Digital

The 'Digital Age' refers to the current age of computers. Digital usually refers to computer-based technology - the way they record (store) and play (output) information. There are 2 basic types of technologies used for broadcasting, recording and playback - Analog and Digital. Analog information (records, tape, radio) is dependent on the integrity of an analogous wave pattern. Digital communication is based upon binary sequences of zeros and ones. The greater number of combinations help produce patterns that are considered more accurate and reliable. Computers and many electronic circuits use digital information. Light and sound can be recorded digitally but, because they have natural analog waves, they require a converter. Because digital recordings are read by light (usually laser) instead of a needle or tape head, there is considerably less surface noise. Images and Sounds can be sharper and clearer. Camcorders use digital electronics to enhance optical zoom and some cameras use digital technology to store pictures. There are digital camcorders and digital cameras that record sounds and images digitally and the store them on digital memory media and transferable to a computer. CD, DVD, CompactFlash, MemoryStick, SD are examples of popular digital record and play media