Multimedia

Chapter 1

Introduction to Multimedia

Dhekra BEN SASSI

What is Multimedia?

Derived from the word “Multi” and “Media” Multi

Many, Multiple, Media

means for conveying information:- Media in the press, newspaper, radio and TV context -

mass media- Media in communications: cables, satellite, network –

transmission media- Media in computer storage: floppy, CD, DVD, HD, USB

– storage media- Media in HCI context: text, image, audio, video, CG –

interaction media

Definition of Multimedia

Multimedia: refers to various information forms text, image, audio,

video, graphics, and animation in a variety of application environments.

In terms of computing, four fundamental multimedia attributes:

- Digitized: All media including audio/video are represented in digital

format

- Distributed: The information conveyed is remote, either pre-produced

and stored or produced in realtime, distributed over networks

- Interactive: It is possible to affect the information received, and send

own information, in a non-trivial way beyond start, stop, fast forward

- Integrated: The media are treated in a uniform way, presented in an

orchestrated way, but are possible to manipulate independently

Definition of Multimedia

Multimedia: Computer-based techniques of text, images, audio, video, graphics, animation, and any other medium where every type of information can be represented, processed, stored, transmitted, produced and presented digitally

TEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

Elements of Multimedia

TEXTTEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

A broad term for something that contains words to express something.

Text is the most basic element of multimedia. A good choice of words could help convey the intended

message to the users (keywords). Used in contents, menus, navigational buttons Text - ASCII/Unicode, HTML, Postscript, PDF

Elements of Multimedia

GRAPHICTEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

Two-dimensional figure or illustration Could be produced manually (by drawing, painting,

carving, etc.) or by computer graphics technology. Used in multimedia to show more clearly what a

particular information is all about (diagrams, picture).

Elements of Multimedia

AUDIOTEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

Produced by vibration, as perceived by the sense of hearing.

In multimedia, audio could come in the form of speech, sound effects and also music score

Elements of Multimedia

ANIMATIONTEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

The illusion of motion created by the consecutive display of images of static elements.

In multimedia, animation is used to further enhance / enriched the experience of the user to further understand the information conveyed to them.

Elements of Multimedia

VIDEOTEXT

AUDIO

GRAPHIC

VIDEO

ANIMATION

Is the technology of capturing, recording, processing, transmitting, and reconstructing moving pictures.

Video is more towards photo realistic image sequence / live recording as in comparison to animation.

Video also takes a lot of storage space.

Classification of Multimedia

Discrete Media (DM, Static):

text, image, graphics

Continuous Media (CM, Dynamic):

audio, video, animation

Hyper Media:

A combination of hypertext, graphics, audio, video,

(linked elements) and interactivity culminating in a

complete, non-linear computer-based experience

Example

Example of Hyper MediaMain Page

1. Video link

2. Image link

3. Audio Link

Linear VS Non-Linear

Linear:

A Multimedia Project is identified as Linear when: It is not interactive User have no control over the content that is

being showed to them.Example:

A movie

Linear VS Non-Linear

Non-Linear:

A Multimedia Project is identified as Non-Linear when: It is interactive Users have control over the content that is

being showed to them. Users are given navigational control

Example: Games

Authoring Tools

Use to merge multimedia elements (text, audio, graphic, animation, video) into a project.

Designed to manage individual multimedia elements and provide user interaction (if required).

Authoring Tools

Example:

Importance of Multimedia

There are a number of fields where multimedia could be of use. Examples are:- Business Education Entertainment Home Public Places

Importance of Multimedia

Business Use and Applications

Sales / Marketing Presentation Trade show production Staff Training Application Company Kiosk

Importance of Multimedia

Education Use and Applications

E-Learning / Distance Learning Information Searching

Entertainment Use and Applications

Games (Leisure / Educational) Movies

Importance of Multimedia

Home Use and Applications

Television Satellite TV SMS services (chats, voting, reality

TV)Public Places

Use and Applications

Information Kiosk Smart Cards

Importance of Multimedia

Digital audio/video is revolutionizing music, film, game, and video & audio industries

Convergence of computers, telecommunication, radio, and TV– Caused by technology and competition– Dramatic changes in products and infrastructure

New application potential– Huge potential markets– Improving our lives (learning, entertainment, and work)

Interesting technical issues

Forces Driving the Multimedia Revolution

Evolution of communication and data networks

Ubiquitous access to network: Via local-area

networks (LAN), wireline and wireless networks,

Internet, world wide web, “anywhere, anytime”.

Fast processor and large capacity storage

devices: including 3-D hardware. Moore’s law:

computation and memory capacity of chips

doubles every 18 months

Forces Driving the Multimedia Revolution

New algorithms and data structures. Compression

techniques, graphics…

Smart terminals such as digital phones, screen phones…,

accessing and interacting the network with wired and

wireless connections.

The digitization of virtually any device : cameras, video

capture and playback devices, handwriting terminals,

sound capture, etc., and the digitization of text/audio/video

documents and libraries that allows better

communications, storage, and fast access and browsing.