What does hardware encryption mean? So if it is lost, the data cannot be accessed by third parties? (I don't see anything here where I can enter a code or something.) By formatting a new file system, the hardware encryption is still active?

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Hardware encryption means that the hard disk is able to perform the encryption itself and this does not have to be done in the software/operating system. However, the encryption must still be activated (e.g. via BitLocker in Windows or FileVault in MacOS) - otherwise the data can be read by anyone. 

In the best case, hardware encryption is somewhat faster. As already mentioned, however, it is often less well implemented or checked, which can make it easier for attackers to get at the data. Here is an interesting lecture on the subject: https://media.ccc.de/v/35c3-9671-self-encrypting_deception

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Good question - with internal hard drives you can set the password in the BIOS (UEFI) or with Bitlocker. Unfortunately, one of the Samsung SSDs recently failed a security test https://heise.de/-4212191

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What does hardware encryption mean? So if it is lost, the data cannot be accessed by third parties? (I don't see anything here where I can enter a code or something.) By formatting a new file system, the hardware encryption is still active?