Search found 2015 matches

by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:33 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: timed outlets anyone?
Replies: 6
Views: 3983

Re: timed outlets anyone?

I have a bunch of those timer controllers - they are great. No more fans left on for hours. You can also get plug-in timers. The have a little LCD display for the time, some buttons to set the time and an outlet. I think they are in the $30 range. A lot more flexible Finally, you can get mechanical ...
by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 12:40 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Remote Control Signals, Info?
Replies: 20
Views: 7288

Re: Remote Control Signals, Info?

That seems odd to me. A weaker pull up should make it easier for the photo transistor to pull it's collector low thus exhibiting better frequency response. Light induces a base current - more light, more current. Do you have a cap in circuit acting like a low pass filter?
by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:35 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: SPDIF to Analog Converter?
Replies: 16
Views: 6854

Re: SPDIF to Analog Converter?

Heh heh, in the audiophile community, Monster Cable is viewed as cheap. Literally, there are people selling RCA cables for $1000. The argument goes something like this "You've just spend $20K on a state of the art audio system. Are you going to use some cheap cable to hook it up and ruin your e...
by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:00 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Remote Control Signals, Info?
Replies: 20
Views: 7288

Re: Remote Control Signals, Info?

Al, there really aren't any standards. Each manufacturer has their own and some have multiple different standards. There are also a number of different modulation frequencies. Most are in the the range of 32 to 56 KHz. On top of that, the actual command codes vary widely. You have to look at each ma...
by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:49 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: virtual oscope
Replies: 1
Views: 1552

Re: virtual oscope

hmmm, is that response spam?
by philba
Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:48 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Is RadioShack that confused?
Replies: 73
Views: 121562

Re: Is RadioShack that confused?

If egotism were reasonable grounds for banning, then this place would be pretty barren. Hypocrisy - well, it's not desirable but it's not exactly a punishable offense. I agree that Mr B can be over the top and pretty infuriating at times but banning him? I think that's too much. I just think that we...
by philba
Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:42 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Is RadioShack that confused?
Replies: 73
Views: 121562

Re: Is RadioShack that confused?

Philba "I don't think Biglez has even come close." Hmmmm? I'm assuming that your comment is disagreement with my point. If it's not, what the heck are you trying to say? Trust me, we don't want to start kicking people off this board with out extreme provocation. Snide comments, gratuitous...
by philba
Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:18 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Is RadioShack that confused?
Replies: 73
Views: 121562

Re: Is RadioShack that confused?

Please, let's drop the name calling.

As some of us "old timers" know, it takes a lot to get tossed off this board. I don't think Biglez has even come close. He does contribute in a number of valuable ways.
by philba
Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:12 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: SPDIF to Analog Converter?
Replies: 16
Views: 6854

Re: SPDIF to Analog Converter?

Yes, the result of transmission errors are audible pops and/or audio dropout. It's funny, I got into an argument with a audiophile who claimed that the quality of the cable affected the quality of the sound comping over SP/DIF. He had some wild story about how the cable induces jitter which imparts ...
by philba
Fri Apr 03, 2009 1:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Is RadioShack that confused?
Replies: 73
Views: 121562

Re: Is RadioShack that confused?

When I see something wrong, I point it out. I wouldn't say my tongue was terribly sharp on that one. I do think your jibe was gratuitous - it didn't appear to be in response to something specific so what was the point of saying it??
by philba
Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:32 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Is RadioShack that confused?
Replies: 73
Views: 121562

Re: Is RadioShack that confused?

Or, chewed your ear off with a MRAL length diatribe?
That's uncalled for. Why go out of the way to get slap in?
by philba
Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:03 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: SPDIF to Analog Converter?
Replies: 16
Views: 6854

Re: SPDIF to Analog Converter?

Yeah, you aren't going to find anything off the shelf to do this for less than that. Frankly, I don't think building a chip based system is in the realm of the hobbyist. Getting the chips can be very hard for one. getting the documentation is probably as hard or harder. Good luck on this one. Howeve...
by philba
Wed Apr 01, 2009 1:52 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: SPDIF to Analog Converter?
Replies: 16
Views: 6854

Re: SPDIF to Analog Converter?

Short answer: Sure, it's easy, you just have to provide a Dolby Digital Decoder. OK, not so easy but that's what it is used for. Longer answer: This is used to pass digital audio to an external decoder. I know that for DVDs, it can pass Linear PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS and other encodings. I believe i...
by philba
Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:57 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: SSS 10N60A where to buy
Replies: 4
Views: 2395

Re: SSS 10N60A where to buy

My first stop when looking for a chip is findchips.com - they search 21 suppliers at once. and, yes, they showed mouser (and 2 others) have the device.
by philba
Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:55 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: To PCB or not to PCB...
Replies: 21
Views: 8639

Re: To PCB or not to PCB...

There are definitely differences of opinion. I'm not fortunate enough to have a local 24 hr turn PCB house so I am either forced to pay big bucks for 3 day turn or do it myself in a few hours. Doing it myself is pretty easy. And, I can do double sided no problem. You have to factor in the lack of pl...