LECTURE 11:MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES Introduction to Multimedia

Objectives At the end of this chapter, students should be able to: • define basic terms and concepts related to multimedia technologies • understand the history and evolution of media and multimedia technologies • distinguish between the types of linear and non-linear multimedia systems • state the four characteristics of multimedia system 2

History of Multimedia What can we say about the evolution of media that has taken place for thousands of years? Since the dawn of time, people have had the need to communicate with one another This created what we called as communication media 3 http://www.december.com/present/mediaev.html

What is Multimedia? The notion of Multimedia Consists of two words: Multi (Latin)= many; much; Medium (Latin) = An intervening substance through which something is transmitted or carried on. 4

What is Multimedia? Multimedia can be any combination of text, graphics, sound, animation and video, to effectively communicate ideas to users delivered by computer or any other electronic devices. 5

What is Multimedia? ‘Multimedia is any combination of text, art, sound, animation, and video. It is delivered to the user by electronic or digitally manipulated means. A multimedia project development requires creative, technical, organizational, and business skills.’ 6 Tay Vaughan Multimedia : Making it work 7th Ed.

What is Multimedia? ‘“Multimedia is the presentation of a (usually interactive) computer application, incorporating media elements such as text, graphics, video, animation and sound on computer.” Stephen McGloughlin Multimedia: Concepts & Practice 7

Multimedia Building Block 8 Digital environment USER Elements of Multimedia

Why Multimedia? •Ease of use •Intuitive Interface •Immersive experience •Self-paced interaction and better retention •Better understanding •Cost effectiveness •More fun = greater efficiency 9

Multimedia has a number of distinct and unique features, including: Based on Edgar Dale (Cone Of Learning), on average, people remember: 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they hear and see, multimedia approach multimedia rich elements, multisensory delivery system can facilitate greater retention of new knowledge 10

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Types of Multimedia Linear Multimedia Users have very little control over the presentation Nonlinear/Interactive Multimedia Users dictate the flow of delivery. User control the flow of the show. 12

Types of Multimedia: (1) Linear Multimedia ▫ The users sit back and watches the presentation ▫ The presentation normally plays from the start to end or even loops continually to present the information. ▫ A movie is a common type of linear multimedia 13

Types of Multimedia: (2)Interactive Multimedia 14 The users control the delivery of elements – to control the what and when. Users have the ability to move around or follow different path through the information presentation.

Types of Multimedia: (2)Interactive Multimedia 15 Advantage: complex domain of information can be presented. Disadvantage: users might lost in the massive “information highway”. Useful for: information archive (encyclopedia), education, training and entertainment.

What is a Multimedia Project? The software vehicle, the messages, and the content together constitute a multimedia project. A multimedia project shipped to end-users with or without instructions is called a multimedia title. A project can also be launched on the Web. Authoring tools are used to merge multimedia elements into a project. These software tools are designed to manage individual multimedia elements and provide user interaction. 16

Delivering and Using Multimedia The primary media for delivering multimedia projects are: Compact disc read-only (CD-ROM). Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) / Blu-ray Disc Multimedia Projects can also be delivered online (webs) and through PDAs/Hand-held Devices 17

Delivering and Using Multimedia : (1) CD-ROM CD-ROM is the most cost-effective distribution medium for multimedia projects. It can contain up to 80 minutes of fullscreen video or sound. CD burners are used for reading discs and converting the discs to audio, video, and data formats. 18

Delivering and Using Multimedia : (2) DVD / Bluray • Multilayered DVD technology increases the capacity of current optical technology to 18 GB. • DVD authoring and integration software is used to create interactive front-end menus for films and games. • DVD burners are used for reading discs and converting the disc to audio, video, and data formats. • BD – Blu-ray disc (Blu-ray Disc Association BDA) ▫ next-generation format for high-definition video and high-density data. ▫ A single-layer disc can fit 23.3, 25, or 27 GB (enough for approximately four hours of high-definition video with audio) ▫ supports 25GB for one layer, 50GB for two and 100GB for four 19

Delivering and Using Multimedia (3) Online •Multimedia can be delivered online Copper wire, glass fiber, and radio/cellular technologies also serve a means for delivering multimedia files across a network Online uses include: Books and magazines, Education Movies, Entertainment News and weather Maps 20

Application of Multimedia Business - Business applications for multimedia include presentations training, marketing, advertising, product demos, databases, catalogues, instant messaging, and networked communication. Schools - Educational software can be developed to enrich the learning process. 21

Application of Multimedia Home - Most multimedia projects reach the homes via television sets or monitors with builtin user inputs. 22 Public places - Multimedia will become available at stand-alone terminals or kiosks to provide information and help.

Multimedia Applications 23 Examples of Multimedia Applications: •Digital video editing and production systems •Electronic Newspapers/Magazines •Games •Groupware •Home shopping •Interactive TV •Multimedia courseware •Video conferencing •Video-on-Demand (VoD) •Virtual reality

Multimedia System Characteristics 24 • Multimedia systems must be computer controlled. • All multimedia components are integrated. • The interface to the final user may permit interactivity. • Information must be represented digitally.

Overlapping Technologies 25 • Different branches of multimedia grow together because of new, upcoming multimedia technology and applications. • Two challenges lie ahead: ▫ Timing requirements (synchronization etc.) ▫ Integration requirements (of different media types)

Summary Multimedia is the combination of text, graphics, sound, animation and video, to effectively communicate ideas to users delivered by computer. Multimedia projects can be linear or nonlinear. Multimedia projects are often stored on CD-ROM or DVDs. They can also be hosted on the Web. Multimedia is widely used in business, schools, public places, and at home. 26

References Vaughan Tay. Multimedia: Making It work. 7th Edition. McGraw Hill McGloughlin Stephen. Multimedia: Concepts and Practice. Prentice Hall 27