Picture/Video recorder

Crill3 · Post by **Crill3** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:26 pm

1 byte = 8 bit.
Isn't 1 byte 1 character, made up by a combination of 8 bits (ones and zeroes)? I haven't read that specifically, but it's the impression I've gotten.

Usagi · Post by **Usagi** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:50 pm

1 bit = 1 BInary digIT

Crill3 · Post by **Crill3** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:55 pm

How clever

Why not call it ingi?

rudel_ic · Post by **rudel_ic** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:17 pm

Crill3 wrote: Isn't 1 byte 1 character, made up by a combination of 8 bits (ones and zeroes)?

A byte is a digit. Its decimal value is usually between 0 and 255 (256 possible values). This is a convention. Bytes are usually noted in the hexadecimal system, where 2 digits resemble 1 byte (0xFF = 255 in the decimal system).
A bit is also a digit. Its decimal value is always 0 or 1 (2 possible values). This is not a convention, but an ultimate truth.

Now, for each digit you add to a binary number, the number of possible values doubles.

With 1 binary digit, you have 2 possible values.
With 2 binary digits, you have 4 possible values.
With 3 binary digits, you have 8 possible values.
With 4 binary digits, you have 16 possible values.
With 5 binary digits, you have 32 possible values.
With 6 binary digits, you have 64 possible values.
With 7 binary digits, you have 128 possible values.
With 8 binary digits, you have 256 possible values.

So yeah, by convention, 8 bits encode 1 byte.

Interesting, but practically irrelevant fact: The smallest chunk of data you'll get from your hardware is bytesized. You will never be able to read 1 isolated bit from your microphone.