Datasheet, Datashit. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 07:41:27 pm
content: Today I wanted the datasheet of a usb controller ic that is used mainly in webcams. I found the company that produces it and the ic's specific page with it's characteristics. There was also a link withProduct Datasheetwith big bold letters and an Adobe Reared icon next to it. Great I said! "Click" on theProduct Datasheet.Wroooooooooong!!!No Datasheet. Just a request form to fill with name, address telephone number, reason for requesting and some other things. I had some time to kill and I filled the form hoping for an automated immediate download.Wroooooooooong!!!A message popped saying that my request should be checked by the company first and send me the datasheet latter. WTF! After 3~4 hours they send an email. Nice I said once again the datasheet.Wroooooooooong!!!And I quote:QuoteWTF guys! I requested a single/simple datasheet! Please remove theProduct Datasheetsign and keep yourDataSHIT.Alexander.

author: Sal Ammoniac
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 07:45:52 pm
content: The only thing worse than this bullshit is companies that require a signed NDA before they'll send you a datasheet.My opinion: just say no to these clueless companies.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 07:53:57 pm
content: I was fooled by the misleading and time consuming link forProduct Datasheet!!!Alexander.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 09:09:24 pm
content: NDA don't get me started i am sure they violate my rights as a uk citizennever had to agree to one for a datasheet though.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 09:33:06 pm
content: Never fill any information requesting details unless it is the manufacturer. Hopefully these parasite companies will disappear.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 10:55:10 pm
content: find the datasheet somewhere else like alldatasheet.com, datasheetarchive.com, datasheetcatalog.com. if you cannot find it, find another chip.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:05:05 am
content: Quote from: firewalker on May 24, 2011, 07:41:27 pmName?

author: philbx1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 09:16:56 am
content: I feel your pain.I bought up the subject a while back and and some nice peoplehad great suggestions.Unfortunately the subject went downhill due to a certain pedantic person.In the end, a great initiative by Dave and Simon sorted it out by lockingthe subject. A good move I thought.Anyway, for reference only...https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=2778.0

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 09:51:22 am
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on May 25, 2011, 06:05:05 amVimicrohttp://www.vimicro.com/products/digital_ic/p_vc0321/index.html#Alexander.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 11:09:42 am
content: If you're actually interested in the product, the best policy is to just reply with whatever answers thay are expecting - high volumes etc. Make up a potential product if necessary, and tell them you're a consultant/contract design house and can't give details of the end client yet due to client confidentiality, and for the same reason don't know about markets, production schedules etc. As regards NDAs, a few 'errors' in things like name, address etc. easily render them meaningless.Although it's a PITA, it also doesn't make sense to just look elsewhere as you may be missing out on something useful.Think of it as a first-level timewaster filter and play along to get what you want regardless of their dumb policies.Just tell them what they want to hear - you can always tell them things didn't work out later if they follow up with volume sales enquiries.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 11:25:30 am
content: Farnell and Digikey have a lot of online datasheets as do a lot of other suppliers, if its an obsolete component then why do these companies want to know about volumes e.t.c. ?

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 11:48:00 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 25, 2011, 11:09:42 ammaybe they only exist infront of computer (online) once in a month, or a year? who knows? but you can try your sweet lip as you like, but try as short as possible to avoid wasting your effort typing to nobody.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 11:50:22 am
content: Quote from: yachtronics on May 25, 2011, 11:25:30 amBecause they want to sell you the current products that replace them.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 12:20:58 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 25, 2011, 11:50:22 amSo who is going to start production based on a part that has superseded an obsolete part ?The data sheet requirement may have been to aid in servicing existing equipment. Volumes would be low.In response to the OP, it is extremely frustrating to have to jump through hoops to obtain data. It is very unlikely after that experience that you will place your production order with the company that made you do that.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:35:28 pm
content: Quote from: yachtronics on May 25, 2011, 12:20:58 pmMaking design-in decisions on that basis would be rather stupid. Obviously they are being dumb and possibly losing design-ins, but If their chip was cheaper/better/more available, it would be ridiculous to ignore it just on the basis of a dumb website.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 06:48:46 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on May 25, 2011, 06:35:28 pmTotally agree, if you are dealing with the chip manufacturer, however I believe that some of these companies are skimming the net for data sheets and then forcing you to sign up with them so that they cana) switch sell alternative components of dubious originb) sell the harvested email addresses and information to other interested parties.Ok, give false information, you may or may not receive the data sheet.

author: Frangible
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2011, 08:52:40 pm
content: I've rejected using Marvell components in the past when there was a competitor mainly because of their NDA-laden datasheet distribution policy. On one project I kept having issues with one of their peripheral devices. After struggling with it for a while and getting absolutely no help from their FSEs, someone suggested I ask for the new data sheet - evidently the one provided at the beginning of the project had been superseded, and included the errata that described the work-around to my problem.There was no way for me to know there was a new datasheet - Marvell does not send out updates automatically, but provides no way for you to discover if any exist without asking for one. Of course, you have to provide your name, NDA agreement number, and the revision number desired. "Just give me the latest" won't cut it.