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PRODUCT SHOWCASE Onkyo AC-3 home theatre receiver Amber Technology has announced the Onkyo Integra TX-DS838 Home Theatre Receiver, with Dolby Digital (AC-3) Surround decod­ing, dual DSP processors and 12 surround modes. The discrete output circuitry of the TX-DS838 delivers 100W RMS per channel in stereo mode or 90W RMS to the front left, centre and right channels and 50W RMS to each of the rear chan­nels in surround mode. The non-NFB (negative feedback) power amplifiers feature dual inverted Darling­ ton circuitry. Heavy-duty power supplies feature an automatic cooling fan which switches on under heavy loads to prevent overheating. The TX-DS838 is equipped with dual 24-bit Motorola 56009 and 56004 DSP chips working in unison to provide improved DSP processing capability. There are twelve digital surround modes: Dolby Digital Surround AC-3, AC-3 Action, AC-3 Drama, AC-3 Musi­cal, Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic Action, Pro Logic Drama, Pro Logic Musical, Hall, Live, Arena and Stadium. The receiver features comprehensive video signal routing and switching, with four video and eight audio inputs. A front-panel input (Video 4) is provided for easy connection Laptop computer batteries Premier Batteries has introduced laptop computer batteries to their range of products. This new range is compatible with Toshiba, Com­ paq, IBM, NEC and Macintosh computers. The new batteries are fitted with the latest Nickel Metal Hydride cells, giving perfor­mance and run times said to be equal to or better than provided by the original batter­ies. All batteries are direct replacements for the original product and carry the comprehensive Premier warranty. For further information, contact 72  Silicon Chip and play­back from a Camcorder. A 3-page on-screen display offers easyto-follow adjustment of all operating par­ ameters. Intelligent Power Management automatically activates the entire AV system when the connected television is switched on. The Onkyo TX-DS838 measures 435 x 175 x 428mm, weighs 15kg, is finished in black brushed or burnished gold aluminium, and has a recommended retail price of $2999.00. For further information, contact Amber Technology, Unit B, 5 Skyline Place, Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086. Phone (02) 9975 1211; fax (02) 9975 1368. Visio Technical for schematic diagrams Premier Batteries Pty Ltd, 9/15 Childs Rd, Chipping Norton, NSW 2170. Phone (02) 9755 1845; fax (02) 9755 1354. Based on drag and drop technology, Visio Technical 4.5 allows users to quickly create 2-D drawings and technical sche­ matics, without the long learning curve normally associated with CAD software. The package comes with more than 2000 “Smart­ Shapes” (including electrical and electronic symbols), organised into 78 task-specific stencils. Drawings are created by dragging and dropping the symbols you want from the stencil library along the lefthand edge of the screen and onto the drawing area to the right. According to Visio, the SmartShape symbols resize without distorting. The technology also ensures that sections of shapes appear or remain hidden as needed and that text goes where it belongs. Naturally, you can also create your own SmartShapes using the inbuilt SmartShape Wizard. A powerful set of drawing tools is included for creating custom shapes and the program features automatic layout and intelligent line routing. This means that the program can automatically reposition shapes and connecting lines as required. AutoCAD compatibility is another feature and the program can both import and export AutoCAD file formats. In addition, there are import filters for files created in CorelDRAW, Corel­ FLOW, Micrografx Designer and ABC Flowcharter. Files can be imported and exported in a variety of formats, including BMP/DIB, CGM, EPS/AI, GIF, IGES, JPEG, PICT, PNG, TIFF and WMF. As might be expected these days, Visio Technical 4.5 sup­ports Internet publishing and you can save drawings as HTML files with linked image maps, or as GIF, JPEG or PNG graphics. There’s also support for TrueType and other Windows fonts, an inbuilt spelling checker and improved colour formatting with new gradient fills. Visio Technical 4.5 runs under Windows 95 and Windows NT. A 16-bit version of the program (Visio Technical 4.1) is also included in the package on a separate CD ROM for Windows 3.1x users. The recommended retail price is $499 or users can upgrade from previous versions for $249. For further information, contact Visio International Inc., Level 17, 275 Alfred St, North Sydney 2060. Phone 1800 551 976. Mitsubishi’s video projector A new projector from Mitsubishi Electric is now available. With a screen projection diagonal of up to 762cm (300 inches), the projector can create an image which is over 10 times larger AUDIO TRANSFORMERS Manufactured in Australia Comprehensive data available Harbuch Electronics Pty Ltd 9/40 Leighton Pl. HORNSBY 2077 Ph (02) 9476-5854 Fx (02) 9476-3231 than current 68cm TV sets. Mitsubishi’s Liquid Crystal Polymer Composite (LCPC) pro­jector has an extremely bright image because, unlike conventional projectors, it does not require a polariser and thus uses light more efficiently. The Mitsubishi projector can be connected to a TV, VCR, video camera, laser disc player, PC or (when it is released in the future) to a Digital Video Disc player. The projector is multi-system compatible (NTSC, PAL and SECAM) and can connect to a variety of computer platforms (eg VGA, Mac 13", NEC 98). Other features include a manual zoom, focus adjust­ment and volume control. The Mitsubishi LCPC Projector has THE “HIGH” THAT LASTS IS MADE IN THE U.S.A. Model KSN 1141 The new Powerline series of Motorola’s 2kHz Horn speakers incorporate protection circuitry which allows them to be used safely with amplifiers rated as high as 400 watts. This results in a product that is practically blowout proof. Based upon extensive testing, Motorola is offering a 36 month money back guarantee on this product should it burn out. Frequency Response: 1.8kHz - 30kHz Av. Sens: 92dB <at> 1m/2.83v (1 watt <at> 8Ω) Max. Power Handling Capacity: 400W Max. Temperature: 80°C Typ. Imp: appears as a 0.3µF capacitor Typical Frequency Response MOTOROLA PIEZO TWEETERS AVAILABLE FROM: DICK SMITH, JAYCAR, ALTRONICS AND OTHER GOOD AUDIO OUTLETS. IMPORTING DISTRIBUTOR: Freedman Electronics Pty Ltd, PO Box 3, Rydalmere NSW 2116. Phone: (02) 9638 6666. August 1997  73 a recommended retail price of $10,999 and is available from selected electrical re­ tailers. For more information, contact Mitsubishi Electric on 1 800 811 212. CAN interfaces for PCs National Instruments has announced the first available PCI-based and ISA-based Windows 95 Plug and Play-compatible interfaces to connect PCs to Controller Area Network (CAN) devices. The PCI-Can (for Windows NT/95 PCs) and AT-CAN (for Windows 95 PCs) meet the physical and electrical requirements for in-vehicle networks based on CAN. The AT-CAN includes full Windows 95 Plug and Play compa­tibility, giving users the benefits of automatic configuration for easier installation and maintenance. The PCI-CAN and AT-CAN include NI-CAN driver software, which provides a high-level application programming interface (API) for reading and writing data frames on the CAN bus. Both are compatible with LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI, as well as other KITS-R-US RF Products FMTX1 Kit $49 Single transistor 2.5 Watt Tx free running 12v-24V DC. FM band 88-108MHz. 500mV RMS audio sensitivity. FMTX2A Kit $49 A digital stereo coder using discrete components. XTAL locked subcarrier. Compatible with all our transmitters. FMTX2B Kit $49 3 stage XTAL locked 100MHz FM band 30mW output. Aust pre-emphasis. Quality specs. Optional 50mW upgrade $5. FMTX5 Kit $98 Both a FMTX2A & FMTX2B on 1 PCB. Pwt & audio routed. FME500 Kit $499 Broadcast specs. PLL 0.5 to 1 watt output narrowcast TX kit. Frequency set with Dip Switch. 220 Linear Amp Kit $499 2-15 watt output linear amp for FM band 50mW input. Simple design uses hybrid. SG1 Kit $399 Broadcast quality FM stereo coder. Uses op amps with selectable pre-emphasis. Other linear amps and kits available for broadcasters. 74  Silicon Chip industry-standard programming languages. These products give users PCbased connectivity to communi­ cations networks that are becoming more commonplace in both test and industrial automation applications, including automotive testing and diagnostics, factory automation, and machine control. For more information, contact National Instruments Austra­lia, PO PO Box 314 Blackwood SA 5051 Ph 0414 323099  Fax 088 270 3175 AWA FM721 FM-Tx board $19 Modify them as a 1 watt op Narrowcast Tx. Lots of good RF bits on PCB. AWA FM721 FM-Rx board $10 The complementary receiver for the above Tx. Full circuits provided for Rx or Tx. Xtals have been disabled. MAX Kit for PCs $169 Talk to the real world from a PC. 7 relays, ADC, DAC 8 TTL inputs & stepper driver with sample basic programs. ETI 1623 kit for PCs $69 24 lines as inputs or outputs DS-PTH-PCB and all parts. Easy to build, low cost. ETI DIGI-200 Watt Amp Kit $39 200W/2 125W/4 70W/8 from ±33 volt supply. 27,000 built since 1987. Easy to build. ROLA Digital Audio Software Call for full information about our range of digital cart players & multitrack recorders. ALL POSTAGE $6.80 Per Order FREE Steam Boat For every order over $100 re­ceive FREE a PUTT-PUTT steam boat kit. Available separately for $19.95, this is one of the greatest educational toys ever sold. Box 466, Ringwood, Vic 3134. Phone (03) 9879 5166; fax (03) 9879 6277. Email info.australia<at>natinst.com or http://www.natinst.com/ C&K Electronics & Jesec Switches merge Australian electronic component suppliers C&K Electronics and Jesec Switches Plus are combining 44 years industry experience with Contactless angle sensors Philips has introduced the KM11OBH/2430 and KM11O­BH/2470 angular displacement sensors, which utilise the company’s magne­ toresistive sensor technology to produce a contactless device completely free from wear and micro-linearity errors. Mechanical wear and contact corrosion, which can lead to severely impaired performance, are the two most common problems encountered with p o t e n t i o m e t e r- b a s e d a n g l e s e n s o r s . T h e KM11OBH/2430 has a measurement range of 30° and the KM11OBH/2470 has a range of 70°. Both devices operate at temperatures between -40°C and +125°C, making them suitable for use in automotive applications such as engine management, safety and driver/passenger comfort systems. They are also small enough to be used in applications such as computer printers, medical equipment and instrumentation equipment, as well as in general industrial applications. Additional information can be obtained from Philips Components, 34 Waterloo Rd, North Ryde, NSW 2113 or from the Philips Internet Home Page at http://www.semicon­ductors.philips.com High density DC-DC converter Analog Devices’ new ADDC­02808­ PB high-density DC-DC convert­er is the first designed specifically for pulse applications such as solid state radar where transmit/receive (T/R) modules are used. When fast transient response, minimum output voltage devia­tions and saving space and weight are important, the ADDC­02808PB is the solution. The standard ADDC02808PB operates from a 28V input bus and provides up to 25A pulsed output current at 8V. Peak pulse power is 200W and peak pulse power density is more than 120W per cubic inch. For further information on this device, contact Hartec, 205A Middle­ borough Rd, Box Hill, Vic 3128. Phone SC 1 800 335 623. SILICON CHIP SOFTWARE Now available: the complete index to all SILICON CHIP articles since the first issue in November 1987. The Floppy Index comes with a handy file viewer that lets you look at the index line by line or page by page for quick browsing, or you can use the search function. All commands are listed on the screen, so you’ll always know what to do next. Notes & Errata also now available: this file lets you quickly check out the Notes & Errata (if any) for all articles published in SILICON CHIP. Not an index but a complete copy of all Notes & Errata text (diagrams not included). The file viewer is included in the price, so that you can quickly locate the item of interest. The Floppy Index and Notes & Errata files are supplied in ASCII format on a 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch floppy disc to suit PC-compatible computers. Note: the File Viewer requires MSDOS 3.3 or above. OR D ER FOR M PRICE ❏ Floppy Index (incl. file viewer): $A7 ❏ Notes & Errata (incl. file viewer): $A7 ❏ Alphanumeric LCD Demo Board Software (May 1993): $A7 ❏ Stepper Motor Controller Software (January 1994): $A7 ❏ Gamesbvm.bas /obj /exe (Nicad Battery Monitor, June 1994): $A7 ❏ Diskinfo.exe (Identifies IDE Hard Disc Parameters, August 1995): $A7 ❏ Computer Controlled Power Supply Software (Jan/Feb. 1997): $A7 ❏ Spacewri.exe & Spacewri.bas (for Spacewriter, May 1997): $A7 ❏ I/O Card (July 1997) + Stepper Motor Software (1997 series): $A7 POSTAGE & PACKING: Aust. & NZ add $A3 per order; elsewhere $A5 Disc size required:    ❏  3.5-inch disc   ❏ 5.25-inch disc TOTAL $A Enclosed is my cheque/money order for $­A__________ or please debit my ❏ Bankcard   ❏  Visa Card   ❏ MasterCard Card No. Signature­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________  Card expiry date______/______ Name ___________________________________________________________ PLEASE PRINT Street ___________________________________________________________ Suburb/town ________________________________ Postcode______________ Send your order to: SILICON CHIP, PO Box 139, Collaroy, NSW 2097; or fax your order to (02) 9979 6503; or ring (02) 9979 5644 and quote your credit card number (Bankcard, Visa Card or MasterCard). ✂ the announcement of their merger. The new compa­ny, to be known as C&K Components Plus, will have its head office and distribu­tion centre in Braeside, Victoria, with sales offices in Sydney and Adelaide and sales agents in Queensland and WA. C&K Components Plus plan to expand their present range of 15,000 stock items, including switches, connectors, enclosures, circuit protection devices, variable resistors, sound and visual components and general products. All items will be supported by comprehensive product catalogs and detailed up-to-date litera­ture. C&K Components Plus will also soon be announcing its Internet web presence on buynet at http://buy­net. com.au Further information about C&K Components Plus products can be obtained by calling Sydney (02) 9635 0799, Melbourne (03) 9587 4044 and Adelaide (08) 8363 4343. The email address is: ckplus<at>ca.com.au August 1997  75