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Analog/Digital...
Posted: 2004-07-22 05:57pm
by GoldenFalcon
Ok, this will probably be one of the more stupid questions asked on this board, and I think I understand it, but what is the difference between analog and digital? I know "digital" would be transmitted 1's and 0's, but what defines "analog"?
Posted: 2004-07-22 06:17pm
by Spyder
Hard to explain without drawing a diagram. Think of it in terms of wave forms. With analogue signals you usually get a smooth wave going up and down. Sound for example waves are analogue, modems derive signals from them by listening to the frequency and amplitude. Digital signals are basically two state (or based on a two state system), one being 1, the other being 0. You don't get the smooth waveform effect.
Tangent:
You would use an analogue whatever over a digital whatever in a situation where you want continuous values. For example, analogue controllers on gaming consoles. On the digital pad you press left and it sends a signal "left" which makes a character run left (should that be how the game works). The analogue controller will send a discrete value when the player touches it. "Left 48.2%" Which can be used to make a character walk or move at a different pace.