Looking for advice on buying an Oscilloscope

[MobiusStripTech]

The title says it. I am looking for advice on what to look for in an Oscilloscope, mainly for testing video and audio signals after mods and for testing/adjusting CD drives. Any feedback is appreciated.

[crazydean]

They are super expensive. The ones we use at school are Tektronix. Some are $20k, wowzers! Anyway, the ones we use are pretty awesome and I would recommend getting one on the used market.

Overall, I would buy something second-hand that has already been tested and calibrated. Also, get one with a digital screen. You may want one that can record data on an SD card or something too, for future reference. Also, make sure it has several inputs.

[SignOfZeta]

Make sure it's used. Otherwise you're up the creak for like ten grand!

Two channels at least or it's pointless.

For a lot of things I do (audio) old analog ones are better but for most jobs digital is the way to go and chances are that's all you'll find anyway.

Depending on what you are doing sometimes a digital graphing multimeter is just as good or better, you'll have to be the judge of that.

[MobiusStripTech]

Yeah I was going to go for something used. I had a scope at my old job but after changing careers I don't have access to a company one any more.

[mickcris]

the Rigol DS1054Z is a descent scope.  You dont need a $20K scope.

only costs about $400 and its easily hackabe (at least when i bought mine, probably still is) to the features of the more expensive model

[MobiusStripTech]

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again mickcris.