The Rigol DHO decoder (and Siglent's naming trap)
Rigol never published what the DHO digits mean, so buyers reverse-engineer it from spec tables — and Siglent's scheme is actively misleading. Here's both, decoded once.
Rigol DHO: the digits
DHO [series][bandwidth][channels][S]
| Model | Series | Bandwidth | Ch | MSO | AWG+Bode | Stock memory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHO802 | 800 | 70 MHz | 2 | — | — | 25 Mpts |
| DHO804 | 800 | 70 MHz | 4 | — | — | 25 Mpts |
| DHO812 | 800 | 100 MHz | 2 | — | — | 25 Mpts |
| DHO814 | 800 | 100 MHz | 4 | — | — | 25 Mpts |
| DHO914 / 914S | 900 | 125 MHz | 4 | 16 digital | S only | 50 Mpts |
| DHO924 / 924S | 900 | 250 MHz | 4 | 16 digital | S only | 50 Mpts |
- 800 vs 900: the 900s add MSO (16 digital channels via an optional probe), more stock memory, and higher bandwidth tiers. Same fanless, USB-C-powered, 12-bit platform.
- The S suffix = built-in 25 MHz AWG + Bode plotting. Usually worth it.
- The open secret: within a series, the bandwidth difference is largely firmware — which is why the community unlocks exist (current status here) and why the DHO804 vs DHO814 decision is really an ethics-and-warranty question.
- DHO vs DS prefix: DS is the previous, 8-bit generation (DS1054Z et al). DHO = the 12-bit era. Don't pay new-DHO money for new-DS hardware.
Siglent: the trap
Siglent numbers are not chronological. The SDS800X HD family (2024, 12-bit, 2 GSa/s, 100 Mpts) is two generations newer and better than the bigger-numbered SDS1104X-E (2017, 8-bit). The suffix carries the meaning: HD = 12-bit new generation; X-E = the old value king; X-U = the cost-reduced version of the X-E (Siglent published its own app note explaining that one, which tells you how often buyers get it wrong). Within SDS800X HD, the digits work like Rigol's: SDS802/4 = 70 MHz 2ch/4ch, SDS814 = 100 MHz, SDS824 = 200 MHz.
So which do I buy?
That's the first-scope guide — short version: DHO804 or SDS804X HD, and let the fan/hack questions decide. Full specs on the table.