Tester or oscilloscope on the data line??

[johndobbs]

Is there a tester or oscilloscope that can be used on the data before the first pixel to see the strength or weakness of the data signal.
If so what kind of tester and how would I tell if the signal is strong or weak.
I know about bench testing I'm curious if there is a another option?
Thank You

[JonB256]

An oscilloscope would show the waveform. It will be DC signal, square wave. If measuring at a GPIO pin, it will be 3.3vdc peak. From a controller, it "should" be 5vdc with nice, clean corners.

[Poporacer]

Is there a tester or oscilloscope that can be used on the data before the first pixel to see the strength or weakness of the data signal.

An O-scope would be the tool to test the quality of the data signal. The quality is as equally important as the strength. But an O-Scope is typically not needed unless you are just curious or like to tinker.

how would I tell if the signal is strong or weak.

Keith did a great video on this here: 

I know about bench testing I'm curious if there is a another option?

This is about the only real option and trying to test Data signals is really a fairly advanced electronics technique.

[johndobbs]

Thank you guys for the replys

[johndobbs]

I watched that video
Thank you for that by the way
I didn't notice anything on connecting the leads from the oscilloscope I prefer not to guess and burn something up?
I'm looking at a cheap oscilloscope on Amazon
https://a.co/d/i2NKLMy
Unless this one is highly not recommended I just don't want to spend $600 on oscilloscope if I can help it for a hobby?
If the Amazon oscilloscope is not good for this maybe someone can suggest one.
Thank You

[JonB256]

I haven't connected my old DSO-2090 USB O-scope to Windows 11 yet, but it worked great in Windows 7 and 10 (even in Vista).

On Amazon, there are some for about $75. I used mine to check signal levels back when I was using a lot of DMX RS-485 data. DC waveform. No problems because RS-485 (and Pixel data) are not very high frequency.

Sadly, I'm not even sure where I stored it.

[Poporacer]

I didn't notice anything on connecting the leads from the oscilloscope I prefer not to guess and burn something up?

It will depend on your oscilloscope

I'm looking at a cheap oscilloscope on Amazon

Is there a reason that you think you need one for this hobby. I don't think anyone uses one for their show. I have an oscilloscope and have never connected it to my pixels to see the data.
If you just want to look at the signal, then that O-Scope will be fine, but if you want to do a detailed analysis, then you might want a better one, but because you don't have an 0-Scope already and understand its functionality, it will be very difficult for you to do a detailed analysis anyway.

[johndobbs]

Thank you for your comments I appreciate it.

[johndobbs]

Yeah I was curious to see it visually if I end up using an Famp unless the visual is not as easy as the curve being broken up.
Also forgot to mention I've heard that the cheap o scope in that link maybe suitable for adjusting the gains on a car audio amp I sometimes like to do my own car audio work.
Non-professional of course

[CaptainMurdoch]

I use a Hantek 6022BE that I picked up off Amazon a few years ago for $60-65 I believe.  I don't pull it out much, but it has been helpful while working on the new DPIPixels code.  I even use OpenHantek to view the data under Linux so I don't have to fire up a Windows VM.

[johndobbs]

Thank you Captain Murdock

[AAH]

I couldn't find this video when the topic originally came up but someone linked it today on ACL. Keith has some CRO snapshots of his testing and it's a good video.