Saturday, September 5, 2009

What Are Computer Output Devices?

Computer Devices

By Kristen Leigh Grubb

Output devices pass output from the computer to the user. The most commonly known output device is the monitor, but they also include audio devices, disk drives and microfilm recorders.

History
The first recorded computer monitor was the IBM 740 CRT. It provided output on a pair of television-like cathode ray tubes.

Monitors
Monitors provide non-permanent graphical data to the user. They are available in different hardware technologies including LCD, CRT, plasma display and video projectors.

Audio Devices
Audio devices provide sound data to the user, including music, movie audio and voice. They include sound cards, headphones and speakers.

Printers
Printers provide permanent graphical data to the user including text and images. Printer types include ink jet, laser and thermal printers.

Disk Drives
Disk drives send output to a storage device such as a burnable CD or DVD. Disk drives provide dual functionality as they also provide input to the computer.

References
# Computer Hope

Computer Devices

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Examples of Output Computer Devices

Computer Devices

By Joanne Mendes

Computer output devices deliver data that has been processed by the computer to the user. There are a variety of devices that produce data in different forms including audio, visual and hard copy. Computer output devices are types of peripheral hardware connected to a computer, using cables or over a wireless network.

Monitor

The most common computer output device is the monitor or computer screen. Monitors create a visual display from processed data that users can view. They come in a variety of screen sizes and visual resolutions.
There are two types of computer monitors, CRT and flat panel. CRT monitors use phosphorescent dots to create the pixels that make up display images. Flat panel monitors usually use LCD or plasma to create output. Light is passed through liquid crystals to create the pixels.
All monitors rely on a video card that is located on the computer motherboard or in a special expansion slot. The video card processes the computer data into image details that the monitors can display.

Printer

Printers produce a hard copy version of processed data such as documents and photographs. The computer sends the image data to the printer, which then physically recreates the image onto an object.
There are three types of computer printers: ink jet, laser and dot matrix. Inkjet printers spray tiny dots of ink on a surface to create an image. Laser printers use toner drums that roll through magnetized pigment and then transfer the pigment to a surface. Dot matrix printers use a print head to imbed images on a surface, using an ink ribbon.

Speakers/Headphones

Computers produce audio data that require output devices such as speakers and headphones to deliver the sound to the user. Audio data is created by the computer and then sent to the audio card, which is located in an expansion slot. The card translates the data into audio signals, which are sent to the audio output device.

CD/DVD/Floppy Disc

CD, DVD and floppy disc are output devices that can also be used as storage and input devices. The computer sends data to the disc, where it is embedded and can be later retrieved.
Compact disc, or CD, is an optical device that stores audio and visual data in a digital format. Data is placed on the disc, using a laser writer that embeds the data into the disc's coating.
Digital Versatile Disc, or DVD, is an optical device that stores visual data in a media format. DVDs feature a dual coating system that allows audio and visual data to be written at the same time by using a laser.
Floppy disc is a magnetic storage device. A layer of magnetized material is placed within a proactive plastic casing. The computer embeds the data into the magnetized material, using a writing head.

Projector

Projectors are display devices that project a computer created image. The computer sends the image data to the video card which then sends the video image to the projector. They are typically used for presentations or for viewing videos.

Plotter

Plotters create a hard copy rendition of a digitally rendered design. The design is sent to the plotter via a graphics card, and creates the design using a pen. Generally used with engineering applications, plotters basically draw an image using a series of straight lines.

References

Principles of Computer Hardware; Alan Clements; 2006

Computer Devices

How to Install Realtek Sound Devices

Computer Devices

By Lucosi Fuller

If your computer doesn't have sound, the problem may be with the sound devices, which are programs that allow your computer to process audio output. Errors may occur if your sound devices need to be updated or if you reinstalled your operating system without backing up the sound devices. You can fix the problem once you know the default sound devices for your computer and which company manufactures them.

Instructions

Step 1
Open your Web browser and navigate to the Realtek website.

Step 2
Click on "Downloads."

Step 3
Realtek offers a list of three types of codecs, which are: High Definition Audio Codecs (Software); AC'97 Audio Codecs (Software); and RTL8100B(L)/RTL8100C(L)/RTL8101L/RTL8139C(L)

RTL8139C(L)+/RTL8139D(L)/RTL8100(L) and RTL8130/RTL8139B(L)(Software). Click on the type of codecs you want to install. For example, if your computer needs "High Definition Audio Codecs," then click on the that item on the list to be directed to those codecs.

Step 4
If prompted, read the Realtek disclaimer and click on the box beside "I accept to the above" and then click on "Next."

Step 5
Click on the name of your operating system. Windows and Unix (Linux) are the only choices.

Step 6
Find the sound device you need for your computer and click on "Go" in the row beside it to download the software.

Step 7
Click on "Save" to save the file to a location in your computer or click on "Run" to download and install it simultaneously. This should finish your sound device installation.

Tips & Warnings

The sound device you download and install depends on the specifications of your system's manufacturer. There is no guarantee that a sound device that is different from your default sound device will respond once it is installed on your computer.

Resources

Realtek home page

Computer Devices

How to Check a Computer Sound Device

Computer Devices

By Gregory Hamel

Computer sound devices, or sound cards, are hardware components that translate data into audible sound that can be output to speakers, headphones and other devices. Some audio devices also allow for audio input through a microphone. It can be useful to know what sound devices you have installed, especially if you plan to upgrade your sound card, or the software drivers for the sound device.

Instructions

Check Sound Card in Device Manager:

Step 1
Click "Start," "Control Panel," and double-click "Administrative Tools," then "Computer Management."

Step 2
Click on the "Device Manager" option on the left side of the window.

Step 3
Find "Sound, video and game controllers," and click on the plus (+) symbol to see a list of your installed devices. All of your sound devices should appear in the list. You can view more detailed information by right clicking on the device and selecting "Properties." You can also attempt to automatically update the driver by using the "Driver" tab in the preferences window.

Use dxdiag to Check Sound:

Step 1
Click "Start," then "Run."

Step 2
Type "dxdiag," and press "OK."

Step 3
Click the "Sound" tab on the diagnostic window that appears. There will be a sound tab for each sound device you have installed.

Tips & Warnings

If your sound device is not working properly, try installing a new driver. If your sound device stops working after installing a new driver, use the "Roll back driver" option under the driver tab of the properties menu in the device manager.

Resources

Sound Card Troubleshooting Flow Chart

Computer Devices

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