Hard disks (known in some countries as rigid disks) are computer elements that allow the storage of data that computers (computers) take advantage of during their operation. It is a device equipped with at least one disk that is joined to others from the same structure or axis where there are, among other parts, read and write heads.
Most hard drives are internal (meaning they are located inside the computer’s frame or frame), making them difficult to remove and move. To reverse this situation, there are external hard drives or portable hard drives, which work outside the computer to facilitate its transport. According to Abbreviationfinder, EHD stands for External Hard Drive.
The external hard drive is usually connected to the computer via USB or Firewire, although there are some that maintain the SCSI or SATA connections of the internal hard drives.
It is also interesting to mention that there are small external hard drives with a low storage capacity (about 2 GB) known as microdisks, while others are traditional hard drives with a case that allows them to be adapted to external use and that can store hundreds of GB.
USB sticks, CD – Rs, and CD-RWs present competition to external hard drives, as they also allow digital file storage and information exchange. The advantage for external hard drives is their greater capacity and the possibility of taking advantage, depending on the model, of some added functions, such as recording videos directly from a television or a MiniDV camera.
When the external hard drive can be connected to the TV to display its multimedia contents, it is called a multimedia hard drive. This device has connection with audio and video input and output cables.
Relationship with piracy
One of the applications of external hard drives whose popularity has grown exponentially in recent years is their connection to current generation video game consoles (Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3) to expand their internal storage capacity, allowing to save infinity of titles in digital format. With the importance that game downloads are acquiring, as opposed to the traditional way of buying them, these peripherals have undoubtedly become the best friends of many gamers who do not want to keep stacks of boxes in their closets.
However, like all technological advances, there is always a door that gives access to hackers so that they can modify the rules to their liking and appearance, turning what was initially a proposal to enter a new era, into a more to commit crime. In other words, external hard drives contribute immensely to the proliferation of piracy, since it is much easier for a person to download dozens of titles and store them in a peripheral that can be rewritten millions of times than to make a copy of each game in a DVD or, in the case of Sony and Microsoft consoles, several of them or on Blu-ray.
The crisis threatens all sectors of the market, and the graphic engines evolve and the possibility of creating games of impressive realism is presented, which will inevitably be reflected in an increase in their prices. However, with such a high percentage of piracy, it is riskier than ever to embark on the development of a high-budget title. Various options to prevent illegal copying have been put in place in recent years and companies continue to develop new strategies; but barriers are bait for hackers, who will always find a way through them.