Skip to main content

What are Dual Devices or Both Input/ Output Devices

The devices that can be used to perform both functions -input and output- are called Dual Devices. These devices are also called Dual Purpose Devices or Both Input/Output Devices. With the help of a dual purpose device, we can enter data into computer as well as we can output data from the computer to outside world.  For example, Dual devices include:  Touch Screen Monitor, Modem, Network Interface Card, Sound card, Hard disk drive, Floppy disk Drive, Magnetic Tape Drive CD-Writer and DVD-Writer etc. These are also called Input/output devices, because they perform both functions.
  • Touch Screen Monitor
Dual Devices or Both Input / Output Devices - Touch screens
Dual Devices or Both Input / Output Devices - Touch screens
Touch Screen Monitor is an input/output device. It uses a special touch sensitive screen. The User can enter data by touching icons or menus on the screen. As soon as the user selects a command from menu, output is displayed on screen. Commonly touch screen monitors use sensors to detect touch of finger.

  •      Headset

A headset may be considered as both Input / Output device, because it has a microphone for voice input and small speaker phones for  sound output.

Examples of Dual Devices or Both Input / Output Devices - headsets
Example of Both Input / Output Devices - headsets

Headsets are used for video conferences and video calls through SKYPE and other such free software to make video calls.
  • Modem
Modem is example of Dual device
Internal modem

External modem

Modem stands for Modulator / Demodulator. Modem is a communication device.  It makes possible receiving data from internet into our computer (input) and sending data from our computer to another computer on internet(output).  It performs two functions: Modulation (converting digital signal into analog signal) and Demodulation(converting analog signal to digital signal). It makes possible receiving data from internet into our computer (input) and sending data from our computer to another computer on internet(output). Modem sends and receives data from one computer to another through telephone lines. It links your personal computer to the Internet through your ISP (Internet Service Provider). A telephone line supports only analog signals, whereas computer accepts only digital signals. So when a computer wants to send data to another computer, digital data is converted into analog data before placing on telephone line. The process of converting digital signal into analog signal is called Modulation. Similarly, on the receiving computer, modem converts analog data (from telephone line) into digital data, before it is entered into receiving computer. The process of converting analog signal into digital signal is called Demodulation.
  • NIC - Network Interface Card
NIC is Example of Dual devices
NIC or LAN card - NIC is Example of Dual devices

NIC stands for Network Interface Card. It is used to link network computers for transmitting data. With the help of NIC our computer can receive  data, instructions and information from another computer (input). NIC will also be helpful to send data from our computer to another computer on the network (output). NIC is also called a LAN card, local area network card or LAN adapter.

  • Sound Card
Sound card is Example of Dual devices
Sound card or audio card

A sound card is a computer component that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer. A speaker produces audio output with the help of sound card. In addition we use microphone to input our voice into computer with the help of sound card. 
  •     Hard disk Drive
Dual devices or both input output devices

Hard disk drive is an input/output device. It has read/write heads to read data from hard disk(input) and to write data to hard disk(output).
  • Floppy disk Drive
Dual devices or both input output devices

Floppy disk drive is an input/output device. It has read/write heads to read data from floppy disk(input) and to write data to floppy disk(output).   
  • Magnetic Tape Drive
Dual devices or both input output devices

Magnetic Tape drive is an input/output device. It has read/write heads to read data from magnetic tape(input) and to write data to magnetic tape(output).
  • CD-Writer / CD-Recorder
Dual devices or both input output devices
CD-Writer is an input/output device. It is used to store data on CD. It is used to read data from CD(input) and to write data to CD(output).
  • DVD-Writer / DVD-Recorder
Dual devices or both input output devices

DVD-Writer is an input/output device. It is used to store data on DVD. It is used to read data from DVD(input) and to write data to DVD(output).

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Explain different types of storage devices

Topic: Explain different types of storage devices in Computer systems Storage Devices Storage devices are used to store data and instructions permanently. Storage devices are also called secondary storage devices / backing storage devices / external storage devices or auxiliary storage devices. Examples of storage devices include Hard Disk, CD and DVD etc. Why Secondary Storage Devices are Used? Secondary storage devices are used because: Primary memory(RAM) is volatile and temporary. When computer is switched off, all data in ram is erased. Storage devices can store large amounts of data and instructions permanently whereas Primary memory has less capacity of storing data. Types Of Storage Devices There are three main types of storage devices:  Magnetic Tape   Magnetic Disk   Optical Disk   Flash Memory storage devices 1. Magnetic Tape Magnetic tape is the oldest storage device. It is made of plastic coated with m...

Explain Different Types Of Output Devices

Output devices Out put devices are used to display results of processing to the user. They perform the following functions:  Receive results from memory  Convert data into human readable form  Display results to the user Examples include: Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker, and multimedia projector. Different Types of Output Devices 1.    Monitor LCD Monitor CTR Monitor     Monitor is the most commonly used output device used to display results of processing. It has a TV like shape. Pictures on monitor are formed with picture elements called PIXEL. Monitors may be Monochrome that will display results in Black & White. Color Monitors are also available. They display results in multi colors. Monitor produces soft copy output. 2.    Printers Printers are used to produce hard copy out put. They print processing results on paper. Printers are divided into two main categories: · ...

Types Of Scanners Input Device

Scanner / Optical Scanner A scanner is an input device for computer. It can scan any printed document with text as well as images. It will : Read any printed paper or picture, Convert text or images into digital form Saves this converted digital file into computer storage for later use Uses Of Optical Scanners You can scan your documents or pictures to: Store into computer memory. To save lot of effort and time because if you type the whole text on printed page, it will take effort as well as time). Show image or text on computer screen or on a multimedia projector's screen. In addition, you can send this scanned document or image to your friends all over the world with the help of Internet & Email. You can publish the scanned documents or images on your website or blog. You can apply online and send the scanned images of your academic documents in any part of the world within minutes. If your scanner supports OCR - Optical Character Recognition, you can scan a page...