Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

[exequor]

I believe that computer science is very important to EE because of firmware and so on. I was wondering, the firmware of a dvd player can be upgraded (i did that to mine to gain extra features) however that is limited by the chipset. But it seems like dvd manufacturers prefer to release a new model of a player than to offer firmware upgrades. Does anyone know why? Also, the firmware is what maps how the remote control works and so on right_ is firmware so secretive that i can't find any information on the net that would guide me how to go about editing the firmware? Is CS that important to EE?

 

[Ouabache]

To design firmware, you can have training as EE, CS or
CE (computer engineer). There is a bit of cross-over in each.
CE and CS's obviously would have stronger programming skills,
EE's have additional understanding of hardware.

Regarding DVD players or consumer electronics in general, I've noticed
manufacterers are pretty weak on offering the public, modifications
or technical information about their products. The reason for the secretive (proprietary) behavior of companies is in attempt to protect their designs from being copied or stolen. Which, of course would cost them lost profits.

I also think consumer electronics manufacturers don't believe the lay-public know anything about what is going on under the chasis. It is left to tinkerers and hobbyists to make and share news on how to make mods and upgrades.
Poke around the net, I bet you will find a tinkerer willing to share their experience.

 

[ravenprp]

Yes, computer science plays a crucial role in electrical engineering. In fact, many electrical engineering programs now include courses in computer science as part of their curriculum. This is because the two fields are closely related and often work hand in hand.

In terms of firmware, it is indeed a crucial aspect of electronic devices, including DVD players. Firmware is essentially the software that is embedded in the hardware of a device and controls its operation. It is responsible for managing the device's functions and interfaces with the hardware components.

As you mentioned, firmware can be upgraded to add new features or fix bugs. However, the ability to upgrade firmware is limited by the capabilities of the device's chipset. If the chipset does not support certain features or functions, then it is not possible to add them through a firmware upgrade.

The reason why DVD manufacturers prefer to release new models instead of offering firmware upgrades could be due to various reasons. It could be a marketing strategy to encourage consumers to buy the latest model, or it could be because the chipset of the older model does not support the desired updates.

Regarding the secrecy surrounding firmware, it is true that manufacturers do not openly share information about their firmware. This is because firmware is considered intellectual property and contains proprietary code that the manufacturer does not want to be shared with competitors. However, with some technical knowledge and skills, it is possible to find information on the internet about editing firmware.

In conclusion, computer science is indeed important in electrical engineering, and firmware is just one aspect where the two fields intersect. As technology continues to advance, the collaboration between these two fields will become even more crucial in designing and developing innovative electronic devices.