Trace mode versus Memory mode on 1054z FFT

[Dan Moos]

What specifically is the difference? The scope's help screen is of no use here. It left me more confused if anything!

Google was also a bust.

My intuitive guess is that Trace mode does the FFT on the signal as it comes in, where as Memory mode maybe lets the memory fill, and then does the FFT on that data as a whole. This is a guess based on the fact the scope seems a little slower in Memory mode, but the FFT looks alot better.

Ok, maybe Memory mode is prettier, but my next question is is it also more accurate? The peaks get way sharper and more defined in Memory mode. Is this a truer representation?

[Fungus]

'Trace' mode only uses the data on screen - faster.

'Memory' mode uses the data in the capture buffer - much slower access but there's a lot more data to work with so it gives better results.

Ok, maybe Memory mode is prettier, but my next question is is it also more accurate? The peaks get way sharper and more defined in Memory mode. Is this a truer representation?

Yes.