double cassette deck, the KX-W8070S features Dolby S, along with B and C noise reduction systems, double Auto Reverse, three motors and auto bias with fine adjust. Double cassette decks offer a number of advantages over single-well decks, such as tape-to-tape dubbing and extended play, offering a potential of three hours of music. The Dolby S noise reduction system offers up to 23dB of noise reduction and increased high-frequency headroom with less noise modulation. The KX-W8070S also features the HX-PRO Headroom Extension system that effectively allows more high frequency energy to be stored on the tape without saturation. This is achieved by varying the level of bias with the signal to be recorded, maintaining the signal within a certain threshold. The end result is significantly improved mid and high range headroom with lower distortion. Kenwood also employ their CCRS (Computer Controlled CD Recording System) that automatically scans the contents of CDs and adjusts the recording level to assure optimum results both in normal and high speed. The KX-W8070S also features Kenwood's DPSS search and Index Scan that enables quick access to specific tracks. The KX-W8070S is covered by a two year parts and labour warranty, has a recommended retail price of $799 and is available at selected Kenwood dealers. For further information on Kenwood products phone (02) 746 1888. Versatile infrared headphones The Infratronic IR-1800RC and IR-2000SRC infrared cordless stereo headphones allow the freedom of untethered high quality listening. They may be used with virtually any audio source: TV, VCRs, hifi, audio/ video systems and computer games. Automatic level control allows these units to be driven directly from the line level outputs of most CD players, cassette decks, receivers, video disc players, computers and video cassette recorders. Both headsets have a 20Hz to 80  Silicon Chip In support of recent digital VCR and camcorder hardware advancements, TDK have released a new digital video tape, the DVC60 which allows up to 60 minutes of recording/playback (in standard mode). Unlike VHS VCRs where the video head rotates 25 revolutions per second, in digital VCRs the head rotates about five times that speed, placing much greater demands on the tape, particularly in still frame modes. For this reason, TDK's DVC60 utilises a specially developed coating. Other features include an advanced back-coating for smooth tape travel and a highly stable cassette mechanism with a reel lock mechanism to prevent tape slippage. For further information on TDK's DVC, phone (02) 437 5100. 20kHz frequency response, 50 milliwatts audio output, up to 7 metre operating range and are each powered by two AAA rechargeable batteries. The headsets weigh just 180 grams, have a personal volume control and feature automatic battery recharging when placed on the transmitter stand. Additional headsets may be used and are available separately. Both sets are supplied with an AC/DC adaptor, 3.5mm to 6.3mm plug, stereo to mono jack and stereo jack. For more information, contact Allthings Sales & Services, PO Box 25, Northlands, WA 6021. Phone (09) 349 9413; fax (09) 344 5905. AUDIO MODULES broadcast quality Low-cost single-phase chassis-mounting filters Schaffner has launched a new series of single-phase chassis-mounting filers for a wide range of applications. Known as the FN 2000 series, the filters have a very compact form factor, achieved through the use of high performance magnetic and capacitive components, which makes them ideal for applications where space is at a premium. Excellent stop-band attenuation and current-carrying capabilities mean that the filters are particularly suitable for electrically noisy equipment, such as motor drives and switchmode power supplies. Tektronix extends its InstaVu family of DSOs Tektronix has announced a new family of lower-priced InstaVu acquisition oscilloscopes. The new TDS700A series and TDS500B series of digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) have Tektronix' proprietary InstaVu signal acquisition technology which lets users capture up to 400,000 wfm/s (waveforms per second), making these new digital scopes as fast as the world's fastest analog scopes. The new TDS700A series includes the TDS784A, TDS744A and TDS724A. It features colour displays, bandwidths up to 1GHz, sample rates up to 1GS/s and acquisition rates up to 400,000 wfm/s. The new TDS500B series includes the four-channel TDS540B and two-channel TDS520B. Both scopes feature 500MHz bandwidth, up to 2GS/s sampling rate, Manufactured in Australia Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 476-5854 Fx (02) 476-3231 The FN 2000 filter series comprises 72 standard versions, covering current ranges from 1 to 30A, each of which is available in medical (B type) or safety (A type) configurations. Furthermore, the internal design is modular which enables Schaffner to produce custom versions of the filters. Each filter is contained within a chassis-mounting metal housing with a choice of fast-on, wire or screw feed-through connectors. The filters are all designed for operation at up to 250VAC and can handle supply frequencies from DC to 400Hz. All multistage filters in the FN 2000 series can be supplied with the capacitors connected to the load side, in order to present the best impedance mis- match between equipment and filter. The top of the range FN 2080 has high inductance and capacitance values, and employs independent differential mode, rather than common mode chokes to ensure excellent differential and common mode attenuation across a broad band of frequencies. A free 16-page design guide and short form catalogs on the new FN 2000 series filters are available from Westinghouse Industrial Products, Locked Bag 66, South Melbourne, Vic 3205. Phone (03) 9676 8888; fax (03) 9676 8702. monochrome displays and up to 100,000 wfm/s acquisition rate. Tektronix' InstaVu acquisition technology is designed to quickly pinpoint and capture unpredictable, rapidly changing signals, infrequent glitches, metastable behaviors and time jitter, that may never be detected by conventional analog or digital scopes or specialised triggering. InstaVu technology combines high-speed acquisition memory with highspeed display rasterisation to increase acquisition performance and ensure instantaneous live display of all signal changes. For design and debug applications, InstaVu technology cuts debug time from hours to seconds. Note: the Tektronix 784A was first reviewed in the March 1995 issue of SILICON CHIP. For further information, contact Tektronix at 80 Waterloo Rd, North Ryde, NSW 2113. March 1996  81 Wide screen TV from Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Electric's first wide screen colour television, the DIVA Wide model, is now available. As well as giving TV viewers a cinema-like picture, the DIVA Wide incorporates AI Fuzzy Logic circuitry for superb picture quality, and Auto Turn to allow the viewer to adjust the viewing angle of their TV.It also has Pro Logic Sound and four extension speakers. Six other digital surround sound modes are provided: Pro Logic Phantom, Theatre, Concert Hall, Stadium, Disco and Pseudo Stereo. The matching stand has a centre channel speaker and a built-in woofer as well as space to accommodate a VCR or laser disc player. The Mitsubishi wide screen TV also features eight picture modes so viewers can manipulate the 4:3 broadcast to fit the screen, as best suits the program. A feature called "picture-out-picture" (POP) makes the DIVA Wide different to its competitors. Using POP, the 16:9 screen can be broken down into a 4:3 82  Silicon Chip screen with three boxes in the remaining screen area. Viewers can then watch the main screen plus three other broadcast sources (from other TV channels, audio visual or laser disc). They can then alternate between sources, choosing which one appears on the main screen. The extra pictures appear next to the main one, not within it as is the case with picture-in-picture. With two TV tuners, the Mitsubishi set has both picture-in-picture and picture-out-picture. The full list of picture modes is: cinema (scroll up/down); cinema caption (scroll up/down); panorama 1 (stretches the left/right edge to fill screen); panorama 2 (compresses top/ bottom to fill screen); 16:9 full; 14:9 (leaves narrow black bands at each edge of screen); 4:3 normal; auto view (automatically selects appropriate screen size). Recommended retail price of the new Mitsubishi set is $6,999. For more information, contact Mitsubishi Electric Australia, 348 Victoria Road, Rydalmere, NSW 2116. Phone (02) 684 7777. DIGI ISDN Personal Computer card Sealcorp has announced the Australian release of the Digi PC IMAC ISDN card. The new PC card for ISDN connections is claimed to quadruple the speed of Internet access and provide much improved bandwidth on LAN/ WAN connections. The integrated terminal adaptor/network interface card installs in any ISA PC and connects directly to an ISDN line. ISDN connections are available in just one quarter of a second through the new Digi card, compared to 30-90 seconds for a modem over the public switched telephone network. A word processing file, for example, can be completely downloaded in the same time it takes a modem to make a connection. The new ISDN cards are manufactured by Digi International in North America and are fully Austel approved for Australian use. Recommended retail prices start at $1,952 excluding sales tax. They are supplied with a five year guarantee. For more information, contact Sealcorp, PO Box 670, Lane Cove, NSW 2066. Phone (02) 418 9099; fax (02) 418 9313. Function generators from Yokogawa Traditionally, high-performance function generators have been difficult to operate, involving the manipulation of many front panel keys. A new generation of 2-channel, compact function generators from Yokogawa, which feature a large LCD display and touch screen, has addressed this difficulty. The FG200/FG300 series function generators offer 2 channels in a compact, lightweight package and feature sweep and modulation capabilities. The new generators provide sine and square outputs up to +/-10V over a frequency range of 1uHz to 15MHz, and triangle, pulse and arbitrary (on the FG300) outputs from 1uHz to 200kHz. Frequency resolution is 1uHz or a maximum nine digits. Operation of the FG200/FG300 series has been simplified by virtue of the large LCD touch screen. The setup and display or arbitrary sweep patterns and simple arbitrary waveforms can be defined by entering points within the scaled ranges on the X and Y axes, and can be generated using linear, step or spline interpolations between the points. Alternatively, the data may be loaded in ASCII format via the internal floppy disc drive. This interface may also be used to load waveforms created with Yokogawa AG series waveform generators or captured with the company's digital oscilloscopes. Sweeps may be made in frequency, KITS-R-US Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes – from page 17 X2. But for good luminescent efficiency, thousands of volts acceleration voltage is necessary to produce bright sharp traces on the CRO screen. In this example, we have shown 5kV, which is relatively standard for a CRO. Therefore, in oscilloscopes using the simple CRO tubes shown, the high voltage supply is grounded (or nearly so) at the CRO screen end. Consequently, the heater, cathode, control grid G1 and focus grid G2 are all at high negative voltages with respect to ground. As a consequence, lethal voltages exist on the heater, cathode, grid and other wiring and terminals inside an oscilloscope. Next month we will dig further into how analog oscilloscopes are designed to reproduce high frequencies, up to 1000MHz (1GHz) and how the trace on the screen can be so bright, sharp, clear, calibrated and accurate. Acknowledgements Thanks to Philips Scientific & Industrial and to Tektronix Australia for data and illustrations; also to Ian Hartshorn, Jack Sandell, Professor David Curtis, Ian Marx and Dennis Cobley. References "ABCs of Oscilloscopes" – Philips/Fluke USA "Solid State Physical Electronics" – Van der Ziel A; Prentice Hall NJ, USA. "Basic Television" – McGraw-Hill NY, USA. Tektronix Aust. Application Notes. SC phase, amplitude, offset voltage or duty cycle, in linear, log linear step, log step or arbitrary sweep patterns. The sweep parameters may be controlled by an external analog or digital signal. Output amplitude and duty cycle are continuously variable and by linking multiple generators together, three or more channels of phase synchronised signals may be obtained, with even the sweep synchronised if required. For further information, contact Yokogawa Australia, 25-27 Paul St North, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Phone SC (02) 888 1844. PO Box 314 Blackwood SA 5051 Ph 018 806794 TRANSMITTER KITS $49: a simple to build 2.5 watt free running CD level input, FM band runs from 12-24VDC. •• FMTX1 FMTX2B $49: the best transmitter on the market, FM-Band XTAL locked on 100MHz. CD level input 3 stage design, very stable up to 30mW RF output. $49: a universal digital stereo encoder for use on either of our transmitters. XTAL locked. •• FMTX2A FMTX5 $99: both FMTX2A & FMTX2B on one PCB. FMTX10 $599: a complete FMTX5 built and tested, enclosed in a quality case with plugpack, DIN input •connector for audio and a 1/2mtr internal antenna, also available in 1U rack mount with balanced cannon input sockets, dual VU meter and BNC RF $1299. Ideal for cable FM or broadcast transmission over distances of up to 300 mtrs, i.e. drive-in theatres, sports arenas, football grounds up to 50mW RF out. FMTX10B $2599: same as rack mount version but also includes dual SCA coder with 67 & 92kHz subcarriers. • AUDIO Audio Power Amp: this has been the most popular kit of all time with some 24,000 PCBs being •soldDIGI-125 since 1987. Easy to build, small in size, high power, clever design, uses KISS principle. Manufacturing rights available with full technical support and PCB CAD artwork available to companies for a small royalty. 200 Watt Kit $29, PCB only $4.95. AEM 35 Watt Single Chip Audio Power Amp $19.95: this is an ideal amp for the beginner to construct; uses an LM1875 chip and a few parts on a 1 inch square PCB. Low Distortion Balanced Line Audio Oscillator Kit $69: designed to pump out line up tone around studio complexes at 400Hz or any other audio frequency you wish to us. Maximum output +21dBm. MONO Audio DA Amp Kit, 15 splits: $69. Universal BALUN Balanced Line Converter Kit $69: converts what you have to what you want, unbalanced to balanced or vice versa. Adjustable gain. Stereo. • • •• COMPUTERS I/O Card for PCs Kit $169: originally published in Silicon Chip, this is a real low cost way to interface •to Max the outside world from your PC, 7 relays, 8 TTL inputs, ADC & DAC, stepper motor drive/open collector 1 amp outputs. Sample software in basic supplied on disk. PC 8255 24 Line I/O Card Kit $69, PCB $39: described in ETI, this board is easy to construct with •onlyIBM3 chips and a double sided plated through hole PCB. Any of the 24 lines can be used as an input or output. Good value. 19" Rack Mount PC Case: $999. •• Professional All-In-One 486SLC-33 CPU Board $799: includes dual serial, games, printer floppy & IDE hard disk drive interface, up to 4Mb RAM 1/2 size card. PC104 486SLC CPU Board with 2Mb RAM included: 2 serial, printer, floppy & IDE hard disk $999; VGA •PC104 card $399. KIT WARRANTY – CHECK THIS OUT!!! If your kit does not work, provided good workmanship has been applied in assembly and all original parts have been correctly assembled, we will repair your kit FREE if returned within 14 days of purchase. Your only cost is postage both ways. Now, that’s a WARRANTY! KITS-R-US sell the entire range of designs by Graham Dicker. The designer has not extended his agreement with the previous distributor, PC Computers, in Adelaide. All products can be purchased with Visa/Bankcard by phone and shipped overnight via Australia EXPRESS POST for $6.80 per order. You can speak to the designer Mon-Fri direct from 6-7pm or place orders 24 hours a day on: PH 018 80 6794; FAX 08 270 3175. March 1996  83