Hardware vs software

Get started for free What is a video encoder? An encoder takes raw analog or digital video and compresses it into another digital format that’s suitable for broadcasting. You cannot take the footage captured by your video camera and send it directly to a YouTube live stream, for example. It has to be encoded first. When you stream to a social media profile within the social network’s app — like using the Facebook app to go live on your Facebook profile — the app takes care of the encoding for you. When you want to stream from your laptop or desktop computer, you need another solution for encoding. For most live streaming platforms, you need to convert the video signal into an H.264 format, an industry standard for video compression. There are two types of encoders you can use to live stream: • Software encoders: Encoding programs you install and run on your computer. Software encoders capture your audio and video input, compress it, then deliver it to your end platform, such as • Hardware encoders: Pieces of equipment with encoding as their sole purpose. Some hardware encoders connect directly to a camera, but not always. The encoder is the translator and the communicator in your streaming setup, which is why it’s so important. Take it out of the equation and video streaming platforms would have a hard time understanding and reproducing the data you’re sending them. Popular software and hardware encoders Here are some of the most popular choices among streamers for softwar...

Load Error Understanding the disparity between firmware and software is crucial for comprehending the underlying mechanisms that power our devices and applications. So, let’s compare them. Firmware vs. Software: Side by Side Comparison Firmware vs. Software: What’s the Difference? Software and firmware may seem similar, but they serve distinct purposes. Firmware refers to the permanent software embedded in devices like smartphones or smart Functionality and Purpose Firmware is a type of software that is permanently stored in read-only memory (ROM) or The firmware is specifically designed to perform a certain set of functions, such as controlling the hardware components or providing essential functionality to enable the device to operate effectively. It is typically responsible for initializing the hardware, managing device drivers, and facilitating communication between the hardware and higher-level software layers. On the other hand, a collection of programs, data, and instructions designed to perform specific tasks on a computer or electronic device refers to software. The device’s memory does not permanently store the software like firmware. Instead, it installs and executes the software on the device’s storage, such as a hard drive or solid-state drive. The software can encompass a wide range of applications, from Upgradability and Modifiability Firmware is typically more difficult to modify or upgrade compared to software. Updating firmware typically necessitates spec...

We've all been there, sat at the computer when all of a sudden, it crashes. Receiving an error message in the middle of a task is frustrating, especially if you don't know why. Or, your computer has become very slow, taking ages to boot up a program. A lot of people assume their computer has broken, and don't want to invest in a whole new device. It can be tricky to figure out what the problem is or how to solve it. Is it a software issue or a hardware problem? Once you find out, it makes the issue much easier to solve. In this article, we will be looking at the most common Software or Hardware Problem: How to Tell the Difference In this article, we will dive into the specific problems you may encounter and how to identify the cause. But first, let's get an overview of how to determine which is a software or a hardware problem. The differences between software and hardware are pretty simple to figure out. When it comes to software issues, they are usually easy enough to fix. They very rarely result in a complete system shut down. You can often fix these by clearing the cache or uninstalling malicious apps. When it's a hardware problem, it's usually more severe. You can tell it's a hardware issue if the You may have to open up the machine and looking at what could be wrong. Getting a professional could be the best course of action. Now, let's take a look at some of the most common computer problems you may face. We'll help identify which are software and which are hardware ...

You can adjust the your speaker volume in-app, operating system-wide, or by the physical controls on your speaker setup. Which method is best for optimum sound? Today’s Question & Answer session comes to us courtesy of SuperUser—a subdivision of Stack Exchange, a community-drive grouping of Q&A web sites. The Question SuperUser reader Qqwy poses the following question: If music isn’t loud enough, how do I get the best quality (even if the difference is in fact so small it’s negligible)? • By making the music louder in my music player, game or other sound-producing software program? • By raising the volume at the operating system level (for instance, by clicking the speaker icon in the Windows notification area and turning the volume up)? • By turning the volume up on the amplifier or speakers that are attached to your computer, and thus changing the volume on the hardware? Does programs vs. OS matter? Does software vs. hardware matter? Let’s get to the bottom of things: is it better to crank up the volume at the speaker or within your computer’s settings? The Answer SuperUser contributor Indrek jumps in with a definitive answer to the question: Program vs. OS generally doesn’t matter. What matters is whether you’re adjusting volume in software or in hardware. Reducing volume in software is basically equivalent to reducing the bit depth. In digital audio, the signal is split up into distinct samples (taken thousands of times per second), and bit depth is the number of b...

You are probably familiar with the terms What is computer hardware? Source: While you are probably more than familiar with using many of the hardware components mentioned above, the vast majority of any computer's physical bits are out of sight, and usually out of mind, safely tucked away within the casing. Of these bits, the most important component is called the motherboard. This piece of hardware is actually a collection of even smaller parts that effectively power and control the entire machine. So, hardware, on the whole, is distinctly different from software, as you are about to find out. That being said, neither one can work in the way you expect a computer to work without the other. Without the software, many parts of the hardware would be effectively useless. RELATED: WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM IN THE BEST CHOICE FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERS? However, the software would not be able to perform any of the clever tasks it does without the hardware that makes up the CPU. They are, in effect, completely interdependent on one another. What are the 10 major hardware components of a computer system? While we have already mentioned some of the most crucial hardware pieces of a computer, there are some other vital components to any modern computer. Source: They are as follows: • Motherboard - • CPU - • GPU - Graphics processing units are much like CPUs, with the exception that they tend to specialize in handling images and graphics. While not essential for most average computer users,...

The Honor Magic Vs undercuts the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Google Pixel Fold, and it has the most usable front screen of the three. Like all big-screened foldables, it couples a high price with early-gen compromises – mainly the folding mechanism in this case. Its main camera is also what we'd expect from a $450 / £450 experience - not from something costing nearly three times as much. Despite those limitations, though, the Honor Magic Vs is still the best-value big-screened foldable around, and considering it costs less than a 512GB iPhone 14 Pro Max, marks a breakthrough in foldable pricing. Honor Magic Vs: Design At first glance, the Honor Magic Vs looks great. Available in a glossy Black or matte Cyan, while the black one is a fingerprint magnet, in Cyan, the diffuse, shimmery finish stays fingerprint-free. At 12.9mm when closed, as with any foldable, the Magic Vs has some heft to it, though when unfolded, its super-svelte 6.1mm frame is sleek. While the heaviest traditional phones weigh around 240g, the two-screened Magic Vs is 267g – perfectly reasonable by foldable standards. The Magic Vs has a large front display that curves to the right side elegantly, with the glass and metal combination creating a great in-hand feel, though it is thick, especially when sat next to the Huawei Mate X3. The foldable's novel button positioning is also worth noting. Honor places the power button (which is also a fingerprint scanner) on the bottom half when shut, and the volume rocker on th...