MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY POO KUAN HOONG

Course Info : Lecturer : Poo Kuan Hoong Lecturer : Poo Kuan Hoong Phone : Phone : Course website Course website

INTRODUCTION What is multimedia? What is multimedia? Multimedia is the seamless integration of text, sound, images of all kinds and control software within a single digital information environment Multimedia is the seamless integration of text, sound, images of all kinds and control software within a single digital information environment - Tony Feldman Multimedia is more than a high technology buzzword – powerful way to educate, entertain and inform Multimedia is more than a high technology buzzword – powerful way to educate, entertain and inform

Why is it important? Multimedia is : Multimedia is : Changing the nature of reading Changing the nature of reading A link to the information superhighway A link to the information superhighway Highly effective Highly effective Helping to spread the information age Helping to spread the information age

Why is it important? People retain only 20% of what they see and 30% of what they hear. But remember 50% of what they see and hear, and as much as 80% of what they see, hear and do simultaneously.

Who can use it? Multimedia can be used by people from all level: Multimedia can be used by people from all level: From different profession From different profession Technical or non technical Technical or non technical Entertainment, education, computer industry and telecommunication Entertainment, education, computer industry and telecommunication

Definition of multimedia There’re a lot of different opinion about definition of multimedia There’re a lot of different opinion about definition of multimedia Definition can be based on : Definition can be based on : Application Application Computer system (hardware & software) – the focus of this class Computer system (hardware & software) – the focus of this class Communication & network Communication & network

What is multimedia? Direct translation Direct translation Multi Multi 2 key elements 2 key elements 1. Presentation of information through multiple media (one or more than one media) - allow computing to move from text and data into the realm of graphics, sound, images and full motion video 2. Non-linear navigation through applications for access to information on demand, which also termed hypermedia

What is multimedia? Direct translation Direct translation Media Media Based on a form of human interaction using computer for processing (video, audio, text, graphics and image) Based on a form of human interaction using computer for processing (video, audio, text, graphics and image)

What is Multimedia? In general, 3 main characteristics of hypermedia system :- In general, 3 main characteristics of hypermedia system :- Allow compact form of storage, quick and convenient access of information Allow compact form of storage, quick and convenient access of information Offering high level of control – opportunity to diverge from a linear path Offering high level of control – opportunity to diverge from a linear path Enhance the benefit & frequency of interaction Enhance the benefit & frequency of interaction

Multimedia Technology Multimedia services and system rely on: Multimedia services and system rely on: 1. Computer system architecture 2. Network communication 3. Software technologies 4. User interface In the context of computer system (focus of this class) In the context of computer system (focus of this class) Multimedia computer system that has the capability to integrate two or more media in one single electronic document. Multimedia computer system that has the capability to integrate two or more media in one single electronic document.

History of Multimedia 1970s : a slide show format was introduced on the computer (specialized computer, designed to control slide shows) 1980s : personal computers were designed to integrate with various forms of media. Some external devices i.e. external drive, larger monitor, video projector, and external sound amplifier can be used to support the computer

History of Multimedia During 1980s, custom-built applications were created using interactive videodiscs - optical storage units that contain audio and video in analog form 1990s : computer manufacturers made their systems more accessible to third-party developers. Formerly, multimedia lies in the arts and education

History of Multimedia At the beginning of the 1990s, developments in digital technology encouraged the creation of multimedia 'titles' - compact discs containing audio and video in digital form that could be played back on a personal computer, equipped with a compact disc player, a sound board and speakers. In digital form, information can be processed, stored and transmitted over computer networks

What are the benefits? Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Information consumers Information consumers research and reference materials education games and entertainment telemarketing

What are the benefits? Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Information providers Information providers consumer and retail kiosks network information delivery sales and commercial presentations simulations and training electronic publishing

What are the benefits? Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Computing with multimedia is important for three segment of society : Information workers Information workers multimedia databases data visualisation groupware or cooperative computing personal communications

Benefits of using Multimedia Business Business Marketing & Sales Marketing & Sales Education & Training Education & Training Medicine Medicine

Problems with Multimedia Investment costs - costs of development, hardware & software. Technical barriers - in terms of new terminology (acronyms, i.e. MPEG, JPEG, VCD), technology, and compatibility of hardware and software. Social & psychological barriers - loneliness, isolation and lack of contact.

Problems with Multimedia Legal problems - developers of multimedia application need to identify and contact the owners of copyright of all materials that forms the content of their applications. Not suitable for text-intensive and linear content

Types of Multimedia Used Text Text fundamental component - used to convey basic information change font/font size, different colors for different blocks of text Interactive links - also called hyperlinks, hotwords. e.g. to display additional information

Types of Multimedia Used Still graphics & Images Still graphics & Images graphics that contain no movement e.g. photographs and drawings. can be obtained from clipart sites, created by yourself, scanned, digitized photos from a digital camera, collection from a CD- ROM. important because people are visually oriented

Types of Multimedia Used Animation Animation moving graphic images - range from the simple motion of a basic graphic image to the complex movement of very detailed images. used to convey information more vividly than just text and graphics

Types of Multimedia Used Audio Audio sound that has been digitized and stored in some form for replay can be captured digitally using a microphone, CD-ROM, radio, or any other device that can transmit sound into the hardware that is installed in a personal computer supplement text and graphics enhance understanding

Types of Multimedia Used Video Video comprised of photographic images that display at speeds of 15 to 30 frames per second and provide the appearance of motion in real- time. problem is that video files are large in size- a single second of uncompressed video running at the speed of a movie requires 30 MB of storage space

Multimedia Application Computer-based training self-paced study reduced training time one-on-one interaction reduced training costs unique instructional experience Special education Electronic Books and References How-to Guides

Multimedia Application Magazines Entertainment Most popular Virtual Reality Information kiosks ranging from bank machines to mall information centre to Point-of- Sales system characteristics- simple functions & easy to use

Multimedia Application Electronic Marketing and Sales The Internet and the World Wide Web applications

Evaluation It is critical that users & developers understand how to evaluate the quality or usefulness of a product It is critical that users & developers understand how to evaluate the quality or usefulness of a product There’re 2 perspectives for evaluation : There’re 2 perspectives for evaluation : The user The user The developer The developer

The user’s perspective Is often not considered a feature of multimedia evaluation Is often not considered a feature of multimedia evaluation User issues can be generally categorized as : User issues can be generally categorized as : Subject/content Subject/content Platform (hardware & software) Platform (hardware & software) Usability Usability Cost Cost

The developer’s perspective Developers of multimedia products should be view evaluation as tools to make product better than the last Developers of multimedia products should be view evaluation as tools to make product better than the last This is to prevent repetition of previous mistakes This is to prevent repetition of previous mistakes

The developer’s perspective Many of these issues should be considered throughout the development process : Many of these issues should be considered throughout the development process : Content Content Performance Performance Delivery Delivery Interface Interface