Definition
of Multimedia
Multimedia
uses computers to present text, audio, video, animation, interactive features,
and still images in various ways and combinations made possible through the
advancement of technology. By combining media and content, those interested in
multimedia can take on and work with a variety of media forms to get their
content across. This is an exciting new field for those interested in
computers, technology, and creative career options. Multimedia can be accessed
through computers or electronic devices and integrates the various forms
together. One example of multimedia would be combining a website with video,
audio, or text images.
Minimum
requirements of multimedia computer are:-
a) Intel
pentium processor or any process with MMX
b) 32/64 MB RAM
/ technology + graphics accelerator
c) Keyboard,
Mouse , CD-ROM drive
d) 4 GB Hard
disk
e) Sound card
with external speaker and microphone
f) SVGA display
( color monitor)
g) Voice display (built-in)
Components of Multimedia
Text
It may be an easy content type to forget when considering
multimedia systems, but text content is by far the most common media type in
computing applications. Most multimedia systems use a combination of text and
other media to deliver functionality. Text in multimedia systems can express
specific information, or it can act as reinforcement for information contained
in other media items. This is a common practice in applications with
accessibility requirements.
Images
Digital image files appear in many multimedia applications.
Digital photographs can display application content or can alternatively form
part of a user interface. Interactive elements, such as buttons, often use custom
images created by the designers and developers involved in an application.
Digital image files use a variety of formats and file extensions. Among the
most common are JPEGs and PNGs. Both of these often appear on websites, as the
formats allow developers to minimize on file size while maximizing on picture
quality. Graphic design software programs such as Photoshop and Paint.NET allow
developers to create complex visual effects with digital images.
Audio
Audio files and streams play a major role in some multimedia
systems. Audio files appear as part of application content and also to aid
interaction. When they appear within Web applications and sites, audio files
sometimes need to be deployed using plug-in media players. Audio formats
include MP3, WMA, Wave, MIDI and RealAudio. When developers include audio
within a website, they will generally use a compressed format to minimize on
download times. Web services can also stream audio, so that users can begin
playback before the entire file is downloaded.
Video
Digital video appears in many multimedia applications,
particularly on the Web. As with audio, websites can stream digital video to
increase the speed and availability of playback. Common digital video formats
include Flash, MPEG, AVI, WMV and QuickTime. Most digital video requires use of
browser plug-ins to play within Web pages, but in many cases the user's browser
will already have the required resources installed.
Animation
Animated components are common within both Web and desktop
multimedia applications. Animations can also include interactive effects,
allowing users to engage with the animation action using their mouse and
keyboard. The most common tool for creating animations on the Web is Adobe
Flash, which also facilitates desktop applications. Using Flash, developers can
author FLV files, exporting them as SWF movies for deployment to users. Flash
also uses ActionScript code to achieve animated and interactive effects.
A
Multimedia system has four basic characteristics:
·
Multimedia
systems must be computer controlled.
·
Multimedia
systems are integrated.
·
The
information they handle must be represented digitally.
·
The
interface to the final presentation of media is usually interactive.
Application
of Multimedia:-
a) Multimedia
presentation : Multimedia presentation can be used to better explain a
subject matter to the students because it enhance the comprehension capability
of students. It is extremely effective in getting across new ideas and
concepts.
b) Entertainment
: Multimedia technology is used by entertainment industry as in games,
films, cartoons,animation,sound effects etc.
c) Software
: Multimedia is used for training purpose or guide. So users can
operate software without help of trainers.
d) Business
communication : Multimedia is very powerful tool for enhancing the
quality of business communication.
e) Multimedia web pages : Multimedia
feature in web pages make more attractive, user friendly.
Benefits of Multimedia
tools
Education:
Education:
Project
Management Skills
- Creating a timeline for the completion
of the project.
- Allocating resources and time to
different parts of the project.
- Assigning roles to team members.
Research Skills
- Determining the nature of the
problem and how research should be organized.
- Posing thoughtful questions about
structure, models, cases, values, and roles.
- Searching for information using
text, electronic, and pictorial information sources.
- Developing new information with
interviews, questionnaires and other survey methods.
- Analyzing and interpreting all the
information collected to identify and interpret patterns.
Organization
and Representation Skills
- Deciding how to segment and
sequence information to make it understandable.
- Deciding how information will be
represented (text, pictures, movies, audio, etc.).
- Deciding how the information will
be organized (hierarchy, sequence) and how it will be linked.
Presentation
Skills
- Mapping the design onto the
presentation and implementing the ideas in multimedia.
- Attracting and maintaining the
interests of the intended audiences.
Reflection
Skills
- Evaluating the program and the
process used to create it.
- Revising the design of the program using feedback.
Features for a Multimedia System
Given the above challenges the following
feature a for a Multimedia System:
Very High Processing Power
-- needed to deal with large data processing and real
time delivery of media.
Special hardware commonplace.
Multimedia Capable File System
-- needed to deliver real-time media -- e.g. Video/Audio
Streaming. Special
Hardware/Software needed e.g RAID technology.
Data Representations/File Formats that support multimedia
-- Data representations/file formats should be easy to
handle yet allow for
compression/decompression in real-time.
Efficient and High I/O
-- input and output to the file subsystem needs to be
efficient and fast. Needs to
allow for real-time recording as well as playback of
data. e.g. Direct to Disk
recording systems.
Special Operating System
-- to allow access to file system and process data
efficiently and quickly. Needs
to support direct transfers to disk, real-time
scheduling, fast interrupt processing,
I/O streaming etc.
Storage and Memory
-- large storage units (of the order of 50 -100 Gb or
more) and large memory (50 -
100 Mb or more). Large Caches also required and
frequently of Level 2 and 3
hierarchy for efficient management.
Network Support
-- Client-server systems common as distributed systems
common.
Software Tools
-- user friendly tools needed to handle media, design and
develop applications,
deliver media.
Engineering
Software engineers may use multimedia in Computer Simulations for anything from entertainment to training such as military or industrial
training. Multimedia for software
interfaces are often done as a
collaboration between creative
professionals and software
engineers.
Industry
In the Industrial
sector, multimedia is used as a way to help present information to
shareholders, superiors and coworkers. Multimedia is also helpful for providing
employee training, advertising and selling products all over the world via
virtually unlimited web-based technology
Industry
In the Industrial
sector, multimedia is used as a way to help present information to
shareholders, superiors and coworkers. Multimedia is also helpful for providing
employee training, advertising and selling products all over the world via
virtually unlimited web-based technology
Mathematical and scientific research
In mathematical and scientific
research, multimedia is mainly used for modeling and simulation. For example, a scientist can look at a molecular model of a particular substance and
manipulate it to arrive at a new substance. Representative research can be
found in journals such as the Journal
of Multimedia.
Medicine
In Medicine, doctors can get trained by looking at a
virtual surgery or they can simulate how the human body is affected by diseases spread by viruses and bacteria and then develop techniques to prevent
it.
Document imaging
Document imaging is a technique that takes hard copy of
an image/document and converts it into a digital format (for example,
scanners).
Disabilities
Ability Media allows those with
disabilities to gain qualifications in the multimedia field so they can pursue
careers that give them access to a wide array of powerful communication forms.
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