Currently, the term "multimedia" is very actively used in modern computer technology. You won’t surprise anyone with the expressions “multimedia audio controller”, “multimedia application” or “multimedia computer”. As often happens, many use the term without a true understanding of its meaning.
In a generalized sense, multimedia is one of the program-controlled methods for the interaction of audio and video effects. It includes images (photos and videos), sound, text and supports interactive control of their interaction. As applied to computer technology, the term acquired a narrower meaning about 10-15 years ago.
According to the above definition, almost any computer game is multimedia, even Tetris with sound output not to a multimedia audio controller, but to a tweeter. However, few can call it multimedia. Computers became truly multimedia only with the advent of convenient capacious storage media (the first of which were CDs) and high-quality sound output devices (audio controllers).
If the multimedia audio controller does not work properly, then this seriously reduces the possibility of using the computer as a multimedia solution. In modern applications, it is as important as the video adapter. A multimedia audio controller is sometimes called a sound card, because it is he who is responsible for the sound output. It physically exists in three versions: an expansion card that plugs into a free PCI or PCI-Express slot; AC97 or HD Audio codec chip located on the motherboard; external device connected to the USB connector. The operation of most computer components is possible only because the appropriate driver is installed. Multimedia audio controller is also no exception. A driver is a small control program, thanks to which the operating system, and, therefore, any running application, gets the opportunity to interact with the device. It is installed once and registered in the system. If drivers are not installed on the multimedia audio controller, then audio output is impossible, although physically (the board, microcircuit) the device can be fully functional.
Often on the forums you can find beginners saying that they did not install any drivers for the audio controller, but there is sound in the Windows operating system. This is explained quite simply: many operating systems (including Linux) already contain drivers for most popular devices, so when you install a system from the database located on the distribution, they are automatically and invisibly installed for all components of the computer. The need to independently select and install drivers arises in two cases:
- There are no corresponding programs in the operating system database. This is possible if too new equipment is connected to the computer, about which the operating system does not “know” anything. It is easy to guess that only those devices drivers that existed at the time the system went on sale are included in the Windows distribution. Moreover, support for many specific components is also missing. With new components, there is always a driver disk;
- the user decided to update the driver of a device installed in the system. Manufacturers of components (especially video and audio adapters) periodically release updated versions of the software for their devices. Installing a new version often improves the operation of the corresponding component of the computer, gives it new functions and capabilities. The update can be downloaded from the device manufacturer’s website.