Is there a difference between these two? I seem to be getting a little confused - I have a nokia 6020 and a wireless connection to my pc but don't seem to be able to get the two to meet!
2007-03-17 11:28:19 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
OK, I do feel a bit stupid now!! What kind of hardware do I get to make pc infrared compatible?
2007-03-17 11:35:28 · update #1
OK, wireless is a rf (radio frequency) link to the Internet or other devices. Like wifi, or through a cell phone.
IR is a direct line of sight connection using a light source (within the equipment) You cannot see either one but they are there.
To use wireless you have to be able to connect with the same radio frequency as the device putting it out. Like a wireless router. To connect, both the transmitter (router) and the wireless receiver have to be able to talk to each other, and be within range. With a cell phone link, you have to be within range of the tower. Then of course you have the configuration. You have to ensure the equipment is configured properly.
With IR you need to insure that the the little red windows on the side or back of a laptop is pointed in the same direction as the other. In other words eye to eye. And configuration is important also.
Go to you manufacturer manuals and read, see what your configuration options are. With Cell phone wireless, take the whole thing, phone and computer and tell them you need help, most will will be glad to do so free. Trust me, I am not a recruiter, they want to keep your business, and they will probably jump on it and explain it as well.
With a desktop, they do not normally come with IR cards, so you will have to add one. With Laptops most have IR capabilities.
2007-03-17 11:47:25 · answer #1 · answered by smittybo20 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, there is a difference, but it is really only the way that the words have evolved. Initially, we used to have wired communications, like a phone or cable, then we started to use radio and that was wireless. It did not require wires!
Now these days we have radio, and we also have the ability to send signals in a beam of light (infra red) both are wireless.
However, more to the point, is the fact that people are using this general term to mean something specific, and whether your "wireless" PC uses a radio connection or an infra red connection is not necessarily clear, if it is simply called "wireless"! Sorry to be so unhelpful.
2007-03-17 18:45:29 · answer #2 · answered by Rolf 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes .... the previous answers explain the difference.
About the Nokia & the PC wireless ....
Many devices are wireless yet they cannot interact without special adapters or being made so by design.
Your Nokia specs :
Connectivity and Interactivity: With the 6020, you can use Bluetooth, Infrared, or a USB cable to connect to and interact with other devices.
http://www.canadiancontent.net/mobile/Nokia_6020.html
It will not connect to a PC wireless network because it is not designed to do so.
regards,
Philip T
2007-03-17 18:37:19 · answer #3 · answered by Philip T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need an infrared port on you pc in order to connect your phone, otherwise you wont be able to do it. An example of infrared signal is the one that your TV remote control transmits and also your wireless mouse or keyboard. it has a power of approximately 40 KHz. The Wireless signal is the one that transmits you router or any other wireless devise that transmits this kind of radio frequency and it has a frequency power of up to 2.4 Ghz, meaning that it can travel through walls and other obstacles. the infrared light wont do that. that's why the ports of the infrared connections need to be set straigh aligned eachother, otherwise the connectivity won't perform that good.
2007-03-17 18:46:17 · answer #4 · answered by geektaurus 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Infrared is line of sight, and beams infrared between the 2 ports.
Wireless uses radio waves to communicate.
2007-03-17 18:33:39 · answer #5 · answered by Slappy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Infrared is a lightbeam and needs direct unblocked signal straight to source, usually less than 15 feet.
2007-03-17 18:32:11 · answer #6 · answered by mikehome.com 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. You could say that. One of them (wireless) is in the radio spectrum and infrared is in the light spectrum. They are not even remotely close.
2007-03-17 18:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by Kokopelli 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wireless is between your computer, wireless 'router, and the internet; Infrared is between your home devices (eg. 'phone) and your computer.
(Infrared - in-the-same-room.
Wireless -300 meters or so!)
2007-03-17 18:36:26 · answer #8 · answered by Girly Brains 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wireless is a sound wave frequency and infrared is a light wave frequency.
light and sound is the difference
2007-03-17 18:30:48 · answer #9 · answered by You may be right 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋