Computers are digital machines, which mean that they carry out all calculations using ones and zeros. This style of computing is known as the "binary system", and is the core of all digital technology. Hard drives, CD recorders, and Mini DV camcorders are digital devices, so they record data digitally, as ones and zeros.

Data that is recorded linearly from one spot to another is analog technology. VCRs, tape players and record players are analog devices. An analog audio recording would appear as a bumpy line going from left to right. The way analog devices read the tapes or records is by scanning the physical data, the bumpy line, off the media.

A record player, for example, scans the bumps and dips in the grooves of the record and converts the information into an audio signal. On the other hand, an audio CD player reads ones and zeros off a compact disc and converts that information into an audio signal. The ones and zeros only approximate the actual soundwave, but a record player records the exact sound. When you hear terms like "sampling rate" or "bit rate", these are referring to how many times per second the digital signal is samples. The more it is sampled, the more precise the estimate is, which makes it into higher quality sound or video.

You may ask why digital technology is used if analog supplies a better portrayal of the recorded information. The answer is that since computers carry out digital computations, they are only able to work with digital media. So, all analog audio or video media must be transformed to digital to work on a computer. After the information is digital, computers are able to be used to check over the data and create effects that cannot be performed with analog media. Digital media is non-linear, which means it can be edited or played back beginning at any point, which can be a great timesaver when comparing working with a tape. Digital information also does not "wear out" after using over and over like records or tapes do, which means that digital media lasts longer.

So, digital signal is an approximation of analog data. Digital recordings are made with ones and zeros, while analog recordings are made with linear bumps and dips. Even though digital information is not as accurate as analog information, it is able to be used with other digital devices, like computers, making editing and duplicating of the information simpler and quicker. Because digital media is well-suited and does not wear out over time, it is now the customary choice for today's audio and video formats.