Rigol MSO4000 and DS4000. Tests, bugs, firmware, questions, etc...

[dr.diesel]

DS/MSO4000: 00.02.02.04.03 appears to be available. 

http://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/form/1579/0012:d-0001/1/index.htm

[hendorog]

DS/MSO4000: 00.02.02.04.03 appears to be available. 

Interesting, quick update so might be a fix for the last update.

Not sure if anyone has see this too but the previous update introduced a bug in the SPI trigger UI - it uses i2c terminology. Perhaps that is what this fix is for as it's obvious and probably an easy fix.

On a related note, is there any interest in an updated bug list? I'm not sure what is a current issue and what has been fixed. There have been several updates since this thread began.

[pascal_sweden]

Did anyone try out the latest firmware?

Are most reported bugs fixed in the mean time?

What about the slow performance? Did they manage to improve the performance in the latest firmware through optimizations in the code?

I want to know what the current status is, and if current owners will now again recommend to buy a Rigol DS4000 or MSO4000 with the recent improvements made available in the latest firmware.

Or is it still better to go for another brand in this price range to have better software stability?

[H.O]

You STILL haven't decided on what scope to buy or are you shopping for another? Which one did you get last time? Do you know what you're looking for in a scope these days? Did you get the big government funding or are you buying with your own money?

As for the latest DS/MSO4k firmware, I haven't tried it yet, will see when I get around to installing it. In the meantime, if you could tell me three bugs you feel will prevent you from being able to use the scope for your needs I promise to check if they are fixed (if I have the equiment to reproduce them) once I do get the firmware installed, I have the DS4, not MSO.

[commongrounder]

I just now downloaded the firmware for my DS4000, but have not installed it yet.  In the mean time, for other owners edification, here is the change log for 4.03.  Quite a list of fixes and enhancements.

[TooOldForThis]

I haven't been able to download the newest DS4000 firmware file.  I've requested it with the official form once a day since the new version was released, but they keep sending me a link to the previous version.  The release notes contained in their response does cover the new version.
Has anyone actually gotten 02.02.04.03?   (I'll trade you for 4 brand new copies of 02.02.03.05)

[hendorog]

Its just the zip file named incorrectly. Unzip it and the directory inside is named correctly for the new version.

Edit: Here is a link if you still need it:
 https://www.dropbox.com/s/r8m1rjnhcv0ktus/DS4000Update.00.02.02.04.05.GEL?dl=0

[pascal_sweden]

You STILL haven't decided on what scope to buy or are you shopping for another? Which one did you get last time? Do you know what you're looking for in a scope these days? Did you get the big government funding or are you buying with your own money?

I managed to do the job with an analog scope (Tektronix 2225) and loaned a Rigol DS1052E at the university.

As the funding has been postponed, I have decided to go with a Rigol DS1054Z.
But I want to follow up the progress on the DS4000 firmware, in case it becomes relevant in the future for a new project.

One thing is sure however: I will not go for an MSO version, until they do support decoding on the full memory buffer, instead of only decoding what is displayed on the screen. At least the event table should cover the whole memory, and not just what is displayed on the screen.

[H.O]

Yeah, that's probably not going to happen. Considering the speed at which it's capable of decoding and displaying the data with the current implementation (about 10 "decoder updates" per second in my experience) it would take it close to 5 hours to decode the full 140Mpts of memory (that's a single decoder doing RS232 on the DS4k, no experience at all with the MSO)....

But what's the point? Lets say you're doing RS232 at 115200 baud and you want 10 samples per bit, you'd be able to do a continous capture of over 2 minutes. I don't think a scope is the tool for that sort of thing. Of course there are faster stuff than RS232 at 115200 baud but you get the point.

With that said you do realise that if you do a 140Mpts capture you can pan/zoom thru it and the scope will decode what's on the screen at any given time? That's not even close to perfect either since it makes mistakes when when the startbit of a byte (if we're talking RS232) falls off the side of the screen.

If the data to be captured consists of packets (and not one continous stream) of data the "right way" to capture it is to set the scope up so it's able to capture one packet with the smallest possible memory consumption and then use segmented memory to capture the packets one by one.

[dr.diesel]

With that said you do realise that if you do a 140Mpts capture you can pan/zoom thru it and the scope will decode what's on the screen at any given time?

Just to note, the above was broken until the 02.02.03.05 firmware update.  (actually I only read it was fixed, haven't actually tried it myself.)

[dr.diesel]

Just updated.  For those with hacked scopes, it does change the model number back to original, but note it adds the "Bandwidth 500M" option.  All other options kept and appear normal.

[hendorog]

Just updated.  For those with hacked scopes, it does change the model number back to original, but note it adds the "Bandwidth 500M" option.  All other options kept and appear normal.

FWIW  The model number not changing was in the release notes.

Some other things I've noticed:

Does your Decode2 work? I saw there was a change a release or two ago which split the options into two banks, so I got a license code for the second set of options and that worked for me.

There is another option called 1553B Decoder which can be enabled as well.

Recording a set of waveforms and then changing the timebase to 'zoom' in and out will sometimes cause the waveform to disappear from the screen. Changing the timebase one more stop either way and it usually appears again. Maybe an old bug but I just noticed it.

[dr.diesel]

FWIW  The model number not changing was in the release notes.

Yeah, just a warning, not to freak out when it changes back.  Before the upgrade mine showed MSO4054, then changed back to the orig MSO4024.

Does your Decode2 work? I saw there was a change a release or two ago which split the options into two banks, so I got a license code for the second set of options and that worked for me.

Yup, decode 2 works.

[alank2]

I wonder if the bandwidth upgrade still works on the DS4014.  I recall the tequipment upgrade flyer mentioned that the DS4024/DS4034 were upgradable, but did not mention the DS4014.  dr. diesel does it allow you to downgrade (you may or may not want to test it, I understand if you don't).

[dr.diesel]

dr. diesel does it allow you to downgrade (you may or may not want to test it, I understand if you don't).

Yeah, sorry, maybe a new buyer will give it a shot,  I'm too

[synvox]

Apparently the BW-unlock works also with the 4014. I have a MSO4014 and had the custom MrKrabs firmware before. Yersterday i upgraded to the newest official Rigol Firmware (00.02.02.04.03) and installed the FAB9 code (500 MHz BW and all decoding otions) afterwards. The options menu now shows the Official BW 500 option and of course all the decoding options as installed.
I didn't test the actual bandwidth with a suitable wavegen yet, but the lowpass filter can be set up to 200 MHz and the horizontal control goes up to 1 ns/div. So it seems that it has worked.

Best regards
Neni

[alank2]

Updated my DS4014.  What is with the size of the counter now?  It is huge...

[Rostislav]

Hi all!

I find a new bug in the help system of my a device!

In order:
1. I downloaded firmware from the site beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com. Firmware sent me to the site rigoltech.com on my e-mail. The official software the official site! Ok!
2. I upgraded firmware in my a device MSO4014 to version 00.02.02.04.03. Ok!
3. I press a key "Help", then a key "F1" (left menu) and see this (please, look image)...

I'm depressed and I can not eat and sleep!   Help me!

My friends, please, look in your devices the help system.

Very thanks!

[Rostislav]

Updated my DS4014.  What is with the size of the counter now?  It is huge...

yes! x2! but this is questionable size! very big!

[cubitus]

Hello,

I do not have this bug ...

my device MSO4014 to version 00.02.02.04.03

[hs3]

Hi all!

I find a new bug in the help system of my a device!


3. I press a key "Help", then a key "F1" (left menu) and see this (please, look image)...

Part of flash not programmed properly? Is it just for that one image or others in the help too? Have you tried doing the firmware update again?

[Rostislav]

Hello,

I do not have this bug ...

Hello, cubitus!

My Rigol work correct, if I selected left the menu a "HORIZONTAL". No problem. Please, see image.

If I select left the menu a "VERTICAL", then a help system do crash. 

Maybe my a flash drive is bad? Earlier, at my a flash drive claims were not.

I was upset, very upset. I can't be sure that my Rigol work correctly otherwise.

Very thanks, my friend!

[H.O]

Hi,
I was just about to write saying I can't see it on my DS4k but when you said to select the vertical measurment menu I tried that too and then the graphic in the help menu is corrupted. I wouldn't say that the help system crashes, I can still select items and display the text for it - it's only the graphic as far as I can see. I've never used the help before, don't know if it's been like that before or if it's am issue introduced with the latest firmware.

I don't really like the new look of counter display either, it was better like it was. I hope they'll revert that back.

But, as I said in the SA thread, Rigol isn't monitoring these forums, we need to report the issues to them.

[Rostislav]

Hi all!
I find a new bug in the help system of my a device!
3. I press a key "Help", then a key "F1" (left menu) and see this (please, look image)...

Part of flash not programmed properly? Is it just for that one image or others in the help too? Have you tried doing the firmware update again?

Hello, hs3!

1.

Part of flash not programmed properly?

I too have this idea. But this is strange situation. Update my MSO4014 completed correctly, without errors.

2.

Is it just for that one image or others in the help too?

What pictures should i see more?

3.

Have you tried doing the firmware update again?

Yes, I did the update again!
But it could not, apparently, to influence the situation. Both a firmware files be equivalent (official and another site).

Thanks for the help, hs3!

[Rostislav]

Hi,

But, as I said in the SA thread, Rigol isn't monitoring these forums, we need to report the issues to them.

Hi, H.O!

Very thanks!

I just wanted writing email in RIGOL TECHNOLOGIES. Now the going to write.

p.s. Yes, H.O, they counter with "gone too far".

Regards,
Rostislav