Anatomy of an Ebay Scam

So I get an Ebay email alert for something on my watch list. An item that rarely comes up, I was excited!, but then comes SCAM SIGN #1: The seller has zero feedback. Then comes SCAM SIGN #2: The seller is in Mexico. Not to offend any Mexians of course, …

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EEVblog #682 – Ness D16X Alarm Panel Repair

Part teardown, part repair, Dave looks at an Australian designed and manufactured Ness D16X alarm panel that has failed. What’s that smell? Can it be fixed? How do you repair solder mask on a PCB?, or add solder mask to your own home etched PCB’s? And another look at PCB …

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EEVblog #681 – More Solar Roadways BULLSHIT!

Dave yet again debunks Solar (Freaking) Roadways. This time the prototype SolaRoad solar cycleway path installed in Amsterdam in Netherlands. Dave shows how to go about doing ballpark engineering feasibility calculations for such a project, calculates the expected payback period, and SPOILER, shows why Solar Roadways will never be a …

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EEVblog #680 – Mailbag

Mailbag Monday Flux Capacitor T-Shirts HERE How NOT to blow up your oscilloscope (Isolation & Grounding) How a Microwave Magnatron Works PCB Holder Magazine Memories Memory Stacks Isolated USB-RS232 Interface LGB Model Train Controller & Decoder Caterpillar Dump Truck Controller 2114 SRAM Memory Forum HERE Podcast: Download

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EEVblog #678 – What is a PCB Spark Gap?

In this tutorial Dave explains what a PCB spark gap is and how it can be a useful zero cost addition to your PCB layout to help prevent ESD damage. He shows how to easily design them into your board and calculate the approximate voltage rating. And of course has …

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EEVblog #677 – Mailbag

Mailbag Monday Dave opens his mail. Spoilers & Links: HP 4260A LCR Universal Bridge User & Service Manual iPod Blood pressure monitor Old computer hardware Intel 1Mb Bubble Memory PICop development board TEM Products SMD IC and LED thermal products PowerPeg Stepper Motor Controller TSL1401CL LineScan Camera Forum HERE Podcast: …

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EEVblog #676 – RANT: FTDI Bricking Counterfeit Chips!

FTDI have released a windows driver update that bricks any product using counterfeit chips. A classic case of corporate suicide. Dave breaks down “FTDIgate”, and rants about FTDI’s official response. NOTE: The 2nd half of this video includes the original rant video before FTDI responded and withdrew their new driver. …

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EEVblog #675 – How To Reverse Engineer A Rigol DS1054Z

Dave shows you how to reverse engineering a PCB to get the schematic. In this case the new Rigol DS1054Z oscilloscope. How does the discrete transistor analog front end and the software bandwidth limiting work? How do you decode SMD transistor codes? How does it compare to the old Rigol …

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EEVblog #674 – Rigol DS1054Z Teardown

Dave tears down the new US$399 Rigol 4 channel 50MHz DS1054Z oscilloscope. How can they get such incredible value for the price? Datasheets: Hittite HMCAD1511 ADC ProASIC 3 FPGA SRAM Freescale iMX283 Applications Processor Forum HERE High Res Teardown Photos: Podcast: Download

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EEVblog #673 – Mailbag

Mailbag Monday. SPOILERS: Altium Circuit Maker Professional USB 2.0 Protocol Analyser from International Test Instruments Cypress USB Microcontroller http://www.geppettoelectronics.com/ Forum HERE

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GoPro Hero 4 Silver/Black Low Light Performance Test

Dave checks out the low light performance of the new Gopro Hero 4 Silver / Black camera and (unfairly) compares it to a Sony NEX VG30 camcorder with APS-C sensor. FYI, initial battery testing gave 1hr 40mins battery life with continuous recording 1080P/60 with LCD always on at Medium brightness, …

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EEVblog #671 – White Van Speaker Scam Teardown

Dave exposes the global White Van Speaker Scam and tears down a Marc Vincent Surround Sound Receiver, one of the items sold in Australia through this scam. How crap is it?, watch and find out! Also a 3D Optics HD-8500 projector that is also sold as part of the scam …

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